Stopped in for a quick drink and snack on Tuesday early afternoon, bartender made great food and grape drinks and we were super happy with our service. Windows outside could use a little cleaning though! read more

This is what it is. A dive bar and epic. If you are tall, be careful of the stalls. They were designed for the vertically challenged.

Honestly was not sure just what to rate this establishment. Dive bar? Yeah it's to a T. Probably better during the summer with a view of the lake behind it. During a cold fall night? Just dingy. It looks like it's falling apart. The kitchen, if you call it that, should be shut down. The service? Ehhh it's a dive bar.barely a soul except for some people from the neighborhood, you'll understand if you go. And some others who thought it was wise to get into it with the tree trunk of a bartender, who didn't last long. Long story short? Complete and utter sh*t hole but great dive bar. read more

This is a great dive bar from the 1890's. Great service most of the time, great place to hangout

One of the best places to visit in the area. Highly recommended when visiting. Great view

Didn't order food. But this is my go to Bar. Old Place with all the Ambience that goes with it. Cheap beer and Strong Drinks! Nice older, quiet place that I like. Plus it's only 5 minutes from my house! read more

Great little dive bar with a killer view of the lake if that's what you are looking for. Nice spread out tables during COVID if you dine in, and the staff makes sure everyone is masked up when not at a table. I wish they had wifi, but other than that good prices. read more

My wife and I can here for the first time. She had a beer and I had a 7UP (medical reasons). The place was very friendly. We will come here again. read more

Dive Bars are awesome ... this one is NOT! You stick to the floor when you walk, there are literally spider webs hanging everywhere, bathrooms are never clean, makes me wonder how sanitary the drinking glasses are (should probably stick to bottles or cans)! Now for the bartenders ... attitude overload! There was one (Judy) that was great but evidently she went elsewhere. Hands down the worst (Alisha) thankfully only works occasionally now ... she is a total beeotch! Can't smile or make a drink to save her life! A few others are friendly tho (depending on the night)! Food is terrible HOWEVER I would recommend the French Dip believe it or not. Lots of other watering holes that won't give you the heebie jeebies! RUN!!! read more

It's my first time in a dive bar in Federal Way. The only reason why I ended up here is this place is historical and it might get shut down if the owner finds a decent buyer (it used to be a dance hall back in the days). There's not much to expect when you get in because it's really a dive bar. However, the company you get from strangers makes it feel like you're really in a small town. You might have to sit elbow to elbow with polite locals. The service is impeccable. The bartender made sure everyone is taken care of. She's super efficient and very friendly. We went during happy hour and I was surprised our tab was pretty cheap for a bottle of beer and glass of wine. The drawback is still the place itself. Bathrooms stalls are tiny. I guess it deters anyone from over drinking or you might just get flushed in the toilet. read more

This place although is hiden when dark, and is below what used to be a hotel... Its not bad, the bartender is great, she pours just right. And the view is beautiful. read more

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Went here last Friday night. The locals watering "Hole" for sure. The locals are great!! The bar is definitely dive and the food was not so good. We didn't even try to eat half of it. We ordered a pitcher of beer on special and ordered another one when friends came in. The second pitcher that came out wasn't the same beer as before. Really did not like this at all. The energy was off in this place though. The place needs to be deep cleaned, a little dirty, for even a dive bar. Took a while to order our food, and took an i long time to get "bar food". Not a place I'd frequent.. read more

Had fun in the past. Got good pizza if you can get the bar tender to make you one. Very clicky with the locals even though this bar is the closest to my house. Day time bartender has short rude, lack of customer service skills with 0 personality skills. Nice view of the lake. Won't be back. Hey I like dive bars not this one though. read more

Gave this bar a few tries on different nights of the week before I wrote this review. Very uncomfortable weird judgmental atmosphere. Coming from a person who isn't insecure and almost comfortable in any situation this bar is definitely the place to get a strange vibe if you Dig that kind of thing. Bartenders were completely lost at who's drink they got and who's ID they've already checked and insisted clearly on their faces I and my friends are the jackasses because they couldn't get their shit together lol anyways Terrible service, rude bartenders and a bunch of stuck up fuckers lol I use to be a bartender myself and I know the difference between tender attitude and just being a straight dick because you're unhappy n hate ur job or ur over the night and everyone who's coming in lol. However in the service industry typically you should keep a smile on ur face and keep on keepin on....moved to the area a few weeks ago and could care less to support this bar after my experiences. Love little bars like this too.... shame. read more

So glad I'm able to come see my friends again. Surroundings are awesome here and food is great. Overlook the lake while you sip some good local drafts. read more

Basically the reasons for loving this place are the same for hating it. It's mostly carpeted, seating is surplus Boeing office chairs from 10 years ago, it has velvet wallpaper, and just a general dingy vibe. But it's cheap, they have pool and darts, a good music selection, and is off the beaten path. You never have to worry about what you're wearing or how drunk you are - there's always someone worse than you. The place has interesting history (including recently - someone drowned in the lake after getting drunk there!) and has a friendly dog that wanders around. If you buy pitchers of beer, you grab your ice-cold glasses out of a Good Humor cooler. Their menu is five items long, and everything is fried. The only thing I dislike about the place is that on some Friday or Saturday nights it turns into a reunion for all the Kent/Auburn 21 year-olds that never left town. The solution for this is obviously to arrive and begin drinking around 7pm. Basically, if you're looking for a classy joint with mojitos and pulsing techno. go to Belltown. The Star Lake is just a good, old-fashioned dive bar. And not the trendy kind of dive bar that hipsters go to. read more

I went last night for the first/last time. I've spent a lot of time in dives/pubs & taverns in my life and am ok with them, generally. They're home. So... Last night I went to the table next to my friends. It was beer slimed from one end to the other. I looked around and saw that just one gal was working. Having grown-up in a restaurant, I don't think twice about grabbing a towel and wiping my own table when there isn't much staff. I went to the bar to get a towel. While I waited, I saw the food menu. Fish & chicken baskets and pizza.... I was starving and planned to eat at the bar. But, I've been having terrible stomach problems lately. To the point that I've made 2 trips to dr and spent 8hrs in the e.r. 2 weeks ago. And knowing pubs, the menu was a red flag that they really don't want to sell food, they're just appeasing the liquor control board. You might think - "You should know better than to expect food at a dive bar with a messed-up stomach." Not true. I was in different bars/dives 6 nights last week and ate at all of them. Most pubs actually have pretty good food. (Kudo's to Bubba's Place in Kent! They made me an awesome steak salad after explaining that I'm trying to avoid bread & potatoes.) So I asked her "Is any of that any good?" and pointed at the menu. She looked puzzled for a 2nd and in her best smartass/sarcastic tone said "I work here. What do you expect me to say? I have to say its all good!" I couldn't believe how rude she was! It wasn't just what she said, it's how she said it. It was really offensive and set me off. I responded using the same tone that she hit me with and said "I EXPECT if you want a tip that you will give me an honest answer." She got mad and said "YOU dont need to be like that!" Seriously? Ok... I said"Look, you started the attitude. If you can't handle it, you shouldn't throw it out there because if you do, I will throw it back at you." She was enraged. Im sure I almost got thrown out. She walked off. I wanted to leave. I wont spend money to be treated like shit by the staff. I made a jack in the box run for my team. My question is not an unreasonable request. Any professional food service / hospitality staff should be able to handle it. In every restaurant / bar / dive / pub... Whatever you want to call them, there will always be items that are better than the others and some to avoid. Some of the places I've hung-out at, the bartenders couldn't even make a simple 1-liquor & juice drink right. (Mystifying but true!) When that's the case, I order a Mike's or such. I'm really not that difficult. But this place seems to think it's ok to treat customers like shit when they aren't regulars. Well, I don't care how amazing the view is. I won't be back and recommend that others think twice before spending money there until management heals that staff. read more

Kinda upset that "Jen" closes the bar down 15/ 20 mins before the closing time. I love this bar but it ruins it when she screaming at everyone to get out at 10:30. read more

Boy...this place could be great. Right on the water.....Great view.... Everyone talks about what they could do if they owned this place. But it is dirty and rundown. Old worn out office chairs. Smells like urinal cakes. The outside and yard are not "inviting" Yet we like it. Reasonable prices. Not pretentious Don't have to dress up or even worry about changing your jeans that you worked in the yard with. Great place to meet friends and play pool. We will keep on going. read more

So now I am a regular and God damn it- I love this bar! If you ever find yourself in the Ef Dub and want to grab a drink and get the best chicken nuggets- call me! read more

National Historic Building, used to be a stopping point between Seattle and Fort Lewis. Local little outta the way Tavern. Full bar. Food is not your first option here. If it can be fried, you won't get it here. Okay, it is a Tavern... Lots of On-Tap Choices. Drink specials every day of the week (almost) It is dark, but full of lively characters. Yes, Big windows that look north over the lake. Bartenders are a freindly easy going bunch. Free poker tourney on Thursdays, Live Music occasionally, Great Golf tourney every fall for local under priviledged kids Christmas Gifts. People who frequent this place are really nice folks. Pool (2), Golden Tee (1), Dart Boards (3?) Pull Tabs (more than I can count), and a Facebook page (check it out!!) Plenty of Parking read more

Star lake is one of my favorite bars in the south sound area. I love coming here because of the small town vibe & great music. Their service is also incredible. Especially Dafne! She always has a smile on her face and remembers my drink. Her mannerism speak volumes on what kind of staff star lake hires, keep it up daf! read more

Stopped in to check this place out after a friend had recommended it was a fun local bar. It's super divey, which is my kind of bar. Seems like it would be real fun at night. Plays country/hip hop music, and has TouchTunes, so you can play music from your phone. I don't really recommend sitting at the bar, only because you can smell the urinal cakes everytime someone opens the bathroom door. But, hey, its all in the experience, right? :D I will most likely be back frequently. Staff seemed really nice, too. Drinks = Inexpensive and strong. No complains there. read more

This place is a dive. It should be obvious before you even walk in. It's a little dirtier than I like my dive bars but pretty good crowd on a Friday night. Also, pretty good drink specials. Feels like they rotate through the night (or at least changed every time I bought a new pitcher) so you might want to ask when you go up there. They do serve food. read more

They have the best chicken wings. I didn't remember to take a picture of them until after they were gone. Yummy. Great casual fun place to hang out with pool tables and darts. Definitely a dive bar you've got to go to. Bring your friends and enjoy being on the shore of Star Lake. Where? Yes, Star Lake. Just 5 minutes off of I-5 via Military Rd. In no man's land, not Kent, not Federal Way, not Auburn. Has an Auburn address, but on the West Hill so you feel like you are in Federal Way. read more

Star Lake Inn - View of peaceful Star Lake from the Inn. - Dive Bars Near Me - Auburn, Washington

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Dropped in last night, to grab a beer and something to eat. The bartender said they already stopped serving food, but if I wanted he could turn the fryer on if I wouldn't mind waiting 15 minutes. The food was decent and cheap, and the service was great. It's definitely a dive bar but as far as dive bars go, this one is pretty good. Decent size space with an outdoor deck for smokers. I'm sure I'll be back. read more

I really like it here, however it's very disappointing that the bathroom stalls are incredibly tiny, there's no air conditioning and there's no WIFI! what the heck, it's 2019 almost 2020 and everybody offers WIFI, but not here! Kinda dumb!! Take care of your customers to get them to come back! Staff really nice though!! read more

This is one of the funnest bars I've ever been too. Bartenders pour great drinks and are great eye candy. The best way I can describe this bar is consistently inconsistent. Hats off. read more

Good bar with jukebox, pool tables, and reasonable beer selection. Never had the food, but the drink prices are good. This place has a great vibe if you like casual dive bars. The only thing that I would improve is to get a couple more TVs (larger) for watching sports. read more

Star Lake Inn - Thursday happy hour crowd - Dive Bars Near Me - Auburn, Washington

All you guys and gals writing bad reviews just because you got 86ed! SEE YA!! cranky bartenders, crazy customers from all walks of life, on a lake, in a neighborhood! Pizza great, but you seriously have to order the French dippy, hell , order 10, freeze em' they love pumping out the French dippies cheers, Merica, FY haters!! read more

Star Lake Inn - Omg they have thee best Straws ever ..... - Dive Bars Near Me - Auburn, Washington

Go to leave a review, and my kid sees a stupid troll that's not covered very inappropriate. Some people need to grow up, thought this was a business - the owner is just as bad, might as well slap his face on the troll. Smh. Food was decent, place didn't feel the cleanest though. read more

Great place to go and have a drink and dinner. Service is exceptional and friendly. Prices are great. Customers are nice and also friendly. They have Texas Hold Em a few nights a week, which is always fun. Great view of the lake if you get there early enough. Their Bartenders are the best! read more

Met a friend who I haven't seen in 7 years here a few days for a few drinks. The place seemed a little strange from the outside and definitely can use an update possibly. Once inside it's a typical dive bar. Seems like mostly all locals as people act like they are at home. The bartenders were a bit slow, had to stand a few minutes at the bar every time we wanted to grab a drink even though there were only few people at the bar. I know a few minutes doesn't seem long but not even acknowledging a client or making eye contact made it even more weird. Loved the prices and drinks were good. Didn't have any food so will have to try some next time. Maybe will go there for a game of pool. read more

Staff is friendly, no 16 oz beers in a can. 12 oz is $4.50. Love the atmosphere, but the beer selection could better in the quantity and price. read more

Awesome place to come and chill. Great service and great beer! I would highly recommend stopping this place.

Well what can I say? This place is definitely your typical hole in the wall dive bar...definitely isn't a swanky place but because of that, it's perfect. It's laid back and super chill, no one gives a crap about what you're wearing. The drinks are cheap but strong, over all the staff is friendly. It's definitely one of those places where you could have a blast going with a big group of your friends. read more

Neighborhood dive bar. A place where people I know go to get drunk and not feel guilty about it. I cant say anything bad about it, because people I know love it there and it's historic. read more

The owner is a complete TOOL. He needs to sell the place or stay the hell out of it. He regularly gets trashed and tries to charge for water while causing more of a disturbance than his drunk patrons. With a simple remodel (noting it is a historic building so cannot touch the base structure) would do this place wonders. It smells like a dirty urinal. The owner's name is Steve. Its saving grace are the bartenders. Pours are great, attitude even better. They are all quick with a joke and even faster with a drink. Food is good despite the extremely small kitchen. Once again, the owner is what is bringing this place down. read more

Very unique dive. On a lake in the middle of a neighborhood. Cheap drinks. Could be a lot better if they fixed it up a little. At least wash the windows for a better view of the lake lol! read more

The owner is a wonderful man and while the bar could use a few upgrades, you never taste your drink and wonder if they added the liquor. I have always ran into friendly staff that are responcible and welcoming- two thumbs up. Its also in a great location, boy what I would give to give that place a make over :) read more