For those new to our neck of the woods, getting used to the dynamic of our scrappy, lost music scene may be a struggle. Those raised here see the dichotomy as clear as day. It's palpable, this feeling of an uphill battle being fought in the name of Tacoma's local music. And some of those new to the area may feel that it's too much effort, that time would be better spent in the bars and clubs of Seattle, where the local music pulses and thrives. I say they would be doing themselves a disservice.

So our scene may not be as organized or successful as those of Seattle or Portland, but what we lack in fortune and numbers, we more than make up in passion and volume. And depending on how long you stay in the area, venues may come and go - knocked down only to be rebuilt by those who refuse to see the music fall to the wayside. I offer for you a beginner's guide to experiencing all that Tacoma's got to offer on the music front.

Bob's Java Jive

The Java Jive is as good a place to start as any. Easily the most iconic venue in town (and one of the most iconic sights in town), this dirty tea-pot-shaped rock dive is the still-beating heart of T-Town. It's been up and running for decades, and in that time hasn't really changed much if at all. The kinds of acts that the Jive draws vary, but mostly stick to rock ‘n' roll, with occasional appearances from hip-hop or country. It's a humble place, the Jive. It wants nothing more than to get you drunk and rock you.
[Bob's Java Jive, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

Hell's Kitchen

If the Jive was the most sensible place to start, Hell's Kitchen is the natural follow-up. Hell's Kitchen is like the Jive's rebellious child. Playing mostly metal or punk, with occasional stints hip-hop or indie rock, Hell's Kitchen caters to a mostly younger crowd, featuring regular all-ages shows as well as 21+. With the exception of only a couple other venues, it's the only game in town for under-agers. Shows at Hell's Kitchen are loud, sweaty affairs. Punk kids drinking 40s in the back alley, smoking cigarettes and talking smack-it may reflect Tacoma better than any of the other venues.
[Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

The Den @ urbanXchange

As I mentioned earlier, Hell's Kitchen would have the market cornered on the underage crowd if it weren't for two other spots - the Viaduct at 5412 South Tacoma Way, and this relatively new venue - the Den at urbanXchange. The Den really couldn't be any more different than Hell's Kitchen. Aiming at the young hipster crowd, The Den plays mostly indie bands of the non-heavy persuasion. It's the only place on this list that doesn't double as a bar. So far, The Den seems to be succeeding, but Tacoma has a notoriously bad track record with all-ages places. Only time will tell.
[The Den @ urbanXchange, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2280]

Jazzbones

We've mostly been talking about the hipster scene, but it's true that not everyone will be willing to squeeze into skinny jeans and drink Pabst Blue Ribbon. Jazzbones may be your dig. Its clientele leans more toward the yuppie crowd-guys and gals who do themselves up on Friday nights and want nothing more than to head out to a club. Twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings, enjoying drink specials and listening to bluesy bar bands or party happy cover bands. It's sort of on the pretentious side of unpretentious, if you know what I mean.
[Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Station 56

From Jazzbones, we move even further into the mainstream with Station 56. This bar is astonishingly unpretentious, playing Top 40 rock, hip-hop and pop on most nights. On the weekends, cover bands and modern rock bands rule the roost. The bar is unabashedly a place to party, a rambunctious meeting place for, again, twenty-somethings who need to blow off major steam at the end of the week.
[Station 56, 5602 S. Washington St., Tacoma, 253.474.1189]