Cider Bar Near Me in Downtown Burbank: The Ciderworks Tavern

Exploring the premier options for a cider bar near me across northern Los Angeles County leads beverage enthusiasts straight to The Ciderworks at Story Tavern at 150 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502. Situated along the pedestrian-friendly retail promenade of downtown Burbank, this expansive, heritage-inspired public house features a specialized taproom extension exclusively dedicated to artisanal hard ciders. While standard sports taverns across the San Fernando Valley typically offer only a single sugary mass-market cider option, The Ciderworks curates one of the most extensive rotating craft cider tap lists in Southern California.

Established in 2012 by longtime Burbank residents Brian Sauer and Diane Sauer, Story Tavern was created to give the local community an authentic neighborhood pub infused with Burbank civic history. As personal enthusiasts of traditional cider making, the founders recognized that cider offered a naturally gluten-free beverage with immense culinary versatility. To champion this underappreciated craft, they launched The Ciderworks as an interconnected specialty bar, dedicating dozens of draft handles and bottle selections exclusively to independent orchard producers.

The draft program at The Ciderworks features a rotating selection of artisanal hard ciders on tap, spanning crisp traditional apple blends, dry hopped ciders, heritage perries, and seasonal berry infusions. Pours are offered in sixteen-ounce pints for $8 alongside custom tasting flights of four distinct ciders for $8. This approachable flight format provides guests the perfect opportunity to compare contrasting styles, ranging from bone-dry Pacific Northwest ferments to sweeter orchard fruit ciders, all in one sitting.

Begin your tasting with a pour of Two Rivers Pomegranate Cider or Ace Joker Dry Cider on draft for $8. Served in a clean chilled pint glass, this sparkling pour exhibits lively golden clarity with fine effervescence. Aromas of freshly harvested autumn apples and subtle orchard blossom rise from the glass, while the palate delivers a crisp, mouth-watering snap of green apple acidity and a completely dry, refreshing finish that prepares the palate for hearty tavern dining.

To accompany your drinks, order the signature Story Tavern Burger served on a toasted brioche bun with a side of crispy seasoned kettle chips for $15. The juicy beef patty, cheddar cheese, and house aioli provide a savory richness that cuts beautifully against the tart carbonation of hard cider. If you prefer classic pub comfort food, order the skillet-baked Classic Mac and Cheese topped with toasted breadcrumbs for $13, or a basket of crispy seasoned tater tots for $2.

For groups looking to explore diverse flavors, order a custom four-glass Ciderworks Flight for $8. The flight paddle lets you select four 3-ounce tasting pours from the rotating draft board, allowing you to sample a dry heritage cider, a barrel-aged selection, a blackberry cider, and an estate pear perry side by side. Tasting through the progression highlights how fermentation yeast strains and fruit blends transform the body and aromatics of the final pour.

Service at The Ciderworks combines the ease of traditional pub ordering with attentive table care. Guests can grab a seat at the main bar counter to chat with the bartenders about seasonal draft arrivals, or settle into a private booth and order from the full food and beverage menu with table service. The atmosphere during weekday lunches and early afternoons from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM is peaceful and quiet, while evenings bring a bustling energy as local studio workers gather for after-work happy hours.

What firmly distinguishes The Ciderworks from ordinary suburban bars is its deep commitment to gluten-free culinary safety alongside craft beverage curation. The tavern maintains an extensive dedicated gluten-free kitchen prep area, ensuring that guests with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities can enjoy both their ciders and their pub fare without anxiety. The menu clearly identifies gluten-free preparations for sandwiches, burgers, and fried sides.

A visit to The Ciderworks integrates seamlessly with an unhurried afternoon in downtown Burbank. Before your evening drinks, take a leisurely stroll down San Fernando Boulevard to browse independent boutiques, comic book shops, and neighborhood bookstores, or catch an afternoon screening at the nearby AMC Burbank cinema complex. Strolling past the outdoor pedestrian plazas before settling into The Ciderworks makes for a delightful evening itinerary.

Autumn and winter bring festive cider celebrations to The Ciderworks, with seasonal holiday taps featuring spiced pumpkin ciders, cinnamon-infused apple ferments, and rare winter release bottles. The pub frequently hosts tap takeovers with visiting cideries from Washington and Oregon, providing Burbank drinkers access to limited-edition kegs rarely seen outside their home tasting rooms.

The clientele at The Ciderworks is as warm and welcoming as Burbank itself. Animation artists from nearby Disney and Warner Bros studios, longtime neighborhood residents, dart league players, and craft beverage enthusiasts share the space comfortably. The absence of rowdy club music and the presence of board games and dart lanes foster genuine community connection.

Practical notes for organizing your trip: The Ciderworks at Story Tavern is located at 150 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502, positioned between Angeleno Avenue and Olive Avenue. Operating hours run Monday through Thursday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM, Friday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM, and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM. Keep key menu prices in mind: $8 craft cider pint, $8 tasting flight, $15 Story burger, $13 classic mac and cheese, $2 tater tots. Downtown Burbank provides multiple free multi-story public parking garages within one block, including structures on Orange Grove Avenue and Palm Avenue.

Whether you are seeking a refreshing pint of dry heritage cider after a long work day or looking for an inclusive gastropub that serves fantastic gluten-free meals, The Ciderworks at Story Tavern delivers on all fronts. Grab a seat in the historic tavern hall, order a four-cider tasting paddle, and experience premier cider hospitality in downtown Burbank.