It's been almost a year since we announced that Tap 42, the Fort Lauderdale-originated gastropub offering up to 42 craft beers on tap, would open a third location, at 301 Giralda Ave. in Coral Gables. Tap 42's parent company, TapCo. Restaurant Group, has announced the official grand-opening date for its new Gables establishment: Wednesday, May 18.

Founded in 2011 by brothers Sean and Blaise McMackin — who are also vice presidents of design for TapCo. Restaurant Group — Tap 42 in Fort Lauderdale became one of Broward County's first concepts to combine a chef-driven, gastropub-style menu, a large rotating selection of craft beer, and a bourbon-focused craft cocktail beverage program under one roof. A second Tap 42 is located in Boca Raton.

Next week, Coral Gables will get in on the action with the opening of what TapCo. chief operating officer Andy Yeager calls its "biggest and baddest restaurant yet."

According to TapCo. Restaurant Group partner and vice president of development Alex Rudolph, the 6,000-square-foot Coral Gables location will boast a 45-seat oval bar and outdoor seating for up to 250 guests.

"We've been trying to get into Coral Gables since we formed TapCo. with the expectation of expanding the brand," Rudolph says. "When we saw the space, we knew we had to have it, and it's been a long time in the works, but we're excited to say we think it will be one of the most beautiful restaurants in Coral Gables."

Located on the corner of Giralda Avenue and Salzedo Street, the restaurant will feature floor-to-ceiling garage doors that open along both storefronts, allowing for a unique indoor-outdoor experience only the Tap 42 Coral Gables will offer. Consistent design elements include reclaimed wood panels sourced from Oregon and the rebar-framed bar.

The menu, recently updated at the Boca Raton location, was redrafted with the Coral Gables restaurant in mind. It features new main plates, including spicy tuna tartare (hand-cut ahi tuna, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, spicy mayo, and malanga chips, $15.50); chimichurri skirt steak (96-hour ají panca marinade, flame-grilled with crisp tostones, $24.50); barbecued baby-back ribs (slow-cooked ribs with house-made barbecue sauce and creamed corn, $22); and Chef Drew's fried chicken (Korean chili-glazed chicken with honey, ginger, garlic, and Asian-style coleslaw, $18).

"It's going to be a more entrée-driven menu, and we feel it will really resonate with the clientele in Coral Gables," Rudolph says, "especially the skirt steak and baby-back ribs — those we're most excited about."

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The Gables location will also employ its own craft beer director, meaning the restaurant's core drafts, rotating drafts, craft cocktail menu, and special events will be location-specific. The liquor program will also have a more dedicated focus on both Scotch and bourbon, as well as several cocktails on tap.

Some things won't change, however: The Coral Gables restaurant will offer the same popular Tap 42 specials as the original spot. That includes ladies' night Wednesday and the restaurant's well-known bottomless brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

"It's pretty awesome building a restaurant brand. This store is far and away our best build to date, and while that doesn't always equate to success, I'm certainly excited to see how it grows up over the years," Yeager says. "Our third Tap 42, designed by our partners Sean and Blaise McMackin... [is a] pretty bad-ass place."

Note: During the first several months, parking in the building's upper-level garage will be free for all Tap 42 patrons. A valet stand will be located at the entrance on Giralda Avenue.

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