Doyle's and the Parkway - Best in America!
We just received word that Tacoma’s very own Doyle’s Public House and the Parkway Tavern have been named to Esquire Magazine’s “Best Bars in America” list. Two of our favorite bars… and places we’ve spent countless hours … days … weeks … well, let’s just say a lot of time.
There aren’t that many bars on the list in Washington – we see five. We did good. Congratulations!
UPDATE: Spew has Doyle’s reaction. Russ is happy to share the accolades with the Parkway:
“Having the Parkway mentioned as well is great. It’s better than just having us included. Now you’ve got two of ‘America’s Best Bars’ in Tacoma. Now [Tacoma] is definitely worth the drive for people in Seattle and Olympia. I think it’s the cumulative effect that’s powerful.”
22 comments
E Erik Hanberg January 17, 2008
As if I needed another reason to go …
S Squid January 17, 2008
The Parkway, Tacoma’s only “drive-in” tavern. Congrats to our winners!
R Roxanne Murphy January 17, 2008
We’re very fortunate that Joe Oestreich, who wrote these pieces, moved to Tacoma.
S Sassy McButterpants January 17, 2008
I’ve thrown up in the toilet of one of the best bars in america!
A single tear.
E Erik S January 17, 2008
I’ve lived in Tacoma three times now, always within comfortable walking distance of the Parkway. Congrats to the gang there and at Doyles.
I hope that nobody reads that magazine, though. I hate crowds.
B Ben January 17, 2008
Well, go during a Red Sox game and Doyle’s might be crowded. I only heard about them last year during the playoffs (when I had just moved) and the place was packed during games. Certainly a great time!
K kbce January 17, 2008
Shoulda seen it just a few months after opening when the World Cup was going on… ;)
Anyway, many, many congrats to Doyles and the Parkway—both awesome bars with great people behind ‘em. I have a hunch Top ‘o Tacoma might make the list next year, too!
C Carla Gramlich January 17, 2008
WOW, the new tourism Director has something to promote. Tacoma the home of the best bars in America.
D drizell January 17, 2008
I went to both the Parkway and Doyle’s to support Everton last weekend and both refused to show the game because the Seahawks happened to be playing at the same time. To call yourself a place where you can watch footy and then capitulate to the gangs of ignorant Hasselbeck jersey-wearing Republicans is a shame. I’ll think twice about visiting either of these places again. Tacoma still lacks a really good place to watch the world’s greatest game.
E Erik S January 17, 2008
Drizell,
As a fellow soccer fan, I feel some sympathy, but I think it’s important to have realistic expectations.
First of all, I don’t believe that the Parkway has ever billed itself as a place to watch football of any flavor, and certainly not the association (soccer) variety. Yes, they have a few TV sets. And, yes, they do show sports on those TVs. But it’s not a sports bar.
Second, while Doyle’s does play up the soccer angle, they are usually pretty good about showing the games. And unless they actually claimed that they were going to show Everton’s match, it couldn’t have been all that shocking that they decided to show a postseason game for a local sports team.
If Doyle’s did indicate that they would show the Everton game (at any point after we knew the Seahawks would play on Saturday) and did not show it, then shame on them. They should have at least put it on a little television in the corner. If not, I say it’s fair play.
Finally, since we’re discussing the matter of ignorance, it’s pretty ignorant to assume that every Seahawks fan supports a particular political party.
T tacomagnome January 17, 2008
HERE HERE!
Congratulations, Doyle’s and The Parkway … and Tacoma …
C CA January 17, 2008
“gangs of ignorant Hasselbeck jersey-wearing Republicans”
So is every footie fan a left wing socialist??
K kbce January 17, 2008
It appears that Esquire is re-thinking their list (Andyman’s Treehouse in OH is now #4 and Doyle’s isn’t on the top 7 list)). Either that or they’re basing it off of user votes, making it a dynamic list subject to voting tendencies?
Anyway, I was at Doyle’s Saturday and Steve made a noble effort to keep the footy on the TV. He asked if I minded if he switched the Juve game before the ‘Hawks game started. When the tv nearest the street auto-switched to FSC to record footy, those on that end of the bar launched into a near-riot. Steve did his best to explain to the obviously non-regulars that there were two other screens with the ‘Hawks game on; they moved to that end of the bar, except for the drunk guy… but nobody really seemed to mind if he left. Yes, the footy game was eventually switched… but I second Erik’s realistic expectations. Doyles is BY FAR the most footy-friendly pub in the area.
E Erik S January 17, 2008
It sounds like a may owe Drizell a bit of an apology, as the ‘Hawks fans may have been a bit jerky protesting the display of soccer in a bar they apparently normally don’t frequent (at least on weekends, or they’d know that the other football is shown). Still, there’s no need to go making it a political issue. I’m not a Republican (I don’t belong to any party) but that’s not the point.
Anyways, I’m glad to hear that Steve made a good effort. There really aren’t many fans in town (what 10-12 for a game?) and it’s really cool that they’re trying to build a little soccer HQ. I hope that it grows and grows!
S Squid January 17, 2008
My Parkway Story: It was Summer, 1990 and the living was, well, easy. I lived with my wife in a rental house on Yakima Ave that was way more space than we needed and included a huge master bedroom with a deck and view of the Sound. All this and a bag of chips for six bills even a month.
One Friday evening we started celebrating the weekend early with a few G&T’s on the patio. It was hot. Real hot. After a while we realized we REALLY needed to get up and go for a walk. We decided to amble down to Wright Park. The sun setting brought precious little relief from the heat – one of those rare evenings here when you would swear you are still in Minnesota. It was thick. The only virtue was no mosquitos. In those days Tacoma never had mosquitos.
Well, on our way back, heads slightly clearing, we though it might be a good idea to stop by … you guessed it…THE PARKWAY. This was before the car drove through the front door and they had to remodel. It was a neighborhood dive bar on the order of Hanks on K Street.
As we approach we notice quite the crowd milling around the door. The place was absolutely packed. Cigarette smoke verily billowed out the door. Our curiosity was piqued.
Working our way through the crowd, we finally arrived at the front door. Turned out, they were holding a charitable fundraiser. For MS – Multiple Sclerosis. As it happened, the fundraiser was a wet t-shirt contest, with a $20 cover, proceeds from which were charitable in nature. My wife was, let’s just say dubious. By nature the more philanthropic of our union, I protested, but was not able to convince her that $40 was the least we could do to support a worthy cause.
That’s my story. It’s all true.
G grubedoo January 17, 2008
@ drizell
As long as the Packers are playing it it is the world’s greatest game.
G gottago January 17, 2008
Parkway – yep. It deserves high marks. Doyle’s – ah, not so much. Doyle’s is pretentious and stiff. The staff in the evening is surly. If Oestreich now resides in Tacoma, as suggested by Roxanne Murphy, City of Tacoma’s Community Relations Specialist, he should consider places that are unique, not mere knock-offs.
B Bell Capt: January 17, 2008
Parkway and Doyle’s shall remain “excellent choice’s” from the DESK in Tacoma. Thank you both for offering the traveling public and “us locals” a place “everyone knows you’re name” .
C Christy January 18, 2008
That’s funny, because I love Doyle’s and think that Parkway is “pretentious and stiff.”
St. Pat’s is just around the corner. If you didn’t make it last year, stop by Doyle’s. Insanely fun and no cover!
C Christine January 18, 2008
John and I celebrated by walking to both places last night. Ah, the beauty and convenience of living within walking distance of the best bars in the state!
R rock rabbit January 18, 2008
What about the Monsoon Room, Tempest, and Java Jive? Probably not Esquire’s kind of places, but definitely some of the best bars around.
J Joel Gunz January 23, 2008
Drive just from Olympia or Seattle? Hey, I’m coming up from Portland!