Drinking and music - specifically rock ‘n' roll - just fucking go together. Ask Keith Richards's liver. It'll vouch for that statement.

Locally, few places allow for the sanctioned consumption of booze and rock quite as emphatically as Tacoma staple Hell's Kitchen, now celebrating its ninth year of tattooed, pierced and goateed existence. Birthed on Sixth Ave., in the space once home to the Sixth and Proctor Bar & Grill, Central Tavern and Prosito Italian Restaurant. Hell's Kitchen was created as a venue-slash-bar befitting of the flames that originally adorned its walls, not to mention the punk rock squalor that marked its bathrooms. Over time, however, adapting to the needs of a city (or, common decency in the case of the bathrooms), Hell's Kitchen has morphed into a predominantly rock and roll bar with the ability to cater to almost any style of music ... or drinker, from the pros to the newbies. And the bathroom's are so much cleaner! At the venue's new location on Pacific Avenue, regular food and drink specials (perfect for the wannabe white-collar after-work lushes), and predictably awesome musical bookings make Hell's Kitchen a must for any drinker looking for the real T-Town experience.

If Hell's Kitchen serves Tacoma's aging punks, perhaps the Backstage Bar and Grill at the ass-end of Sixth Avenue serves Tacoma's rat-tailed and feathered glam-rock throwbacks. You know who you are, Fiero drivers and house arrest alums. With a stage proper enough for any group or performer worth its cocksure strut, from Faster Pussycat to Gilby Clarke, the Backstage has quickly become a go-to spot for those looking to get as faded as their jean jackets. In a good way. Oh, and they hired a bunch of hot waitresses who wear skimpy outfits to sweeten the deal. Very rock and roll move there. - Matt Driscoll

[Hell's Kitchen, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003; Backstage Bar & Grill, 6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.564.0149]