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South Sound Happy Hours
by Volcano Staff
Sep 25, 2008
The Melting Pot
I can recall a time when I felt that hosting a fondue party would be the ultimate statement in suave sophistication. Of course, this was back when I thought it would be keen to live in a Chicago high-rise just like Bob Newhart and his sexy wife, with an airline pilot for a neighbor. So recently I decided to don the old leisure suit and visit The Melting Pot on Pacific Avenue, a restaurant specializing in fondue, and its late night happy hour.
The Melting Pot is especially popular on weekends when it seems to attract an inordinate number of couples on dates with other couples — Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice wannabes, perhaps.
The Pot hosts two happy hours in its lounge, seven days a week — 4:30-6:30 p.m. and 9-11 p.m. — with the second being more subdued. I prefer to wind down the weekend with a Sunday night of Wisconsin cheese and milk chocolate fondue, both reduced to $8, and watch SportsCenter on the plasma. I skip the $3 microbrews, $2.50 domestics and $4.50 mid-level liquors and nestle with the $6 wine pours, a $4 discount.
Wine, football, cheese, and chocolate next to a fireplace. I need a couch session with Bob.
[The Melting Pot, 2121 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.535.3939]
Past Happy Hours
Cafe Divino
It’s interesting to me that while most people wouldn’t consider drinking beer with pasta dishes, many articles and experts on food-and-wine matching suggest beer for pizza. But red-sauced pastas are very similar in flavor to red-sauced pizzas. So why drink wine with one and beer with the other? And when you do see wine recommendations for pizza, it’s almost inevitably Italian Chianti. Nothing wrong with that, but it seems to me as much a knee-jerk reaction as the requirement to drink white wine with fish — all fish.
Why not experiment? Café Divino in Old Town Tacoma offers $6 pizzas and $6 glasses of Chardonnay, Cabernet and Shiraz 3-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Mix and match and tell me what you discover.
[Cafe Divino, 2112 N. 30th, Tacoma, 253.779.4226]
C.I. Shenanigans
REVIEWED APRIL 10, 2008: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and every evening from 9 p.m. to close. During these hours, all of Shenanigans’ bar snacks and appetizers are two for the price of one. We recommend the king crab quesadilla (corn tortillas, king crab meat, pepper jack cheese, green onions and spicy pico de gallo) for $11; the chicken pesto panini (half chicken panini, pesto mayo, basil, provolone cheese, tomato and red onion) for $9; the classic steamer clams (manila clams, wine garlic broth, fresh herbs) for $12; or the fresh fish and fries (enough said) for $12.
In the drink department during happy hour, Shenanigans delivers $3 microbrews, $4 select glass wines, $3 house wells and $5 refreshing cocktails. Here are a few of the refreshing cocktails that I enjoy: The fresh ’o’ mojito (Bacardi ’o’ rum, Cointreau, lime juice, fresh orange and a squeeze of fresh lime); one hot Mary! (Absolut Peppar, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon squeeze and tomato juice); killer lime kamikaze (Grey Goose, fresh lime juice, and a touch of sweetness and fizz) and the classic cosmo (Grey Goose, Grand Marnier, lime and cranberry juice). Also, on Tuesday, you’ll find their bottles of wine for half price anytime after 6 p.m. — Natasha Gorbachev
[C.I. Shenanigans, 3017 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.8899]
Crown Bar
The Crown Bar isn't really my scene. It's much, much better than my scene. Hip yet inviting, this bar and restaurant on Sixth Avenue is the kind of cool-yet-casual place you'd take your parents to so they don't think that you survive solely on McChickens. The bartenders are on their game — my two servers (yes, I tend to stay through shifts), Chelsea and Dino, deftly navigate their way through a sea of drinks I've never heard of and could never understand. Onward!
Thursday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m.: Chelsea works the bar while Dino rigs extra televisions for the presidential debate. The bar is half full.
Happy Hour: 5-6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close Tuesday-Thursday, 4-6:30 p.m. amd 9:30 p.m. to close Friday.
Happy Hour drink specials: Bud Light $1.50, wines by the glass $5, well drinks $4.
Food specials: Falafel sandwich, currywurst, zihua mushroom quesadilla and Crown kebabs are $5.
I'll be honest: This wasn't the first Friday afternoon I've squandered at the Crown Bar watching the Sixth Avenue crowd out the windows. But as fancy cocktails supplanted well drinks and I could exercise free license to chat up the always lively bar, I enjoyed the late night happy hour, too.
Was I happy?: Yes, but I wish the Crown discounted the micro brews. And I always learn a new drink when Dino is behind the bar. — Brad Allen
[Crown Bar, 2705 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4177]
Duke’s Chowder House
REVIEWED SEPT. 18, 2008
Description: The Duke’s on Ruston Way mirrors the Seattle version with blue and white checkerboard colors heavy on the nautical motif, but the Tacoma version offers large windows and an awesome deck overlooking the bay. Simple menu split between burgers, salads, some Tex-Mex, a few fish selections and, of course, the must-try chowder.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 5:20 p.m.: Nine people in the bar area, with a half-full restaurant and deck.
The bees are still there: Three weeks ago I notified the Duke’s hostess that bees were building a nest in their entryway arch. Those bees are still busy.
Happy Hours: Every day, 3-6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close in the bar only.
Happy-hour drink specials: Duketails — lemon drops, mojitos and a scratch margarita are $4.50, house wines $3.50, well drinks $2.75 and draft beers — Pilsner Urquell, Manny’s, Pyramid Hefeweizen, Alaskan Amber, Blue Moon, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Deschutes IPA, Mac and Jack African Amber and Guinness — $2.75.
Food specials: Chicken and tuna quesadillas, steamers, “killer’ and “hula” prawns, calamari strips, and Dungeness crab dip are $4.99. Duke’s awesome chowder is $3.99 a cup, $5.99 a bowl.
Was I happy? Yes. Service was excellent, the bar was bright, ’80s via Music Choice transported me back to high school and the cucumber mojito is amazingly refreshing.
[Duke’s, 3327 Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.5444]
Green Pup Sports Bar
REVIEWED JULY 10, 2008: The Green Pup is right next door to the Regal Cinema, and I’ve spent more than my fair share of time rockin’ it at the Green Pup before midnight shows, before or after early evening premiers, and even following some matinee bliss.
The Green Pup hosts some great specials that you should know about: Monday is military night with $1.75 pounders (I told you it was cheap!!), open pool tables and all-you-can-eat spaghetti until 8 p.m. On Taco Tuesday, you can get two tacos for $1. Each Wednesday, the dudes only have to pay $2 for wells. Thursday is ladies night and we girls get the $2 well deal. Fish and chips are just $5.95 on Fridays. A 12-inch two-topping pizza and a pitcher of domestic beer or pop is just $14.99.Last, but certainly not least, a six-inch two-topping pizza is $3.50 on Sundays.
[Green Pup Sports Bar, 2310 84th St. S., Lakewood, 253.584.5600]
Malarkey’s Pool & Brew
REVIEWED SEPT. 3, 2008: We grabbed the last three barstools, bellied up, and prepared to perk up with a Red Bull and vodka. Damn that shit’s tasty. Bartender Merilee was happy to hook us up with two of them for a mere $5. That’s right, I said FIVE DOLLARS. I don’t know if I’m used to paying Vegas prices of $14 a drink or what, but that was an outstanding price for two hefty drinks. Fortunately for Malarkey’s daytime alcoholic beverage consumers, happy hour runs all day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. These long hours of happiness also include $2 drafts to swell your belly and inebriate your brain. It’s not a good Monday unless you’re hung-over by five o’clock. At least that’s what Matt Driscoll tells me.
[Malarkey’s Pool & Brew, 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.383.3301]
Matador
REVIEWED MONDAY, SEPT. 8, 2008
Description: Matador is a flirtatious Tex-Mex spot. It’s a confident gal in hidden thigh-highs, not the hooker in the bustier. It’s the power broker in a button down, not the marshmallowy jock wielding electrified teeth-whitening strips. Intelligent bartenders sling connoisseur phrases such as “hints of banana” and “spicy alcohol finish” without sounding like complete tools. It’s sexy. It’s spicy. It’s beauty on the walls and holding drinks.
Monday, Sept. 8, 10:30 p.m.: Twenty-five people hang mostly in the bar area and around the fire pit underneath candles and the glow of SportsCenter.
The Black Crowes fans?: One couple just arrived from The Black Crowes show wondering why the band played only one hit, “Remedy.” Apparently they needed some too as I watched them throw back three shots of tequila each.
Happy hours: Every day from 4-6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Happy-hour drink specials: Zero, nada, cero.
Food specials: $4 and $5 versions of Chicken or Shrimp Quesadilla, Nachos, Spicy Fried Calamari, Matador Chili, Matador Romaine Salad, Roasted Tomato & Chicken Soup, Fire Jumbo Prawns, Tex-Mex Spring Rolls, Ancho-Chipotle Wings, Chicken or Steak Tacos, Baja Shrimp Tacos, Blackened Fish Tacos
Was I happy?: You bet. The food kicks ass. I felt sexy even in a T-shirt and, come on, SportsCenter! — Brad Allen
[Matador, 721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.7100]
Rudy’s Pub & Grill
REVIEWED SEPT. 23, 2008
Description: People from all walks of life haunt this sports bar meets log cabin, where you will run into Lakewood money, a hip-hop crew, Oakbrook neighborhood couples, and crusty old men worried about kids walking their lawns. Swig some brews, chow on burgers, “cue” up at the one pool table, check out a game on one of the half dozen-plus televisions and nestle up to killer happy hour prices.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 4:20 p.m.: Seventeen people hanging out, listening to pop music, and only one watching sports on the televisions.
Happy Hour: Every day, 4-6 p.m.
Happy-hour drink specials: $2 wells, $2 domestics and $3 typical micros.
Food specials: Amazing prices: Sliders $1.25, cheese quesadilla $3.95, clam strips $3.95, onion strings $2.95, cup of chili $3.50, Caesar salad $1.95 and more.
What a scene: While a group of Lakewood old-timers made up 20 percent of the bar population, they accounted for about 99 percent of the volume. Heads turned and Shook as they retold some of their stories for the 52nd time.
Was I happy?: Yes, based on prices and people watching. Also bartender Michael is so on it.
[Rudy’s Bar & Grill, 7505 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood, 253.582.9195]
Spud's Pizza Parlor
REVIEWED JULY 24, 2008: Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., you get to “pay for two, but get three.” That was music to my over-worked ears. They then handed us these sweet Spud’s play chips. We were drinking domestics, Coors Light for he and Bud Light for me, so two white chips and one orange equaled a beer. What was even more stellar was that all six beers were just $10. That’s hella cheap. They also offer complimentary happy hour pizza.
[Spud's Pizza Parlor, 7025 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.475.3366]
Wow’s Etc.
REVIEWED JUNE 12, 2008: Besides being well known for grilling up some morning-time greasy unborn chicken fetuses, WOW’s has one of the best happy hours I’ve ever seen. It also has one of the best nicknames for happy hour I’ve ever seen: “Lush Rush.” Oh, hell yeah. $2 wells and $2 cans from 4-6 p.m. will fill the needs of any local barfly, but I needed a tap beer. Pronto.
What beers are on tap, Steph DeRosa?
Oh, I thought you might ask. As a matter of fact, there are NO beers on tap. I just about wet my pants when the robotic bartender told me that. Do you know what this means? This means they have a cooler literally filled with ice, stashing all the sub-zero chilled golden beer goodness you could possibly imagine — all behind that tiny counter they call a bar. When What’s His Name (the robotic bartender who had no interest in smiling at me or talking to me) propped my beer on top of the bar, I got all giddy in my special spot as I watched the cold ice slide down the side. I had to take a moment to collect myself.
Then he did the unimaginable, something you just don’t find at most dive bars: he walked out from behind the bar, around to the kitchen, and brought me back a freezing cold glass for my freezing cold beer. A single tear departed my eye, and slowly crept down my check. Did I mention all of this beer was freezing cold? I love you, WOW’s etc.
[Wow’s Etc., 2704 N. 21st St., Tacoma, 253.759.3882]
