Admittedly I’ve fallen in love with Sumner. Yeah, it has cute little shops and all, but it’s the dive bars that really get me going. Something about Sumner makes me feel like I’m far enough away from home to not know anyone, yet close enough to make it home on time. You know what I’m talking about. That feeling of “I don’t care what I say or do or look like, no one here knows me.” Like that time you made out with that guy who had three nipples in Spanaway.

We were drawn in after hearing about the 99.9 KISW Tattoo Competition held a month ago at Sharky’s. Events like that make me bitter that someone is dropping the ball on getting the word out. Why did I not hear about this? I would’ve loved to have been there. The amount of potential trouble I could’ve gotten into simply blows my mind. You think I’d have better dive radar than that. I wonder if they have corrective surgery for a weakened dive-dar. I wonder if I could hold a fun-run to raise money for those with dive-dar impairment.

Sharky’s shows the gritty side of a true party palace. It could somewhat be considered dive-ish, but it really is just a worn-in bar. People of all shapes and sizes can be found inside tearin’ up the joint and throwin’ back a few on any given night. It’s loud, it’s rockin’, and it’s the epitome of an after-hours party in Sumner. 

Aside from the pull-tabs, cheap food, and domestic drafts — nothing about Sharky’s inside says it’s the dive you would believe it to be from the outside. Besides the people, there’s plenty to entertain you. They have pool tables, darts, a karaoke machine, and beer specials during Seahawks games.

If you get hungry, I suggest trying a “Sharketizer” of Lil’ Smokies in BBQ sauce. Nothing compliments a cold PBR better than tiny processed sausages in flavored ketchup. Grubbin’!

Sharkey's Pub 

1005 Main St., Sumner, 253.863.0742

Service: Keen

Beer: Typical drafts

Food: Steak specials on Wednesdays 

Bar Exam Dive Grade: B-