This is the probably the only dive bar in Kirkland, it is stinky (like bathroom cleaner coverup) and old and it's exactly what I was looking for! Tons of character!!! The bartender was kind and efficient. Also, they had pool and darts,pull tabs, and other games. It's my kinda place and the drinks were affordable, that's always a bonus. Cheers read more

The Central is a great little bar just off the main beaten path in downtown Kirkland. It's a "dive bar " compared to some of the more upscale places in the area but this place is hands down one of my preferred places. Friendly staff, great drinks and down to earth atmosphere. It has been a go to bar for generations of Kirklanders. read more

Love the true divey feel of this place! The bartenders are great and the drinks are cold! While this establishment is on the smaller side it's ALWAYS packed on a fri/sat night. The general atmosphere is pretty friendly and it's in the name it's pretty central. ;) no food is served here but there is a awesome food cart right outside on Friday and Saturday nights other days I don't see the issue with eating at other spots then coming here after. Central tavern feels so out of place for Kirkland and that one thing I love about it! I mean you even see bikers come to this spot on weekends! It's worth checking out. Buy a pitcher, shoot some pool, shoot some darts, and make new friends! I will be coming back again and again. read more

Central Tavern - Mac&Jacks - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

Good place, my work is difficult and this bar is perfect to relax, the workers are excited because the music is very good awesome drinks read more

Being one of the only divey bars left in Kirkland! I love the authenticity and the "cheers" feeling. Nothing but personal customer service! Jenn, give above and beyond Teresa. Thanks for keeping Kirkland Kirkland read more

Awesome greeting, super friendly andcway better than the up tight new bars. If you want to just chill in a happy environment with a locals feel...this is the place. It feels like a hide away! read more

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First off - just because I live in Los Angeles does not mean I rub elbows with the Olsen twins and Paris every weekend. I don't really go out and I am a dive bar girl. I've been to divier places...WAY divier places. (See Whisperz , Up Th' Hill, The Colorado, etc.) The bartenders were high energy and fun and the bouncer was a doll. The people there varied but minded their own business. I'm not sure how to get on the "Cool People List" to play pool but it was painful to watch some of the half crouchers play. I think throughout the night I heard the Eagles and Beyonce's Single Ladies. I dig diversity, no drama, and low maintenance. 5 stars. read more

The Pauper in a Prince Town, Central Tavern thrives on being able to bring a certain "divey" feel to Kirkland's happy hour and night life This is the place where you'll find the after-work usuals, the bikers, the bar hoppers, and the MS squad. They keep em a little older in here. There are a couple of pool tables for those that enjoy having a little cue-ball release with their beverage and a bar staff that tends to act like... a bar staff. Lots of energy very social in the town's dakr, dank, and oldest bar. There's a pizza joint nearby that will deliver and plenty of outside entertainment at night in the form of never-disappointing adolescence. Seriously, around 11ish, step outside, cop a squat, and just wait for it. The up-and-coming generation's overestimation in their youth is a sure thing in this part of town. Entertainment all around. If that's not your bag, throw your attention to the kind of jukebox that has more experience than Michelle Braun. Lots of songs. This, that, and the other songs. There is a decent selection drinks from top to bottom shelf. Regardless, you'll get it strong and they'll keep it coming if you want it to. Go if you like Cheers. And leaving with the bar scent attached to your clothes. Don't go if you like disco lights. Or leaving with the scent you came in with. read more

Being a long time resident of Kirkland I remember the old days here before the invasion of the 20 something crowd. It was a real dive bar back then. They actually clean the toilets once a month now to attract Microsoft geeks. The layout of this place is awful which is perfect because I'm use to awful. When there's a band playing you literally walk though the band to get to the bar. I once joined in on a song. I think the band that night was Miles from Chicago. Fun. A pool table in the back near the stinky bathrooms. One night a girl got so pissed off at her inability to play pool that she crawled under the pool table and refused to come out. Finally her boyfriend said FU and walked out. She fell asleep. read more

Got here last hour before closing on a Friday. It's one of those bowling alley type bars (Long, Straight and narrow). There's absolutely nothing special about the decor. Maybe I was a little snookered, but the place seemed a bit too bright for it's own good. Good mix of 30-40 somethings. Some bikers. MS geeks. Some soccer moms having a girls night out. Regulars. A few stragglers from some of the younger nearby bars (The Shark). Service was quick. The vodka and cranberry was strong. Amazingly, they were playing Rush on the jukebox. Something really obscure off Hemispheres. Cyngus X1 book 2! I decided right then and there that I dug this place. Hey I like Rush. Deal with it. :P No apologies. Where else would I hear something like that? Rest of the music was a mix of 70-90s rock, hair metal, funk, pop rock. Godblessem. No hip hop or rap at all. FINALLY. I'm told they have bands on Wed and Sun (looks to be blues/funk) with no cover. I'm baffled (and curioius) as to where they'd fit them in to the back to play. I'll believe I'll be making this my new local bar. ---------------------- Update: Jan 3, 2008 --------------------- Well I've been going here several months and I really love this place. I think of it as a rock version of Cheers. I'm hoping that doesn't make me Norm. :P Jen the bartender is the best in the city IMHO. Great sense of humor, super attentive, she always makes me feel welcome. The Jukebox can only be described as eclectic. It's always great to hear You Should Be Dancing by the Bee Gees followed up by Master of Puppets by Metallica followed up by Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. Also, if they happened to be booked on Sun or Wed night, check out the funk band Miles from Chicago. I love to hang out at closing and watch the drunken trainwrecks from Tiki and other bars. Good times. Ah the stories I could tell. PS: the back pool table sucks. Use the front one only. ;) read more

The Central Tavern is RAD RAD RAD! We came here on a Sat eve after dinner over at Bottle n Bull. We were in the mood for more drinks and some pool. Very chill vibe, friendly staff, fun jukebox, pull tabs, pool, one dart board, lots of tables, not horrid bathrooms and cheap tasty drinks. I really enjoyed wayyyyy too many whisky sours, and a very decent bloody marys. Def going to be a regular weekend hang out with the friends for a low key plain fun night. Oh, no food, there was a hotdog man outside which I am assuming is their food? read more

Yep this place felt like home to me. Went here for a casual meeting, it was perfect. Good selection of booze service was spot on for only one bartender. Was able to watch the game, have a conversation and drink cold beer. If you like a god old bar with heart this place is for you. read more

I usually write long and descriptive reviews, but I'll sum up Central with a simple phrase: Bar none, the most down to earth place you can get your drink on in Kirkland. 'Nuff said! read more

If you look like your under 35 then be prepared for the bartenders to grill you for your ID. They will literally chase you down before you even order a drink and act like you are 15 years old and trying to get away with something. Just a bad experience. I am fine with being id'd, but these guys are way over the top. read more

Nobody reads reviews for dive bars... or do they? Its a dive, check it out. Its a different experience for everyone, isn't that the charm? read more

My friends and I come in here when Tiki Joe's is overflowing. We usually clear the place out by playing Madonna and Abba on the jukebox. It started as a joke, but we actually timed it and cleared the whole bar out (20 ppl?) in about 3 minutes - I can't take all the credit, George Michael's "I want your sex" did it. This bar is dark and as the previous reviewer mentioned its long and narrow like a bowling alley. I suppose its a good place for a group of friends - we came here last with a group that ranged in age from 23-63. They do have live music on occasion but I have yet to identify a band or a genre playing that I recognize. The booze here is booze. Nothing fancy but it does the trick! read more

This is because we read the reviews and really want to go there. It says it is open at 12. Said it was open on Yelp. Door closed. Nobody answered phone, is there a different entrance? read more

This place is a hole in the wall, neighborhood favorite. It's divey but friendly and different from the rest of the Kirkland scene. Come for the Jell-O shots, stay for the pool tables, leave when it becomes impossible to move around anywhere in here after 9 pm and you start smelling like the sweaty dude next to you. read more

I've been coming here for years. I'm not a regular by any means, but it's one of my favorite spots to come and hang out in Kirkland. They've got pool tables, live music, and really it's just a great place to meet up and hang out. read more

I love this place. Seriously. One day they will tear it down, and that will be a very sad day for me, for Kirkland, and for all the other people who love this place. Kirkland has plenty of posh bars, and "I just turned 21" bars, but this place is a great dive bar. Blues on Wed/Sun, a great mix of people inside, and excellent bartenders (Jen is a hoot, and makes a mean cosmo besides). Halloween is excellent - they don't advertise, but every year people start showing up in costume, and by 10pm it's a party! If you ever think Kirkland is nothing but nail bars and tanning salons, head down to the Central on Sunday night, and you'll see a different side of the city. read more

This place is awesome. Its pretty divey, and it's just right! We like to head down there and play pool about once every two weeks. The bartenders and door guys are always super funny, and make the atmosphere very laid back. It seems to be void of hipsters club types, so its' super easy to have a down to earth conversation with anyone there. Theres a huge TV in the back so you can watch our beloved Seahawks play, and I've never had trouble finding a place to sit, even on busy weekends. Stop outside and get some street meat from the hot dog dude! Two thumbs up! read more

Wow! First time here on Super Bowl Sunday and they have free food!!! Easy to feel comfortable here...big room in the back with huge TVs.. Hidden detail: hooks underneath the tables for purses!!! Great service and nice pours..female friendly and clean. read more

Central Tavern - Free Seahawk cupcakes! Look at those guys hugging in the back.. Football brings the emotions out of dudes.. - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

great dive bar. incompetent, slow, bartender. good prices. good TV. poor TV management. pool tables are good. fun atmosphere. 30 minutes without service because bartender couldn't figure out how to tap 1 keg. ... we told her we were drinking whiskey so we didnt need beer. ... she focused elsewhere. ...guess owner didn't need our 3RD purchase so we left read more

We were out at this place very briefly at the beginning of the summer. We were hitting up local bars in the area with a big "Pub Crawl". Another dive bar, but decent drinks at decent prices. Would definitely stop in again if I was in the area. read more

Decent place. I love the old school vibe. Our bartender was fabulous. Didn't catch her name, but she was working Easter Sunday night.

The average age of our party was 45. But, the bar tender insisted on ID. So we sent our international traveller back to our hotel to get his ID. And she indicated it needed to be a passport? We verified that was incorrect. She was relentless and inflexible and rude. She also kept calling him "honey" and it was disrespectful. She probably hasn't been laid in 4 years. Never going back. Goodbye. read more

Let me preface that I have lived in Kirkland since 2012, and have always had a good time here. Last night, I left for about 10 minutes. The bouncer would not let me re-enter and deemed me too drunk, although I had been drinking lightly all night - considering this couldn't have been the case, I asked to speak to his manager so I could figure out what their 'too drunk' threshold was. I have never been treated so rudely in my life. The bouncer seemingly took it as a personal attack and started yelling at my date and I. Based on this interaction, I'm forced to assume the bouncer was confusing my BAC with his own. I couldn't even get back in to close my tab. My date and I just looked at each other as he was yelling and decided to go somewhere else. I'd recommend Wilde Rover heavily over Central. This place is great usually, but unfortunately due to this bouncer's poor personality Central has lost a regular :( read more

By far one of my favorite bars in the area. Shannon, Bryson, Mama T and Jen are beyond fantastic and always make me feel like I am with great friends when I am here. I will continue to be a patron of the Central thanks to them. read more

It is a "dive bar" but I enjoy it. I don't think they serve any food that I am aware of but the drinks are cheap and it is not a bad spot for a cheap drink. This is the kind of location that does give Kirkland a "personality." All the surrounding bars are newer and have not been in Kirkland for more than 5 years. This bar was founded in 1936. I would recommend Wednesday nights if you want to see live music. read more

FIRE that younger, punk-looking kid with the backwards hat before he gets your business shut down, lit on fire or gets himself hospitalized. He actually ran out of the bar and chased my group and I up the block just to insult us about the tip we left!!! His eyes were glossy, blood-shot and his speech was slurred, clearly intoxicated on SOMETHING, we all noticed this earlier in the night. He was also acting like a punk to the other patrons throughout the night. We also saw him shove a person out of the way as he stormed back to the bar, and the bouncer basically jumped on the guy he shoved when he yelled "What the ***!?!" We used to like the Central, and two of the people in our group live across the street and routinely go there 2-3 times a week. Well, say goodbye to that, we have all vowed to never step foot in there again, we are way too mature for this kind of childish behavior. He's lucky we're mature 30+ adults, because any other group of younger, intoxicated individuals would've removed his skinny little limbs right there in the street, and where he confronted us, no one would've witnessed him getting pummeled. Just sayin'....that was a VERY dumb thing to do, kiddo. Consequences, learn about them. THAT SAID, the older woman who has been there as long as I can remember (Jen?) is always nice and pleasant, but unfortunately it only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. I haven't been to this bar in over 6 years, and no matter how nice Jen was, this asshole soured up our whole experience. Completely unacceptable, and as a representative of your business, you can thank him for this 1 star review. read more

I have lived in Seattle for over four years and finally made it over to Kirkland to actually hang out for a night. This bar was the first place I entered. The oldest bar in Kirkland is going to have its charm and what an obvious role for a bar to be frequented by bikers than one of the oldest in the pacifica northwest. Opening just before the repeal of prohibition, this bar delivers down to earth atmosphere and people along with friendly bartenders pouring strong drinks. read more

If you are over 50 don't bother trying this place. Exclusively for locals under 50. The have a younger bouncer out front who denies older folks and non locals from going in for one reason or another. But also a real dump. read more

I was always a bit hesitant of this 'Biker Bar' until my boyfriend talked it up so much. All i gotta say is, it's a dive bar that is more welcoming than it looks like from the outside. Strong drinks - and i mean STRONG;) a juke box (sometimes live music) & pool tables. Great casual hang out place! read more

Rudest bartenders I have ever met, make sure you don't order a drink that is below their high expertise or they will directly insult you and give you some shitty attitude. Oh, and not to mention they will practically throw the drink at you when you refuse to tip them. Go back to bartending school and learn something about hospitality! read more

Just started coming here! Bryson rocked it! Thanks for great service and a personal experience! My new local spot

Tried to go there 7/14 with a bunch of gray haired 50+ friends after dinner at Paradiso. . Doorman wanted to check IDs and when we looked at him funny he said we were too drunk to enter. Had a great time at Wilde Rover instead. read more

So many good memories... and lack of memories............ As a quick summary; People go to a bar to drink. I tend to be very good at this as I like to drink a lot. The Central is a killer place to drink! Its a good spot to chill for a little while as you make the tour through K'land. Its not the place you want to get stuck in for too long though. The two ladys behind the bar are great, just know what you want and don't be an ass and they'll love you like they do me and my friends. This is always our first stop on our way to the bottom on Friday nights. We've been getting root beer / Jager shooters every week for over a year now. We walk in and they just ask us how many haha! read more

Dive bar. However, you won't get stabbed here so it's the good kind of dive bar. Even though you can't smoke in the bar, there seems to be a smoker by the door every time I enter/exit. Man I hate that. Otherwise it's a pretty decent place to relax. read more

This not only my favorite place in Kirkland but is my favorite place on the west coast .It has a homie neighborhood feel. Diane has recently enlarge the place to accommodate bands on Wednesday and Sunday's and for Sea hawks fan's she threw up a giant 80 inch TV. Everyone working there are master mycologist with skills to pay the bills in the shot department. The staff are full of witty banter or the local gossip if needed. Very good place to hangout.... great value and drink prices. read more

This here is a pretty stellar dive bar. They have a great staff and some fun, antique finds from the early days of Kirkland. I believe this is the oldest bar in Kirkland. Not a bad place to stop in on a night out. read more