Bavarian restaurant, Wisconsin tavern in Tacoma’s Stadium District closing. What’s next?

The hospitality group behind Rhein Haus and the adjacent Wally’s Wisconsin Tavern will close both of its Tacoma bars this weekend to make way for a new interactive concept and a modern Mexican restaurant.

Rhein Haus, the vast Bavarian-inspired restaurant at 649 Division Ave., opened in 2017 with a tap list strong on German imports and a menu of house sausages, pretzels, spätzle and refreshed Alpine cuisine. The 14,000-square-foot building across from Wright Park provided outdoor seating and two bars, plus bocce courts and a putt-putt area.

The golf was scrapped in June 2021 for Wally’s, which took over one-half of the space with a different menu — served from the same kitchen — of butter burgers, cheese curds, chicken sandwiches and fried fish.

Both will close after service on Sunday, May 15. The remodel should take “several weeks,” said marketing director Erica Waliser in an email.

In their stead, owners Weimann Maclise Restaurants will open Stadium Golf Sports Bar in the Wally’s space and Poquitos on the Rhein Haus side, with the covered patio.

The sports bar will retain its dozen-plus televisions and arcade games, including Big Big Hunter and shuffleboard, but the big draw will be six TrackMan golf simulator suites, according to a news release.

“Eater-tainment” dining — think Dave & Buster’s but with more thoughtful food menus, cocktails, craft beer and no kids — have captured the attention of investors and customers alike in the past decade or so. TopGolf, a bowling alley meets driving range that’s also a bar and restaurant, debuted in 2000. Denver-based Punch Bowl Social has grown to 15 locations in a dozen states, the nearest in Portland, Oregon. In March, Seattle welcomed Five Iron Golf, “a bar surrounded by golf simulators,” as GeekWire described it.

Rhein Haus, which will continue to operate its predecessor locations in Seattle, Leavenworth and Denver, dipped its toes into this notion. Stadium Golf Sports Bar will more wholly embrace it.

Poquitos Tacoma, on the other hand, will be the third edition for Weimann Maclise. The first opened in Capitol Hill in 2011 followed by a Bothell restaurant in 2018.

The menu offers fresh salsas and guacamole, esquites and ceviche; vegan pozole and salads with grilled steak, chicken or shrimp; tacos, enchiladas, and platters of braised pork shoulder and carne asada. Cocktails focus on tequila and mezcal, with Corona, Negra Modelo and Pacifico on draft.

Kelly Wilson, who has been leading the Tacoma kitchen for several years, will stay on as executive chef. Current general manager Jeff Sparks will continue to lead the front-of-house, according to the release.

“Closing Rhein Haus Tacoma was not a decision we made lightly, and we thank you for all your support over the last five years,” the company said.

Gift cards will be accepted at the new restaurants, as well as at any of the group’s restaurants. In Seattle, that list includes the Italian-themed Stoneburner, Macleod’s Scottish pub, daytime cafe Sabine and sister Bar Sabine.

RHEIN HAUS / WALLY’S WISCONSIN TAVERN

▪ Wednesday-Saturday 4-9 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Wally’s ‘til midnight Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday)

▪ Final Service: Sunday, May 15

STADIUM GOLF SPORTS BAR / POQUITOS TACOMA

▪ Sports bar on one side, Mexican restaurant on the other; target opening Summer 2022

This story was originally published May 11, 2022 at 5:00 AM.