Pub Fare Meets Whiskey History at Dayton’s Mudlick Tap House

Named after the highest producing whiskey distillery in the northeast at the turn of the century, the Mudlick Tap House has served mindfully sourced food and handcrafted drinks since Jennifer and Forrest Williams founded it over a decade ago in the Montgomery County city of Germantown. 

“Our intent was just to open as a little growler fill station,” Jennifer says.

They quickly expanded to include small plates and pub fare before relocating to downtown Dayton in 2017. When the opportunity arose to custom build a new location, the restaurant moved to the bustling suburban environment of Uptown Centerville and reopened in summer 2025. Touches throughout the comfortable new space pay tribute to Mudlick Tap House history. 

“When you walk in the restaurant, the host stand is our original four-person bar from Germantown,” Jennifer says. 

Edison lightbulbs in horseshoe lamps and exposed beams evoke the Williamses’ background raising horses, and a whiskey bottle from the original distillery sits on display. Wood accents and Chesterfield upholstery ground the classic 1920s interior design. Diners can enjoy the intimate booths, open-floor dining area, silver-ceilinged bar and covered patio.

Mudlick Tap House offers craft beers and even integrates them into dishes like the Warped Wing Trotwood Lager-battered codfish, which comes served with house-cut fries. The Gem City Lemonade, featuring a housemade lemon curd, and other cocktails complement the menu of elevated pub fare with a Southern twist.

Jennifer recommends diners start with the deviled eggs made with “the best mayonnaise on Earth” — New Orleans Blue Plate Mayonnaise — and a hint of horseradish for a final kick. The popular balsamic fig jam burger with grilled halloumi, a balsamic reduction and caramelized onions is another menu favorite. Other items rounding out the curated menu include the pastry chef’s seasonal winter tiramisu cheesecake. 110 W. Franklin St., Dayton 45459, 937/895-4066, mudlicktaphouse.com

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