You know that uneasy feeling you’ve got in your gut? Well, it has nothing to do with the stress of holiday shopping or that humongous burger you scarfed down for lunch.

No, my friend, that feeling is one of your most important organs — your liver — getting ready for its most taxing night of the year.

New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. And with New Year’s Eve comes the mass consumption of all things alcoholic. Champagne. Well drinks. Sparks. PBR. These are the ways we celebrate the closing of one calendar year and the start of the next — and whether your liver likes it or not, that tradition isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Getting wasted on New Year’s Eve is as American as trying to sell a senate seat to the highest bidder. This year will be no different.

To help your celebratory drive, especially in these economically challenging times, the Weekly Volcano staff has put together a list of 21 South Sound bars, watering holes, pubs, restaurants, and holes-in-the-wall where you can get your New Year’s Eve drink on — for cheap, no less. Use this issue as a road map to New Year’s Eve inebriation, and then — once New Year’s Eve is over — convince your liver that all that pain and overtime detoxifying is our fault. We’ll gladly take the blame.



Magoo’s Annex

2710 N. 21st St., Tacoma, 253.759.0467

Type of joint: Watering Hole

Magoo’s Annex is the Tacoma staple for cheap drinks, awesome bartenders, and the best jukebox in town. With deals like $2.75 micro Mondays, $5 PBR pitcher Thursdays, and free pool on Sundays, this bar is a must visit for anyone who wants to get belligerently drunk.

Pluses: $3 tots and Alex the bartender’s fat stomach.

New Year’s Eve: Same as usual with the added class of a midnight champagne toast. — Chuck Dula



Doyle’s Public House

208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468

Type of joint: Restaurant/Bar

Public house? Absolutely, due to the extraordinary group hug always on at this Stadium District watering hole. However, I do think it needs a few fights and a few couples making out on the tables to give it a more public house feel. Maybe that’s just me.

Pluses: Whoever finishes a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey — the last shot not the whole bottle — puts his John Hancock on it and up it goes into the rafters on display. Then you’re entered into the running for something cool. They also have killer Cheesy British sandwiches, English futbol games on the tubes, and half price appetizers Monday-Friday during the 4-6 p.m. happy hour, and a shot of Jameson and pint of Guinness for $10.

New Year’s Eve: DJ spinnin’, champagne flowin’, beer drinkin’ and shots pourin’. No frills. No charge. No balloon drop. Just a good time. Doyle’s welcomes you as long as you’re not a douche bag; if so, then stay home. — Ron Swarner

Station 56

5602 S. Washington, Tacoma, 253.474.2639

Type of Joint: Live Entertainment/Dance Club

Under new ownership, there’s a very cool vibe at Station 56 these days. Touted as upscale entertainment in an industrial area, the 56 offers DJ/dance music, cover bands that play party hits, and original rock and variety acts. Great bar food, pizza, steaks and sushi all under one huge roof! Tuesday nights will never be the same after you have $1 well drinks. The bar will soon have a mechanical bull.

Pluses: Upstairs grand piano lounge with much sought after seating around the new sushi bar; complete with plush leather sofas and two elegant billiard tables.

New Year’s Eve: Just Dirt, prime rib ($12) and crab leg dinner ($19.99), $2 PBR and High Life, $3 champagne cocktails, $4 Black Opals. Cover is $10 and half off for military. — Jennifer Johnson



The Beach Tavern

8612 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.564.9984

Type of joint: Tavern

The Beach Tavern has gotten me drunk and made me do things I will somehow never forget. Was it New Year’s? Hell no. You don’t need a reason to go see the friendly staff at The Beach, but if you do, this New Year’s Eve is as good of a time as any.

Pluses: Copious amounts of wall padding throughout this dive make your drunken stupor much more bearable.

New Year’s Eve: Throwback specialty Seabreezes for $3.75 and party all night long. — Steph DeRosa



The Brotherhood

119 Capitol Way N., Olympia, 360.352.4153

Type of joint: Bar

This bar is legendary. And there’s a reason. With a quintessentially Oly clientele, some of the best bartenders around, a sweet-ass pool table and shuffleboard to boot, the Broho leaves little to be desired. Plus the jukebox kicks ass, and there’s a snack machine with American Spirit cigarettes if you run out while chain smoking and talking about Chomsky out back. Good times.

Pluses: The Brotherhood is the best bar in Oly, hands down. How’s that for a plus?

New Year’s Eve: DJ Dead-Air will be spinnin’ your ’80s punk and rawk favorites, and there will be drink specials all night long. It’s a partial benefit for Safe Place, which is cool. — Matt Driscoll



The Red Hot

2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229

Type of joint: Tavern

There is nothing fancy about this tavern, and yet, the two pinball machines, the large screen, the impressive list of off-rack beverages such as RC Cola and Jarritos sodas, plus 10 brews on tap and many more by the bottle all make for a unique outing. But, really, bottom line, it’s all about the tasty hot dogs.

Pluses: Dollar Rainiers every Wednesday, $3 wines the first Wednesday of the month, and the fact that I can eat two dogs and drink four beers cheaper than it costs to drive back home.

New Year’s Eve: It’s all about the swag. Besides complimentary midnight champagne toast, The Red Hot will give away a vintage PBR jacket, vintage Oly and Rainier plastic mugs, and the Ultimo Red Hot Prize Pack to one lucky winner: $20 Red Hot gift certificate, two Red Hot T-shirts, and the full set of Red Hot Growlers. Obviously, they’ll be open later then their usual midnight closing. — Jake de Paul



Hell’s Kitchen

3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003

Type of joint: Punk Rock & Metal Bar

Proudly bringing some of the finest unadulterated metal, punk, and hard rock to Tacoma, Hell’s Kitchen delivers a straightforward good time. You want a beer, a burger and then a shot? You got it. Seriously good, inexpensive food (killer pizza, sandwiches and burgers that will satisfy a grown man). No crafty cocktails or popped collars here. You will find a roomful of those who love to play hard and love their music.

Pluses: Low cover charge, nightly wallet-conscious food and drink specials such as Weiner Wednesdays featuring good, cheap hot dogs and $1 PBR 5-9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve: Utterance, De-Krep-It, NW Royale, Mechanism ($5), but no cover before 9 p.m. — JJ



Hob Nob Side Door Lounge

716 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.3200

Type of joint: Restaurant Lounge

The Hob Nob Side Door Lounge doesn’t have a bad seat in the house. With every chair at ass-level of everyone walking by your table, the New Year can only get better as the night progresses. Especially with $3.25 well drinks and $2.75 domestic drafts, making people’s asses look better has never been easier.

Pluses: You’re right on the bus line. Smokey the Bear may try to prevent forest fires, but Pierce Transit will prevent drunken driving.

New Year’s Eve: Same as it ever was, which is awesome. — SD



Puget Sound Pizza

317 S. Seventh St. Tacoma, 253.383.4777

Type of joint: Restaurant/ Bar

Sure, PSP has good breakfast, the normal array of drinks, friendly staff, and Karaoke. But, damn, it has the best pizza in Tacoma by a landslide. Ridiculously good.

Pluses: … I mean, like, Patrick Swayze’s hair in Roadhouse, good.

New Year’s Eve: Karaoke with Colin, yo! — CD



Emerald Queen Casino

2024 E. 29th St., Tacoma, 253.594.7777

Type of joint: Casino

There’s a slight possibility that you could actually profit from saying goodbye to 2008 at Emerald Queen Casino. Drop some change into a slot machine while pretty cocktail servers bring you $3.25 well drinks and $2.75 domestics and you just might hit the jackpot. If you do, remember that I’m the one who told you to go there and I get half.

Pluses: Smoking and drinking together again.

New Year’s Eve: Free Joan Jett concert. That’s right, I said FREE. — SD



Tempest Lounge

1913 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Hilltop Tacoma, 253.272.4904

Type of joint: Restaurant/Lounge

Settle in and sip a handcrafted cocktail in peace at this sweetheart of a mellow, classy, ’50s-style influenced lounge. Check out the daily double happy hours (4-6 p.m., 10 p.m. to midnight): $3 drafts, $2 PBR, $4 house red or white wine, and $5 full-size appetizers. Above par bar fare, hummus, beet salad, addictive roasted garlic Old Bay potato wedges. Love the Recession Relief drinks — $3.50 Tom Cat Gin or Hussar Vodka.

Pluses: Fresh squeezed juices, unpretentious staff, ultra comfy chairs, patio with heat lamp, and soft lighting that makes everyone look good.

New Year’s Eve: Superstar Bartender Denise Tempest dazzling one and all with her mixology mastery (free). Champagne toast and party favors. — JJ



The Corner Bar

524 N. K St., Tacoma, 253.627.3480

Type of joint: Um, a Corner Bar

Bring a bean bag chair, a velvet poster depicting Rosie O’Donnell at the last supper, and a hand grenade because this local bar makes you feel right at home.

Pluses: $1.75 tacos on Tuesday and $3 wells every day.

New Year’s Eve: Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came. — CD



Schooner Pub & Eatery

5429 100th St. S.W., Lakewood, 253.584.1919

Type of joint: Restaurant and Bar

Dive into the bowels of this shipwreck-themed bar as ye New Year is toasted. Cushy booths that are key to comfortably getting your drink on, and this joint hast them. Schooner wenches will serve up $3.25 well drinks as long as you keep the booty comin’ their way.

Pluses: Gives you a chance to experience Lakewood.

New Year’s Eve: A huge spin wheel donning drink specials will be in full effect all night long. And as if that weren’t enough, the Schooner plans on having a wicked DJ spinning the tunes. — SD



The Swiss

1904 S. Jefferson, Tacoma, 253.572.2821

Type of joint: Bar, Live Entertainment/Dance Club

Providing a place to shake it on the dance floor, mingle and hook up for the young and ready crowd, The Swiss features popular cover bands playing ’60s to current party hits, karaoke, and full-size pool tables. Grab lunch; the soups are made fresh, and the sandwiches are great like Mom used to make.

Pluses: A huge array of some of the tastiest and most obscure microbrews with a nod to Northwest breweries ($3.25 during happy hour).

New Year’s Eve: Kry Boys ($20) — JJ



Parkway Tavern

313 N. I St., Tacoma, 253.383.8748

Type of joint: Watering Hole

Recently reviewed by Esquire Magazine, this bar always has an amazing array of microbrews on tap. The wood craftsmanship on the interior helps make this bar one of the most comfy places to drink in Tacoma.

Pluses: The Barley hanging from the ceiling is a testament to the infinite beer knowledge of the Tavern’s bartenders.

New Year’s Eve: Someone important in Tacoma will get drunk on fancy beer and later be filled with embarrassment. — CD



Jazzbones

2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169

Type of joint: Live Entertainment/Dance Club

Jazzbones is the chameleon of Tacoma with a vibe that changes nightly according to the entertainment offered. No cover blues jam, comedy ($4.50 pitchers on Tuesdays), booty-shakin’ DJs, overly revved-up Rockaraoke, Grammy award wining musical acts. Jazzbones does it all, and everyone’s welcome.

Pluses: Sushi bar and live music — how very L.A. — along with Asian-fusion cuisine and high-end bar fare served into the night.

New Year’s Eve: The Paperboys and Vicci Martinez Band ($75, $60, $35) Champagne toast at midnight with party favors. — JJ



The Mix
635 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.4327

Type of joint: Bar

New Year’s babies from all walks of life can relish inside one of Tacoma’s friendliest bars. I don’t care who you think you are, The Mix knows how to throw a party and make everyone feel like it’s especially thrown for them. The Mix has “I’m so there” written all over it.

Pluses: Multiple nooks and crannies give New Year’s Eve kisses a new dimension. Why make it a peck on the cheek when you can privately mug out for hours?

New Year’s Eve: $3.50 wells, $3 domestic drafts, and $3.75 micros. — SD



O’Malley’s Irish Pub

2403 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.383.3144

Type of joint: Watering Hole

This bar is about as Irish as Mike Tyson. It doesn’t have liquor, but it’s cheap, and it does have beer. Karaoke on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Pluses: Air hockey.

New Year’s Eve: Did I mention the air hockey? — CD



Jake’s on 4th

311 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.956.3247

Type of joint: Gay Bar

Jake’s in Olympia is queerer than a three dollar bill — and we freakin’ love the joint for it. The staff is super friendly. The vibe is raucous. And the times are always good — gay, bi, straight, experimental, tempted, or whatever.

Pluses: If you like to dance — and I mean REALLY DANCE — Jake’s is your spot.

New Year’s Eve: Partying like it’s 1999. — MD



Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe

3529 McKinley Ave. E., Tacoma, 2563.272.1502

Type of joint: Watering Hole

Tacoma’s other hipster sanctuary. Cheap drinks, awesome staff, great jukebox, and daily drink specials make this bar worth driving past the Tacoma Dome to get to.

Pluses: Sunday Fundays — $2 Peach Mimosas, $3 Bloody Mary’s, happy hour all day and Tipsy Tuesday’s with $1.50 tall boys.

New Year’s Eve: There’s at least a decent chance of a Natasha sighting. — CD



Paddy Coyne’s Irish Pub

815 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6963

Type of joint: Restaurant/Bar

By far the best Irish pub in Tacoma. Have a pint of Guinness, sit by the fire, and enjoy a plate of bangers and mash.

Pluses: Trivia night every Tuesday hosted by local brainiac and political prisoner Joe Korbuszewski.

New Year’s Eve: Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. — CD