Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in Seattle
This isn’t a typical bar or brewery tour—it’s a storytelling experience set in Tacoma’s historic Whiskey Row. Through live narration and Robert Service poetry, you’ll step into the lives of the railroad workers, lumbermen, and sailors who built this frontier town. With drinks included throughout, the experience blends history, atmosphere, and performance to create something immersive, memorable, and uniquely Tacoma. The evening begins inside the historic Olympus Hotel building, where you’ll enjoy your choice of a cocktail, beer, or wine at the Forum while learning how Tacoma transformed from a rough railroad outpost into the “City of Destiny.” From there, we explore Whiskey Row, uncovering stories of saloons, vice districts, and the characters who shaped early Tacoma. We’ll also explore the unique interior of the remarkable McMenamins Elks Temple before concluding at Odd Otter, Tacoma’s most whimsical brewery, where an exciting game caps off a truly memorable evening.
Guests begin the tour inside the historic Olympus Hotel building, home to The Forum, in the heart of Tacoma’s original Whiskey Row. Here your guide introduces the frontier story of Tacoma’s founding, when railroad workers, sailors, and lumbermen filled the saloons of this booming port town. Surrounded by the atmosphere of one of Tacoma’s most storied buildings, guests enjoy a classic “beer and a buddy”—a Rainier tall boy paired with a shot of whiskey—echoing the working-class drinking culture of the era. As the experience begins, your guide brings the past to life with dramatic recitations and performances of Robert Service poetry, setting the tone for an evening of history, storytelling, and Tacoma’s rough-and-ready beginnings.
The tour concludes inside the historic Elks Temple, a grand 1916 building that now houses multiple bars and hidden spaces. At this final stop, guests visit one of the building’s unique bars while the guide explores Tacoma’s experience during Prohibition—when saloons were forced underground, bootlegging thrived, and the city’s “open” character was tested but never fully disappeared. You’ll hear stories of speakeasies, enforcement efforts, and how Tacoma’s drinking culture adapted during the era. Guests enjoy a final drink while reflecting on how Prohibition reshaped, but never erased, the social life of Whiskey Row.
Guests visit a local craft brewery in the heart of downtown Tacoma to explore the city’s deep-rooted brewing history. Here your guide traces Tacoma’s beer culture from early frontier saloons and working-class taverns through Prohibition and into today’s craft revival. You’ll learn how brewing was tied to the daily lives of lumbermen, sailors, and railroad workers who helped shape the city. Guests enjoy an included pint of locally brewed beer while hearing how Tacoma’s brewing traditions have evolved yet still reflect the independent spirit of its past.
Tacoma: Whiskey Row History & Drinks Tour lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 3 stops.
Prices start at $79 per person for this Seattle experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is You will meet your guide inside the Forum at the historic Olympus Hotel bar. Carved by Franciscan monks and installed in 1912, it's the perfect location to begin an evening of storytelling and tastings! . Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Wheelchair accessible
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Had an awesome blast! Kyle really put a lot of effort in to making sure our tour was fun and the informative. We had some special moments because the mountain was out and Kyle made sure we got the perfect view of it. The tour was a great mix of history, and fun, and booze! I 100% recommend this tour as it is a great way to learn some Tacoma history and see some downtown sites. DO IT!!
This was an excellent tour. Highly recommend. I appreciate Kyle’s knowledge and hospitality.
Such a joy having you back!
Wonderful tour. Highly recommended.
Thank you for the succinct and pithy endorsement! Can't wait to explore with you again soon!
We had a great time. Kyle, our tour guide, was organized, professional and legitimately fun. I had been to this area of Tacoma so many times. It was so interesting to learn about building, paintings, fountains, etc. that I had always wondered about. One thing to note, it is not really a whiskey tour. At three different places there were choices and we enjoyed wine on the tour. I think it made the tour even better. I’m looking forward to joining Kyle for different tours in the future.
Thank you for making it a special evening, Frazer! Your engagement, questions, and enthusiasm were very much appreciated and I cannot wait to have the two of you on tour again soon!
Awesome guide, really good drinks, really cool history. Recommend!
Thanks for the kind words Laura it was a pleasure having you on tour!
Kyle was an excellent tour guide and we learned so much and had an absolute blast. Not only knowledgeable, but succinct and keeps it moving.
Thank you Jessica! Such a pleasure getting to celebrate with you and Charles in anticipation of your wedding. Can't wait to see you again soon in the South Sound for another experience and hear all about it!
What a fun evening, learning about Tacoma history. The highlight, by far, was the tour of the amazing Elks Temple.
Thank you for joining the tour! I'm so glad you enjoyed learning about Tacoma's history. The Elks Temple is one of my favorite stops, and its story is every bit as fascinating as the building itself. Thanks again, and I hope to see you on another adventure soon!
A trip through Tacoma with Kyle as your guide is truly transcendent! Kyle is a master storyteller and historian and brings the history of the city to life as you stroll it's streets As a lifelong resident of the Tacoma area I had hoped to learn a few fun tidbits about the town but left with a new appreciation for Tacoma and it's founders. The establishments Kyle takes you through on the tour are full of character and history and each stop is unique for both it's story and it's food & drink. The tour is the perfect blend of sight seeing, history, kinship, and wonderful food/drink. We are already looking forward to our next trip with PNW Adventures and Tours, thanks Kyle!
Transcendent?! Thank you for the wonderful review! I'm glad the tour helped you see Tacoma from a new perspective and that the stories, historic venues, and local food and drinks all came together for a memorable experience. "Transcendent" is certainly high praise—I appreciate it! Looking forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon.
We had a fantastic time with our tour guide, Kyle, learning about the history of Whiskey Row and experiencing some of the establishments along the way. Kyle was incredibly knowledgeable — not just about the history, but he answered every question we threw at him and even regaled us with stories and poetry. The pacing was perfect, with just enough time at each stop to learn about it and actually enjoy it. We did this as a double date, but could easily see it being a great time for groups of any size. We had a blast learning, drinking, and playing games together. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to learn something new and have a great time.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! I'm glad you enjoyed the blend of Tacoma history, local establishments, and a little poetry along the way. It was a pleasure hosting your double date, and I'm especially happy to hear the pacing and mix of stories, games, and conversation made for a memorable evening. Thanks again for joining me, and I hope to see you back for another adventure!
Amazing tour. Our tour guide Kyle did a great job of explaining the history of Tacoma and the establishments we visited. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed learning about Tacoma's history and had a great time on the tour. I truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again on another PNW adventure!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma: Whiskey Row History & Drinks Tour | 2h 30min | 5.0 (22) | $79 | |
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