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May 1, 2010 at 10:50am

Peek inside Tacoma's Big Whisky Saloon

Big Whisky Saloon in downtown Tacoma

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WHISKEYS, ROCK 'N' ROLL AND COWBOY HATS >>>

Whiskey has always been the drink of dangerous men - cowboys - the ultimate macho accoutrement. Whiskey is what mom warned you about, and there has never been anything dainty about drinking the stuff. In accordance with myth, whiskey is to be belted back in a quick, neck-snapping gesture, from a shot glass or straight from the bottle, by those who are tough enough to take it. 

You can now test your manliness at the new Big Whisky Saloon at the corner of Ninth and A Street in downtown Tacoma. The country music joint that opened last night in the spot that once housed Cans Tacoma - and 53 other restaurants, or so it seems - has dubbed itself a "Whisky Bar" carrying more than 50 whiskeys from around the world.

Yup, no "e." According to a press release, co-owner Roger Rahill who has dual citizenship with Canada "came up with the concept, name and the logo and preferred the Canadian spelling of whisky."

Rahill and business partner Jon Tartaglia (Varsity Grill, The Loft, 21 Commerce) want to make it clear that while the 6000 square foot venue does have a country feel to it with a whisky barrel wall, a true hardwood dance floor, a mounted moose head, staff donning cowboy hats and skimpy jean shorts - plus General Manager Paul Muller came from McCabe's American Music Café - they will play a mix of country and rock via music videos and DJs.

"Roger and I have been dreaming of the country and rock concept for a long time," Tartaglia told me yesterday just after opening the doors. "Funny, Cans was just finding its legs, gaining a large crowd, but we really wanted to open this kind of joint."

Last night's opening saw a mixture of country music fans and folks waiting for the Comedy Underground show to start, which has been housed in the building's basement for years.

"Country and comedy are a natural fit," Tartaglia explains. "Typically, a majority of the comedy crowd comes from Puyallup, Sumner and Orting."

Right now, food consists of burgers, nachos, fries, tater tots and such. A giant projector screen is also on it's way soon.

Big Whisky Saloon will host a Brooks & Dunn pre-concert party with 100.7 The Wolf tonight.

LINK: More photos in our Photo Hot Spot

Filed under: Food & Drink, Business, Music, Tacoma,

Comments for "Peek inside Tacoma's Big Whisky Saloon" (10)

Weekly Volcano is not responsible for the content of these reviews. Weekly Volcano reserves the right to remove reviews at their discretion.

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s said on May. 02, 2010 at 2:17pm

Great run down, however it would be nice to know WHERE THE FUCK IT IS other than downtown Tacoma?

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TRACY said on May. 26, 2010 at 3:25pm

I believe it says CORNER OF NINTH AND A STREET!!! :)

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Denise R Reno said on May. 27, 2010 at 10:09am

Hala-lula..... I'd like to know WTF it is also.... I work downtown and can't find a sign or anything and am getting peeved...........

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Ron Swarner said on May. 27, 2010 at 12:00pm

The address has been in the first sentence of the second paragraph the entire time this story has been posted. In the future I will make sure the specifics are listed at the bottom - similar to most stories on this Web site.

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MQ said on Jun. 08, 2010 at 10:48am

AWESOME!!! I cant wait to go. I'm from South Texas so I listen to Country and Tejano music. It'll be great to go to an actuall bar.

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Robert Rutledge said on Jul. 31, 2010 at 11:17am

I think they forgot to mention the multiple cars that got broken into last night. Including my friends. SO if you are going dont have anything visible. hell take your radio out ahead of time.

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Anngelina said on Feb. 06, 2011 at 7:14pm

if you are driving down 9th and just before you enter the freeway entrance to 705 its on your right you will see a sign on the building its big you cant miss it

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Amy said on Aug. 16, 2011 at 2:50pm

Terrible saloon service!!!! When I arrived I went up to the bar and notified them that my friend and I would need a taxi by the end of the night. The bar tender said no problem. Then the end of the night came and they literally yanked the mason jar of beer out of my hand and when I asked them to please call a taxi the manager said they'll be out there just go outside and wait for one. I just might have to sue their ass!!!!

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alisha said on Aug. 19, 2011 at 1:38am

Its Tacoma, no matter where you go, no matter what kind of car you have, guess what? Its going to be broken into! Its happen to me twice and I have a cavalier! Btw its 100 s 9th and a great bar for us people whom like rock and country. Fricken love this place!

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jason said on Jan. 04, 2012 at 6:16pm

Went down here a week before christmas and had a good time. Left my debt card and have been down there twice during they're supposed business hours to get it, and they were not open. You only get a voice message on they're listed phone. Still don't have my card and have wasted alot of gas from Puyallup to get it. Getting irritated!

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