Candice LandauLast Updated on April 22, 2026 by Candice Landau
Itโs hard not to start an article that includes the words โdrinkingโ and โdivingโ without a disclaimer. That said, Iโm doing itโyou’re smart, you know that stuff already. If you want to debate this topic, Iโm not going to stop you but this is not the place for that. Many of us who dive do enjoy the occasional drink and so, it seems silly to pretend we donโt. Everything in moderation.
In 2021 my boyfriend and I moved from Eugene, Oregon to the Greater Tacoma area in the Puget Sound. It wasnโt thanks to a COVID-19 crisis but rather a result of the fact that two people who had grown up living in the suburbs of large cities (Houston, Texas and Johannesburg, South Africa) got tired of the โsmall town feelโ and wanted to do and see more. Honestly, it was also a little selfish on my part. I wanted to be nearer to the water so I could go diving more often and more easily. Plus, Washington State has some of the best shore diving in all of the U.S. Florida is great for boat but frankly sucks for shore.
If youโve heard about diving in Washington State, chances are the sites youโve heard of are on the Hood Canal or near Seattle. Few divers actively talk about the great access Tacoma has to diving with sites that I think are much better than those directly out of Seattle. Perhaps it has something to do with the cityโs informal (affectionate) strapline, โKeep Tacoma Feared.โ Iโm not sure about the feared part but I can confidently say, the good diving bit is true.
If youโre in the mood to hit-up the must-dive spots in the area, save time for both Les Davis and Titlow Beach. Both are easy to do in a day, though youโll likely need to time the dives around Tilow Beach as that site is much more current dependent. And if youโre in the mood for a wee bit of a drive (not much more), save time for Sunnyside Beach Park (south of Titlow) and Redondo or Saltwater State Park (slightly north of Tacoma). There are quite a few dive shops in and around the area so you wonโt be shy of options for air either. My favorite is Eight Diving, a NAUI/GUE dive shop that has incredible support, high-end dive gear, and a community feel that canโt be beat.
That said, you didnโt come here to read only about diving. You came to learn about where to get a beer. In the one-and-a-half years that I spent in the area, my boyfriend and I tried breweries, bars, restaurants and the odd winery (when we could find it). We are certainly equipped to tell you where to drink, though of course, given weโre now nomading about the country, canโt tell you exactly what the current beer is like.
If youโre diving Titlow Beach
Titlow Beach is arguably one of the most under-rated dive spots. Yes itโs shallow (45 feet or less). Yes itโs really tidally dependent. But, hit it at the right time and itโs beautiful. Think good visibility, tons of marine life, plumose anemones that dot the columns like wild flowers, and great access to one of my favorite breweriesโTacoma Narrows Brewing.
If youโre wondering how to dive Titlow Beach, read my article on it. If youโre wondering about Tacoma Narrows Brewing, itโs the place to go for a great โatmosphereโ and a scenic view. Itโs also super spacious with multiple โroomsโ to drink out of and a lovely outside deck that looks out over the Tacoma Narrows and the bridge.
The brewery did offer flights when I was last there and even had a really cute shop section with a lovely glass that had a diver and giant Pacific octopus on it. There are board games available too so if youโre someone who likes having something to do, itโs a great place to go. In general the beer is pretty good with a variety of options available for everyone. Our favorites, that look as though theyโre still available on the website/at the brewery, were:
Finally, as a diver, youโll love the dive flags and GPO images everywhere. It really makes it feel like a diverโs brewery and is one Iโd say you absolutely need to hit. If youโre hankering for some grub, right below the brewery is a restaurant that wasnโt too bad either. Check out Boathouse 19 Bar and Grill. For the veggies out there, they do have an Impossible Burger.
If youโre diving Les Davis
This popular dive site is right near downtown Tacoma. Though Iโve never had a tough time getting parking here, the road to the site can get clogged up with traffic given there are quite a few bay-side restaurants along it. Itโs a fun site as there are chunks of the old Galloping Gurdy bridge scattered about, making for great hiding spots for marine life. I frequently spotted wolf eels, ling cod, cabezon, rockfish and all manner of tube worms and nudibranchs here. Divers who did it at night would sometimes mention seeing a Sixgill shark or two, though I never saw one at this site.
In terms of places to drink, youโll have access to some of Tacomaโs best, including, in my opinion, Odd Otter and Cider and Cedar. Odd Otter makes beer and has the worldโs cutest logo and mascot (a nerdy otter) and Cider and Cedar is a really wonderful cider bar with owners whoโve traveled the world in search of the best ciders. They also expanded since I was last year so the offerings may be even better. Seriously, they know their stuff.
Other must-hit drinking hubs
If youโre familiar with McMenamins, a favorite for those who love quirky eating experiences and a reliable bar and menu, McMenamins never disappoints. Though I will argue the cost of eating here has gone up. Whatโs never gone down though is ambiance. No two McMenamins are alike and the Tacoma version isnโt any different. Operating out of the old Elks Temple, McMenamins looks something like a reputable town hall. But, step inside this multi-story experience and youโre in for a world of much-less traditional vibe. There are in fact multiple pubs, bars and hangouts here, including a secret room (youโll have to find that one on your own), each of which is decorated very differently and that has a different menu. Personally, on a nice sunny day I love to sit out on the patio and take in the views. There is also lodging here, as with many McMenamins establishments so if youโre feeling like the all-in-one experience, look no further. You’ll have great fun, though I’m not sure about lugging all that dive gear through the halls…
I also really enjoyed Seven Seas brewery, not the least because of the eatery that was inside it when I lived there, a place called 3uilt that is no longer in business, but that served a plethora of vegan-friendly options. Today the eatery on-site is called Canteen. I’ve not tried it but can see from the online menu that there are a couple of veggie options (a bit disappointing) and that the food is more classic American fare: burgers, tots and wraps. Of course, you should know that Seven Seas does allow you to bring your own food in.
The size of Seven Seas is another thing in its favor. Itโs enormous and on a good day, theyโll open their warehouse-size upper-level window so you can feel a nice fresh breeze. Itโs a great place to drink and socialize as well as to work.
Other good places to check out include Dystopian State, the Red Hot (variety of creative hot dogs, including lots of plant-based options as well as rotating craft beers), Sig, E9 (both of excellent quality), and Peaks and Pints for a bottle shop and tap room also with amazing plant-based sandwiches. No doubt there are other options but these are some of my favorites.
When youโre done diving, go for a walk at Point Defiance Park. Thereโs a lovely Rose Garden and plenty of great beaches nearby. You can even do some good cold dipping here if thatโs your thing. Oh and in case you hadnโt already guessed, this is drysuit diving territory. Do yourself a favor and get a drysuit certification so you can be warm and cozy as you check out the local giant Pacific octopus, friendly wolf eels, and curious rockfish.
