A lot of the creative buzz and vitality that existed in Seattle in the 90's got pushed down to Tacoma as tech influx pushed up rents. It's a qualitatively different feel, and I love it. Great writeup Zach, you nailed it.
I am headed to the Elk's Lodge next Spring. I love McMenamins. I did wonder how their presence would change the waterfront's vibe. Not much in 2023, I guess.
I haven't been since 2022, I'm due for a weekend trip next year, I want to sit in the sun at Dusty's Hideaway. Elk's Lodge is awesome, and yeah, hasn't really changed the scene on the waterfront, that I could see anyway.
Hahah, thanks so much for reading, sharing, pledging! I hope you can hit at least a few - I really recommend Dusty's (the original, not the downtown new locale), Bob's, and then Magoo's, Parkway, and Top of Tacoma if you have time. There's dozens more that look great that I haven't had the chance to hit too.
What a fantastic read Zach, you've inspired me to take the same approach (albeit with a slightly less vigorous form of locomotion) the next time I visit my nearest Second Rate City.
My brother went to the University there and I visited him for Spring break in 1982. Fond memories of the town he loved so well! Great reading your adventures!
No. Between my brother and my sorority sister who lived nearby they kept me stoned all the time, which was new to me and I was too relaxed to push out. Plus, at the time I was dealing with a disappointment and these two people were the two I could most let my hair down with and see again my life from a different perspective by the end of my week with them.
All of those quaint brick buildings are going to be piles of rubble when the next Big Earthquake hits (any day now, according to the geologists). And Tacoma will likely be buried under another big mudslide the next time Mt. Rainier erupts. I've never hung out there (my son worked next door for a few), but it sounds like a great town.
Yeah, that's definitely the reason brick is an outlier here in the PNW. It's a wonderful city, and if cities aren't your thing, a great jumping off point before getting outdoors.
Thanks again for the once over. I know, it's impossible to get your work perfect after a certain word count no matter how hard you try. Oh yeah, lots of homes converted into bars up here in the northwest.
Haha, it's not for everyone but I'll have my cake and eat it too as long as I can. Whoa, I assume that'll end up on the Substack? I don't know anything about his brother or their relationship but that should be awesome in whatever form the conversation takes.
Loved this. Want to go there!
A lot of the creative buzz and vitality that existed in Seattle in the 90's got pushed down to Tacoma as tech influx pushed up rents. It's a qualitatively different feel, and I love it. Great writeup Zach, you nailed it.
Thank you! Glad I’m not the only one who appreciates how different it feels. It’s beauty is really overlooked too, hot damn is it a nice setting.
Great story! Very well observed.
Thanks for reading AND commenting!
I am headed to the Elk's Lodge next Spring. I love McMenamins. I did wonder how their presence would change the waterfront's vibe. Not much in 2023, I guess.
Have you been back since then?
I haven't been since 2022, I'm due for a weekend trip next year, I want to sit in the sun at Dusty's Hideaway. Elk's Lodge is awesome, and yeah, hasn't really changed the scene on the waterfront, that I could see anyway.
I skim-read your essay to my husband in one of our local bars (VARIETAL.)
He suggested we hit as many of your hot spots in Tacoma as we can while we're there.
Hahah, thanks so much for reading, sharing, pledging! I hope you can hit at least a few - I really recommend Dusty's (the original, not the downtown new locale), Bob's, and then Magoo's, Parkway, and Top of Tacoma if you have time. There's dozens more that look great that I haven't had the chance to hit too.
What a fantastic read Zach, you've inspired me to take the same approach (albeit with a slightly less vigorous form of locomotion) the next time I visit my nearest Second Rate City.
Hell yeah, love to hear it. Thanks for reading!
My brother went to the University there and I visited him for Spring break in 1982. Fond memories of the town he loved so well! Great reading your adventures!
Thanks for reading, it's a gem. I bet it was a whole other world in 1982! Did you visit any of the places I did back then?
No. Between my brother and my sorority sister who lived nearby they kept me stoned all the time, which was new to me and I was too relaxed to push out. Plus, at the time I was dealing with a disappointment and these two people were the two I could most let my hair down with and see again my life from a different perspective by the end of my week with them.
All of those quaint brick buildings are going to be piles of rubble when the next Big Earthquake hits (any day now, according to the geologists). And Tacoma will likely be buried under another big mudslide the next time Mt. Rainier erupts. I've never hung out there (my son worked next door for a few), but it sounds like a great town.
Yeah, that's definitely the reason brick is an outlier here in the PNW. It's a wonderful city, and if cities aren't your thing, a great jumping off point before getting outdoors.
Thanks again for the once over. I know, it's impossible to get your work perfect after a certain word count no matter how hard you try. Oh yeah, lots of homes converted into bars up here in the northwest.
Haha, it's not for everyone but I'll have my cake and eat it too as long as I can. Whoa, I assume that'll end up on the Substack? I don't know anything about his brother or their relationship but that should be awesome in whatever form the conversation takes.