Coffeehouses, brewpubs and other watering holes will soon be making room in their liquid ecosystem for another drinkery. Exit 133 recently broke the news that an application for a liquor license has been submitted for Cork! A Wine Bar at 3012 6th Ave. Bottoms up!

–James

Wi-Fi is as essential to a cafe’s survival as cream and sugar. Numerous local cafes and eateries around town help you stay connected to the Internet via a free wireless Internet connection. Here’s a great map, courtesy of the News Tribune that can help you find one nearest you. If your favorite spot is not on the map, an easy mechanism allows you to add it. Judging by the number of laptops flipped open on those café tables, I’d say that the blogosphere (including this site’s contribution to it) wouldn’t be nearly the phenomenon it is without these caffeine-fueled literary havens.

– James

More and more of our guests are asking us to direct them to eateries and grocers who can accommodate various food allergies and diet needs. Gluten intolerance seems to be the leading dietary need, and Tacoma is admirably stepping up to the plate to help. (I don’t know which is worse: having a food allergy or dreading eating out because of the strange looks you get from onlookers while asking wait staff to guide you through the menu choices.) Tacoma Mama has a special page set up for wheat-free dining choices. Her latest addition points visitors to The Red Hot, where there’s always a wheat-free brew on tap and where they serve Vienna Beef hot dogs, which contain no wheat, dairy and other potentially harmful ingredients. Chow down!

–James

Sure, Doyle’s and Paddy Coyne’s are great places to tip a pint. They exemplify all that we hope to find in an Irish pub, and you can bet your bottom shamrock that they’ll be crowded to the ceiling on St. Pat’s Day. Instead, why not zig where all others zag and head for “neutral” territory? I’m talking about the Swiss Pub, of course. With dozens of beers on tap and by the bottle, they can well keep you occupied any night of the year. And while I love trying out new places, I’d like to raise a pint to The Swiss, who have been at it for 15 years.

-James

It finally opened. I’d heard rumors that Seattle-based Matador Restaurant and Tequila Bar would be coming to our fair city nearly two years ago. Its exceptional Tex-Mex menu kept me happily driving north to its original location; but with over 75 choices in its famous Tequila Bar, the drive home was what had me a bit daunted. Now that Matador is at 721 Pacific Avenue I (and my gas tank!) are a lot happier. And if you call “Andale!” to the bartender too many times, you’re just steps away from the free Tacoma Link.

- James

While talking about Tacoma’s Best Bars in America listings, I worked up a mighty thirst. So I ambled on down to one of my favorite watering holes, Paddy Coynes. Hard to believe the place is already a year old. I think I might head back down there after work and raise a pint to honor their birthday. At least, that’ll be my excuse.

James

As reported in Weekly Tribune writer Ed Murrieta’s blog, two Tacoma establishments have found their way into Esquire Magazine’s Best Bars in America guide. I could hardly agree more. As I mentioned the other day, Doyle’s Public House is fantastic, and Parkway Tavern is another favorite of hop-o-philes. My message to the proprietors of those establishments: Good on ye, mates!

James

It’s never too early to start planning for St. Patrick’s Day. For me, the research begins right around March 18. This year, you just might find me at Doyle’s Public House taking in a cool (though not ice-cold) pint (the Irish don’t go for the near-frozen stuff that we Americans seem to prefer). With a row of taps that includes such names as Guinness, Murphy’s, Smithwick, Boddington, you know you’re in good company. Even better, the staff promises to serve your brew in its appropriate glass. They’re that serious. Although it’s a little late to tell you now, it’s also helpful to know that they are open 365 days a year, including Christmas and Thanksgiving. You might just want to write a note-to-self for next holiday season, just in case you need to escape from your family by going to Tacoma’s little piece of the Emerald Isle.

-James

Since I’m the one who actually turned Josh on to one of my favorite haunts (Varsity Grill), I thought I should step in here and mention their latest addition to the Tacoma dining scene. That would be Cans, down at 100 SW 9^th Street at Pacific. They’ve got canned beer from all over the world from places like our own Washington (Rainier), Wisconsin (Pabst Blue Ribbon) and Ireland (Guinness). But the gimmick is that they serve good, cheap eats in a clean, laid back atmosphere. Plus, there’s a stuffed and mounted moose head on the wall.

Brian

Sorry to sound redundant from my previous post, but I truly think the Varsity Grill is quite possibly the finest sports bar in the Northwest. But the piece de resistance – or should I say, the grand slam feature – is the theater, which has been dropped squarely in the middle of the restaurant. Walled off by soundproof glass, this room features 17 plush, theater-style seats and a 125” projection screen with digital surround sound. I’m guessing this spot has been reserved for every Super Bowl Party between now and 2073.