#2662 - Roy Tavern, Roy, WA - 11/23/2014

Roy Tavern, Roy, WA

I know very little about the history of this bar, but the building seems to date back to 1985, and if it wasn't the Roy Tavern from that date, it was by the late 90s. Today it is a rural dive bar, with a sign out front that had "tavern" covered up with "pub and eatery" and later the latter covered up as well. It is a small place with rural dive staples like pull tabs, pool, and flavored vodkas, along with country western touches like the false front and photos of local rodeo champions inside.

106 McNaught Rd S, Roy, WA 98580 - (253) 843-2680               
Building constructed: 1985
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: bikerfriendlybars - yelp

#2660 - Landmark Tavern, Tenino, WA - 11/23/2014

Landmark Tavern, Tenino, WA

Although the "Landmark Tavern" has only been here since around 1995, this location has hosted a bar since at least 1909 and probably 1906, the year it was built by Columbia Brewery of Tacoma. (Sources disagree on the construction date: E.g. county tax records indicate 1908, while the application for the National Register of Historic Places lists 1906.) By 1909 it was known as "Lee's Place," owned by Lee Waddell. It was apparently the "Quarry Bar" at some later point, and then "Anderson's Tavern" for many years. It is said to have been a pool hall and soda fountain during Prohibition, suspected of being a speakeasy for local quarrymen, as the boom years of the local sandstone quarry, which supported 12 bars before prohibition, continued into the 20s. I have not determined how soon it became a legal bar after prohibition. Assuming there was no "local option" in place, one suspects they would have been licensed very shortly after the Beer and Wine Revenue Act took effect April 7, 1933. But the first mention of "Anderson's Tavern" I can find in the limited city guide data I have is in 1959. Anderson's Tavern continues to show up in Polk Guides and telephone directories up until 1992. "LJ's Place" is listed at the address in '93 and '94, and finally "The Landmark" beginning in 1995. (Sources include Joy Orth, Tenino Independent, and Tenino mayor Wayne Fournier, great great nephew of Lee Waddell, personal correspondence)

Landmark Tavern, Tenino, WA

The city of Tenino Washington, 15 miles due south of Oympia, was first settled by Europeans in 1851 and incorporated in 1906. Originally known as "Coal Bank," the Tenino name was decided by the head of the Northern Pacific Railroad when final spike was driven in the section of railroad through the area. The origin of the name is somewhat disputed. Some have speculated that it is based on a train number of survey stake marked something like "T-9-0," but there appears to be no evidence to support this story. More likely it is term of the local Chinook tribe for "fork in the trail," used for the fork in the Cowlitz Trail between routes to the Puget Sound and Columbia River.

With the railroad offering a means to get lumber, coal and sandstone to the booming markets in Seattle and Tacoma, the growth of the community accelerated in 1903 with the opening of the first Hercules Sandstone Quarry. The population reached 1,000 in 1915, though it would taper off over the several decades, as concrete, brick and steel increasingly replaced stone in construction. But the product of the Tenino quarries can be seen today in the jetties of Westport, the Theodor Jacobsen Observatory at the University of Washington, and many other court houses and structures across the region -- including the Landmark Tavern.

Tenino gained national attention during the Great Depression, when, in the wake of the collapse of the Citizen's Bank of Tenino, the chamber of commerce issued "wooden money" to bank customers for a portion of their deposits. About $13,000 of the script was printed on thin slices of spruce and cedar in 1931 to 1933, but by the second and largest printing only $40 of the $10,000 was redeemed, as the now famous bills became collectors items. Today you can purchase an original $0.25 bill on Amazon for $8,000.00, or for much less you can visit Tenino during Oregon Trail Days in July when the locals fire up the original printing press to produce souvenir versions.

Now serving largely as a bedroom community for workers in Olympia and Tacoma, over the past several decades the population of Tenino has grown back to its boom days and beyond, now approaching 2,000. They city takes a very active interest in its history and historical structures, including the location of the Landmark Tavern. Old Highway 99 becomes Sussex Avenue as it winds through the historic downtown of Tenino, and from there one steps through the stolid rock exterior of the old Columbia Brewery into a classic dive bar inside.

Like all good dives, this one has a hodgepodge of collected bric-a-brac from multiple decades and themes. The art deco back bar is barely perceivable behind the pulltab bins, stickers, humorous notices, snacks and t-shirts. The front bar features red and black shapes that seem halfway between a mid-century diner and a native American pattern. The bar is lined with chrome and black vinyl bar stools, which like all seats in the place are occupied primarily by local regulars. The opposite wall features tributes to the sacrifices of military service above diner style booths, with pool tables astride. Further back are a couple folding tables with banquet chairs. There is much of the standard dive bar corporate beer paraphernalia, NASCAR car hoods, etc. Near the rear, along the top of the wall is a miniature train set, with a handpainted background. Below that is the "Bragg'in Board" where below that curiously placed apostrophe locals post photos of their hunting successes.

The beer selection includes some nice craft offerings along with the PBR and Bud, with typical dive style cocktails and classic tavern food, and I was quite satisfied with my burger and onion rings.



313 Sussex Ave W, Tenino, WA 98589 - (360) 264-2155
Est. 1995 - Building constructed: 1906
Previous bars in this location:  Lee's Place, LJ's Place, Anderson's Tavern
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp 

#2643 - Bumpy's, Puyallup, WA - 10/25/2014

Bumpy's Puyallup, WA

Bumpy's is a lively little dive, packed with locals even in the early day, and festooned with classic dive bar touches like pull tabs and handwritten signs on fluorescent paper. It's also a popular local lunch spot, with a range of hot dogs, burgers and pizzas and at some prices that can't be beat, including specials like $2 for two tacos on Taco Tuesdays and $5 pizzas on Sundays. As for drinks, you can get a double pour for $5.

The building appears to have been constructed circa 1946 and hosted a bar pretty much that entire time. From the 40s to the 70s at least, it was Bill's Tavern. In the 80s it was the Irish Eyes Tavern and in the 90s just the "Eyes Tavern," and the eyes remain on the neon sign today.

116 E Main Ave, Puyallup, WA 98372 - (253) 841-2931
Est. 2004
Previous bars in this location: Bill's Tavern, Irish Eyes Tavern, Eyes Tavern
Web site: bumpys.net - facebook
Reviews: northwestmilitary - yelp - tripadvisor  - windemerepc - blackfive - untappd 

#2622 - Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA - 9/13/2014

The Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

The town of St. John, Washington, is located in eastern Washington, about 10 miles from the Idaho border, and along Highway 23 between Steptoe and Sprague. The Railto Tavern is the only bar in the town of about 500 residents, and one of two restaurants. It is inside an red brick building on Front Street, as the highway becomes, with a modest sign attached to the corrugated tin awning. I was told that it has been here since the 30s and been named the "Rialto" for at least 40 years. Ward and Kathy Pierce recently ran it for about 20 years, through this visit, before retiring, and Ward passed away in Dec. 2016. Kathy was our bartender for this visit, and she served up dive-style drinks and the most massive club sandwich I've ever seen -- the "Wardo's Sub."

The Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

The Rialto is open for family dining until 6pm, and from the front door you can walk through the brighter diner portion in front to the more woody, dark, and bar-like rear portion. There you have more typical small town tavern decor -- hunting trophies, photos of local sports teams, and corporate beer paraphernalia, along with the sort of unique touches that mark a fine dive. For example there's an old wooden cabinet decorated with a mid-century nude pin-up and an index card listing the elevations of nearby communities. It gives every indicaiton of just the sort of community space you'd want in a small town like St. John.

The Wardo Sub, Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

Locals chat outside the Rialto Tavern, St. John, WA

17 E Front St, St John, WA 99171 - (509) 648-3876
Previous bars in this location:  None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp 

#2619 - Slim's Bar and Grill, Lind, WA - 9/12/2014

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

Update: Skip Thompson passed away and Slim's decor was auctioned off and the bar closed in 2023

If you like old, historic bars -- or if you like any bars with a lot of character (and a few characters), whenever you are in eastern Washington it will be well worth going out of your way to stop in Lind, WA and Slim's Tavern, one of my very favorite old bars in the state. There you'll probably find Floyd "Skip" Thompson, an ex-Marine who purchased the place 40 years ago and plans to continue running the place until he the day he dies. The traditional American food from the restaurant portion looked very good, but we had eaten shortly before arriving. The drinks are pretty simple and standard, but it is the place itself that is the major attraction. The walls of the fairly large main floor are filled with historical photos and artifacts. Every single person there was super welcoming, and ready to tell us stories of the place. And if you have not been yet, be sure to ask if you can take a look downstairs, which is fairly extraordinary, and worth the risk that you won't come out alive.

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

I have found sources stating that Slim's was founded in 1909, 1912, 1913 and 1916. They all agree that it was founded by G.L. "Slim" Nichols, and the source that seems to have the best background information is the June 3, 1963 issue of the Lind Leader, which dates it to 1916. This article goes on to say that in 1946 Nichols retired and left the bar and restaurant in the hands of his son George Nichols and son-in-law Wendell Longmeier. It was then sold to Paul Casey in the 50s, and subsequently run by J.R. Winborn, Floyd Duncan, and Merlin Toland. We chatted with Ray Baker, a friend of Skip's, who has helped with some work on the place and doubts that Skip makes any money at all off the place these days.

Slim's Bar & Grill, Lind, WA

Last but not least, if you happen to be headed to Slim's around the second week of June -- or if you are just looking for the ideal time to go -- you absolutely must check on the dates of the annual Lind Combine Demolotion Derby, which is preceded by a parade through town.

Slim's owner, Skip Thompson

2016 Combine Demolition Derby, Lind, WA

A younger Skip Thompson

121 N I St, Lind, WA 99341 - (509) 677-8854                
Est. 1916?
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site:  slimsbarandgrill.net - facebook
Reviews: roadtrippers - yelp 

#2618 - Lee's Tahitian, Richland, WA - 9/12/2014

Lee's Tahitian, Richland, WA

Established as the Vina's Tahitian in 1952, following approximately two years as "The Mixer," Lee's Tahitian is a classic, mid-century dive tiki bar that also appears to be the longest running bar in the Tri-Cities area of Washington state. It retains the striking neon signage outside, a Witco fountain, space age interior lighting, a tiki lounge in back, and another bar in the Chinese restaurant portion in front. For a little more history, I will quote the Critiki entry:

"Lee's Tahitian is an old Chinese/Polynesian restaurant in Richland. It opened in 1952 as Vina's Tahitian, became C & L Tahitian in 1956 (so named for its then-owners, Chin & Lee), and then became Lee's Tahitian when Lee bought out Chin in 1976. The restaurant changed ownership in 1996 and became a karaoke bar. Today it is admittedly downtrodden, but still has tons of beautiful history, starting with the dramatic neon signage that remains. Inside there are still traces of Polynesian decor, including some Witco pieces."

The drinks in the lounge are of classic dive bar quality and strength with lots of candy-style cocktails to coax amateur drinkers to the karaoke microphone.

1342 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354 - (509) 946-1068
Est. 1952
Previous bars in this location: The Mixer
Web site: facebook
Articles ranked: tikiroom - critiki - yelp - tripadvisor 

#2607 - Bay Haven Inn, Newport, OR - 8/25/2014

Bay Haven Inn, Newport, OR

The Bay Haven Inn states that it was established in 1908, but I have not been able to find or confirm any details. The bar is in a portion of a building constructed of cinder block, which did not start to become commonly used until the 1920s. Easier to verify are the evidence and stories of Paul Newman and Henry Fonda hanging here in the early 70s, as well as filming several scenes for Newman's film version of Ken Kesey's "Sometimes a Great Notion" (in the film the bar is known as "The Snag"). These include an apocryphal story of a Drunken Paul Newman cutting off the legs of the pool table with a chainsaw. It also appears that Mohava "Mo" Marie Niemi purchased the bar in 1940 and run it for six years before founding local favorite "Mo's."

Today it remains a nice local dive, populated mostly by fishermen and other locals, at least on the day we visited.

608 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365 - (541) 265-7271
Est. 1908?
Reviews: letitpour - beerchaser - yelp 

#2606 - Barge Inn, Newport, OR - 8/25/2014

Historic Barge Inn, Newport, OR

I've found no details about the "since 1935" history of the historic Barge Inn, but its current incarnation is largely attributable to longtime owner Pat Witham -- and Witham's sense of humor. It's plain as you approach the place and see the sign above the door announcing that it is "Home of the Wino's, Dingbat's & Riff Raff" (why Wino and Dingbat have apostrophes is not abundantly clear). It continues inside, for example when you notice the sign in the kitchen that brags "Same Day Service on Most Orders."

Witham has owned the place since the late 90s, explaining to the Oregon Coast Bank that he was looking for a new business that would “pay me even less than I was making as a trucker.” (The bank says they enjoy having Witham as a customer "despite the fact that he tends to dispose of any Beaver memorabilia he finds on our desks."

Historic Barge Inn, Newport, OR

The bar opens at 7 and serves classic dive bar cocktails along with a small menu of old school bar food -- hamburgers, hot dogs and breakfast items.

358 SW Bay Blvd, Newport, OR 97365 - (541) 265-8051                   
Est. 1935
Web site: facebook
Reviews: oregoncoastbank - tripadvisor - yelp 

#2604 - The Cruise Inn, Lincoln City, OR - 8/24/2014

Cruise Inn Bar and Grill, Lincoln City, OR

For a place with a "Hippies Use the Back Door" sign, this place sure has a lot of peace signs and Grateful Dead decor.

This description on menupix.com must have come from the bar itself, but it seems pretty spot on (and I like the Barmuda Triangle):

"For decades the Cruise Inn has completed the SE corner of what has long been known as the Barmuda Triangle in the heart of Lincoln City. A quintessential dive bar, the Cruise serves stiff drinks and great food almost any time of the day, so whether you show up for a huge plate of biscuits and gravy chased with a bloody mary at 10 or grab a good burger and beer for lunch you can almost always walk out with a tab around ten bucks... But beware, with an inviting atmosphere and good people you might find yourself hangin' out on into the evening tide where the food gets better and the company becomes more entertaining. The Cruise inn serves outrageously cheap dinner specials Sunday thru Friday starting at 4pm. Just ask a local, be it 1 dollar tacos on Tuesday or 5 dollar chicken fried steak dinners on Thursdays you will leave full so long as you make it in before 8pm, at 8 the cook signs out and the menu gets whittled down to an array of munchi foods, all perfect for the evening to come. So as the sun begins to set in Lincoln City and the volume on the jute box goes up you will find that regardless of your origin the atmosphere at the Cruise is unbeatable. The epitome of a chill dive bar the walls inside are decorated with Grateful Dead paraphernalia and the jute box is filled with an array of classic rock 'n' roll. Though it's certainly not fancy, who can complain when 5 bucks gets you 20 songs and you never have to listen to todays top 20. Should you need it, there are 4 new flat screens, 2 pool tables, a dart board, family guy pinball, and a bran new golden tee in the back to help you pass the time. But with the truly unique variety of patrons filtering through and the exceptionally friendly bartenders you might just find that the best seat in the house is right at the bar."

Cruise Inn, Lincoln City, OR

1330 NE Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367 - (541) 994-6425
Web site: facebook
Reviews: beerchaser - yelp - tripadvisor