Grub Gossip

Some local hot spots that’ll have you hollering, Gooooooooaaaal

By Jackie Fender on June 21, 2018

There are very few things that lure me from the comfort of my bed in dead of night. Why would I shuffle sleepily to the nearby pub with only the dim light of dawn to guide me? What sort of fiery passion ignites an engulfing flame in others? I can think of only three things: religion, love and sports. Nay, not just any sport, but soccer. 

Soccer is one of the few games that manage to gather not only a region or nation of fervent fans but an entire globe of football frenzy. This fervor reaches peak pitches right about now with the World Cup. Here are a few pub picks for your viewing pleasure. 

Doyle's Public House is the prime soccer spectating spot. You can literally catch every game, play by play. Every. Game. If there is a game on, they've opened their doors and have it on the boobtube. Sure, the matches have been taking place since mid June, but it isn't until July 15 that world champions are crowned victorious, so there are more than ample opportunities to watch the drama unfold and become fully emotionally invested over a cold pint, shot of Jameson and bangers and mash. 208 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma, doylespublichouse.com 

The WestEnd Pub and Grill is a well-known watering hole for locals thanks to TVs taking up just about every corner of the building. There are pull tabs galore to scratch that gambling itch and a reasonably priced pub steak that'll satisfy. 3840 6th Ave., Tacoma

The Loose Wheel has not just one, but TWO spots to catch up on your sports needs. They are also running specials specifically for soccer enthusiasts including Loose Wheel Lagers for $2.50 a pint or a cool $15 for a whopper 100-ounce tower. 6108 6th Ave., Tacoma & 715 River Road, Puyallup

Puyallup's TK Irish Pub and Eatery is casual tavern fun with Irish flare. Like Doyle's, they, too, are open in the wee hours for you crazy sports fanatics. Get your game on over one of their 22 beers paired with Shepard's Pie. 109 South Meridian, Puyallup

O'Blarney sounds like a guy I wanna drink with while watching World Cup shenanigans go down. The name has a nice ring to it. O'Blarney's Pub has all of your sports bar needs with shuffleboard, burgers, beers, darts and more. Though I imagine it's hard to slide that little puck when your eyes are glued to the game. 4411 Martin Way, Olympia & 221 North Tower Ave., Centralia 

The Ale House Pub and Eatery has so many TVs it's hard to keep count, and they have even more beers on tap! So many in fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a competitor in sight. That's reason enough to take a stool and sit in awe of fellas dribbling that white and black ball a few hundred laps around the field. 2122 Mildred St. W., University Place