50 Best Bars near University Place

“Strongly recommend Thirsty Hound Drinkery. The food is great. The beer is awesome and the owner Stevens and Zaneta are such a pleasure to interact with. Highly recommend you visit this place.“

“food was good they offer the fights for free although my tab tells another story but over a great fight night experience“

“The bartender Madeline was my server and she was INCREDIBLE! She was very attentive and made sure I was taken care of. I didn’t like my first drink and she gave amazing suggestions for a second one and comped the first. Amazing view all around and the pasta was awesome.“

“I've always enjoyed the meals and service here. The Greek Salad is great, and the atmosphere is quiet and reserved. I enjoy the take-out and delivery. Give it a try.“

“West 122 is an absolute gem! The steak and lamb were beyond incredible—perfectly cooked, tender, and truly melted in our mouths. It was such a pleasure meeting Executive Chef Keno and bartender David. Both were exceptionally engaging, offering thoughtful guidance on our food and drink selections. I enjoyed a perfectly paired wine, while my husband savored a fine whiskey—both recommendations were spot on! The entire experience was warm, welcoming, and unforgettable. West 122 has certainly set the bar high, and it’s definitely a place we will revisit!“

“Evening out needed to get a drink and waste some time before a concert. Found this place. We were quite surprised it was awesome! Had several ciders on tap, wine selection and food. Place is filled with amazing plants and old live edge wood which adds to its ambience. Staff was great and they were about to have an open mic night. Really neat place to check out.
#4starjesus“

“I wish I had taken a pictures of the AMAZING pizza but I ate to fast that’s how good it was.

Fresh ingredients with fluffy yet crispy crust. The customer service was also great, they truly care about making sure each customer enjoys their meal.“

“Such an amazing and unique atmosphere. The owner is a true mixologist, coming up with delicious drinks off the top of his head. Food is amazing 🤩. Gordon Ramsey would be impressed. The owner also made sure to come to our table to check on us. I will absolutely return 🤩😊“

“Shrimp and grits are amazing! Eggs cooked over medium, no snotty whites. Perfect! Bacon was crisp and biscuits were wonderful! Amber is a great server with a great personality!!!!! Thanks for a terrific Sunday morning breakfast!“

“Best place to have pizza in Tacoma, friendly service wonderful entertainment and great Neapolitan pizza.

Vegetarian options: The spicy green pizza and original Margarita are both filled with flavorful sauces, the pizza dough is full of the sweet almost savory flavor of wheat, mixed with melted mozzarella on top yum.“

“A to Z, this place is nailing it! Fantastic variety of food, 100% recommend their variety platter of sausage and more. The spicy cheese sausage was grand! The staff was so kind and attentive. Made friends around the fire and loved the beer! Will be there again! Prost!“

“Great place! Good beer and music. Cool place. Highly recommend.“

“After an already long evening we stumbled into this place - as it was right in front of our hotel.

What a great experience. Shill and relaxed atmosphere. Jessi was also nice and attentive and showed us how to use the tap. Tried a good variety of beers there. Nice concept and a nice ending to our evening.“

“great selection and staff!“

“Food is amazing here! Home made clam chowder! Baked avocados with olive tapenade and steak salads! 🔥“

“What an awesome revival of an old dive on South Tacoma Way. The drink selection is broad, and the pour is good. The beer selection will fit just about any taste. The food selection is limited and separate from the actual bar, but it is all good food at decent prices. Seating is a bit limited, so if you are planning on having a seat, get there early and bring friends to save some space. People are friendly and will join you, uninvited, at your table. The old video games, and skee ball is fun. The music venue though!!! WOW!!! It is impressive. Festival seating (meaning there are no seats) with a bar at the back of the room. The acoustics are great, there is no bad place to stand to get a full view of the stage and a full experience from the music.“

“the service an food {says the cook}“

“Best beer & wine pub in Gig Harbor“

“Always have a great time here. Absolutely love what they’ve done with the place. New owners and staff are making this place a favorite of mine.“

“BANGING💥 SANDWICHES! If I'm in the area I usually swing by for lunch and get the Ruben Sandwich. The place has been and for a while, I recommend getting a cold one while enjoying your meal. The place feels very rustic and full of history. The staff are some pretty amazing people. Sometimes it can get pretty packed but, I just wait it out personally.“

“What a cozy spot with great food and amazing cocktails ~ I love the burrata sandwich.“

“Bought a $100 gift card for my Father for Christmas. Can't wait for him to tell me about his first experience . My wife and I enjoyed individual flights last night, seated on the vintage looking green valour settee. The Bigger Bodies Reds. Each was amazing and it was a tough choice of which to choose for a glass. New World was the flight my wife enjoyed. Next I had a glass of the Blesoe. Two of our friend couples came so we became six. Each of them enjoyed a flight or glass. The staff was informative,super friendly and hospitable. We will certainly return, great meeting spot and The Spar is across the street;). The only suggestion is filtered water please as the water provided tasted to my wife & I like tap water.“

“Came for midget wresting a while back. Waited like an hour for fry’s but the staff was very sanitary and polite I saw the kitchen dude actually wash his hands. Most people don’t go to bars and expect fast food and locals know that kitchen is micro.“

“Good vibes, friendly bartender. Stopped in for a couple beers on a Thursday night and this was exactly what we were looking for.

I do wish they has a better tap list than the handwritten labels on the wall that are difficult to read. Minor inconvenience though.“

“Three letters describes it all! OMG!!! Out whale watching and wanted a bite to eat. Stopped by and grabbed the Capris bites and the Pearl Street Chicken Sandwhich! It was so delicious, and the people there behind bar were so nice! Definitely hitting the food spot again!“

“It’s the Best. Hands down. Best food. I drive out from Tacoma all the time just for this tasty food. Can’t go wrong.“

“❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🏁 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😤“

“Small local bar with SO MUCH LOVE ❤️ the local bartender was telling my husband and I how the locals all pitched in to cover the owner's absence while she heals from a broken ankle. Then he paid for a couple of our drinks and offered us some of his wife's homemade cookies!🥰 this place made me wish So badly I was a local🥹❤️“

“Ok I am an old school north ender , been driving past this bar most all my life ! Never stopped in till last year ! What I found was my new hang out for happy hour ! These folks r regulars and very chill great sense of humor decent pool players ! Tuesday best tacos period around ! Killer drinks friendly staff out door area ! I come here because of the people they r now friends I can’t seem to be without almost every day men’s room needs work but it has hot water ! A staple for me ❤️ it“

“I had the pleasure of eating here for lunch today. It was recommended by a dear friend that is no longer with us (R.I.P. M.W.). I shared the fried oysters with the hubby. O! M! G! We will be back!“

“Good food and Great Service!“

“Good times Good times good times good times“

“Our bartender Ana was talented, friendly, and kind. We watched her make drinks! She is very knowledgeable and professional. She shared her love of Polynesian themed bars with us. Thanks Devil's Reef for the best decor, best staff and best Mai Tai.

Try the nachos or sliders. You won’t be disappointed.“

“Certain things remain the same, but there is a loss of spirit since original owners Jaime and Jason went South. Great staff as ever. The burger was excellent, the tacos were ok.
It was not busy when we went at 830 on a Saturday... But the music was really loud and I wasn't crazy about the album they were playing. The lack of musical variety hastened our departure. Certainly it's the staff choice on music but a whole hour of it wasn't for me.

2017 Review:
While it's become too crowded at night for me to venture in as much due to the college aged scene, I'll brave the neighbourhood crowd during the day for ToT's fantastic menu of sandwiches, salads, nachos and other yummy stuff. Great veggie selections - I order their Buddha Belly wrap most of the time. Delish!
The staff here is amazing. I'm a ToT fan for life!“

“We were looking for a spot to eat outdoors with our pups and a couple of friends and happened on this gem. Delicious sandwiches, ginger beer and craft cocktails! We'll be back!“

“Serves mainly pizza only other thing on the menu are paninis and salads. Growing up Italian I would have liked to see more panini options. Pies were small a bit greasy but overall pretty damn good. I didn’t get drunk there but if I was the pizza would have been the perfect remedy. The lady with the short hair served me I didn’t get her name but she was professional, friendly, fast, attentive and a great overall bartender and server. Drinks wee reasonably priced and specialty mixed drinks displayed on the wall with prices. Gentleman in the kitchen was also fast with orders cooked to perfection. Overall I would recommend coming here for a good buzz and a quick bite.“

“Great beer and atmosphere. Amazing!“

“The Exchange Tavern in Spanaway is a piece of living history—established in 1890 and still serving up cold beer and stiff drinks over 130 years later. Originally known by the colorful nickname “The Bucket of Blood,” this spot started as a loggers’ saloon and still carries that gritty, authentic old Western charm.

Step inside and you’ll feel like you’ve time-traveled. The original wood floors have seen generations come and go, and the bar still feels like the kind of place where stories are made and legends are told.

The beer is ice-cold, the pours are generous, and the vibe is delightfully rough around the edges. If you ride a Harley, you’ll fit right in—but even if you don’t, just smile, be respectful, and buy a round. That’s usually enough to earn your place.

Yes, you might get a curious glance or two, but it’s all part of the atmosphere. This place is real. It’s got character. And it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re anywhere near Spanaway.“

“Their modified grilled cheese sandwiches are amazing. Great atmosphere and service.(And if you have a good nose, you can still smell the waffle cones from a previous tenant)Make sure to put their sister bar "the mule" on your list to visit as well. Easily just as good.“

“This place is perfect in many ways ! It is chill atmosphere parking is easy front and rear points of entry , one of the cleanest little watering stops around , bathrooms are extremely clean just a fun place ! My favorite reason Miller high life on tap and the owners are family 5 star“

“Great beer with awesome beertenders.“

“I’m recommending it based solely on service and quality of food. I have not been to this establishment. But I love tacos and plan to soon. I look forward to you serving me.“

“Hy lu Hee Hee ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hy Lu Hee Hee means “Good Times and Lots of Laughter.” The Hy lu Hee Hee is a Gig Harbor, WA local’s hang-out that got it start as a Tavern in 1935. In 1958, the State condemned the tavern building and asked that the business vacate the premises, so they could build a new highway to Purdy. The business was rebuilt in 1983, in a new location, by new owners, which is where it has remained ever since. I have been visiting Gig Harbor since 1990, but my first visit to the Hy Lu Hee Hee wasnt until 5/19/23, which was a Friday. Although I arrived before 9 PM, the music was LOUD! I’ve decided to do a sound check via the app SoundPrint. It averaged 83 dB and got as high as 88 dB, which is considered Very Loud. That would’ve been acceptable if I had signed up to see a live band, but it wasn’t. It was bad pre-recorded music, being played over blown speakers.  I had to shout out my order. Everyone around me was shouting too. My server told me this is the norm after 9 PM. Unless you’re already deaf, or enjoy the thought of shouting at your dining companions, I recommend you visit the Hy Lu Hee Hee earlier in the day.  I ordered one of the five house favorites on the menu, Fish + Chips ($17) - Breaded and Seasoned Wild Alaskan True Cod with Fries, House Slaw + Tartar Sauce. Compared to all the fish and chips I’ve eaten in Washington state, it was pretty standard fare. It was a generous portion of fries, and I liked the housemade tartar sauce. The coleslaw had decent flavor, but it obviously been made sometime ago and was swimming in liquid. Personally, I prefer Tides Tavern, which is another Gig Harbor local’s hang out, but I’ll be back at some point to visit the Hy lu Hee Hee. Next time, I’ll just make sure to do it earlier in the day. * I would like to share some photos of my dining experience, including a picture of my fish and chips, but that option is disabled on this page. “

“lazy j is like home away from home john an tracy are like brother and sister“

“We went mid day and ordered a level 4 weird pizza. It was DELICIOUS! The chef came out to tell us about what he put on it and again to see if we liked it. The bartender was great too. It's a perfect neighborhood bar. Anyone that came through the door was happily greeted by other patrons. We quickly got pulled into their comraderie and it was such a fun place. PLUS. Their sign says "People suck. Pizza doesn't, pizza understands" and that's a message I can get behind.“

“great atmosphere. friendly staff and patrons. it's home away from home“

“It's a dive bar with a decent outside setting. Covered car port with fake trees and a nice heater. They're trying to make it nice enough. There's a pool table. It's small inside, but worth going for a couple drinks. Nice staff as well.“

“What can I say it’s a neighborhood bar“

“Food garbage drinks over priced hooker vibe desperate“

“Great music, and fantastic staff.“