Only 16 bars remain: What’s the best sports bar in Pierce County?

After a first round full of upsets, the Round of 32 offered some great matchups in the Battle of the Best Sports Bar — Tacoma and Pierce County edition.

In this round, more than 100 participants chose our winners.

The biggest margin of victory went to Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern, which defeated Urban Elk at Allenmore with a resounding 80 percent of the vote. Engine House also neared that victorious edge, throwing Flying Boots & Wings to the curb.

A true Cinderella story, West End Pub — which for no reason other than randomness of our alphabetical order setup — was a 16th seed. The bar has so far flattened its opponents, out-competing Purdy’s Public House in the second round of the tournament with 82 tallies.

Other big wins included Ale House Pub, a number-one seed by alphabet, with 65 percent of the vote over Oddfellas Pub & Eatery; Harmon Pac Ave with nearly 70 percent to end TK Irish Pub’s run; and The Camp Bar, which left Stuck Junction Saloon behind.

In that dive bar battle, Home Plate Tavern hit a grand slam, leaving Billy B’s Pub & Grub to pack up before last call.

Cooper’s Food & Drink took out the old-timers at Spud’s Pizza Parlor, Dirty Oscar’s Annex took the pie from Farrelli’s Pizza, and Topside Bar & Grill squeezed out The Tipsy Tomato.

Also moving on are Hops N Drops, Cole’s Bar & Grill, Beach Tavern, Terry’s Office Tavern and The Red Hot.

Like March Madness, the competition grows fierce in the Spirited 16.

Will West End Pub continue its storybook year? Will Katie Downs prove that water views are the best views? Can Beach Tavern take out its bigger competitor, Hops N Drops?

Keep voting for your favorite sports bar to find out who will compete in the Lush 8 later this week.

How it works:

▪ In the third round, 16 bars face off in head-to-head matchups, following an exciting second round.

▪ Choose a winner for each matchup. The next in line will show up automatically after each click.

▪ Stay tuned for the reveal of the Lush 8, and then choose your picks for the Final Four.

This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 2:59 PM.