Bar seating is back, Part 3: The best new restaurants to sit at the bar
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Bar Seating is Back
After 15 months of pandemic restrictions, we’ve been itching to grab a spot at the bar. Here’s where we’re headed first.
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Where there are bars we missed killing time, there are bars that never even had the chance to be a bar in 2020. Dozens of restaurants opened in the Tacoma area last year, but their bars remained off-limits due to pandemic restrictions.
Stools were stacked in the corner with extra tables and chairs. Staff focused on table service and takeout. Bartenders awaited the day when they could, you know, be a bartender again.
In addition to the pubs and taprooms we missed the most and the restaurants where dinner at the bar sometimes beats a table, here is a list of new places to try — those that only just introduced seating at the bar, permitted through Washington state’s June 30 reopening. A few of them experienced a short pre-pandemic life, but the bar still feels like it needs our TLC.
Amitie Wine Company
1130 Broadway, Suite 204, Tacoma, 253-341-5298, amitiewine.com
Kris Blondin and Jack Noble opened their downtown wine shop and bar, alas, in March 2020. Tucked into the same building as Fujiya, the intimate space feels almost like a speakeasy. Though it’s open to everyone, wine club members enjoy perks like no corkage to pop a bottle on site and access to limited-edition bottles. Choose among bar seating along the wall, lounge-type seating in the back room and a somewhat secret patio out the back door.
Browne Family Vineyards
2508 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253-904-3066, brownefamilyvineyards.com
This Walla Walla-based winery chose Tacoma for its third standalone tasting room, where owners Andrew and Courtney Browne have created a destination that doubles as a community watering hole — only this one was designed with mid-century aesthetics that will make you swoon. Booths, bar stools, lounge chairs await you and your next glass of wine.
Cider & Cedar
A love affair with cider and Olympic cedar led to the opening of this well-appointed taproom near Wright Park. Mia and Sterling Paradiso first welcomed guests last summer, and they have found their stride with charcuterie boards to accompany their draft list of heirloom ciders, plus plenty of bottles to pop there or save for later. Sit at the short but beautiful bar for an awesome view of the star cedar back bar.
Cuerno Bravo
616 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253-328-6688, cuernobravo.com
Originally slated to open in March, this modern Mexican steakhouse — sister to Asadero Prime in Kent and Ballard, led by chef David Orozco — said hello to Tacoma late last year. Located in a long space under Dystopian State Brewing, the whole restaurant evokes a bar-centric vibe, making a seat at the actual bar all the more worthwhile to relish that wagyu and nurse a bottle of wine.
Gilman House Tacoma
12 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, no phone, instagram.com/gilmanhousetacoma
Despite the tumult of 2020, Jason and Robyn Alexander followed through with their sequel to Devil’s Reef, the tiki bar in Opera Alley. Gilman House opened last September, and though it features cozy seating along the big windows overlooking Tacoma Avenue and in various nooks, we most looked forward to sitting at this bar, watching the cocktail magic in action while sipping a Boulevardier and nibbling a salad Niçoise.
Home Turf Taproom
323 Garfield St. S., Parkland, 253-267-5437, hometurftaproom.com
Gig Harbor Brewing Co.’s John Fosberg and his son Max opened this low-key taproom in Parkland last fall. There are plenty of televisions for watching the game — even one in front of a couch, just like the living room — and a sidewalk patio to catch the action on “the prettiest block in Parkland,” said Fosberg, but then again, there is now an actual bar.
Jack’s BBQ
35731 West Valley Highway S., Algona, 253-249-7728, jacksbbq.com
Sister to the South Seattle barbecue restaurant and its offshoots, Jack’s BBQ opened in Algona last October with the same menu of Central Texas brisket, robust spare ribs, house pickles, bourbon butter and cornbread. Located in the former Royal Bear Pub and venue, the sizable space boasts a very long bar, where we eagerly await demolishing a platter of all of the above with a smoked old-fashioned in the other hand.
Off Day Beer & Wine
3013 6th Ave. C, Tacoma, 253-302-3047, offdaytacoma.com
Tacoma natives and husband-and-wife Lai Thach and Nuri Song opened this friendly taproom on Sixth Ave. in June 2020. They, too, hit terrible timing, having taken over North End Social Club just months prior. It’s the kind of bar where you can visit pre- or post-dinner elsewhere on the Ave, where you can frequent on weekdays, quietly read a book or talk shop with fellow patrons and the couple, whose passion for the product and the community deserves some love.
Odin Brewing Tacoma
203 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-301-3636, odinbrewing.com
Another brewpub on the scene, this one originally from Tukwila, opened last summer in the Stadium District, above the also fresh Pint & Pie. Anchored by an open kitchen with a stone oven, the airy space (formerly The Hub) has views of Commencement Bay on the far side and a street-side patio on the other. We’ve been waiting to dig into chef Kristen Lyon’s food at the bar, though, with a crisp Helles on the side.
Perry’s Puyallup
105 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253-604-7920, perryscocktailbar.com
Styled as a mid-century cocktail bar and restaurant, Perry’s launched in Puyallup just before the pandemic shut everything down. Owner Laura Perry has a new chef, but the idea remains the same: “The kind of place we want to go,” featuring dishes like potato croquettes, a retro burger with shoestring fries, and olive oil cake with carbonated sugar. A cocktail menu rooted in classics seems apt when enjoyed at the cool white bar, particularly on $2 off Wednesdays.
Saigon House
2505 S. 38th St., Tacoma, 253-503-3010, saigonhouse.us
Vietnamese restaurants abound in the South Sound, but it’s harder to find one with a full-service bar. Artful food from chef-owner Dung Tran (also of Green Garden Pho in Silverdale) begged to be enjoyed at one of the wood tables, but he and manager Dan Chau especially looked forward to serving guests at the bar. Start with a cocktail, crunchy spring rolls and cha cá com xanh on a stick.
Sig Brewing Co.
2534 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253-503-6446, sigbrewingco.com
One of the most anticipated 2020 openings in Tacoma, Sig began slinging beer around town before a little takeout pizza, and finally by summer was operating at half-capacity. That custom cement bar, though — that’s where we want to be. Incredibly fun and equally excellent beers from Jeff Stokes, marketed by Dylan Hernandez, meet top-notch food from chef Hailey Hernandez. Catch some rays near the open kitchen, from where meatballs and biscuits and one of the region’s best pies emerge, and try one of the brewery’s cult-following Purees.
Thirsty Hound Drinkery
1905 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, 253-302-5606, thirstyhounddrinkery.com
This unassuming neighborhood bar opened in February 2020, also known as “The Worst Time Maybe Ever to Open A Bar.” Yet owners Malaty Lim and Rik Filion and staff were so friendly from the advent that regulars amassed quickly and relationships with beer distributors flourished. Their dedication has translated to a corner bar that’s full on weekends, with a great beer list and food inspired by Lim’s Thai roots, plus daily specials.
This story was originally published July 15, 2021 at 12:10 PM.