Eastside Club Tavern

A classic dive bar for those who enjoy a diverse and welcoming environment.

What it is:

Eastside Club Tavern has been around since 1942 and maintains the lived-in feel of a classic dive bar. It’s survived a train crash, an earthquake, and the grunge era (Kurt Cobain once lived five blocks from here). The lighting is dim, the popcorn is free, and the entertainment consists of pool, ping-pong, and good old-fashioned conversation. You might find a stout from Alesmith or the latest hazy from Fort George on tap, but most of the 42 draft lines are dedicated to ales and lagers brewed in Washington state, particularly locals such as Matchless, Triceratops, Top Rung, and Headless Mumby.

The best bars welcome people from all walks of life, and this is true of the Eastside: college students, civil servants, doctors, and musicians consider this their local. There is something comforting about the fact that little has changed in almost 80 years, beyond collecting more beer stickers, artwork, and dust on its breweriana. (It’s also still cash only.) Plus, in the town where Olympia Brewing once proclaimed, “It’s the water,” you’ll always find cheap cans of the namesake lager in the cooler. —Ben Keene

Why it’s great: Hours:

12 p.m.–2 a.m., Monday–friday; 1 p.m.–2 a.m., Saturday–sunday

410 E. 4th Ave., Olympia, Washington theeastsideclub.com

Address: Web: