Tacoma's bar scene has grown alongside the city's arts revival. The Stadium District and 6th Avenue corridor are the main strips, with a mix of craft-beer taprooms, dive bars, and coffee shops that reflect the city's unpretentious character.
Bob's Java Jive on South Tacoma Way is a Tacoma institution — a 1920s coffee pot-shaped building that has been a bar and music venue for decades. Engine House No. 9 near the University of Washington Tacoma campus is one of the better craft beer destinations, operating out of a restored historic firehouse. The Hilltop neighbourhood on MLK Way has newer independent bars and cafes that draw a younger crowd.