Hang all day at Tacoma’s newest U-Pour bar, with 34 taps and a balcony
The Living Taproom, a new U-Pour bar in downtown Tacoma, opened last weekend with 34 taps of everything from regional brews to hard kombucha and craft root beer.
Owners Andria and Colin Wunder announced their intention to create a self-serve concept at the Brewery Blocks a year ago. Gig-Harbor based Rush Construction began the build-out in October with design by Seattle’s Third Place Cooperative.
The couple first tried a U-Pour bar in South Dakota, near his hometown. Andria Wunder, who was raised in the Seattle area and has a background in hospitality, currently as the events manager at Crystal Mountain Resort, said the ease of tasting at her own pace gave her the space and time she didn’t know she needed to appreciate good beer.
In addition to similarly fashioned bars across the United States, the self-serve concept has also shown up in settings where having a dedicated bartender isn’t necessary, such as in hotel lobbies or co-working spaces. The companies behind the technology say their systems reduce waste, saving money for the bar, and provide a customizable customer experience.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE LIVING TAPROOM
Welcomed first by an entryway with a green wall, you enter a breezy space with light woods and neutral walls — save for the forest-green tap wall with midcentury-style light fixtures above.
Guests first check-in with a host, here known as “taptenders,” to start a tab. You’ll be given an RFID wristband and a quick explanation of how the iPour It system works. If you need a more comprehensive tour, staff were eager to assist on opening weekend.
Your wristband acts as your key: Peruse the tablets above each handle to select your drink, then tap the wristband and start pouring. Because you pay by the ounce, you can pour a small taste up to a full pint. Glassware (next to the host stand, in the middle of the space) ranges from stemless wine glasses to snifters and standard pints.
The opening list, curated by Colin Wunder, features regional names like Fremont and Georgetown out of Seattle, Icicle Brewing Co. from Leavenworth and Scuttlebutt from Everett, with a nice mix of styles. His Midwestern roots lend a stout from Founders in Grand Rapids, Mich., as well as Shiner Bock from Texas, a rare sight in these parts. The beer-averse will appreciate a choice of four ciders, a hard kombucha and seltzer. There’s also root beer from Diamond Knot Brewing Co. in Mukilteo, with more nonalcoholic options anticipated in future rotations.
The system automatically hits a limit when you’ve tapped 32 ounces, but talk to a host to reset your wristband. Groups will appreciate the ability to avoid the headache of splitting checks after-the-fact, while a party host can attach multiple wristbands to the same credit card.
Find a seat at one of several tables lining the wall, the live-edge communal table or the swing table in the back corner. Head through the sliding doors for fresh air and warmth from a fire pit. A segmented area near the entrance looks very much like a living room, with a leather couch, coffee table, accent chairs and potted plants.
When you’re ready to leave, you can choose to close-out with a taptender or simply drop your wristband in a bin near the door (automatic gratuity added in this case).
The theme is relaxed, with a goal of becoming an all-day destination with a “full events calendar” and bookings for private parties.
Unlike The Redd Dog, another U-Pour bar on Sixth Avenue that will open a second in Puyallup this year and a third in Bellevue, The Living Taproom not serve food, but the Wunders encourage guests to bring some in from other local businesses.
Its arrival leaves just one commercial unit up for grabs at the $125 million Brewery Blocks project at 2101 S. C St. Neighbors include Incline Cider House, Camp Colvos Brewing + Pizza Co., Dancing Goats Coffee Bar and First Citizens Bank.
THE LIVING TAPROOM
▪ Brewery Blocks, 2101 S. C St., Tacoma, thelivingtaproom.com
▪ Monday & Wednesday-Thursday 2-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-10 p.m. (closed Tuesdays)
▪ Details: self-serve bar with seasonal and nonalcoholic options, 21+ only; board games available; dogs and outside food welcome
▪ Grand opening: Feb. 4 with door prizes and beer swag
This story was originally published February 1, 2023 at 5:00 AM.