#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

#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

#2523 - The Mint, Enumclaw, WA - 5/23/2014

The Mint, Enumclaw, WA

Below the volcanic noises of Mount Rainier which produced its name, the city of "Enumclaw" came into existence in 1885, then the Northern Pacific Railroad routed through the Frank nd Mary Fell Stevenson's property. (historylink) The Stevenson's also gave away property for a hotel and saloon at the same time. In 1906 The Mint was established. It seems to have survived in one form or another through prohibition until today, moving across the street to its current location at some point in the 1930s. I have notes that it was for some time called The Peach Tree and the n the Enumclaw Pub, but in my limited city guide data I can find only "The Mint" or "Mint Tavern" listed at this address going back at least as far back as 1941.

Bacon jam crostini, The Mint, Enumclaw, WA

The Mint closed suddenly in 2012, but re-opened under new ownership in August 2013. The current version retains the old bar and accentuates some of the history, as well as upgrading and broadening the food. A nice beer selection is complemented by some fresh cocktail choices -- not quite fine, craft cocktails, but better than average. I started with a tasty bacon jam crostini, and followed with the asparagus and salmon ravioli.

1608 Cole St, Enumclaw, WA 98022 - (360) 284-2517
Est. 1930s (1906 in different location) - Building constructed: 1923
Web site: thehistoricmint.com - facebook 
Reviews: link - link - yelp - tripadvisor - courierherald - patch

#2522 #S1250 - World of Beer, Seattle - 5/19/2014

Update: World of Beer closed in Dec 2014 and reopened under new ownership as 500 East.

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Of course World of Beer has a lotta beer (50 rotating drafts, >500 bottles), but I was in the mood for something different so I had a MargaIPA. It was actually pretty good (bartender told me "I'm from California -- I can make a margarita"). This place later broke off from the big WoB chain but is much the same place, with some decent snacks, high ceilings, big windows, a small patio, and, well, lots of beer.

500 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 323-9110
Est. Nov 25, 2013 - Closed Dec 2014
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: capitolhillseattle

#2521 #S1249 - Mezcaleria Oaxaca, Seattle - 5/19/2014

La Mezcaleria Oaxaca / Puro Lonchera
Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

Update:  Mezcaleria Oaxaca Capitol Hill is now Puro Lonchera (same owners and menu)

La Carta de Oaxaca in Ballard quicky established itself as one of the most authentic and most popular Mexican restaurants in Seattle. With pretty much every night featuring lines out the door for a seat at the communal tables, the Dominguez family expanded first to upper Queen Anne Hill and now to an old auto body shop on Capitol Hill. This location is larger, features a roof top bar for summer time, and a "mezcal classroom."

422 E. Pine St., Seattle - (206) 324-0506                       
Est. Feb 25, 2014 - Building constructed: 1958
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: mezcaleriaoaxaca.com - facebook
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