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Bars where Pete has had a Drink (5,608 bars; 1,754 bars in Seattle) - Click titles below for Lists:


Bars where Pete has had a drink

Saturday, June 17, 2017

#2536 - Steelhead Bar and Grille, Spokane, WA - 5/24/2014

An solid, affordable seafood and steak house.


Steelhead Bar & Grille, Spokane, WA
218 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201 - (509) 747-1303
Web site: steelheadbarandgrille.com - facebook  
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - inlander

#2535 - Jones Radiator, Spokane, WA - 5/24/2014

Jones Radiator, Spokane, WA
Update: Jones Radiator closed April 22, 2016.

Jones Radiator was operating in 1921 but has only been a bar since 2010. It started out focused on craft beers and eventually expanded to a very nice craft cocktail program, with interesting live music all along. The vibe is arty but relaxing during the days and busy on weekend nights.

120 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 - (509) 747-6005
Est. 2010 - Closed April 22, 2016
Web site: jonesradiator.com - facebook
Reviews: inlanderyelp - tripadvisor - inlander

#2534 - Irv's, Spokane, WA - 5/24/2014

"And a note to out-of-towners who end up at Irv's: Gay Spokane is trapped in 1999. They will not notice your clothes-that-fit and non-tragic vibe. Enjoy!" (Davide B., Yelp)

Irv's was a gay dance club with a diverse crowd and regular drag shows. Since this visit it was purchased by a new owner and was renamed "Stray," retaining the basic decor and events, but Stray also closed 15 months later.

There have been bars at this location since at least shortly after prohibition. It was listed as the Reno Beer Parlor in 1934, then the Senate Beer Parlor in 1935, which it remained into at at least the 40s.
415 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 - (509) 624-4450
Reviews: inlander - yelp - tripadvisor

#2533 - Maxwell House Restaurant, Spokane, WA - 5/24/2014

Maxwell House Restaurant and Bar
Spokane, WA
The Maxwell House Beer Parlor / Tavern / Restaurant has been here since 1934. It feels old-school in many ways -- "old" being perhaps the 70s more than any other era -- with the Bud Lite lamps, the carpet running up the side of the front bar, the faux brick and the brass hinting fern bar. Rather unexpectedly the side door doesn't open to some back alley smoking area but rather a spacious, sandy volleyball court. Inside the restaurant menu is something like a mid-century, family steakhouse, with prime rib and lobster tail, and the bar serves typical dive bar cocktails and beers.





1425 N Ash St, Spokane, WA 99201 - (509) 326-6890
Est. 1934
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - roadtrippers 

Thursday, June 15, 2017

#2532 - Checkerboard Bar, Spokane, WA - 5/24/2014

Checkboard Bar, Spokane, WA
The Checkboard Bar is a nifty little dive that appears to have been a favorite neighborhood joint for decades, become increasingly more sketchy for many years (along with this area of town), and then been considerably refurbished under new owners in 2010. Before the new ownership, the bar closed at 7pm and did not contain a public bathroom. It was then a beer only tavern, and indeed, claims to have the longest continuous liquor license in the state of Washington. Joe Heaton purchased the place in 1937 and ran it for over 50 years, becoming what locals described as the "best loved bartender in town."

The bar today has been upgraded and at least a little bit hipsterized. It now includes craft beers, hard liquor, better food, and, yes, a public bathroom. And yet we were informed by our bartender Rachel that they serve only doubles, for $3.50, and using good wells.

I would love to have more info on the early history of the place. There are a few reasons to question the oldest continuous license story. To begin with, these claims are not uncommon across older bars across the state, and they are very difficult to document -- e.g. age of licenses is not tracked by the state liquor board, and verifying virtually anything has been "continuous" across 84 years is dicey (a bartender at Maxwell House told me he knows periods when the Checkerboard has been closed). And I've been unable to find the Checkerboard or any bar listed at this address in any primary sources before 1937 -- e.g. it is not in the 1934 Spokane Polk directory, nor in the 1935 telephone directory.

But in any case it definitely has a lot of history behind it and is a nice joint for a drink.

1716 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 - (509) 535-4007                    
Est. 1933 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: checkerboardbar.com - facebook
Reviews: spokanedivebars - inlander - yelp - cityvoter

Saturday, June 10, 2017

#2531 - Bubba's Bar and Grill, Reardan, WA - 5/24/2014

Like many central Washington towns, Reardan is defined by a railway stop and grain towers. The Central Washington Railroad line laid in 1888 was first used for transporting cattle, but the livestock increasingly gave way to barley and the wheat transfered through the looming towers, and which remains the area's largest crop today. (historylink)

The small set of buildings in the shadows of those towers includes the 1905 Stevenson Building, originally home to the town's first bank, and subsequently hosting a variety of businsesses, including, for over 25 years, a tavern and card room called Bonstrom's Place. Since 2006 it has hosted Bubba's Bar and Grill, a laid back tavern named for the owner's dog (which is depicted in the sign) and valued for its burgers, cold beers, and general divey goodness. The exterior features painted cartoon cowboys and the woody interior includes vintage murals of nature scenes.

Bubba's Bar & Grill, Reardan, WA






















Bubba's Bar & Grill, Reardan, WA




























245 E Broadway Ave, Reardan, WA 99029 - (509) 796-2640                           ;
Est. 2006 - Building constructed: 1905
Previous bars in this location: Bonstrom's Place
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - roadtrippers 

#2530 - Chief's Bar and Grill, Odessa, WA - 5/24/2014

Chief's Bar and Grill, Odessa, WA
"Odessa's only full service restaurant & lounge. Serves breakfast, lunch, & dinner. We serve steak, shrimp, burgers, pizza, sandwiches and more."

In the late 19th century the Odessa area was settled primarily by Germans who had lived along the Black Sea and Volga River, a heritage now celebrated in the Odessa Deutschesfest each third week of September. The town was incorporated in 1902, quickly grew to around 1,000 people, and has hoved closed to that number ever since.


Chief's Bar and Grill, Odessa, WA

I don't know how long Chief's Bar & Grill has been in Odessa -- It doesn't appear in directories from a few decades ago, but it's pleasantly worn and broken wooden sign indicates that it's been here at least a few years. In the front is a classic, small-town, family diner, and in back a brightly lit lounge that remains open on certain days until 10 or 11pm.











Odessa note: For many years, from at least the 50s until 2007, Odessa was one of the at least 60 Washington state cities and towns with a bar named the "Pastime." In 2007 this was renamed the Rolling Thunder Saloon, which operated until 2012. It was replaced by an art gallery that eventually started to also sell pizzas, and appears to have a sign from the old Pastime inside.
17 E 1st Ave, Odessa, WA 99159 - (509) 982-2999                        
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2529 - Soap Lake Business Man's Club, Soap Lake, WA - 5/23/2014

Soap Lake Businss Men's Club, Soap Lake, WA
Online sources indicate this place is now closed, which would be a shame, for the city, for the local members, and the broad membership around the country. The Club was private, but as I recall membership was something like $15 -- and the annual salmon feed was free to members, $20 for others. We were got around to becoming members, but we did have a couple drinks there as the guests of local Linda.

Trista with our host Linda, who signed us in at the
Soap Lake Business Men's Club

17 E 1st Ave, Odessa, WA 99159 - (509) 982-2999
Web site: facebook
Reviews: untappd

#2528 - Del-Red Tavern, Soap Lake, WA - 5/23/2014

Del-Red Pub, Soap Lake, WA
I've found the Del-Red Tavern listed at 6 different addresses on the same street in Soap Lake, and  I suspect at least three of those addresses are typos. But it appears to have been at the corner of Main and Daisy (400 Main Ave E) from at least the early 50s to early 70s. Then it seems to have moved across the street from its current location in the 80s and 90s (310 E Main), and now at 311 E Main. (If anybody can help me fill in the details here, please drop me a line.)

The foamy, meromictic soda waters of Soap Lake have been attracting white visitors to this area for over a century, and the previous natives for several centuries before that. It is prized for its purported healing powers, and said to have "the highest diverse mineral content of any body of water on the planet," (Wikipedia) leading the city to bill itself as "Washington's health resort." Unfortunately, plans to attract even more tourists with a 60' high, 52,000 lb, lava lamp have never reach fruition.

There are three bars in Soap Lake, one a private club, and the Del-Red is the most straightforward, with diner/pub comfort foods, dive bar cocktails, a decent beer selection, karaoke, and occasional live music.





311 Main Ave E, Soap Lake, WA 98851 - (509) 246-1867
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - columbiabasinherald - tripadvisor

Wednesday, June 07, 2017

#2527 - Tikis Bar and Grill, Quincy, WA - 5/23/2014

Ashley, Tikis Bar & Grill, Quincy, WA
Quincy Washington's "Tiki's Bar and Grill," AKA "Tikis Family Restaurant & Sports Bar," is not about to impress anyone who cares about tiki or tiki bars. But it's a fun place if you just let it be -- consider it something like a buddy's basement, with loud and laughing people, Mexicans singing to the jukebox, and Ashley the friendly bartender making sure your liquid requirements are not ignored.


Tikis Bar and Grill, AKA Tikis Family Restaurant & Sports Bar
Quincy, WA


812 Ctrl Ave S, Quincy, WA 98848 - (509) 797-7362
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2526 - Idle Hour Cafe, Quincy, WA - 5/23/2014

The Idle Hour, Quincy, WA
The building hosting the Idle Hour Eatery and Spirits AKA "Idle Hour Cafe and Steakhouse" was constructed in 1906 a block west of its current location. "John Heuther purchased the building in 1906 and in 1910 he moved it a block down the street. In 1917, E.A. Niblack converted it to Bob Seale's Pastime Pool. He added an ice cream parlor in 1919 because of Prohibition. After that era, it became known as the Spud Shed. Today it is the Idle Hour Cafe and Steakhouse, owned by Gene and Rhonda Rosenberger." (Elizabeth Gibson, Grant County, Images of America)

In the 1960s it was listed as "Cliff's Tavern," and it appears to have been named the "Spud Shed" when Henry and Louise Grant purchased it in 1977. In 1985 it appears to have been renamed back to the "Idle Hour" by the owners who retain it today, Gene "Rosy" Rosenberger and Rhonda Rosenberger, and was heavily remodeled in 2014. Although the interior shows few vestiges of its antiquity, the modern version offers a strong wine list, steaks, and American comfort foods.

The Idle Hour Saloon, 1910, in process of being moved up the street
(Photo via Wenatchee World)
Remolded in 2014 for a more causal atmosphere for people to enjoy fine food and beverages. We feature Northwest Ales on Tap and wines from our local wineries. Hand made burgers, special sandwiches created for your pleasure, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, soup, creative salads and more


18 B St SE, Quincy, WA 98848 - (509) 787-3714                 
Est. 1985 - Building constructed: 1906 (moved to current location 1910)
Previous bars in this location: Idle Hour Saloon (pre-prohibition); Cliff's Tavern (1960s), Spud Shed Tavern (70s-80s)
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

Tuesday, June 06, 2017

#2525 - Timeout Saloon, Kittatas, WA - 5/23/2014

The TimeOut Saloon, Kittitas, WA
The TimeOut Saloon was founded in 1987 by Bob and Rochelle McCollum, who ran it for about 20 years. They sold the place in 2010, Bob passed away that same year, and Rochelle died two years later. However shortly after it was sold it returned to the ownership of the family, whereupon it was run by Bob and Rochell's daughter Jennifer Johnson, along with a number of family members.

We were told by Hannah that the building is about 33 years old, but Jennifer has said that there have been bars in this location since immediately after prohibition -- "“It was the Tumbleweed, before that it was Kelly’s Bar."

The current exterior of rustic wood with a hatchet door handle is quite different from the brick and stucco appearance in Michael Caldwell's 1994 "Watering Holes of the Northwest." It's a large, clean place, with a sizable gravel patio out back and cable spool tables. The menu is mostly traditional American comfort foods, with prime rib and taco specials. The inner decor doesn't adhere to one theme, but includes homey touches like an old standup piano, pool trophies, and a quilt featuring photos of vintage cars. It feels like the family-owned place that it is, and like a substantial social locus for people of the area.




101 Main St, Kittitas, WA 98934 - (509) 968-9111
Est. 1987
Previous bars in this location: Tumbleweed, Kelly's Bar
Web site: facebook
Reviews: dailyrecordnews - yelp - tripadvisor

#2524 - Bill's Place, Yakima, WA - 5/23/2014

Bill's Place, Yakima, WA
Bill's Place is said to have been established in 1933, soon after prohibition, and to have been in the current building since 1943. I spoke with Steve, the current owner's son, who explained that the original building was in the current parking lot until a boiler explosion in 1942. For some reason the bar does not appear in Polk guides of the 30s in 40s that I have data for, and tax records indicate that the current building was constructed in 1948.

Today Bill's calls itself "Yakima's favorite dive bar," although it is less divey than it is a typical, contemporary, neighborhood bar, with 20 rotating brews on tap, sports on the TVs, a fairly standard pub menu, live music, and a simple but classic neon sign out front.



206 S 3rd Ave, Yakima, WA 98902 - (509) 575-9513
Est. 1943 (current building), 1933 - Building constructed: 1948
Web site: billsplacetav.com - facebook
Reviews: yakimaherald - yelp