TABAC Taphouse in Exeter

Just an awesome place, wide selection of alcohol, cigars and tobacco, the staff are faultless and friendly, definitely be back

My partner and I went in for a quick drink inbetween trains, the bar was dirty and smelt of BO, when ordering at the bar we asked is the wine was dry, the nice barmaid said she didn’t know, so my partner asked if she could try a drop as she is not a fan of sweet wines. The barmaid politely asked what I assume was the manager - tall, long haired, bearded man and he snapped no at her, we heard and ordered a beer. He then walked past us as said loudly “it’s not a F***ing restaurant you don’t get to try” We didn’t finish our drinks and promptly left. Tabac used to be a brilliant bar with an excellent range of beers and spirits, this is absolutely not the case anymore. A real shame.

Staff drinking behind the bar to the point of stumbling … toilet is just grim … was expecting a nice drink before my train but just over run with drunks and just a barman who was after a fight with any punter …. Won’t be another stop over here

What a lovely place!!! Really friendly (and very knowledgeable) staff, excellent range of spirits including their own gin, vodka, and whisky! Four or five great beers on keg, really great atmosphere. I really loved it and will definitely be back!

Very rude bar staff, gone downhill. Very unprofessional. Like they didn’t want to be inconvenienced by customers and like a owners youth club

£8.40 a pint. Unfortunately the barman/owner has anger management issues and is deeply unpleasant to customers. We took our parents here, and after paying for a round innocently questioned whether the price was correct , given that it was £8.40 for a pint of beer which we drink regularly in Bristol for much much less. We were treated to tirade from, the owner, who wanted us to apologise to him for daring to check whether we had been charged correctly. We then sat down and he came over to and called my mother in law a liar, and would not leave, asking her to apologise to him for being a liar. It was completely bizarre behaviour and deeply unpleasant. We kept asking him to leave us alone as we didnt want a confrontational - if ive bought an expensibe pint I dont want to be told off whilst drinking if. He just would not leave, and continued berating us. He concluded by barring us all - quite an experience for out parents who have made it to their late 60s without ever being barred from a pub. I do not wish to be unkind , as I know everyone has bad days, but I don't want anyone else to have such an unpleasant and combative experience. The absolute worst bar I've been to in my life.

Tiny bar situated next to the train station. Perfect place for a quick drink before boarding train home.

Craft beers and spirits. High voltages. Ales on tap, vast range in cans and bottles. Cosy and rustic. Near the main railway station. Helpful team and good for people watching.🇬🇧🇳🇿

Sit down in this very small taphouse type bar adjacent to Exeter Central Station and spend a little time looking around at the character and decor of this place. Very interesting. Then look at the small number of pull points at the bar. One for cider, two for lager, one beer and a stout. The rest is bottles of gin and the like. Beer comes in half and two thirds of pints. On this day Chocolate and vanilla stout from the Left Handed Giant Brewery in Bristol. Stunning quality, stunning taste with a stunning price tag that when calculated into per pint is very expensive. However, having said that, i would happily pay that price occasionally for the beer, atmosphere and character of the place. Experience not to be missed.

Visited twice early evening, served v good citrus IPA but only 3 draft beers, rest are bottles or cans, drank beautiful marshmallow stout and local vodka, interesting atmosphere. Would revisit

Not accepting cash!? This is wrong and discriminatory! It amazes me when a hospitality venue can afford to turn down legal tender. Hopefully the policy will change soon as otherwise this is a nice place by Central Station, no Track and Trace nonsense either.

Situated just outside Exeter Central couldn’t think of a better place to wait for a train or to while away the time on a sunny afternoon/evening , as they open around 4pm .Excellent staff and a well stocked bar, a great place to watch the world go by

On a rare sunny day in May we saw the buzz of lots of people enjoying beer outside the Tabac Tap House in Exeter. When there were no free tables we peered inside. The landlord immediately hefted a table and chairs outside for us - now that is service. This is a gem and everyone was fabulous and friendly. The beer was also delicious, we highly recommended the Tabac Taphouse.

Really nicely designed place. great selection of drinks, and a lovely atmosphere with seats both inside and outside on the street.

Now the first thing to point out is this place is not huge and has enough space for maybe 10-15 people to sit indoors and a couple of tables outside but at this time of year....it's a bit chilly for that! It is cozy and they have a great number of beers on tap with plenty of other options in whisky, rum, gin etc all at great prices. The staff are friendly and very welcoming, be sure to check it out!

One of the more stylish places to drink in Exeter and a really nice mellow atmosphere. Takes me back to memories of the tap houses in Amsterdam, great choice of ales too and at a fair price. Check it out!

Siamo arrivati e la barista è fuori a fumare, nulla di male per carità, se non che a servirci entra un cliente, penso un suo amico, tra le altre cose ubriaco, ci spilla una birra e metà la rovescia sul bancone, ho a che fare con il mondo della birra da anni, mai vista una roba del genere, peccato perché il posto è anche bello, ma non ne vale proprio la pena, se siete turisti verrete trattati da pagliacci. A mai più.

This is a super cozy bar in a really nice location. You can sit outside when the weather is good and look at people passing. They have a nice selection in beer with a rotation on the tap and a lot more in bottles and cans. They usually play good music, and the staff is super friendly.

Becoming a local here, Piston Head draft is an amazing pint. The decor and music gives the place a real good vibe when inside and nice part of Exeter to be at when outside. Great bar

Recently visited with friends, great outdoor seating and indoor seating. Great selection of drinks including own brewed and distilled. Definitely return. Pleasant staff, music not too loud, clean and welcoming. Recommend Bad Fagins gin

Very cool place to spend time watching the world go by. Good choice of beer. Plenty of space to sit down inside and outside. Very friendly staff too.

We loved this little tap house next to the station during our visit to Exeter. They have their own distillery as well as local beers and ciders. Great little spot!

Just terrific. Top staff, excellent selection of drinks. Good atmosphere. Just all round terrific really. Chap with the beard was particularly lovely.

next time I want to be talked down to i'll make sure the guy that served us Tuesday 21st may is on ( big lad, big beard )

Quirky décor. Good selection of booze of all types. Cute lav too (shame there's only one; I imagine it gets very busy at the weekend). Liked the merlot. Would return if only to people watch.

Great for a beer al fresco and watch the passers by. Great selection of real ales and a nice buzz and an independent!!

There's usually a good selection of craft beers on tap and because of the location and overall trendy design of the place, I usually call in every few weeks or so whenever a friend or family member want's to go out for a couple. I won't any more though, the staff was glued to his smart phone and when asked about one of the beers on tap (a black IPA and if it was anything like a stout) he was very condescending with answer. Me and my dad stayed for 2 or 3 anyway and it was just painfully obvious that we were being done a favour to be served at the bar. It wasn't even very busy. The beer was coming out the tap far too cold also. In comparison, the craft bar by the cathedral had someone who was happy to advise on the beer and actually seemed happy to be there.

I was a first-time visitor. Here is a summary of my experience:

Anglo-French city bar. Good modern IPAs, continental beers, wines, charcuterie and cheeseboard. Plenty of hip beards too. One of the better bars in town for a grown up crowd.

This taphouse is a real gem in Exeter with friendly happy staff, excellent selection and a really good decor/vibe inside. A bit more expensive but worth it.

This is a most unusual and friendly bar with great atmosphere and lots of interesting photographs about one wall. Ideal for an after dinner drink.

Stumbled across the bar while on an overnight stop in Exeter. Good selection of Gins and Cider, nice atmosphere and friendly staff. Good selection of bar snacks too....

Now this is a real drinkers paradise.....owned by Hamish of Fat Pig and Rusty Bike fame

We discovered Tabac by chance as it was near our B&B; when we stayed in Exeter recently. They have an excellent range of their own beers, gins and spirits and very friendly helpful staff. It quickly became our 'local' whilst staying in Exeter and I'm sure we'll be back again at some point.......

The name sounds like it would be place you would associate with tobacco and cigarettes but you couldnt be further away. A smallish bar with a big array of beers and spirits. Outdoor seating available. Very close to Exeter Central station so ideal if waiting for a train. This is where you are most likely to find locally brewed Fat Pig Brewery beers.

TABAC is small, let's get that out there first, but it's one of the best bars in Exeter. Great independent selection of lager, cider and ale (with their own brand on tap, as well as their own Gigs) and even homemade bar-like snacks.

This place is great. Good selection of beers, good music and a tiny but superb selection of food. The sharing platters are very good and are made in front of you.

Never been to a more welcoming pub, I don't feel like a costumer when I'm in there, it's a great atmosphere. More than enough choice of lagers ales and spirits plus there own brewed drinks.

Me & my partner live/work in the city centre, this is a nice friendly pitstop during the week,and if we are out on the weekends we take our friends there too! Rarely any trouble and lots of choice on high quality tipples it is a bit pricy but worth it!

This place is full of character and was the perfect after dinner drink establishment for us (starting to feel al little old to go to Firehouse/Artigiano etc). What an evening...Dr Inks, Pasha, Tabac. the perfect go to combination for a night out in Exeter. great beer & good atmosphere. Well done, Fat Pig people.

Tabac, it sounds like a smokers shop,

Love this little gem. It's small and quirky but packs a punch. It's just a nice place to be and makes you feel somewhere else entirely. Central and accessible. Lovely gin. Lovely wine.

There is no doubting that Tabac is a beautifully decorated, feast for the eyes of a venue, with a wonderful selection of artisan lagers, spirits etc. It really has to be seen to be appreciated. Disappointingly they do allow its customers to use e cigarettes inside the bar and at £10.25 for a pint and a glass of wine it is regardless of the atmosphere an expensive experience.

My husband and I visited last Saturday and we had an amazing time. The best bar in Exeter in our opinion. Warm and friendly atmosphere with great unusual specialist drinks...I particularly recommend the coffee tequila!

What a lovely bar. Great vibe, great booze. Brill staff. Keeping the bar simple. Love it! Plus the décor is well done:) small bit perfect.

A sereal evening as we sat outside,on a very warm evening, watching the Halloween ghosts, witches and ghouls walk towards a smoking city centre as the Royal Clarence burned.Welcoming place, friendly staff for the discerning drinker,don't go if you want to throw cheep booze down your throat. Do go if you enjoy ambience.

Belgian beers are hard to find, but that's a place that carries Einstock Pale Ale from Iceland! Cozy interior and friendly staff

We walked into this place on our first night in Exeter and quite liked it. The interior is in the retro style and quite interesting. The drinks are great though the food menu is a bit limited.

Stayed around the corner and was looking for some real ale or craft beer. This small local brewer has a couple of pubs.....this was a great find. Great beer

Located across the road from Mercure Rougemont Hotel this is a small bar with excellent home brew beers and lager.

Found this place as we were walking from our hotel to the pub we were eating at. Small atmospheric little place - even though for an early evening drink, we were there alone! Chatty bar staff and great beers - it would be a shame to miss it if you're in the city - directly opposite the train station, so no excuses!

Great location to get a drink before heading off on the train Small but social bar, good snacks. Not mainstream at all I much prefer this to large noisy pubs

Not bad at all but be aware that if you sit outside at peak times the level of traffic noise fumes and tramp of students etc can just tip over the happy urban bustle ceiling. Friendly well thought out and conducted place. Part of the benign Fat Pig Brewery group. Seems to draw an affable crowd and they have the right booze to satisfy.

Welcoming bar in a great spot for people watching. I went for the wine - a lovely fresh Sauvignon. Great selection of beers on offer and some tasty platters and snacks. The tables outside are in a splendid sunny spot.

This is a great little bar and lives up to all the reviews. Cool, small space, excellent range of craft beers, perfect for watching the world go by in the sunshine too. The music adds to the atmosphere - reminded me of the small craft beer bars in Gastown Vancouver. Friendly barman/manager. Finding this bar made my Saturday. Love it.

Tiny but perfect one room bar right by Exeter Central Station. Friendly staff and Excellent Ale. Due to lack of space the catering is limited but we had the cheese platter which was excellent.

I would say it is unique Brewery in the cellar and distillery in the room above Quirky but great atmosphere Fabulous range of real ales and spirits Staff very Attentive and very knowledgeable about their offer Great beer Will most certainly use again

A day trip in Exeter for my friend and I.

This little bar is very reminiscent of those found on the continent. Tres chic and cool, small and bijou. Beer and drinks are beer and drinks, but it's the atmosphere that's the real reason to go. Also just next to the train station so great if you're wanting that last minute drink before running to catch the last train.

Often take a wee break in here when shopping in Exeter; it's a little oasis of calm. Eclectic mix, which I like. Cool selection of abstract beers, and hummus, giant olives and fresh bread to die for!! Décor is very Parisienne chic. Love it here, coolest little watering hole in Exeter.

Friends and I went here for Saturday night drinks. It's a great space, really great atmosphere, good selection of beers, wine etc just want you want for a Saturday night catch up with friends.

Cool decor, nice craft beer (although is a bit pricey...) and a wide range of whiskeys and spirits. Good music too. Worth a trip!

Love the decor and the idea of the place. Sadly, the beer range is limited - only two taps (aside from the cider and Pistonhead lager) and the bottle selection is relatively poor. Doesn't really justify itself as a taphouse. Spirit selection looks great, though, especially the whisky...

Nice space for those of us who are older than students. Interesting spirits and beers. Good service.

Met here for a business meeting and fell in love with the place. Tabac have great beer and a great atmosphere. It's a small place so for meetings I'd recommend not going in the evening but for just a drink it's fantastic!

Right by Exeter Central station. Craft beer, cocktails, wines. Seems to have good coffees too. Very busy, but a good vibe on a Saturday night.

I stumbled across this on Trip Advisor when I was looking for somewhere new to eat on a Saturday night. It is a great little bar with a wide variety of unusual beers and spirits ( the piston head lager was a particular favourite). The decor and the vibe remind me very much of the Loungers group venues in Cardiff and Bristol although I have never seen the Toilet occupied/ vacant light system any where before. The drinks prices are on the high side and due to the size of the place you have to move quick if you want a table, it also get noisy quickly. Some of these issues help create ambience and make the place what it is Though I suppose. I will definitely be returning and it goes near the top of my list of places to drink in Exeter.

Exeter is quite lean on the decent bar front. There are plenty of restaurants and a handful of good pubs, but nice bars are thin on the ground. We went into Tabac as a small group on Saturday and loved it. Yes, the beer is quite expensive, but it is very good, the bar is really nicely decorated and laid out inside, the staff are very friendly and there is a great selection of gins and craft beers.

Having had a brilliant Friday night at the Fat Pig, my friend and I decided to visit Tabac on the Saturday night.

Yes of course it's a nice new cool place to hang out but the beer is ludicrously overpriced. £4 for a weissbier followed by £4.50 for a craft lager.. no. That is well overpriced.. I would say even by 'posh exeter bar' standards. £3.20 / pint for a great local real ale in the Old Firehouse. perhaps the taphouse could spend the spare £1.20 per pint on some additional toilet facilities before things get.. unpleasant ;-) ;-)

Delightful addition to the area.... Love the decor, great selection of gin and fun table football.... Great people watching venue!

Good busy vibe with well kept home brewed beers in this tiny little bar. Love the light system for the loo too.

I was in two minds about writing this review because I don't want the place to get too popular or to be overrun by the "in-crowd" - so if you do go, keep it as our little secret!

Went for drinks with some friends, part of the "Fat Pig Pub" family. Really good beer and wine , didn't eat this time but there are snacks available.

After a lubricated late Fridayafternoon meal in a basement in Gandy St we came up for air and strolled down Queen St to find this new snack, beer and wine bar in one of the units on the post war mini crescent around the entrance to Central Station. There were enough outside chairs for seven or eight of us. We were welcomed royally by the staff at Tabac. It seems to be related to Fat Pig Brewery but has a delightful informal laid back feel including the trad wooden table football. We had a very good time for about three hours in the slowly setting sun and will definitely come back. Pity we didn't take some photos.

I got dropped off at Central Station, Exeter, having been away and popped in for a cup of tea before going home... Some hours, a pot of tea, a sandwich and a few lovely beers later I made it home and got ready to go out again. Wonderful service from Lyn, Seth and all the staff plus a convivial atmosphere that encourages you to talk to your fellow customers. And yes, I went straight back to Tabac Taphouse after a wash and a brush up.

Stopped in here for one beer and really had to make a concerted effort to leave..fantastic ambience on a miserable summers day.A bewildering choice of beers and wines and on a recommendation went for the draught IPA brewed by The Fat Pig..a winner in my book.

This place has only been open a week or so and already has a fantastic character, full of charm and class. The bar has 4 drinks on offer and when we visited they had two of their own beers, a single cider and lager from Pistonhead. The classic table football table in the corner is very nice touch as is the range of european cigarettes on offer.