Bar seating is back, Part 2: Where we missed having dinner 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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Contemporary dining trends have simplified life for single diners. You sit at the bar. Same food, same drinks, same great service. For couples, you can walk into busy restaurants without a reservation and take your chances.
None of that was possible in Washington state for more than 15 months. “Table for… one?” never really sounds appealing no matter how cordial the host.
The lack of bar service also financially walloped staff and restaurants, as alcohol sales were hindered and tips diminished as restrictions held through the pandemic. Forgive everyone if the conversation is bumpy at first — it’s been a while.
Thank those Yakima hops and Walla Walla grapes because bar seating is back. Here are our picks for the best restaurants to have a full meal — and in a couple of cases, simply drink good wine or cocktails — at the bar.
1022 South J
1022 S J St., Tacoma, 253-627-8588, 1022soj.com
Seamlessly marrying the familiarity of a neighborhood bar with a robust cocktail program and worthwhile Southern-inspired food, this cozy Hilltop destination attracts a cache of locals. A seat at the small bar offers an up-close view of the stirring and shaking show, the freshness of ingredients and the alluring wall of bottles. It’s a lovely choice for a weekday date or a weekend nightcap.
Asado Tacoma
2810 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-7770, asadotacoma.com
Sitting at the slightly subterranean bar at Asado feels like you’re pulling a fast one, that there’s no way the dining room menu is the same. X Group styled the bar at its Argentinian steakhouse in a way that’s both ideal for a pre-dinner drink and for a full meal, or a glass of Malbec and empanadas — especially during late-night happy hour that hasn’t yet returned. Either way, we can’t wait to eat steak on a bar stool.
Brimstone PNW Smokehouse
7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 253-858-2709, bbqbrimstone.com
Sister to Netshed No. 9 and Brix 25, Brimstone offers Gig Harbor a low-key hangout that isn’t always overflowing at the seams — and that’s a positive. Whether you’re in the mood for an entire barbecue feast or an uncommonly large taco, enjoying it at the bar with a cold beer reminds us that all good things come with meat drippings. On Sunday nights only, order chef Will Rieck’s smoky fried chicken, enhanced by the rendered fat of pork and brisket.
Devil’s Reef
706 Court C, Tacoma, instagram.com/devils_reef
Devil’s Reef never intended to be a sit-down-only restaurant. Some people spend 45 minutes in this dark island destination drinking in the ambiance; others 2.5 hours, according to Google. Those lucky enough to land a spot at the bar will be treated to a front-row seat of co-owner Jason Alexander’s tiki prowess, and two cocktails in, you’re wont to accidentally stay for a third.
en Rama
1102 A St. #220, Tacoma, 253-223-7184, enramatacoma.com
The petite Italian-Spanish restaurant at Courthouse Square now boasts one of the city’s finest patios, but there is something magical about polishing off a bowl of homemade pasta and one of Chris Kiel’s sherry cocktails at the beautiful wood bar. It seats but eight guests, so err on the early or late side of the dinner rush and then settle into a memorable evening. There are few such places in this little corner of the Puget Sound.
Matador Tacoma
721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-627-7100, matadorrestaurants.com
In the before times, the bar at Matador was always buzzing — to the point that if you arrived late for the twice-daily happy hour, you’d be hard-pressed to find a seat. With $6 apps and quesadillas, $7 guacamole and double tacos, who can blame the crowds? The bar is where you want to be then and later, so get there early and get thee a margarita.
Primo Grill
2701 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-383-7000, primogrilltacoma.com
Though those tables in front of the big open window overlooking Sixth Ave. are swell, the Primo bar is calling your name. A well-crafted menu of cocktails and wine meets shareable plates of homemade pasta, seasonal vegetables and locally sourced meat and fish, prepared simply but deliciously, with lovely service from industry veterans. It’s modern and timeless all at once. Should the twice-daily happy hour return, that bar will become as coveted as the rest.
Stink Meat & Cheese / El Tufo Wine Bar
628 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253-426-1347, stinktacoma.com
These sister spots offer a little bit of Europe in Tacoma, with a menu of thoughtfully prepared sandwiches, salads and charcuterie boards. Paired with a lovely glass (or bottle — you earned it) of vino, sourced regionally and from around the world, the cozy experience here promises to bring you back down to Earth — and where better to achieve peace than at one of the few seats at the bar?
The Table Tacoma
2715 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-327-1862, thetabletacoma.com
As the only South Sound restaurant to be recognized by Wine Spectator, of course you should sit at the bar with sommelier and co-owner Trevor Hamilton. Paired with super seasonal, hyper-local food from chef Derek Bray, dinner at the bar here is as casual as it is special, where the focus always rests on the food, drink, service and experience.
Tacoma Wine Merchants
23A N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 253-779-8258, tacomawinemerchants.com
This Stadium District wine bar and retail shop functioned only as the latter since March 2020, but every visit for a proper bottle proved that Rob and Kelly Richards couldn’t wait to pour again in-house. It’s an intimate experience that manages to stay approachable, making this tiny-but-mighty bar a unique choice for anyone into wine or those looking to improve their palate.
Toscano’s Italian Grill
437 29th St. NE, Puyallup, 253-864-8600, toscanospuyallup.com
This Puyallup restaurant in view of Mount Rainier took advantage of some down-time during the pandemic to renovate its dining room, first outfitted in 2004. A longer bar means more seats for the locally famous daily happy hour, with $3 off all appetizers 3-5 p.m., or a full dinner of asparagus-wrapped prosciutto, bisteca alla florentine with a bottle of Barbera and a slice of salted caramel cheesecake.
Wooden City
714 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-503-0762, woodencitytacoma.com
The bar at Wooden City was full at peak times pre-pandemic, and now one of Tacoma’s best restaurants takes table reservations. Snag an open bar stool for stellar service and an ideal perch to enjoy that juicy burger on a homemade bun, wood-fired pizzas, house pastas and classic cocktails. Feel the energy of a bustling restaurant full of happy people? This is what modern dining is all about.
This story was originally published July 15, 2021 at 12:05 PM.