The iconic Beach Tavern, serving meatloaf and pitchers in the shadow of the Narrows Bridge, came onto the bar scene only months after the repeal of prohibition and it’s been earning regulars ever since. The interior is as lively as the exterior is drab.

Although the Mule is relatively new to Tacoma’s storied bar scene, it has the timeless trappings of a business that intends to stick around: blacked out windows, neon Rainier signs, an owner cleaning glasses behind the counter. Despite the dive-bar design and the freezer-aisle White Castle sliders, though, the drinks are righteous. The Moscow Mule, the tavern’s signature item, is prepared with a housemade ginger beer that simply is not messing around.

On the National Register of Historic Places, this coffee pot-shaped bar has been rockin’ and rollin’, jumpin’ and jivin’ since 1927, hosting some of the world’s most famous musicians from Bing Crosby to The Ventures to Nirvana, and showing up in films like “I Love You to Death.” It’s struggled to stay relevant in recent years, though, despite weekly karaoke — maybe the next worldwide sensation will get their start performing for kicks in this nostalgic den.

Folded neatly into Tacoma’s surly port, The Valley has been delightfully divey in one form or another since 1926, with the latest incarnation under the control of the folks behind such gems as Engine House No. 9 and Peaks and Pints. It’s all about hoagies and local beers here, to the tune of punk and classic rock from a live stage in the corner, with animal heads and band posters watching from the walls.

Named for one of the founder’s grandfathers, a fighter plane-painting WW2 vet, Wingman has everything a drinker needs: darts, barrels, and knowledgeable staff pouring fantastic beer from the taps.

This hip spot is home to serious drinks for the discerning palate, and yet it’s as friendly as a neighborhood bar should be, thanks to servers who give a damn.

This brewery puts out an intriguing array of libations like hard ginger ales, chocolate chili stouts, and Broken Window IPA (voted best in Tacoma during a blind tasting at a Tacoma Beer Week). It also features a number of guest taps from other local brewers. No food is served, so outside treats are encouraged.

Those awaiting the reopening of Tacoma’s iconic Hilltop Kitchen will find that it’s basically been reincarnated in the old postal building downtown: same owner, same killer execution, slightly different style. En Rama specializes in daring cocktails — like the Get Down, featuring mezcal with Ancho Verde, pineapple falernum, lime, two kinds of sherry, and chili salt — made to pair with minimalist pasta dishes, all splashed against an Art Deco backdrop.

The Tacoma Cabana nails the nostalgic, laid-back South Pacific style perfectly. Painkillers, Daiquiris, coconut, and rum add up to all the fruity goodness of island living without all the pesky sunshine.

This brewery was birthed from a Kickstarter campaign and is run from a community-renovated twisty-cozy space in downtown Tacoma by five local friends. If it’s unusual and fun — from a pint of the Ottermelon Hefeweizen to beer and yoga sessions Saturday mornings — the Odd Otter has it, 364 days a year (closed on Christmas).

This LGBTQ bar in downtown Tacoma features excellent drinks, a modest dance floor, spirited karaoke nights, and a wonderful group of patrons. The owner, a college professor, opened The Mix seven years ago and it's been a community gathering place ever since.

Specializing in pints, grub, and sports from across the pond, this dim and knick-knacky tavern is the place to go for those who wish to clink a glass of something dark while their favorite team plays football live, time difference be damned.

This tavern has been the heart and soul of Tacoma since 1935, spackled with accolades and lived in lovingly by its regular patrons and visitors. The team here knows their customers and their city and, unlike some old-school haunts, also knows their way around a tap. The sandwiches shouldn’t be missed either.

The fevered dream of beer aficionados comes to life in this freshly renovated beer hall, a collaboration of local business owners featuring a massive selection of suds from near and far catalogued by bitterness and type, served in glasses befitting their heritage. The bar food gets the same attention to detail, too; the menu focuses on sandwiches like pesto pastrami, all fresh and incredible.

Built beautifully to showcase the century-old bones of a fire station that relied on real horse power, Engine House No. 9 features a plethora of expertly brewed beers and some delicious bar food. E9’s range is wide, with fruited sours alongside solid IPAs and other standards, and an outdoor patio is a nice complement to a variety of well-lit indoor seating.