#1562 - Goldfish Tavern, Ruston, WA - 9/24/2011

The Defiant Goldfish, Ruston, WA

Later Update: The Defiant Goldfish closed again September 3, 2017.


Update: After apparently being in business since shortly after prohibition, the Goldfish closed in the Fall of 2012, after the then owner, struggling with declining health, a drop in business and a lack of experience (she inherited the bar in a divorce settlement) fell into arears on the lease. While that certainly raised fears for the fans of this great little place right across the street from Point Defiance Park, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as a couple new owners with varied bar experience stepped in, added even more character than the bar had before (a rarity for remodels of old dives), as well as shuffleboard, an improved patio, some very tasty pizza and other food items, and a nice selection of beers and wines. Various financial challenges such as dealing with the ancient underground gas tanks of the one-time gas station were managed with the help of Kickstarter campaign and the city of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department. So congrats to the owners, the locals, and the city government for all helping preserve this historical little gem. The Defiant Goldfish re-opened July 20, 2016.

The Defiant Goldfish, Ruston, WA

Luau Pizza, The Defiant Goldfish, Ruston, WA

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A nifty little dive bar across from Point Defiance Park, with a pretty decent beer selection (no liquor).  The sign says it's been around since right after prohibition, and a lot of the folks who have been there since have carved their names into the wooden bar and tables.

5310 North Pearl Street, Ruston, WA 98407 - (253) 759-7474
Est. 1933 - Constructed 1929
Website: defiantgoldfish.com - facebook
southsoundtalk - weeklyvolcano - yelp - thenewstribune

#1561 - Tanglewood Grill, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

3222 56th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA 98335-1359 - (253) 858-5555

tanglewoodgrill.com - yelp - tripadvisor - urbanspoon - patch.com

#1560 - Halftime Sports Saloon, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

 So this appears to be the happening hangout on a Saturday night in Gig Harbor, with a sizable crowd and lively karaoke tucked in the corner of a strip mall. It's a fairly typical neighborhood dive, with the expected sort of pub food, pull tabs, and a mixed crowd. The one unique aspect apparent is that many of the ceiling tiles have been personalized over the years by patrons.

(Spell checking is apparently optional as well.)

5114 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 853-1456
Backwards baseball cap count: 7
Previous bars in this location: Charlie O Ale House
myspace - yelp

#1559 - Hy-Iu-Hee-Hee, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

I've been unable to find out what the (Chinook?) phrase Hy-Iu-Hee-Hee means, but judging from appearances it is "big divey sports bar."  An earlier location, a couple miles north of the current venue, apparently burned down sometime during the 70s. 


4309 Burnham Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 - (253) 851-7885
Est. 1984 - Constructed: 1984
facebook - gigharbor.patch.com - weeklyvolcano -  yelp - tripadvisor

#1558 - 7 Seas Brewing Taproom, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

This microbrew has a nice little taproom and a nicer beer garden area hewn from the surrounding woods.  The beers are nice and the vibe is pleasant.  7 Seas is the first microbrewery in Washington state to can their own beer.  They were founded in 2008, moved after a fire, and the tap room has been open since at least 2009.  To find them, it's better to find the Inn At Gig Harbor, and just drive to the back of the parking lot.

3207 57th Street Court Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 686-3703

7seasbrewing.com - facebook - seattlepi - kbbj - washingtonbeerblog - bainbridgeislandreview - yelp

#1557 - Tides Tavern, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

The Tides has been a tavern of various names since prohibition, and was remodeled and renamed into the current incarnation in 1973.  From the tavern's web site:

'The building that now houses the Tides Tavern was built by Axel Uddenburg in 1910 and served the area as a general store. Located next to the "People's Dock", the town's only public ferry landing, it was called the West Side Mercantile. The ferry dock provided a steady stream of customers through the first half-century. With the end of prohibition in the 1930s, a tavern was added, and a tradition of good times began. Beer was sold for 10 cents a glass, and 20 cents a bottle. The tavern never made much money, but no one cared.

Through the years, the building has seen a number of colorful owners, not the least of which was "Three Fingered Jack," a Jerry Garcia look-alike whose tenor voice resonated across the dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights in the late 60s and early 70s.

In 1973, current owner Peter Stanley bought the run-down, but well-known tavern, and began a two-month re-construction project which culminated in the memorable opening of The Tides on the weekend of "Harbor Holidays."'

One of the things I liked about The Tides was that the staff were all running around working hard to serve a full house, but there was much smiling and laughter. It felt like the heart of this small town, for both locals and visitors, and both customers and workers seemed like they were glad to be there.

2925 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 858-3982
Est. 1973 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars in this location: Ferry Tavern, Three-Fingered Jack's
tidestavern.com (history) - acoupleoffoodiesintacoma -  yelp

#1556 #S922 - Benihana, Seattle - 9/22/2011

1200 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - 206-682-4686Update: Benihana closed in April 2016

benihanaseattle.com - facebook - thestranger - urbanspoon - yelp