WILLIAMSBURG — The Secret’s Out: Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing has officially opened its Williamsburg location after a two-year wait — and the community is already feeling the buzz.

On Thursday afternoon, the brewery’s first official day in business after a soft opening period, bar manager Erin Johnson adjusted the playlist to better fit the early evening crowd as customers filtered into the brewery on Main Street, admiring the refreshed tavern dating to 1812.

Many patrons were returning to the space for the first time in a couple of years, taking in the hanging candelabras and warm lighting that complement the building’s wood and brick accented interior.

Over the course of a few hours, a couple dozen people congregated around the bar as baseball was on TV while bartenders nimbly served food from a limited menu.

Head staff said those looking for a little competition can head upstairs, where there are new pool tables, pinball machines, dartboards and a jukebox.

A stage for live music is set to go up, and outside is a beer pavilion surrounded by a garden. The brewery is also designed to host private events, from date nights and cocktail parties to weddings, along with divorce and breakup “celebrations” or a fifth grader’s birthday party.

“The space is big enough that we feel like we’re able to provide a lot of different things here and serve the community in a lot of different ways,” said Head Brewer Dennis Bates. “The community really wants a space, and we’re really trying to give everybody a little something that they want.”

The brewery, which originated in Framingham, chose Williamsburg in part because it wanted to operate a beer garden, something Bates said was no longer permitted at its previous location after the pandemic. The business also faced licensing challenges in Framingham, and Bates said the Williamsburg opening was delayed in part by a lengthy licensing process, as the business needed to secure several permits before opening.

The building itself has a long history. It began as a hotel built by Gross Williams in 1812, was rebuilt after an 1873 fire, and survived the devastating Mill River flood of 1874. Before Exhibit ‘A’ purchased the property, Burgy Brews had opened there in 2021 in the former Brewmaster’s Tavern.

At the bar, customers can choose from several beers, including the brewery’s newest release, “Secret’s Out.” The beer lineup features cans designed to resemble vintage book bindings, with noir-style cover art depicting scenes such as vampires perched on a ledge. A rotating cocktail menu will change with the seasons.

The food menu centers on poutine, along with chicken and steak-and-cheese sandwiches, dumplings and Caesar salad. Snacks include a giant pretzel, hand-cut fries and chicken tenders.

“We’re not a restaurant,” said Matt Nuernberger, founder of GrandTen Distilling, which is partnering with Exhibit ‘A.’ “We’re more like a tasting taproom. There are couches to hang out on, and there’s a small food menu if you want something to eat. It’s not the kind of place where a hostess greets you at the door and says, ‘Party of four?’ before showing you to a booth.”

While the interior has been refreshed, the building retains its 19th-century character.

“We worked really hard to preserve the space,” Bates said. “This is pretty close to what you would have seen throughout history.”

The tavern held an unannounced soft opening last weekend, giving staff a chance to work out any issues before opening to a larger crowd.

“Unlock the door and see what happens,” Bates said. About 200 people visited during the soft opening, he said, adding that the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It was well worth the wait,” said Williamsburg resident Karen Webb as she waited on Thursday for a pretzel while her husband sipped a lager. It was already the couple’s third visit since the soft opening. “People locally are really excited.”

The tavern is open Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.

Exhibit ‘A’ is also still looking to hire more bartenders and cooks.