3 Best Bars in Washington Cascade Mountains and Valleys, Washington

You can't claim to have a sophisticated nightlife scene until someone in a vest is mixing artisanal cocktails, and 1022 South is Tacoma's top spot for fine drinks made with unusual infusions (nettles, yerba maté), house-made liqueurs and colas, and premium liquors with hipster cachet (Portland's Aviation gin, for example). Daily happy hour is 4 to 7 pm, and the kitchen produces nosh-worthy nibbles, from cheese plates to burgers.

This old-school downtown pub with a modern vibe and first-rate beer and food was opened by a trio of Western Washington University graduates who also happen to be talented beer makers (they own Menace Brewing). As you might guess, this laid-back spot with a conversation-friendly decibel level has a great list of rotating taps, featuring craft beers from throughout the Northwest. The locally driven food is tasty, too, from fried chicken and waffles during the popular weekend brunches to late-night pork-belly tacos and fish-and-chips.

This lively pub inside a historic building has microbrews on tap, pool tables, and bands on stage Thursday through Saturday. Monday brings free admission for live blues night, and there's karaoke on Wednesday. The place is best early in the evening before the bands start playing—it can get pretty loud and rambunctious in here as the evening goes on.