7 Most Fun Bars in Tacoma

Are you on the lookout for the most poppin’ Most Fun Bars in Tacoma?

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On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of the best Most Fun Bars in Tacoma. (More in-depth further below)

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Few cities drink as well as Tacoma. This city has a history written in indelible ink and a bottle of beer on the other hand. It is ambitious, goal-oriented, and never hesitant about having a good time.

From Jack the Bear to Pappy Boyington, it’s no secret that some of our nation’s leaders loved a cold one or five, and with Tacoma’s abundance of fantastic bars, it all makes sense.

Doyle’s Public House

Doyle’s Public House is a classic pub featuring imported beers, scotch & whiskey, bar food & soccer on TV. Doyle’s is the neighborhood bar you deserve. Open every day so you can gather with friends over tasty drinks or gather your thoughts alone with a dram of whisky. They have what your belly craves from Breakfast through lunch to dinner and then late-night snacks—featuring the most extensive whisky collection south of Seattle and north of Portland.

If you visit them, you will be searching for a place to live in the area. This vintage tavern, tucked between the Stadium District and downtown, is a whiskey-drinking soccer fan’s dream. They organize the wildest St. Patrick’s Day party in Tacoma, and there’s no better place to watch a Liverpool play at dawn. A fantastic spot for a little concert and a bottle of Jameson with pals. Make the Snug available for your next event. 

Doyle never shuts for private parties, although they offer the Snug! It’s a quiet, private space away from the main bar that you may rent for free anytime it’s available. The Snug is ideal for small private parties of up to 20 individuals. Contact them to arrange open times not mentioned on the left. Doyle’s Public House advertises itself as Tacoma’s most excellent whiskey bar.

According to Esquire magazine, it was named one of the top bars in America. Delicious Full Irish Breakfast! The ideal Breakfast on a Sunday morning. I was fortunate that it was not too crowded when I arrived, and the service was responsive, quick, and kind. I’ve lived in the area for three years, but this was my first visit for Breakfast. 

I had a moment today to enjoy the area. I stopped into Doyle’s Public house and enjoyed a delicious app and drink. I headed back for Breakfast tomorrow. Thank you so much for being so inviting. Great food! They set up our large group (15 people) in The Snug. We couldn’t hear the trivia but still had a great meal.

Are you looking for a perfect pint of Guinness in a local Irish Pub? Then head over to Doyle’s in the Stadium District of Tacoma! Great food, great bartenders, and a friendly atmosphere. Order the Deviled Scotch Eggs to share. It’s topped with balsamic bacon jam. So good! Try the Reuben Sliders. Served on pretzel buns with a nice portion of corned beef made to perfection.

Parkway Tavern

Parkway Tavern is a local watering hole featuring craft beers & bar bites in wood-paneled quarters with a fireplace. The Parkway Tavern, with its vintage neon sign and vaulted ceiling adorned with an enormous tap handle collection, is the ultimate neighborhood tavern. The Parkway, located in Tacoma’s historic Stadium District, is a favorite watering establishment for residents and visitors, thanks to its great beer options.

They feature a vast assortment (over 30 taps) of rotating craft beer on tap. There is also cider and wine available. Our kitchen prepares delectable bar cuisine such as nachos, sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, and more. They have televisions, and their back room features a pool table, shuffleboard, and other fun games. Be sure to spend time on their (drinks only) dog-friendly outdoor patio. See you soon! 

They are a 21+ establishment. For a good reason, we’d be astonished if Parkway didn’t go deep in this event. The beer hall’s neon sign and front porch are famous, and it’s where Tacoma’s beer fans have convened for years. This is a gathering place for individuals from all walks of life in the city—a super intimate spot with a fantastic vibe and AMAZING FOOD.

I ordered a swiss mushroom burger, two quesadillas, and a lot of ginger ale (if you like non-alcoholic ginger beer, the local variety in the purple can SLAPS). Cheddar beer was the house soup, and there’s something delightful about sipping liquid cheese. The crew is all pleasant and helpful, and Sean, the fantastic quesadilla cook, is THE MAN. My buddies appreciated the hard cider selections – this is a fantastic place to meet new people. 

There is also a lot of free street parking. Excellent neighborhood pub. Excellent setting, cuisine, and an extensive tap assortment of beer and cider. Jamie, our server/bartender, was fantastic. I ordered the PW Big Maq, and let me tell you. Thank you very much. Delicious burger. It’s complete and comes with jalapeno chips.

Excellent pairing. What a sweet find! I recently went to Parkway Tavern for a date night and understand why it’s a local favorite. A few things sound perfect – especially the Pesto Chicken Sandwich! We were surprised they didn’t have Bodhi on tap (that’s happened a few times recently!), but we ended up trying another hazy IPA that we both enjoyed. So, this is one of the best bars Tacoma has to offer you and your loved ones!

1022 South J

1022 South J is a cozy, speakeasy-style nook spotlighting creative cocktails & eclectic small & large plates. Few places satisfy the after-work cocktail, early evening date spot quite like this Hilltop hole in the wall. Priding themselves on a first-class selection of liquors and a staff that’s not an ounce shy about talking vermouths and floral notes in fancy gins, 1022 South J is a go-to spot for the fancier side of a South Sound drinker’s palette.

As with most of my evaluations, I’ll begin with what I DIDN’T enjoy about 1022 SOUTH J. It is situated on Tacoma’s Hilltop. That’s all. That was the one thing I didn’t care about. Tacoma’s Hilltop area is undergoing gentrification, which residents are fighting tooth and nail. 

The fact that one of the neighborhood’s most significant neighbors is a jail, and the area is dotted with bail bondsman offices does not assist the neighborhood’s image. But isn’t it strange how there are hidden treasures like 1022 SOUTH J? It is unpretentious and unapologetic about the place and the people that live there.

It’s the type of spot where regulars build connections with the bartenders outside of the bar. It’s where you can meet or go at the end of a work day or on your way from or to a trip and enjoy unexpectedly terrific meals and extraordinary beverages. My girlfriend got the pimento cheese and the 1022 fried chicken with no bun, while I ordered spiked fries, a BLT, and crispy Brussel sprouts. Her chick was juicy and well done, and the flames were wonderfully crisp. 

The beer selection was limited, but they understood how to prepare a good cocktail. If you ever find yourself in a downtown Tacoma hotel or defending someone in court, you should try this restaurant. Excellent cuisine, inventive drinks, and a somber atmosphere. It was fantastic. Their Fried Chicken Sandwich was out of this world.

Some of Tacoma’s top cocktail bartenders. There was a decent turnout and an excellent happy hour on Sunday night. Perhaps it’s simply a coincidence, but 80’s music is usually excellent. They feature incredible artisan cocktails, beers, wines, and great big and small meals, all of which are locally sourced, making this a fantastic gastropub! It was founded in 2008. 1022 sprang from the ashes of the Monsoon Room, Tacoma’s first handmade cocktail bar. So, this is one of the best bars in Tacoma.

The Mix

The Mix is a gay bar & nightclub featuring karaoke, music videos, DJ dance parties & drag queen shows. The Mix Tacoma (@themixtacoma) shared a post on December 11, 2018, at 1:51 pm PST. The Mix’s name was changed in 2008 to honor their blockwide gatherings during their May birthday celebration. It’s a full-service bar with premium liquor, microbrews, domestic beer, and wine on tap.

This was the most fantastic night of my life. The karaoke was the most enjoyable experience I’ve ever had. The karaoke crew is fantastic at mixing. They are a lot of fun and help to make the night magical. I’ll return again and again. Excellent party location. Although it is not a dancing club, the music is excellent. People danced to the music of others, and so forth. It’s a karaoke joint. There is no food. 

There are various local eateries around. Wonderful experience! It is LGBTQ-friendly. I would certainly return. On weekends, this is a great place to hang out. It is also open during the week. Karaoke begins at 9 pm. I adore this location! It is now on the list of my favorite places. However, parking can be a challenge. Carpooling is far superior. Bring money to tip the bartender and the karaoke hostess.

Tacoma’s #1 Gay Bar~Everyone is welcome! Karaoke nightly, Happy Hour daily 2–7 pm, every 3rd Saturday is Queens of the Night with Drag Queens & Cabaret performers, The Mixtape every Saturday with no cover (drag performers, audience mini-challenges, karaoke & more 8:30-12:30, no cover) AND the annual official Pride Block Party! This place is tiny but mighty. Street parking only. 

Their specialties include Micro Brews, Domestic & Import Beer, Wine, and Premium & Well Liquor. It was Established in 2008. They took a little pub called Ida’s in Downtown Tacoma and made it The Mix and FABULOUS! The atmosphere of this bar is phenomenal. The atmosphere is pleasant as you come in and instantly feel at ease.

The bartender was super friendly and personable and made me a great drink when I asked them to mix me up something since it was my first bar experience. Entertaining venue! I can’t wait to go back. We went for the karaoke night, and it was great to see so many people just having fun and supporting the singers. It was pretty packed, but 99% of people wore masks when not at a table. 

7 Seas Brewery and Taproom

7 Seas Brewery and Taproom is like heaven to the locals. Great beer and an even better atmosphere. Their beer is fresh, which makes a significant difference in flavor—now collaborating with The Harmon Pac Ave for simple taproom meal delivery! The brewing team prepares a limited cask-conditioned ale once a month. Join them in their tap rooms on the second Friday of every month at 11 a.m. for a special one-night-only beer release.

There are several alternatives to pick from. In many respects, their narrative is very generic. Two hardworking people meet, form a relationship, and transform their passion for fine beer into a company. What makes it unique are the details and experiences along the journey, the obstacles overcome, the sufferings faced, friendships formed, and all the joyful and tragic moments that life brings. 

Bridgeport IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Mad River Steelhead Double IPA, and Big Sky Moose Drool were among the beers that inspired and nourished their passion for craft beer. They are pleased to have been the first Craft Brewery in Washington State to can their beer, a revolutionary notion back in 2009. ‘No more broken glass and hefty rubbish,’ they declared at the time.

Prepared to have fun in any circumstance and with every experience, life throws your way. They have always been determined to make the most excellent beer they can, and (in their opinion) consistency is the actual difficulty. Constant innovation is fascinating and entertaining, but consistently producing core beers on which you can rely is a challenge that motivates them just as much. 

Their approach to beer creation is unlike most. They sketch out the ideal completed product, including its look, fragrance, and mouthfeel, and then reverse engineer the components and methods to get it. Knowing and understanding not just individual ingredients’ characteristics but how they interact with each other makes this possible. My favorite is the hefeweizen, one of the greatest tap Hefas I’ve ever drank.

Also, a great spot to have a vegan snack from a 3uilt restaurant! Spacious and comfortable setting for socializing with friends and bigger parties. It’s an excellent location. Come on over and have some fun! We held a group function with around 20 people and plenty of table space. The meal was delicious and simple to order online and pick up in the cooking area. I’m not a drinker, but the beer selection was extensive.

Devil’s Reef

Devil’s Reef is an excellent place for a different atmosphere for a fun night. Out with your friends and even some family members for the vibe. I wouldn’t say first-date vibes because it is pretty dark inside and can be a bit loud at total capacity. Make reservations for sure. Devil’s Reef, from the proprietors of adjacent Tacoma Cabana, Jason Alexander, and Robyn Murphy, is a fully-themed tiki bar in Tacoma’s Triangle/St. Helen’s district.

Tacoma Cabana was well-received, and Devil’s Reef is the next-generation extension, allowing Alexander and Murphy to dig even more deeply into their abilities in creating a terrific setting for drinking superb tropical cocktails. There is an extensive rum range and a tropical cocktail menu available. The décor explores the darker side of tiki, merging the couple’s love of Polynesian Pop with H.P. Lovecraft. 

Devil’s Reef first opened its doors on January 19, 2018. Tacoma Cabana was closed in September of that year, allowing Alexander and Murphy to concentrate their energies entirely on Devil’s Reef. But if you want a date night with a partner and don’t mind being in a dark environment like that, then go for date night. The drinks are mostly rum (specialty drinks).

However, they have a small selection of other alcoholic beverages and can make something you enjoy. Check out this place for a great environment with a fun pirate-theme vibe to get the conversation going. From our first time here, we were met with such hospitality – even Jason took us upstairs and accommodated our party on a busy night. 

He gave us the best first experience here and even let us browse one of his cocktail books (that we’ve since purchased, and he signed it!). Since then, we’ve come back many times, and each visit to Devil’s Reef has blown us away with delicious drinks and tasty food. Jason & his crew are sure to make every visit feel special and a place you want to take everyone who comes into town!

We’re sure to spend many, many more nights here. The ambiance is fantastic. The drinks are stiff and clever, with some delicious, unique flavors. There is also a sophisticated dog keeping an eye on things. The ambiance of this place was incredible! Friends called it a tiki bar, but I got a pirate ship vibe instead. So, this is one of the best bars Tacoma has to offer you!

Bob’s Java Jive

Bob’s Java Jive is a Bar and Night club. No-frills, a retro watering hole with live music, beer & Karaoke in a coffee-pot-shaped building. Fun, friendly, eclectic, and Karaoke! We had such a great night. Several times, I’d passed by this location and figured it was closed and abandoned. Far from it! I went with a small group on a Tuesday night, and we had a blast!

Drinks are essential, and facilities are a bit primitive at this time, but it all just added to the night. We will be back. A dirty dive bar, but it has its weird charm. Saw this place on YouTube a while back and found it by accident. So we had to stop. I will be back because it’s a weird cooky bar with history in Tacoma. If you want an immaculate, lovely bar, this is not the place to go. However, this should be on your list if you enjoy dive bars. 

I went to Bob’s on my first night in Tacoma and went there every night. Fantastic venue with a broad clientele, Karaoke, pool table, and an excellent selection of draught beers. The outdoor area looks to have recently been repaired, with more upgrades on the way. Will return!

The neighborhood tavern is riddled with stories ranging from pet monkeys to Nirvana — and it’s all part of what makes the place fascinating. Much of the local lore is true. It may appear that Bob’s Java Jive’s glory days of the 1970s and 1980s have passed, but the Jive has a way of adapting to the times. This 25-by-30-foot concrete coffee pot has evolved over nine decades and is still a part of the local culture scene. The pot was formerly a brunch spot. Then a drive-in eatery. Then there’s a speakeasy. 

After much rebranding, it was eventually purchased by Bob Radonich and his wife, Lylabell, in 1955, and that’s when it got its current name — Bob’s Java Jive. The bar’s name was partly inspired by the song “I love coffee; I love tea” by the 1950s musical group the Ink Spots. “I adore java jive, and it adores me.” The Jive ultimately evolved into a chaotically themed Polynesian dance club, replete with Java and Jive, two macaque monkeys (a mother-and-daughter pair). Bob’s Java Jive has evolved to meet the day’s culture, but it reflects Tacoma’s unique history.

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Conclusion

What we wouldn’t give to be sitting in one of our favorite hangouts right now. After-work drinks, tall boys on a sunny day, and engaging in discussion with our fellow man and woman?

Few things can compete with that. We now know that everyone has a favorite Tacoma bar. It’s difficult to choose just one, so we started the discourse with a good old-fashioned list for you to go through.

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