Reno's best cocktail bar with an outstanding craft program, excellent food, and live music several nights per week
Chapel Tavern is a craft cocktail bar and restaurant located in the Midtown Reno neighborhood of Reno, Nevada, and is widely regarded as the city's most accomplished cocktail destination. The bar occupies a space that was originally a funeral home chapel — a provenance that gives the venue its name and a degree of architectural character that purpose-built bars rarely achieve. Exposed brick, high ceilings, and careful lighting create an atmosphere that is warmly intimate without feeling precious. Seating at the bar itself is a premium position that fills quickly on busy nights.
The cocktail program is built around a philosophy of using house-made components wherever possible. Bitters, syrups, infusions, and shrubs are produced in-house, and the menu changes seasonally to reflect available ingredients and the evolving preferences of the bar team. The spirits selection is broad for a Reno bar, with a strong whiskey and rye section, capable coverage of gin and agave spirits, and a rotating list of lesser-known bottles. Classic cocktails are executed faithfully; original creations tend toward the understated rather than the theatrical.
Food at Chapel Tavern is taken seriously. The kitchen produces a menu of gastropub-style dishes — elevated bar snacks, house-made charcuterie, small plates, and heartier mains — that function as a genuine accompaniment to the cocktail program rather than an afterthought. The kitchen is open until late.
Live music is hosted several nights per week, typically Thursday through Saturday, ranging from jazz to indie rock to acoustic formats, played at a volume that allows conversation at most of the seating. No cover charge applies for most music nights, though ticketed events occur occasionally. The crowd is a mix of Reno professionals, University of Nevada students, and visitors seeking an alternative to the downtown casino bars. Dress code is relaxed and casual.
Good to know
- Signature
- House-made bitters and syrups, seasonal cocktails
Highlights
- Located in a converted funeral home chapel in Midtown Reno, with original exposed brick and distinctive high-ceiling architecture
- Seasonal cocktail menu built entirely on house-made bitters, syrups, and infusions — changed throughout the year
- Live music several nights per week spanning jazz, indie rock, and acoustic sets at a conversational volume
- Full kitchen open late with a gastropub menu designed to complement the cocktail program
Tips for visiting
- Bar counter seating fills fastest — arrive early if that is the preferred spot, especially on Thursday and Friday nights
- Thursday and Friday live music nights are the most consistently programmed; check ahead for Sunday jazz sessions
- Midtown Reno parking is street-based — allow a few extra minutes to find a spot on busy evenings
- The house-made bitters and infusion flights, when available, are a useful introduction to the bar's craft philosophy
Frequently asked questions
Where is Chapel Tavern located?
In the Midtown neighborhood of Reno, Nevada — a walkable strip of restaurants and bars that is distinct from the downtown casino corridor and about a ten-minute walk from it.
Does Chapel Tavern have live music?
Yes, live music is hosted several nights per week, typically Thursday through Saturday, with occasional Sunday jazz sessions.
Is there a cover charge?
Most nights have no cover charge. Ticketed special events may apply a fee; checking the bar's calendar in advance is recommended.
What is the food like at Chapel Tavern?
The kitchen produces gastropub-style dishes including elevated bar snacks, house charcuterie, and small plates alongside some heartier mains. Food service runs until late in the evening.