What Could Downtown Be Like? Nov. 16th ( 1. November 2006, 10:01 by Derek Young) ~ Let's Make Tacoma
We hear it all the time – Downtown Tacoma doesn’t stay open late enough. The restaurants tell us that they’re not open because nobody shows up. The people respond that they don’t go downtown because the restaurants aren’t open. What would it be like if the places we wanted to go to after a show or late in the evening were actually open? What would Tacoma look like if people were on the street walking between bars and restaurants after a show? We want to know.
Here’s our challenge to you. On November 16th, get out on the town. The Pantages is hosting Three Mo’ Tenors. Have you seen the new and improved Pantages? If not, buy a ticket. Let’s sell it out. It’s Third Thursday. Check out the local art scene and head to dinner. Matador is rumored to be opening on November 9th. See it on the 16th. Vin Grotto will be open late that evening to support the post Pantages crowd. Swing by and get some wine and food. From what I hear, there’s going to be live music at Tully’s on 9th and Broadway until late in the evening. Other restaurants are talking about staying up late to see if folks will show up.
Dress up. Have some fun. Show Tacoma what it could be.
A few Exit133 readers meet up on Thursdays. Now I want to see all of you… not just the bocce players. Let’s fill downtown. Let’s support downtown.
Spread the word.
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With the theater renovated and more businesses staying open later, downtown Tacoma is reaching the “tipping point” where it may soon have a substantial nightlife for the first time in 30 years.
The Winthrop Hotel issue is still up in the air and will be for some time.
Because it is art walk night, alot of places are going to be open. However, there is going to be wine tasting at Vin Grotto AT 6:00 P.M. before the event and alot of downtown boosters will be there. Over the Moon Cafe in Opera Alley will be open for this event as well. Those two places look to be the main gathering place of everyone.
See you there.
As the Volcano’s nightlife correspondent, I’m hopelessly optimistic about downtown Tacoma running full steam at least until 2 a.m.
I beg to differ on the idea that there aren’t restaurants open late at night downtown. Maybe you peeps aren’t in the mix enough to appreciate it. I’m on the street walking between bars and restaurants any day of the week. That’s my love and my life. Come on you exit133ers, don’t stop at one night, why don’t you join me all the time!?
Here are some of the places that I eat at late night downtown: Alfred’s, The Swiss, The Rock, the Old Spaghetti Factory, 21 Commerce, the Harmon, Johnny’s Dock, The Blue Olive, Dock Street, the Melting Pot, El Gaucho, the Pacific Grill, the Sea Grill, the Varsity Grill, El Toro, Doyle’s and Tempest. Whew!
I’m encouraged by the fact that Two Koi has decided to serve until 2 a.m., and I’ve heard that the Pita Pit is open real late, too. Once Puget Sound Pizza is done with their expansion (they’re hoping to open it by Dec. 1), they’re going to serve that awesome pie (and their other stuff, too) until 2 a.m. with a 65 seater. I can’t wait for that. Then when you add Matador and Paddy Coyne’s, that’s true late night love.
I have a feeling that the success of these late night entrepreneurs will pave the way for more of our restaurants to stay open.
But yes, we need more people to show an appreciation for it. Of course, I can’t do it all by myself ;).
2 | Posted by Natasha | Nov 1, 12:18 PM
Streetlife/nightlife downtown will always be limited until we reach a certain saturation point of people actually living downtown. We all see the stream of cars leaving downtown at 5 o’clock. Imagine if just a few of these people bought a condo or apartment downtown and spent the evening down there walking around, eating, shopping, etc. We need more people living downtown, plain and simple.
3 | Posted by craigA | Nov 1, 01:22 PM
Here are some of the places that I eat at late night downtown: Alfred’s, The Swiss, The Rock, the Old Spaghetti Factory, 21 Commerce, the Harmon, Johnny’s Dock, The Blue Olive, Dock Street, the Melting Pot, El Gaucho, the Pacific Grill, the Sea Grill, the Varsity Grill, El Toro, Doyle’s and Tempest.
All good. The south part of downtown is going well. Now if we can just jump start the north end of the Theater District.
I’m on the street walking between bars and restaurants any day of the week.
I’m a lazy bum. This means I will walk from the Blue Olive to the Swiss to Pacific Grill but not to Puget Sound Pizza. If only the link would run later to transport all of us/me around town.
That said, I’ll be out on the town – & more than once a month.
5 | Posted by DavidS | Nov 1, 04:54 PM
The “For Sale” sign came down yesterday at the house next door to mine… One more resident in the fuzzy gray area between Hilltop and Downtown. Natasha, you must be independently wealthy if you are eating at el gaucho/sea grill/pacific grill with any regularity in the evenings. Every weeknight that I make it to Doyles or Tempest I am surprised at the crowds. The night life appears to be alive and well at some spots.
6 | Posted by ben | Nov 1, 05:46 PM
Sounds like a great idea, there is a crowd that lives downtown that ventures out occasionally at night. But we can always use more people living downtown. On another note, did anyone check out Dan’s article in the Tribune about the post office, now that would be exciting for downtown. I think that is a huge thing if we can get the sell going….
7 | Posted by Rich | Nov 1, 08:15 PM
Ben,
You don’t have to be rich to eat at those places, Just smart! (that ikea slogan comes in handy a lot)
Its all about the Happy Hours!
Check out Unthirsty
http://www.unthirsty.com/index.php?Address=Tacoma%2Cwa
8 | Posted by Jake | Nov 1, 09:27 PM
$1,895— That’s what it costs per night to go out on the town after dark in downtown Tacoma! The wife and I had heard about the Swiss and a band playing there. We drove in from Eatonville with another couple, parked under a streetlight and spent several hours dancing and drinking. We came out to find the rearquarter window shattered, drivers door damaged and interior rummaged. ( nothing inside to steal)...repair costs stated above. This experience is why more people don’t go out in downtown Tacoma.
9 | Posted by Stan | Nov 2, 07:51 AM
Stan, That sux! However City of Tacoma crime staticts show that Downtown and Hilltop have lower crime rates than most parts of the city, including the Tacoma Mall area. What Great event!! Another reason to get Downtown on Thursdays. Please go into the restraunts and show them how much you enjoy them being open. If nights like this have a good turn out, then we can convince Sound Transit to test market longer hours. It is all part of the activity growth Downtown needs.
10 | Posted by Marty | Nov 2, 10:41 AM
Ditto and amen Marty. Vandalism can happen anywhere and it typically happens at night. I know someone who swore she would never go out in Puyallup again because her car was vandalized in the parking lot of a bar. It happened to me in the Pearl District of Portland.
11 | Posted by DtownDweller | Nov 2, 11:56 AM
A bunch of us will be out and about attending the 25th anniversary celebration for the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, being held that evening in the Convention Center. We’ll do our part to activate the heart of the city, and I’ll be sure to invite folks out before and after.
12 | Posted by Benjii | Nov 2, 12:18 PM
Amen on drinking & eating smart downtown. It’s all about the happy hours. While it looks like Kelsey works for Pacific Grill, I’ll back up the comment on the awesome Happy Hour. Remember, they have a late one that starts at 9pm. I try to get there often for dinner & drink for $10. (Just need a snack to hold out ‘til 9pm.)
I have not seen any dancing yet at the “Chill” yet, but then I’m gone by 10:30.
15 | Posted by DavidS | Nov 2, 05:55 PM
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