Siblings behind The Underground Taphouse shoot for chill vibe, no blaring TVs
There are televisions at The Underground Taphouse, which opened in west Pasco this spring.
But they don’t blare, at least, unless a big game is on.
Owners Laura Lindsay and Chris Jackson, the siblings behind the the recently opened taphouse, say the chill atmosphere is deliberate.
With The Underground Taphouse, they created a space where customers can hang out, visit, play board games, work on their laptops, and, of course, order from the 32 taps featuring local brews and other beverages.
The TVs come up for big games and there is a small stage for live music. But most of the time, customers are front and center in the taphouse.
“The Starbucks of taphouses” is the intent and each table has a power outlet and USB port.
“London” is the design theme, inspired by the logo the two borrowed from the transit system in England.
Slow cookers welcome
Like many taphouses, Underground doesn’t serve food.
Customers are welcome to bring their own or have food delivered via Door Dash or Tri-Cities Food Force. Its neighbors include Shakey’s Pizza Parlor and Aliona’s Euro-Bake and any number of eateries on Road 68.
Customers are welcome to plug in their own slow cookers if they wish, Lindsay said.
The business unites Jackson’s expertise in breweries and Lindsay’s business background. She earned a degree in finance and was a licensed insurance broker in Spokane before moving to the Tri-Cities.
The two share a father but were raised by their mothers. They became close as adults following their father’s death.
Jackson had been living in Texas when he pivoted and spent several years traveling the U.S. as a photographer and blogger.
He made it a point to visit breweries and taphouses on his travels and shared them on social media, developing a following along the way.
Building a business
In 2021, a friend asked if he’d consider opening a taphouse. Jackson was intrigued, but shied away, saying he didn’t have experience running a business.
His sister, who said she’s more of a “wine girl,” was looking for a new start after her husband’s death. Her brother had been a rock through the grieving process. She asked him, “What will it take to move forward?”
Jackson said he’d always had a vision of the kind of taphouse he’d open — calm, even otherworldly.
The “underground” theme informed the design. He built a red phone booth — with working phone — in his garage. British touches include a mural of the London skyline, imagery and more.
The Underground Taphouse features regional brands as well as ciders and other beverages. It features tap takeovers by area brewers, who take over taps and give away merchandise to customers in exchange for the publicity.
The duo financed the business with proceeds from a life insurance policy for her and refinancing his home for him.
If you go
The Underground Taphouse is at 4525 Road 68, Suite J, in West Pasco. Go to undergroundtaphouse.com for more information.
Winter business hours are noon-8 p.m. on Sunday, 2-9 p.m., Monday-Tuesday; 2-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; and noon-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday. It opens earlier on Sundays for NFL games.
Sign Up: Boom Town Tri-Cities
Stay up to date on Tri-Cities growth and development with our weekly business newsletter. Get the latest on restaurant and business openings and closings, plus the region’s top housing and employment news. Click here to sign up. In your inbox every Wednesday.
