Walking into The Picked Onion feels a bit like stumbling into an old fraternity house reunion you weren’t invited to—but somehow still got a drink at. There’s a definite good-ole-boy vibe humming in the background, the kind that smells faintly of nostalgia, entitlement, and bar stools that have heard decades of opinions no one asked for.
The owner gives off a slightly elitist energy—like you should already know how things work here before you walk in. It’s not hostile, just… noticeable. If confidence were a seasoning, this place would be generously salted.
That said, I couldn’t stop laughing at the video game golf tournament situation. Truly. Watching grown men take digital golf very seriously while perched in a bar with drinks in hand was peak Renton absurdity, and honestly? Kind of iconic. I don’t know if it’s meant to be ironic or sincere, but it was unintentionally entertaining in the best way.
This isn’t a place trying to be trendy or reinvent itself—and it definitely isn’t trying to impress you. For better or worse, it knows exactly what it is. If you’re into quirky local color, people-watching, and a vibe that feels frozen in time (with a joystick), you’ll probably get a kick out of it.
Come curious. Stay amused. Bring a sense of humor—and maybe a visor. ⛳️🍻
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 4
Tim Sorensen
Great trivia night every Wednesday.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Brandon Edsforth
It’s one of those bars that chooses to play country music by default when no one pays to play something else. I’ve been coming here for years but giving it a maximum of 2 stars for practicing this scummy behavior. Food is great. Service is almost as good as the food. Atmosphere gets a big fat F.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 4
Alan Chavoya
Went there with some friends. On trivia night (wed). The food was a slow but they warned me ahead of time and ot was fun. Not too loud or serious. The guy who ran ot was cool and funny.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Corey Greeley
Taco Thursday. All I need to say, however the service is great and friendly! They have a different special each day of the week but hard or soft tacos for the deal! Mind you the amount I spent was 3 others buying rounds of drinks and many tacos!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amy Manley
We are here for a cruise and stayed in Washington for a few days. We picked this place randomly by Google search. We ordered and the owner was simply amazing. He chatted with us about all kinds of things and so friendly. The food that everyone ordered was so good. Also the lady who made it , brought to us and just chatted with us like she knew us all our lives. Things like this makes the place so great and good food too.. Thank you guys Frankie, Amy, Carly & Brian from South Carolina ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Gerten
Good specials. Easygoing atmosphere with a couple of hilarious regulars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
JP M
Thursday night bartender decided to over charge me , not once but 2 times.... Then another $40 charge on a different card..... This is theft and I will be seeking civil action. Don't go here, I'll never go back except to serve papers.... I have the bank statements to prove I was robbed....
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Reuben
Jared Simons
This is a Sound Region dive bar perfection; multiple extension cords, advertising beer they don’t sell, and a theme that seems to be fading, but doesn’t matter because the bar doesn’t need a ‘theme’ anymore.
Service is top notch. Fast, personal, effective. Lines go quick, food comes out quicker.
There is a community at this place. People know each other and if you’re here, they are glad you came. It feels comfortable. Hard to describe. Good people.
I like darts. The dart area is clean, orderly, and convenient. Sometimes leagues come in, but otherwise it’s open. The pool tables could use better felt but so could most pool tables.
We get $1 tacos and Rainiers on Thursday: South Sound fabulous!
Clyde Klotz
Bartenders are very friendly. Atmosphere is Ren,n. Darts and pool tables are good, has leagues.
I always randomly just order food and I’m always just expecting to just get whatever and EACH time my food is home made and BOMB ! Like someone made it as if they were going to eat it themselves !! Always a great portion size !
Marie Harding
Their food is delicious. Bar food is always good
Micheal Leonard
Had a great time with friends. Played the trivia that was on TV. After a few runs we ended up placing 4th in the national ranking! Had good food and drinks. So we will definitely be back!
Manami Imaoka
It’s a hole in the wall pub - we go there on regular basis for Tuesday Steak Night ($12.99)! Service may be slow, but it’s a low-key local hangout and you’ll forget about time in the good company
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salad
Gary Goodale
The trivia night was SUPER FUN. Mist is an awesome host. The food was good, large portions and very reasonably priced for what you get.
The Picked Onion – Renton
Walking into The Picked Onion feels a bit like stumbling into an old fraternity house reunion you weren’t invited to—but somehow still got a drink at. There’s a definite good-ole-boy vibe humming in the background, the kind that smells faintly of nostalgia, entitlement, and bar stools that have heard decades of opinions no one asked for.
The owner gives off a slightly elitist energy—like you should already know how things work here before you walk in. It’s not hostile, just… noticeable. If confidence were a seasoning, this place would be generously salted.
That said, I couldn’t stop laughing at the video game golf tournament situation. Truly. Watching grown men take digital golf very seriously while perched in a bar with drinks in hand was peak Renton absurdity, and honestly? Kind of iconic. I don’t know if it’s meant to be ironic or sincere, but it was unintentionally entertaining in the best way.
This isn’t a place trying to be trendy or reinvent itself—and it definitely isn’t trying to impress you. For better or worse, it knows exactly what it is. If you’re into quirky local color, people-watching, and a vibe that feels frozen in time (with a joystick), you’ll probably get a kick out of it.
Come curious. Stay amused. Bring a sense of humor—and maybe a visor. ⛳️🍻
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 4
Great trivia night every Wednesday.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
It’s one of those bars that chooses to play country music by default when no one pays to play something else. I’ve been coming here for years but giving it a maximum of 2 stars for practicing this scummy behavior. Food is great. Service is almost as good as the food. Atmosphere gets a big fat F.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 4
Went there with some friends. On trivia night (wed). The food was a slow but they warned me ahead of time and ot was fun. Not too loud or serious. The guy who ran ot was cool and funny.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Taco Thursday. All I need to say, however the service is great and friendly! They have a different special each day of the week but hard or soft tacos for the deal! Mind you the amount I spent was 3 others buying rounds of drinks and many tacos!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
We are here for a cruise and stayed in Washington for a few days. We picked this place randomly by Google search.
We ordered and the owner was simply amazing. He chatted with us about all kinds of things and so friendly. The food that everyone ordered was so good. Also the lady who made it , brought to us and just chatted with us like she knew us all our lives.
Things like this makes the place so great and good food too..
Thank you guys
Frankie, Amy, Carly & Brian from South Carolina ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good specials. Easygoing atmosphere with a couple of hilarious regulars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thursday night bartender decided to over charge me , not once but 2 times.... Then another $40 charge on a different card..... This is theft and I will be seeking civil action. Don't go here, I'll never go back except to serve papers.... I have the bank statements to prove I was robbed....
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Corned Beef Reuben
This is a Sound Region dive bar perfection; multiple extension cords, advertising beer they don’t sell, and a theme that seems to be fading, but doesn’t matter because the bar doesn’t need a ‘theme’ anymore.
Service is top notch. Fast, personal, effective. Lines go quick, food comes out quicker.
There is a community at this place. People know each other and if you’re here, they are glad you came. It feels comfortable. Hard to describe. Good people.
I like darts. The dart area is clean, orderly, and convenient. Sometimes leagues come in, but otherwise it’s open. The pool tables could use better felt but so could most pool tables.
We get $1 tacos and Rainiers on Thursday: South Sound fabulous!
Bartenders are very friendly. Atmosphere is Ren,n. Darts and pool tables are good, has leagues.
Restaurantji Recommends
I always randomly just order food and I’m always just expecting to just get whatever and EACH time my food is home made and BOMB ! Like someone made it as if they were going to eat it themselves !! Always a great portion size !
Their food is delicious. Bar food is always good
Had a great time with friends. Played the trivia that was on TV. After a few runs we ended up placing 4th in the national ranking! Had good food and drinks. So we will definitely be back!
It’s a hole in the wall pub - we go there on regular basis for Tuesday Steak Night ($12.99)! Service may be slow, but it’s a low-key local hangout and you’ll forget about time in the good company
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Salad
The trivia night was SUPER FUN. Mist is an awesome host. The food was good, large portions and very reasonably priced for what you get.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Club Sandwich with Tater Tots
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