Rico’s is hands down my favorite bar in Pullman. It’s a traditional Irish-themed pub, and you can tell they hold themselves to that standard. The place has an incredible history, and they’ve done their best to keep it as authentic as possible.
My favorite nights are Wednesdays- 21% off women’s drinks and half-off wine bottles make it the perfect midweek spot. Beyond the deals, it’s the atmosphere that keeps me coming back. There’s pool, darts, a fireplace for cozy nights, live jazz on occasion, open mic nights, trivia, painting nights, and even holiday-themed menus.
The food is consistently amazing, and what really stands out is the staff. Tawny, the manager and owner, clearly takes great pride in Rico’s, and it shows. The team has a great relationship with each other and with their customers, creating a welcoming, community vibe. It’s not just a bar to me. It is a place full of memories, and one I’ll always treasure.
Dan Johnson
Cool, eclectic little pub. Great place to check out while in Pullman.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
haeselschen
Update: While I had a terrible experience, my kid went to Rico's with his friend after school yesterday and thought the service and food were amazing, so I've added a star to reflect that. He had a Philly cheese steak and some mocktails, all of which he thought were delicious, and thought the server was very friendly. I will maybe give Rico's another try some time, perhaps on a quieter day than when I initially went.
Original post: We went here a few months ago. It took two hours for our food to arrive, and it only arrived after I sought out a server (not ours) to inquire about it. Since it was our first time there, I was unaware that I could simply fetch my own coffee and was not told I could do that, so I sat around for an hour before I could ask our server, who I had to flag down because they were consistently ignoring our table, about the coffee. I understood that it was rather busy, so I waited a while (two hours) before asking for our meals.
When the food did show up, everything was cold, so I assume it had been forgotten about and left sitting around by our server, who showed up only once in that two hour time span to bring us water. That particular server didn't even bother to bring us our food in the end. We didn't end up finishing our meal because it tasted old.
I'm only giving this review an extra star because the server who ended up bringing us our meals and comping part of the ticket was incredibly polite and helpful.
The atmosphere wasn't for us, but I think it would be an enjoyable place for college students who want a quick drink at the bar and enjoy a louder, more crowded setting.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Gabriel Mendes
Rico's is the lifeblood of Pullman. I am yet to meet a more welcoming place. Whether for moments of sorrow or of celebration, Rico's is where I made my fondest memories in graduate school.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Bakken (WSU)
Wonderful food and beer in a classic, historic setting that has nurtured many thousands of wonderful memories for WSU students and locals alike over the last 5 generations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leigh Royal Purser Frost
⭐ 1/5
Rico’s Pub is an absolute mess, and anyone thinking about going here should proceed with extreme caution. The management, run by Tawnt, is a complete disaster. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that nothing is organized, nothing is professional, and nothing makes sense. Staff are untrained, inattentive, and constantly leaving customers hanging.
I’ve witnessed multiple incidents of mismanagement: orders forgotten, drinks spilled and ignored, and staff openly arguing in front of patrons like this is some kind of reality show. And Tawnt? Running the place like chaos is an actual strategy. It’s shocking that a business is allowed to operate this way.
On top of that, the way the City Council handles oversight here is equally frustrating. It feels like no one is held accountable, and businesses like this are allowed to run wild while residents and customers are left to deal with the consequences. Promises of regulation or enforcement are made, but nothing ever happens. It’s bureaucracy at its worst.
If you value your sanity, your money, or just having a pleasant night out, avoid Rico’s Pub at all costs. And if the City Council doesn’t start enforcing some basic standards, nothing will ever improve. This place is a nightmare, and Tawnt running it makes it evenwors
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, French Dip with Crisps, Thai Peanut Chicken Salad, The Cowboy Burger, Rueben Sandwich, Fish N Chips, French Dip, Garden Salad, Philly Cheesesteak with Fries, Bangers and Mash with Sauerkraut and Brown Gravy
Marissa Linscott
I was really looking forward to visiting this place, as the atmosphere initially made a great impression. Unfortunately, that excitement was short-lived due to an unpleasant experience with one of the waitstaff. We had come for trivia, as advertised, and arrived 15 minutes early. Right away, we were met by a waitress who seemed irritated and greeted us with, “If you’re here for food, we have a two-hour wait.” While a long wait is understandable—especially if a business is short-staffed—the tone was unnecessarily curt.
We explained that we were there just for trivia and didn’t plan on ordering food, to which she replied that trivia was full, only three of us could stay, and she needed to see our IDs. Our group of three joined four friends who had arrived earlier to save spots, making our total group seven. After showing our IDs and explaining that we were all underage and not planning to drink, she called out my upcoming birthday (just a few hours away) with, “Well, you’re still not 21, and you need to be out by [time].” I reiterated that none of us were drinking and that we were only there to play trivia, but her demeanor didn’t improve.
She insisted only two of us could come in, but a kind stranger moved so we could all sit together. Instead of letting it go, this seemed to irritate her even more. Later, during trivia, she grabbed the mic and announced that parties larger than six needed to notify staff in advance. As this was my first visit, I wasn’t aware of that rule, and the way she called it out felt pointed and embarrassing.
Despite the poor service, we were friendly, compliant, and didn’t order food or drinks. I believe this staff member would greatly benefit from customer service training. A little kindness and professionalism can go a long way, even during stressful times. Here are some examples of how this situation could have been handled: • “Hi, welcome! Just a heads-up, we’re currently short-staffed, so there’s a two-hour wait for food. Let me know if I can help with anything else!” • “Hey there, I wanted to remind you that minors need to be out by 8:30. Can I get you any non-alcoholic drinks in the meantime?” • “Unfortunately, we have a seating limit right now, but I’d be happy to call you if something opens up!”
It’s not hard to be kind and professional, and those small efforts can make or break someone’s experience—and reflect on the business as a whole. I understand stress can take its toll, but choosing a customer-facing role means staying composed and treating guests with respect.
I plan to return now that I’m 21 and will update my review based on that experience. I genuinely hope the next visit aligns with the welcoming atmosphere the establishment initially promised.
Recommended dishes: Fish N Chips, French Dip, Philly Cheesesteak with Fries
berridokidoki
Parking: There's street parking in front of the bar, and around the corner there's more. There are a number of free parking lots only a block or so away
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, French Dip with Crisps, Burger with Fries and Honey Mustard
John Beyer
This is my favorite bar in Pullman. It’s a must see for both travelers and locals alike. The cocktails are innovative yet classic and always taste incredible. The staff is kind and accommodating; they work hard to ensure that every guest feels welcome and appreciated. The food is some of the best in Pullman. My personal favorites are the brisket sandwich and the fish and chips; the only time I’ve had any comparable fried fish was in Scotland. Truly an unmatched ambiance with such a classic, yet refined and rustic atmosphere all at the same time. It’s no surprise that this place has stood the test of time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, Fish N Chips
Thomas Tootle
Very busy Halloween night. Took awhile but we all liked our salads. Would recommend for burgers, etc.
Rico’s is hands down my favorite bar in Pullman. It’s a traditional Irish-themed pub, and you can tell they hold themselves to that standard. The place has an incredible history, and they’ve done their best to keep it as authentic as possible.
My favorite nights are Wednesdays- 21% off women’s drinks and half-off wine bottles make it the perfect midweek spot. Beyond the deals, it’s the atmosphere that keeps me coming back. There’s pool, darts, a fireplace for cozy nights, live jazz on occasion, open mic nights, trivia, painting nights, and even holiday-themed menus.
The food is consistently amazing, and what really stands out is the staff. Tawny, the manager and owner, clearly takes great pride in Rico’s, and it shows. The team has a great relationship with each other and with their customers, creating a welcoming, community vibe. It’s not just a bar to me. It is a place full of memories, and one I’ll always treasure.
Cool, eclectic little pub. Great place to check out while in Pullman.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Update: While I had a terrible experience, my kid went to Rico's with his friend after school yesterday and thought the service and food were amazing, so I've added a star to reflect that. He had a Philly cheese steak and some mocktails, all of which he thought were delicious, and thought the server was very friendly. I will maybe give Rico's another try some time, perhaps on a quieter day than when I initially went.
Original post: We went here a few months ago. It took two hours for our food to arrive, and it only arrived after I sought out a server (not ours) to inquire about it. Since it was our first time there, I was unaware that I could simply fetch my own coffee and was not told I could do that, so I sat around for an hour before I could ask our server, who I had to flag down because they were consistently ignoring our table, about the coffee. I understood that it was rather busy, so I waited a while (two hours) before asking for our meals.
When the food did show up, everything was cold, so I assume it had been forgotten about and left sitting around by our server, who showed up only once in that two hour time span to bring us water. That particular server didn't even bother to bring us our food in the end. We didn't end up finishing our meal because it tasted old.
I'm only giving this review an extra star because the server who ended up bringing us our meals and comping part of the ticket was incredibly polite and helpful.
The atmosphere wasn't for us, but I think it would be an enjoyable place for college students who want a quick drink at the bar and enjoy a louder, more crowded setting.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Rico's is the lifeblood of Pullman. I am yet to meet a more welcoming place. Whether for moments of sorrow or of celebration, Rico's is where I made my fondest memories in graduate school.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful food and beer in a classic, historic setting that has nurtured many thousands of wonderful memories for WSU students and locals alike over the last 5 generations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⭐ 1/5
Rico’s Pub is an absolute mess, and anyone thinking about going here should proceed with extreme caution. The management, run by Tawnt, is a complete disaster. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that nothing is organized, nothing is professional, and nothing makes sense. Staff are untrained, inattentive, and constantly leaving customers hanging.
I’ve witnessed multiple incidents of mismanagement: orders forgotten, drinks spilled and ignored, and staff openly arguing in front of patrons like this is some kind of reality show. And Tawnt? Running the place like chaos is an actual strategy. It’s shocking that a business is allowed to operate this way.
On top of that, the way the City Council handles oversight here is equally frustrating. It feels like no one is held accountable, and businesses like this are allowed to run wild while residents and customers are left to deal with the consequences. Promises of regulation or enforcement are made, but nothing ever happens. It’s bureaucracy at its worst.
If you value your sanity, your money, or just having a pleasant night out, avoid Rico’s Pub at all costs. And if the City Council doesn’t start enforcing some basic standards, nothing will ever improve. This place is a nightmare, and Tawnt running it makes it evenwors
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Thank you for hosting Business After Hours!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free buns. Beyond burger patty.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, French Dip with Crisps, Thai Peanut Chicken Salad, The Cowboy Burger, Rueben Sandwich, Fish N Chips, French Dip, Garden Salad, Philly Cheesesteak with Fries, Bangers and Mash with Sauerkraut and Brown Gravy
I was really looking forward to visiting this place, as the atmosphere initially made a great impression. Unfortunately, that excitement was short-lived due to an unpleasant experience with one of the waitstaff. We had come for trivia, as advertised, and arrived 15 minutes early. Right away, we were met by a waitress who seemed irritated and greeted us with, “If you’re here for food, we have a two-hour wait.” While a long wait is understandable—especially if a business is short-staffed—the tone was unnecessarily curt.
We explained that we were there just for trivia and didn’t plan on ordering food, to which she replied that trivia was full, only three of us could stay, and she needed to see our IDs. Our group of three joined four friends who had arrived earlier to save spots, making our total group seven. After showing our IDs and explaining that we were all underage and not planning to drink, she called out my upcoming birthday (just a few hours away) with, “Well, you’re still not 21, and you need to be out by [time].” I reiterated that none of us were drinking and that we were only there to play trivia, but her demeanor didn’t improve.
She insisted only two of us could come in, but a kind stranger moved so we could all sit together. Instead of letting it go, this seemed to irritate her even more. Later, during trivia, she grabbed the mic and announced that parties larger than six needed to notify staff in advance. As this was my first visit, I wasn’t aware of that rule, and the way she called it out felt pointed and embarrassing.
Despite the poor service, we were friendly, compliant, and didn’t order food or drinks. I believe this staff member would greatly benefit from customer service training. A little kindness and professionalism can go a long way, even during stressful times. Here are some examples of how this situation could have been handled:
• “Hi, welcome! Just a heads-up, we’re currently short-staffed, so there’s a two-hour wait for food. Let me know if I can help with anything else!”
• “Hey there, I wanted to remind you that minors need to be out by 8:30. Can I get you any non-alcoholic drinks in the meantime?”
• “Unfortunately, we have a seating limit right now, but I’d be happy to call you if something opens up!”
It’s not hard to be kind and professional, and those small efforts can make or break someone’s experience—and reflect on the business as a whole. I understand stress can take its toll, but choosing a customer-facing role means staying composed and treating guests with respect.
I plan to return now that I’m 21 and will update my review based on that experience. I genuinely hope the next visit aligns with the welcoming atmosphere the establishment initially promised.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
pesto turkey was amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Just fantastic place. Great live music
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A great place for a meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish N Chips, French Dip, Philly Cheesesteak with Fries
Parking: There's street parking in front of the bar, and around the corner there's more. There are a number of free parking lots only a block or so away
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, French Dip with Crisps, Burger with Fries and Honey Mustard
This is my favorite bar in Pullman. It’s a must see for both travelers and locals alike. The cocktails are innovative yet classic and always taste incredible. The staff is kind and accommodating; they work hard to ensure that every guest feels welcome and appreciated. The food is some of the best in Pullman. My personal favorites are the brisket sandwich and the fish and chips; the only time I’ve had any comparable fried fish was in Scotland. Truly an unmatched ambiance with such a classic, yet refined and rustic atmosphere all at the same time. It’s no surprise that this place has stood the test of time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Turkey Pesto Sandwich, Fish N Chips
Very busy Halloween night. Took awhile but we all liked our salads. Would recommend for burgers, etc.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
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