Whenever someone mentions Bob's they will inevitably point out one of two things: first, that the building is shaped like a teapot and second that it's a dive. I won't contest the first point. We all have slightly different connotations of what constitutes a dive and Bob's may well fall within that variance. It's built of dark wood with dim lighting, was at one point quite smokey and attracts its share of regulars that huddle around the bar sharing war stories. Nonetheless, I think Bob's is far too *stylish* to possibly qualify as a genuine dive (albeit not in that pretentious high-society sense one might associate with the term "style"). Perhaps the most interesting thing about Bob's is the mix of people it attracts. Bob's is one of those rare bars that draws a combination of young and old: hipsters, rockabillies, bikers and hicks. On my last visit, ordering a pitcher of beer at the bar, I overheard a conversation to my left about big rig engines and to my right something about the latest indie band to define the Tacoma scene (and yes, allegedly there is such a thing as the "Tacoma scene"). From the perspective of a Seattle boy, Bob's is way too far to travel without a special excuse. If you live in Tacoma or happen to be in town, though, then this is a place worth visiting. At least once. read more

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Everything that I hoped it would be. Such an incredible place. The weirdest mix of people. There was a guy named "Sean dizzle" who sang simple man. It was the best karaoke attempt at simple man ever. His raspy voice gave it such a unique twist. "Chelsea" sang the Doors and David Bowie...Omg nailed it. I did my standard stuff, Sinatra and Zeppelin. I ended the night with Alice in Chains Junkhead, which was a first for me and it felt and was very appropriate. I had arrogant bastard beer all night and people were like who you calling an arrogant bastard? Messing with me of course. And yes these same bartenders joined in the karaoke fun. It's beers only. Some nice chicks drove me home and got me Jack in the box. It was like family. This is now the top Tacoma fun bar for me. read more

Bob's Java Jive - Dive Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I do like run down dive bars. This place was my favorite in the Tacoma Seattle Olympia area and I had originally given it 5 stars. But the last couple times I tried going to the Java Jive, the smell of Pine Sol was SO strong that I could hardly breathe, and the last time I was there for less than 3 minutes and my clothes smelled as if Pine Sol had gotten spilled on them. The bathrooms smell like outhouses covered up with Pine Sol and those little pink or blue short cylinder things you pee on. I don't know if they have plumbing issues in the bathrooms or what, but it's the most extreme of anywhere I've ever been. The female karaoke host is fantastic, one of the male karaoke hosts is also very good, but the karaoke host I recently experienced on pirate night couldn't get the slips he was given merely entered into the at least 10 year old computer as he sat there not actually entering the slips he had already been given, and there were no pens, and he couldn't take requests as a result. They really need to upgrade that computer. You could get a better computer for FREE through Craigslist. But the ridiculous over usage of Pine Sol is the main thing that has me not wanting to come back. People know it's a run down place, you don't need to try to cover it up with products. How about bleach water instead? One more thing: They really need to get hard alcohol there. read more

Fun atmosphere and amazing clientele and staff. They really take care of you there. It's a unique place and definitely worth visiting! Thank you for a great time read more

Don't call the bartender "Super-Dave"! He is a great sport and put up with our craziness. Cheap PBR and fun karaoke! read more

Bob's Java Jive - Dive Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Karaoke, beer, once-smoky, pool tables with zero felt left - what more could you ask for? Bob's has a lovely selection of wines, as the bartender told my friend one night "red, white and mer-LOT." This was the first bar I visited of-legal-drinking age. (Having been working in the music industry for a number of years and having previously lived in states that were so Puritanical about drinking/dancing establishments, I had been in many, many bars.) It'd definitely something to check out if you just want a beer and possibly some entertaining karaoke. read more

I was very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoy this place. Great karaoke, awesome people, wonderful atmosphere. I feel like this is a place where everyone is welcome and accepted which means a whole lot to me. I will most definitely be back and would absolutely recommend this spot to my friends! read more

Vernacular Architecture Treasure in T-Town. You come here to get piss faced and hang out with friends on the cheap - doesn't get simpler or better than that! The Java Jive was built in 1927, but didn't get the "Bob" or "Java Jive" names til after WWII. The first time I came here was soon after I turned 21 (so very very long ago)...I insisted a group of friends come down with me on a road trip from Seattle. We walked in for an afternoon beer....so fun! So dive-y! There were a handful of old timers having their afternoon glass of beer - even then the Java Jive was friendly. It's been too dark and crowded on return visits for me to check and see if they still have the leopard skin jeep seats somewhere...but those made a huge impression on me during that first time in. I'm glad the place is still going strong. I'm glad there are young people still loving the Java Jive; a hangout for those who prize something different, something gritty. Note to groupie types: Dockyard Derby Dames derby girls are often found here! read more

Seriously, if you're looking for a good time...go here! We came on a Friday night and had a blast. They have regulars that come in for karaoke, but the atmosphere for new comers is great! Beer selection is fantastic and the owner is always walking around picking up empty glasses and talking with his customers. They don't open until "around 8" so show up later. Grab a bite to eat somewhere close, then go sing your heart out! read more

I love Bob's Java Jive. I considered not putting up this review because I don't want it to be overrun by hipsters and change for the worse, although it would probably be good for business. But their Monday night karaoke could use some spicing up! It's been pretty much the same 8 people give or take 2 or 3 random visitors. It would be nice to have a few more people in the rotation - so come on down! I go almost every week to sing because the folks are nice and it sounds good. The Jive is definitely a dive. They have the best hamburgers and fries, too! They also started a Rockband/Guitar Hero night on Sundays - come check it out! read more

Bob's Java Jive is Tacoma's hidden gem. Dirty? Yes! Off-putting decor? Yes! Extremely limited menu? Yes! Cheap? Yes! I mean, come on! This place used to have caged bonobo chimps and go-go dancers. Now the Java Jive sits in Nalley Valley like a once popular high school cheerleader. It shows the scars of a life of being rode hard and put away wet. Decorated dollar bills adorn the ceiling, sexualized images are carved in the bar and seats and graffiti in the restroom. What sets the Java Jive apart from the other dives that litter the South Tacoma Way strip is heart. The staff is friendly and caring. The only resemblance of a menu are the random box of food items stapled against the wall. When you order fries, they go in the back and cut up a large potato and fry it just for you. Beyond that, I am not quite sure about the source and quality of food. Karaoke seven nights a week is note worthy. There are a couple of DJs and they are all friendly and fun. The beers are generic and/or cheap, but cold! I will continue to return to this spot, if not only to see Walter sing. read more

My wife and I (and friends) have gone a few nights. Our first visit was during the week (karaoke) and was okay. The steady bartender seemed to enjoy watching television more than assisting customers, but we enjoy dive bars and are not too pretentious about that sort of thing. The building is in a bad state, but maybe it's usable... However, the latest trip was horrendous. It was a Saturday night before Halloween and we paid the $5 cover charge, excited to potentially stay there the majority of the night. That fantasy all ended when the band began (forget name of band). The hard-rock band opened with a classic original called "Dicks," in which the lead singer sang about (you guessed it) his dick for 5 mins. The second song was amazingly called "Eat the Meat" (more geared toward the ladies' genitals, I guess). I don't even think they were being ironic...it was that bad. There was another party of about 6 people who gave us similar horrified looks as we had, and the room quickly emptied as we all got the hell out . There may have been two people left in the room, on a Saturday night! I know this place has history in Tacoma and I would love to frequent it, but it's too far gone with current management. They need change. The iconic booths are covered in what feels like gym mat covers (a crappy job at that) and the patio is almost unusable. The bathrooms are worse than anything I've seen in Seattle dive bars. Things are held together with strings, literally and figuratively. Bottom line, I like dive bars, but this place does not seem to want ANY customers. read more

COFFEE POT BUILDING + dive bar+BANNING KEANU REEVES FOR LIFE= MEGAWESOMAZING The karaoke is always pretty empty, but always awesome, and the guy remembers you. I love the grizzly men who work there. I love the decor and the graffiti (along with the no graffiti sign). I believe your looking for the word "YES" read more

I give Java Jive 5 stars for WHAT IT IS. If you've not been there, you have NOT seen any place like it. It's funky, cramped, campy, kitschy, dirty (sorry but true), weird, not a "first date" place, and just plain strange. But I go back far enough to remember the caged monkey (orangutan?), and the strange regular "band" that consisted of a dazed ex-heroine junky on the organ and a kinda challenged guy singing the Batman theme song. It was even WEIRDER then. But they have fresh cold PBR on tap, great unhealthy bar food, crappy bands and sometimes good ones, and the decor continues to go downhill which just contributes to the whole Java Jive milieu. The Java Jive is an INSTITUTION. Not a "nice place" and I LOVE it for that. I can go there in a suit and tie, and sit at the bar and have a beer and have no concerns about not fitting in. I can go there with my wife and watch a crappy band (sometimes a good one too) and drink beer and eat popcorn and NONE of the 20-something pierced tatted people give us a second look. I always say you have to experience the Jive at least once before you die. DO it! Not to mention every dollar you spend there helps this struggling little place afloat. If the Jive closed, Tacoma would lose a very cool part of it's heritage. By the way - just noticed it says "full bar" in the main section. NO. IT'S BEER AND WINE ONLY!!! And that's probably a good thing... read more

Like one reviewer stated, Java Dive is probably the best name for the place. Where else can you go drink in a coffee pot and feel great about your life choices? Bob's Java Jive is a true gem. Tacoma should feel lucky to have such a place. The hours are later in the day so if you're looking for an afternoon drink you won't find it here. The interior is without a doubt one which belongs in a dive bar. It's small and there is only so much seating around the center. Over the years people have written their name on paper stars any stuck them to the ceiling. The oldest I found was from almost 20 years ago. There is a back room where bands play and a couple of booths for a group to hangout. There's an outside section for the smoking types as well. The beer selection is small and from what I can tell, there is no hard liquor. They have the basics on tap if you feel like grabbing a classic American beer. They make food but I've never had anything so I can't say what that is like. Yes there's parking out front and around the area. The staff is a couple of older guys who bar keep. They didn't say a whole lot but they were nice to us. read more

We had a great time at Bob's Javajive. The people were so friendly and welcoming! The decor is kooky, but that's just part of it's charm. Note that it's beer and wine only, no mixed drinks, and some tasty fried bar snacks (good fries and spicy mozarella sticks for us). It was a Tuesday night and we were checking out the karaoke...it was pretty much just us, but never let that stop us! JJ is a great karaoke host: played our favorite songs, let us sing as much as we wanted, kept the party lively. And the bartender and another random patron were sweet enough to get my partner free drinks for her birthday. If you're stuck up, don't go here. If you like to have a good time and you're not pretentious, it's a lot of fun. My partner said she had her best birthday in many years. read more

Manages to be divey without being skanky. The phrase "ragged glory" comes to mind. I have seen some great, all-too-obscure bands here - it brought out the sweaty best from all of them (I'm thinking of you, Mexican Blackbirds, RC5, Gloryholes, Dollarstore Cowboys, Swinos...). The Java Jive was made for the kind of raunchy, homebrew, guitartastic spawn-of-the-Sonics rocknroll that the kids will - someday - appreciate again. May she live to see that day... read more

If you're in Tacoma and don't make time to stop at the BJJ, you're doing it all wrong. It's like someone's living room meets a dilapidated 70's dive bar... in the best way possible. Everyone is pretty welcoming and polite. The karaoke scene is on point. Try their limited food menu - the tiger burger is really good and they hand-cut their fries. No hard alcohol... but that's for the best at BJJ. read more

Bob's Java Jive - the TIGER burger - Dive Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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I've been to dive bars all over the country and this one is easily in the top three. In. The. Nation. It's old, kitschy, cheap, and awesome. Get out of your comfort zone and just go. read more

I have finally found a place to call home. The decor was beyond amazingly kitsch. When you have Christmas lights up all year round in multicolor you had me at hello. Staff was fun, engaging, and gave great history and stories about the place. Part of our Dive Bar Bingo tour, one of our squares needed a bra hanging from the ceiling. When they noticed that was not part of their Decor that was simply remedied by one of the female staff. Magical. Thanks Dave for the great service!! read more

Really great spot. Great people great vibe. No tap, but decent selection. Comedy on thursdays, karaoke on weekends.

2 choices beer or wine. Awesome karaoke.....got introduced to Thee Moose song....long story. There is a surprise every where you look...especially when it's Pirate Night....great people watching read more

Bob's Java Jive - Dive Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This place is a Tacoma MUST. I am at a loss for words as to how awesome and funky and amazing this place is. First of all its shaped like a huge teapot and while it looks closed and or condemned it is actually quite open just not till 5pm. They have great double bar seats, cheap burgers and fries. Cheap beer and a pretty good selection. The bartender is endearingly rude and the karaoke guy is a riot. The place is decorated like something out of a cartoon or a old carnival or a...I can't even explain it. Its a dive in the best most unique, intriguing, grimy, grungy, fun kind of way. Go hear, bring friend and out of towners. Its an experience you will remember and there is NO place like it. read more

Heading home from Seattle, being roadside attraction enthusiasts, our group decided to stop and take some pics of this coffee pot shaped bar. After taking a peek inside we could not resist the call of a leopard print bar and decided to go in for a quick beer. We were absolutely enchanted with this bar, it's a mix of kitschy vintage items, local character, and crazy fun garbage! They even have a vintage Star Trek Pinball Machine... It was like a punk rock Pee Wee's Playhouse. Our bartender JR was a complete doll and offered iced water for the ladies while serving up Mac & Jacks and PBR ON TAP! He even took our group picture. Such a gentleman! The local patrons offered great conversation and bar history. It was a cool mix of people and we never felt out of place. The ladies room was suprisingly clean, keeping in mind that I had extremely low expectations, they even had hand lotion. Lol. Our local dive bar doesn't even have a ladies room door sometimes! If you are looking to have a unique bar experience or some "Afternoon Delight" on the Juke Box and don't mind a beer and wine drink menu you have to check this place out... You will not be dissapointed! If you are looking for a more generic, clean-cut place to have a fruity mixed drink... go to Applebees! read more

What a crap hole... UNTIL I WENT IN BACK! The back room has a Star Trek pinball machine, and Karaoke, so this is now my favorite place in Seattle... Or Tacoma, I mean. read more

I wish there were more stars to give the Java Jive, eight is appropriate. You won't get a Maker's and 7, you could get a good story or some bad karaoke, or a mediocre bragging right that you got wasted on PBR in a coffee pot. read more

Whoever thinks this is a 5 star place to hang out is out of their mind. What was once a very nostalgic stop and fun place to enjoy a pitcher with friends has seriously gone down hill. It has now become hole in the wall of all hole in the walls and I don't mean that in a good sense. I suppose if you are lonely and need a place to find someone who will talk to you, there is a great bartender who may just fill your ear, but I have seen the Java Jive in its better days and these are not it. The pictures posted with its entry here on Yelp, are from better days, don't be deceived by their attractiveness! Very disappointing. read more

My boyfriend and I went here after seeing 5 stars for this place...WHAT A DISASTER!! It was a band night so we were charged $5 at the door to get in and when we got there it was small cramped and smelled horrible! When we went to get a drink the beer selection was so pathetic we decided to leave immediately. Got our $10 back and will never return! Thanks to the fools who said this was a great place you wasted a chunk of our friday night out, greatly appreciated!!! read more

I am going to date myself here, but I remember when they had the monkies living in the walls that the patrons could see through little windows. I always said I would have my wedding reception there. Well, after the Eagles kicked us out for being too roowdy, my wedding reception ended up at Bob's Java Jive. Happy white-trash wedding reception. We had a blast. I also always said I would buy the Java Jive should it come up for sale, but unfortunately, Bob wanted a million dollars for the place some years back when he was willing to sell it. His son used to play the organ (way back) and could play ANY song requested. I once said I would give him $20 if he could play Ballad of the Green Berets, and I was out my $20. That was well before karaoke, but at a time when you could go to a bar and sing with the piano player. Always good times at the Java Jive. It's the place you take someone visitng from out of town to impress. read more

This is NOT the place to go to meet [classy] chicks, order a margarita, have a sit down meal with your significant other, or watch the game with your buddies. The Java Jive IS the place to see great (and some terrible) local and touring bands, have greasy onion rings, drink PBR, be boisterous with a group of friends, sing karaoke...and its the ONLY place in the world where you can get tossed in a coffee pot. During the week you can actually sit in the back and have a quiet beverage with your friends, but don't show up at a show and complain its too loud. Rock and Roll baby. This is one of the last bastions of Gritty City greatness, you should go experience it. read more

This place is great for having fun and letting loose with good friends. Pool and a few video games, Karoke, and some totally random bands! I have always had fun here. Knowing the history of the place makes it even cooler. How can you not have fun in a place shaped like a teapot?! read more

This is the last Grit City hangout that hasn't been gutted and made into a fancy hangout for all the new transplant yuppies. Great vintage atmosphere and music venue. No hard booze here folks, just straight up beer and wine. Worth the visit. read more

Dive bar nirvana. Drink beer from a can, only.

One of the last surviving relics of 1930's Americana. I have been going there since the late 70's and little has changed. I love to go when its quiet, have a Porters Stout and talk with the owners husband about historical Tacoma and some of its musicians. I love the bar stools which are two seaters taken from an old school bus, they are sooo comfortable. Listen if you haven't been to BJJ you simply must go to claim a small stake in history and the right to claim, you have been there. read more

the java jive is the most tacoma place in tacoma. a landmark, a tradition, and practically all that remains of our cultural past. built as a dine & dance joint in the 20s, then morphed into a rock club for the nascent garage/punk scene in the early 60s (think the sonics and the wailers), this roadside attraction is shaped like a giant coffee pot and like alice's wonderland, holds a mysterious variety of spaces inside. come here for a cheap pitcher of coors and a "jungle burger": a basic frisko freeze-style cheeseburger that's absolutely tasty and cooked to order. karaoke most nights, and occasional live music with a dance floor. just a great hang. read more

Bob's Java Jive - Dive Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Went here a lonnnnnnnng time ago with a great person, terrific memories and great vibes. It's a terrific place for good burgers and great memories. read more

Almost got weepy at the excellent karaoke. A place where we knew we weren't being catered to, and it was good.

Im pretty biased since Im a known "regular" here. It's had its share of close calls in getting its doors closed for varying reasons. I think that the smoking ban has hurt some businesses more than others... They are breathing new life into it so if anyone has had a negative impression in the past, you might give it one more chance? There are Good Points. Its a tavern so there is always one or more interesting taps.They care about the beers so ask the bartender what they reccommend...They are starting the live music back up again and the Calendar looks pretty good. (Myspace) Karaoke cant be beat with new laserdiscs and new books. Friday nite is a hoot for that! Since Im such a fireplace fanatic, there's one up in the backroom that cranks out the heat. Its really obvious that its a pot shaped landmark ect..with a hell of a history but it's a warm inviting place inside, especially if your are a Kitsch lover like me..... read more

Classic Tacoma. Small, cramped and smells horrible. Locals love it. Yes, it's a dive ... in the truest sense. read more

I love tha Java Jive! Its in an amazing historical building shaped like a coffeepot. Its a dive, but in the best sense ever. No pretensions, cheep beer, and lots and lots of fun! The jungle burger is delicious too. I always end up happily dancing to karaoke at some point before I leave too. read more