Place to Go for Drinks in Port Angeles (Seattle, Port Townsend: hotels, travel)

[lorelei2873]

I'm going to be visiting the Olympic Pennisula this spring during the week after Memorial Day weekend with my sis who lives in Seattle. I'm interested in finding a fun place to go for drinks in Port Angeles where we'll stay on the way back to Seattle. I'm in my 30's so I don't want to get too crazy, but I'd like a laid-back place where the locals might hang out. My traveling friend and I are from Montana, so we're not expecting anything too fancy or overly yuppyish...just friendly folks, a good jukebox and a possibly place to shoot pool (although not necessary). We'll be there during the week. I like microbrews, but my friend likes a good old rum and coke. Any ideas?

[faulkton]

When i lived there 4-5 years ago there was a couple cool places on the far end of downtown. the end closest to the spit. Cant think of their names anymore, but they were more hip 20-30 year old places.. not really yuppy or white trash.

[coffeebeans]

Don't worry about yuppies, I grew up there & I've never seen one west of Sequim.
I'd recommend just getting a good night sleep while you stay over... and only stay there if you have to. Port Angeles has been dying for about 10 years now. (longer really, but for a while we were able to kid ourselves.) I just hope you'll be driving through at night, at least then you don't have to see all the empty buildings.


Sorry, seriously, if you want to go out you could try P-Kings. (not sure of spelling.) When you're going into town from the east it'll be a red building with chinese paintings on the left of the road. That's on the East end of town, before you pass McDonalds. This place isn't outstanding by any means, but there really isn't much in PA. They have two things going for them; they have pool, and they're still in business.
The trendy places I remember downtown (near the spit) have gone under in recent years. Places pop up & go under quickly in the downtown area though, so drive by & you might see some new little place. Though the bars downtown don't usually make space for pool tables. gl.

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by lorelei2873

I'm going to be visiting the Olympic Pennisula this spring during the week after Memorial Day weekend with my sis who lives in Seattle. I'm interested in finding a fun place to go for drinks in Port Angeles where we'll stay on the way back to Seattle. I'm in my 30's so I don't want to get too crazy, but I'd like a laid-back place where the locals might hang out. My traveling friend and I are from Montana, so we're not expecting anything too fancy or overly yuppyish...just friendly folks, a good jukebox and a possibly place to shoot pool (although not necessary). We'll be there during the week. I like microbrews, but my friend likes a good old rum and coke. Any ideas?

Hop the Ferry to Victoria, BC...I Love that Place...

[KirbyJRT]

Originally Posted by DeLaSalle

Hop the Ferry to Victoria, BC...I Love that Place...

I second that suggestion.

[magrack]

Originally Posted by coffeebeans

.... Port Angeles has been dying for about 10 years now. (longer really, but for a while we were able to kid ourselves.) .....

About the time ITT Rayonier shut down, huh?

PA will be back as soon as the retirees fully engulf Sequim. 8>).

Some folks will retire to the area just because of the beauty of the area, not realizing theres a world of difference between Sequim and PA.

[psprague]

Originally Posted by coffeebeans

Sorry, seriously, if you want to go out you could try P-Kings. (not sure of spelling.)

I always thought it was called the New Peking but its called the Peking China in the phonebook. THere also is OGallaghers on Front street and the CornerHouse downtown. Peking and Cornerhouse sometimes have bands on the weekends. O'G's usually has a DJ on the weekends.There are several other bars taverns too.

[coffeebeans]

Originally Posted by psprague

I always thought it was called the New Peking but its called the Peking China in the phonebook. THere also is OGallaghers on Front street and the CornerHouse downtown. Peking and Cornerhouse sometimes have bands on the weekends. O'G's usually has a DJ on the weekends.There are several other bars taverns too.

Good call! Forgot about those two! I dunno about Cornerhous, but O'Gallaghers has pool too, yeah?

[citydatauser]

Originally Posted by coffeebeans

I'd recommend just getting a good night sleep while you stay over... and only stay there if you have to. Port Angeles has been dying for about 10 years now. (longer really, but for a while we were able to kid ourselves.) I just hope you'll be driving through at night, at least then you don't have to see all the empty buildings.

What are you talking about? When was the last time you have been to Port Angeles? Port Angeles isn't "dying". It has actually been doing pretty good the last couple of years, it is a very beautiful place. And empty buildings?..yeah there are some here and there, but nothing like there used to be.

Anyway, yes, OGallaghers is a good place to go, as mentioned earlier. If you need a motel, the Portside Inn is pretty much right across the street from OGallaghers. Also, if you want to be closer to the down town area there are a couple motels/hotels on 2nd street, above downtown (just to name a few: Quality Inn, Port Angeles Inn). there are also some places to get a drink downtown.

Have a wonderful time in Port Angeles. I hope you do!! Have a safe trip

[lorelei2873]

Thanks to all! You've been very helpful. I hear that the surrounding area of PA is really beautiful, and I'm excited to see it. I've been to Port Townsend and I was looking to stay somewhere a little less cute. That probably sounds strange. I really like PT, but... I don't know... I wanted to see how locals live outside of the normal tourist areas. So, I think your info will help.

Also, I actually think it's good that you have a city in a beautiful setting that hasn't been turned into some weird playground for the idle rich. Our most beautiful towns in Montana (Bozeman, Kalispell) have been just taken over by second home folks, movie stars, etc. So, I was thinking I'd like to stay in PA on my trip to WA because I wanted to stay in just a "regular town" with a beautiful backdrop.

So, just out of curiosity, why isn't PA a bigger draw? Just a lack of urban renewal? Or a lack of jobs? I honestly can't tell what's driving the growth of some the cities where I live other than people moving out here for the scenery (can't figure out how everyone's supporting themselves, but...). I'm surprised to hear mixed reviews everywhere about PA because it seems like it could have a lot going for it.