The Barley Merchant Taproom & Kitchen

The Barley Merchant was built by people who live here. Lifelong Langley residents Tim and Theresa LaHay opened it with partners Marv and Eddie Emerman, both experienced restaurateurs, in a 200-seat space in the Thunderbird Village development by the Colossus theatres. Construction was meant to start in March 2020; the pandemic pushed everything back, and in June 2021 they were holding an outdoor hiring fair for 70 to 80 staff ahead of a planned July opening.

The idea

Everything they pour comes from British Columbia: beer, cider, wine, spirits, the lot, on a 50-tap wall that rotates constantly. That’s the headline for most visitors. The quieter half of the business is the kitchen, which makes its own stocks, sauces, dressings, soups and dips, bakes its sourdough, and rolls its gnocchi by hand.

What to eat

Pizza is a good place to start: the dough ferments for two days, and the lineup runs from a Carnivore to a Quattro Formaggi. The Barley Classic burger comes single, double or triple with the house sauce. Starters include house hummus with pita, a beer cheese dip, Aunty Cheryl’s crispy Thai chicken and BC fish tacos. On the mains side there’s a pork belly and mushroom gnocchi, a spicy beef noodle bowl, a chicken risotto and a striploin steak frites on house sourdough. A BC fish chowder is a fixture. Fall 2026 added a curry butternut squash soup.

Separate gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free menus are posted, and the staff are set up to talk through changes.

Not drinking?

There’s a full booze-free page: half a dozen house mocktails, kombucha, alcohol-free BC beer and cider in cans, bottomless pop and refillable coffee.

Before you go

• Kids are welcome, though the room is aimed at grown-ups. There’s a kids’ menu, a few high chairs and boosters, and a change table.
• The patio isn’t dog-friendly (you reach it through the dining room).
• On Fridays and Saturdays, group bookings are taken only for arrivals before 4:30 pm; after that it’s first come, first served.
• Gift cards are sold in person only.

More locally owned places in Walnut Grove.