11 bars to cheer on the Kraken around Tacoma, Puyallup & Olympia
The Seattle Kraken made the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time — in just their second season — and just like that, cities around the Puget Sound have suddenly become Hockey Towns.
If you watched Game 1 of the second best-of-seven series at home, tense with excitement as the Kraken scored three goals in 11 seconds, know that you don’t have to go through that anxiety alone. Be stressed with strangers!
Bars and restaurants around Tacoma, Puyallup and Olympia have embraced the Kraken, especially as the team forges ahead in the playoffs. A few have joined the team’s official Anchor Alliance, similar to the Mariners Bar League.
Here’s where to watch the Kraken take on the Dallas Stars, and maybe beyond. Just remember: the jerseys are called sweaters, it’s Lord Stanley’s Cup, and it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.
This is the best sports bar in Pierce County, readers say
THE OFFICE ON PACIFIC
▪ 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-572-3222, theofficeonpacific.com
With an official website shoutout, The Office — self-described as “your downtown sports headquarters” — is all-in on Kraken games. Find a seat at the bar or a booth with friends and share a plate of tot-chos or a hearty Cobb salad. Get there early, as seats fill up especially at happy hour on weekdays.
DOYLE’S PUBLIC HOUSE
▪ 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253-272-7468, doylespublichouse.com
Known of course for early-morning soccer viewing parties, Doyle’s still shuns the other football but has warmed up to hockey. Catch Kraken games in a chill setting with food from chef Ben Marcus, cocktails and a great beer list with more European imports than most anywhere in town. Try a commemorative Kraken whiskey here, too: a single malt from Westland Distillery.
E9 FIREHOUSE & GASTROPUB
▪ 611 N Pine St., Tacoma, 253-272-3435, ehouse9.com
Suitable for families, E9’s original restaurant off Sixth Ave. makes a fine choice for NHL viewing alongside ample house brews. Order a couple of the excellent square-cut, thin-crust pizzas for the table.
THE LOOSE WHEEL
▪ 6108 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-301-1647, theloosewheel.com
▪ 715 River Rd., Puyallup, 253-848-4444
Boasting “all the sports, all the time,” the mantra holds when it comes to hockey, too. (Just check out this video of people getting a little bit crazy after defeating the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7.) Both locations have oodles of screens, plenty of beer (plus other drink specials during the game) and an expansive pub menu, including a dozen bone-in or boneless pressure-fried wings for under $20.
WEST END PUB
▪ 3840 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-759-2896, westendtacoma.com
The hardest part of choosing West End Pub for a Kraken game is choosing where to sit — from the front bar to the family-friendly main dining room (until 9 p.m.), or the spacious, fully covered and heated back patio. Screens abound, and the menu — now from the owners of Hanks, The Parkway, Coles and Terry’s Office Tavern — offers everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and baked potatoes.
SCAMP BREWING
▪ 5419 South Tacoma Way, scampbrewing.com
Prefer a low-key taproom with your playoff hockey? Scamp Brewing’s South Tacoma taproom has shown games all season long. The taplist is ever-changing, with favorites such as the Demon Puppy imperial IPA, Buzzed Lightyear and seasonal iterations of Exile in Sibeeria, a Russian imperial stout. Outside food is welcome and encouraged.
SALAMONE’S PIZZA & PASTA (formerly Ale House Pub)
▪ 2122 Mildred St. W, University Place, 253-565-9367, salamonespizzeria.com
University Place rejoice: the former Ale House Pub is now Salamone’s Pizza & Pasta, serving 16-inch New York-style pies, also available by the slice. With ample televisions, watch the game in a convivial setting and partake in the bar’s vast tap list.
CASA U BETCHA
▪ 4302 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253-475-6358, facebook.com/casaubetcha
This South End dive is a favorite for locals watching all kinds of sports, and the Kraken are no exception. Look for specials on food and beer just during the games, on top of the bar’s daily happy hour, 4-6 p.m.
TK IRISH PUB
▪ 109 S Meridian, Puyallup, 253-604-4791, tkirishpub.com
Feel like a neighbor at this friendly pub in downtown Puyallup. Watch the game on screens around the bar while noshing on a dip with house-braised corned beef and beer-battered fish with homemade chips.
MCNAMARA’S PUB - DUPONT
▪ 1595 Wilmington Dr., DuPont, 253-964-9200, mcnamaraspubandeatery.com
The only official Anchor Alliance venue in Pierce County, McNamara’s shows every Kraken game. Food includes Irish classics like shepherd’s pie as well as pub favorites, from reuben rolls to patty melts and spicy mac and cheese.
THE WESTSIDE TAVERN - OLYMPIA
▪ 1815 Harrison Ave. NW, Olympia, 360-915-7839, thewestsidetavern.com
Also part of the Anchor Alliance, this neighborhood tavern in Olympia is also a popular place for other Seattle sports teams. Enjoy a basket of pickle fries alongside Korean BBQ wings, ground-chuck burgers and sandwiches including a Nashville hot-style fried chicken.
