Bandito Betty, as I’m sure most of you know, slings beer part time at the Parkway Tavern. For our dive bar experience this week she suggested we stop by The Corner Bar, which is the bastard child of Jeff, Parkway Tavern owner.

The Corner Bar is located in a somewhat shady neighborhood of Fifth and K Streets. By “somewhat shady,” I’m not referring to the neighboring houses, but more the chilly corner store across the street and the nearby rundown Laundromat. But to be honest, from the outside, the Corner Bar looks like one huge dive joint in itself. One that only familiar people should patronize.

A dive bar that Bandito and I needed to investigate.

The Corner Bar is a hot goldmine of great beer, awesome people and excellent homemade food. This place is NOT a dive bar in the least.

I was somewhat disappointed not to find a treasure trove of leather captain’s chairs, bad wood paneling, and toothless barflies sporting mullets and staring at my breasts. Yet, I was filled with glee as I watched Jeff and bartender Red walk around talking to familiar faces as I sipped on my Manny’s Pale Ale.

With more than 12 beers on tap, only two are domestic — and they’re all ice cold. There’s a full liquor bar, and they also carry a legend of having some of the best mac ‘n’ cheese in Tacoma.

This place is not a dive bar. It is a mini-Parkway Tavern (if you will), and a fantastic addition to the already wonderful Tacoma bar family. Thinking about going in now, aren’t you? Well, you should.

The Corner Bar

524 N. K St., Tacoma, 253.627.3480

Beer: plenty
Food: Homemade
Mullet Count: Red’s ponytail almost counts

Bar Exam Dive Grade: D (far from being classified a dive bar)