I pass by 2 J’s Saloon frequently and the front door is always busy with people going in and out. From the outside, and from the looks of the patrons, you get the feeling that you would need to take a hot shower after visiting this establishment. If there was ever a stereotypical looking “dive bar” — this is it.



From morning until the wee hours of the Puyallup night, 2 J’s has patrons walking up, biking up, or riding the train up to the front door. The fact that no one is driving up in a car leads me to believe two things: there are no drunk driving incidents coming from this bar, and most patrons of 2 J’s have already had their driver’s licenses revoked. Either way, Puyallup is safe from any 2 J’s Saloon driving altercations.



Inside the padlocked front doors lies a room that the party supply section of Target once threw up in. Not a single piece of wall lies uncovered from posters, machines, signs, and obnoxious holiday decoration. I love it. I’m not gonna lie, this place is the spitting image of my dorm room in college.



I expected the typical trashy dive bar selection of beer, but I was pleasantly surprised at the Redhook ESB and Windermere Hefeweisen they had ready for me on a cold, cold tap.



Besides the 154-year-old tri-toothed bartender, I was the only other human being in the joint with a vagina. So as much as I wanted to admire the eclectic array of “Corona” décor, I was scared to look up. Making eye contact with one of these fine gents might stir up a little testosterone. Something I did not care to awaken.



This place has darts, pool, machines, karaoke, and even live entertainment is available on a non-scheduled basis by Brother Dan the homeless harmonica player. You can catch him wherever the train drops him off. Puyallup? Tacoma? Who knows where he’ll be next, not even Brother Dan knows.

2 J’s Saloon

215 N. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.845.9968

Beer: cold, OK variety

Food: I lost my appetite smelling the guy next to me

Service: splendid

Mullet Count: I didn’t want to look



Bar Exam Dive Grade: A