The bartenders are great here. Always on top of it. Arrive early so you can grab a table. There isn't much room to roam so you will just have to deal with that. A great place for a cold one. read more

A proper dive bar in the middle of the forever gentrifying suburb of Kirkland. That this place still exists in the center of an increasingly upper middle class city is a breath of whisky-laden fresh air. Now, it's not a perfect dive bar. It doesn't have the charm or character of more classic dumps. I know there are regulars here but I've never personaly struck up a conversation with anyone at the bar like other places. The interior is dive-y enough but it kind of feels like it just needs a little extra something to secure the proper dive credentials. But, what it does offer, is inexpensive booze in a location not known for cheap anything. And, it does it in a setting that will whisk you away from the local surroundings and allow you to get hammered into oblivion without judgment. I hope the Central continues on as a good neighborhood dive forever. read more

Bar manager has an horrible attitude. Mean and rude for no reason. She's making comments just to start conflicts.

I was physically assaulted by the manager "ReRe the bartender". I by mistake stepped outside with an almost empty can, and walked back inside to toss it. Out of no where with zero words of communication (I thought it was a crack head) this older woman grabs my hand and physically crushes it while digging her nails deep into the back of my hand. My hand was left with multiple small cuts and a bruise. It would be common sense to use your words, and politely address a patron without physically harming them. The security team was useless, did nothing to help, then threatened to 86 me if I didn't leave when I asked why this bartender physically assaulted me. "ReRe" should be fired. She was also breaking health code regulations with her excessively long bacteria ridden nails. What a disgusting and shameful establishment! This is not a safe place for women to have a drink. There are several complaints about how poorly the bartenders have treated women at this bar, and it is 100% "ReRe" and the other older woman. This bar use to be good before it was sold in 2017. Honestly the entire staff should be fired for how hostile and rude they are towards patrons. read more

Central Tavern - ReRe - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

Yes was the best bartender we've ever had. Incredibly responsive and extremely kind. We usually come in later on Fridays and Saturdays and I wish she was here at those times. Great place to have a beer! read more

Got assaulted by the bouncer saying he was going to give me a "pat down" but ended up touching/groping me. I went to tell the bartender and management about this but they just laughed in my face. Place has really gone down hill. read more

I've visited three times now and learned that when you sit at the bar the bartenders will ignore you and will not take your order from your seat. You would think that when sitting at the bar the bartender would eventually ask what you would like to drink, just like you have experienced at literally every bar you have visited in your life, but not here. They will only take your order once you stand up from your bar seat and stand in line at one of the two designated ordering locations, even when they are not very busy and the bar is mostly empty. The bartenders lack service skills and have had an attitude on each visit I've made. read more

Only go here if you want to be harassed by the security guards!!! They're terrible at their job. The vibes here are terrible. Everything about this place is terrible. Do not go here. read more

Solid drinks and if you use the ladies bathroom, it might stick on you and you could get stuck in there.

First and foremost, The Central is a classic pull-tab dive bar. Pool, darts, jukebox, cold beer, stiff drinks. Only place in DT Kirkland open past midnight. But in it's own category, it shines. In business for decades at its current location and for 90 or so years in downtown it's an institution as much as it's a bar. Once known for pretty gruff service it changed hands several years ago and the service is now friendly and inviting. That really changed the entire mood of the place to more of a "Cheers-like" vibe. Great bartenders and mostly local clientele. Karaoke on Sundays, Trivia on Tursday -- both around 9PM. Industry Night and free pool on Mondays. The most food you can get is chips and pretzels. But you can bring in food (no beverages of any kind) or order delivery no problem. Come claim you bar stool! :-) read more

It's a dive bar, as you probably suspected when walking by Central Tavern. Located in downtown Kirkland, behind these closed doors is a dark room with red lighting and a funky odor. Thus, I bring you Central Tavern. It's definitely a locals hang out. We visited Central Tavern after a wine tasting event and the place was alright. After ordering a local IPA on tap, we sat at one of the tables and the place quickly filled with peeps who seems to frequent this spot. We visited on a hot day, so the place was extra muggy because the AC was broken. And the mugginess brought on an odor, mixed with people sweating, so yeah, it was one of those instances. Central Tavern isn't a bad spot though, if you forget about the broken AC issue. For a dive bar though, people didn't seem as chummy like at other dive bars I've visited. A little standoffish, I must say, which was surprising. Not the most fun place in Kirkland for drinks, but it'll be cheaper than most spots around. They have darts and pool tables. read more

Central Tavern - Warning - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

Favorite local watering hole in Kirkland. They've got pool, Touchtunes and good vibes.

Perfect dive bar. Everything you want in a dive bar. The bartenders are awesome, attentive and fun. Bouncer is great. Wish there were more of these around town. read more

Central Tavern - the neon sign above the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

The worst, tweaky and rude bartenders who kick you out at 1:30 with a mega phone and are beyond disrespectful even though they technically close at 2 am. The bartenders and staff are beyond unprofessional, always crowded and 0 good flow or vibes from the staff. Seriously I can't stress enough the staff and how low the requirements must be to work here read more

Rachelle was a dear the entire time i was there! Friendly staff, friendly people. I think all of Kirkland know each other because of how they greeted one another. Would come back again for sure! read more

Went with a large group for a holiday celebration. We were all treated like crap by two female bartenders that looked ragged and had obviously seen better days. Tough to get a drink and then one of our group asked how they could order a drink and one of the female bartenders went and got the bouncer who got aggressive and rude. It all happened fast and no one knew what happened. Luckily, we all met up 20 minutes later at the new bar at the old Rover. Our entire party was treated with kindness, hospitality, and they were happy to take care of us. I had been to the central a few times over the years, but it had been a while. We will never go back. Awful service, sketchy staff, gross and dingy. People go out to have fun and laugh. The Central was not safe, lame, and kind of gross. read more

I had not been to the Central for a while and I am a long term resident of Kirkland. I've spent many times having a great time in this bar and I have to say that I am sorely disappointed at the changes. The Central is an establishment in Kirkland and has always drawn locals, young and old alike. I went in on a Saturday night and sat at the bar. Waited patiently for the bartender to take my order. Was told after about 5 minute that I would literally have to stand in a line to get a drink which was inches from my seat. There was plenty of opportunity for the bartender to take an order. New rule?? Dive bar or not the Central has always been known for service and this was such a negative change. Not sure I will be back. Big mistake was the owner loosing the long term bartender Jenny after she helped make this bar what it is. I brought business clients, friends and had many parties at the Central. The new owners don't care. I hope that they change their service or their regulars won't be back. Just learned that Jenn is at lucky 7 on Wednesday nights and in Lake City at the Back Door Lounge Thursday-Sat night. Both great spots!!! read more

Who knew Kirkland even had a dive bar? Chili contests, cheap beer, pool, etc... We will return! read more

Central Tavern - people sitting at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

You can be as kind and courteous as ever but still NOT get treated as if you even exist if YOU are FEMALE. The female bartenders will intentionally ignore you and help male customers first. They will even get MAD and SCOLD YOU. Because you messed up a CONNECTION they were having with a DRUNK MALE. They don't want money or community they want attention and TIPS. If you are a woman have your man order or you may never get a drink! read more

Bouncer is on an ego trip consistently, showed up prior to 9pm 2 weeks in a row even if it's an empty bar he will be extremely rude to patrons. Great bar minus the bouncer who always assumes everyone is a problem before they even walk in. Feel bad for the bartenders who get the bad attitudes created by the bouncer. read more

Rechelle might be the best person I've ever met. She is an elite bartender and an even better human. If you don't come here you're not a real drinker. Hard stop. The staff work their butts off so tip them well. read more

It's the first I ever been refused access to bar by showing my US government ID (military ID). Refusing a Government ID because it's a vertical ID is completely illegal. read more

This place is a must visit for me every time I am in town. Chill atmosphere, pull tabs, and laughs to be had by all!

The best dice bar in Kirkland. Beer, cocktails, and usually something on special. The staff is great and always friendly. Pool tables and two electronic dart boards. The place is a go too for a relaxed beer and watch a game. It gets busier at night, but always a good spot to drop in for a beer on a Saturday afternoon. read more

Bartenders are nice, but unfortunately the bouncer who works there is not friendly, for whatever reason. Tried picking up my card that I left there a previous night, but was not allowed to get my card back. Definitely would not recommend this place. read more

I've been here a couple of times over the past couple years. I enjoy a dive bar like this with an energetic crowd and activities. They have pool tables and dartboards and cheap drinks. A word of warning though - the actual amount my credit card charged was higher than my final amount + tip. It wasn't a huge amount but if it's done more often it's definitely not good. If you like dive bars you should check it out. But also monitor your credit card afterward. read more

Be aware! They overcharged me for my drinks. I didn't give a tip because of the bad service but my bank account showed $8 overcharge.

Great dive tavern! Drinks, couple pool tables, basically only chips for food read more

Nice staff and "hole in the wall" feelz:) Definitely a good spot to chill out and casually drink

They didn't accept my ID because it was vertical. I turned 21 a couple of months ago, went to this bar but they asked me to leave because my ID was vertical even though my age was showing I'm over 21. Creepy bar attender (male) asking me personal and uncomfortable questions read more

I'm not American and I felt good at this cool old little bar!! Good place to hung out and have some beers read more

I'm a fan! I have never been here before but have gone out in Kirkland many times. Odd? I was invited out to watch a friends band play so it helped draw a crowd into this establishment. The area was lively and even though it seemed like a cramped place, it accommodated a full band entertainment, fans, people playing pool, a long bar, and places to sit, dance, and rest your drink. Practically, a great layout for the space given. The bartenders are very quick and efficient. It's like they have many years of experience and are as what people say on here as no non-sense. The only bad is that it is very easy for one of the regulars to just cut right in front of you as you are patiently waiting your turn to order a drink from them....and no, tips don't matter or sway them (no non-sense remember?) Overall, a fun experience. Technically not a fair review of the entire place since I don't know if they have food and I did not attend on a regular day but I think it's a nice place one could be themselves in the vast range of bars in Kirkland. Thanks! read more

Central Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Kirkland, Washington

So much fun! We were checking out the town the other night and wanted a fun/casual bar to go to and this is it. It's a dive bar that is clean, has music & pool, and is very spacious. Our bartender was a woman with short blonde hair, she was wonderful! All of drinks were great, came timely, and she was helpful in getting us quarters/dollars for the music & pool. We had a great time here and definitely want to come back and hangout some more! It also is an extra perk that it is not expensive - compared to everything else around here it was nice to be able to get a few drinks and not have a crazy tab at the end of the night. read more

Best dive in Kirkland Cheap drinks and loud atmosphere Just what you expect No frills read more

Really chill place. Nice tables, decent sticks, good drinks and friendly bartenders. They've got music selection right next to the pool tables and they've got darts. They'd get a 5 if the tables had a little more room around them but still cool place read more

Generally love this place, but they called last call shortly after midnight and kicked everyone out at 1AM. The bouncer yelling "we closed an hour ago, get out" was a nice touch. Their hours aren't accurate and apparently they have a worse clientele than other bars because they closed early because "people are so awful". Maybe spend more money on security?! read more

The bar is okay. It has 2 pool tables, and a couple of dart boards. The service is fine. The drinks are fine. The prices on par with the other bars in this area which is to say it's overpriced but again, it's fine. My major problem with this bar is that it is nothing but High bar stools. There's not a single chair with a back. There are no booths. There are no low chairs with backs. There are no low bar stools. Once again all it is is high bar stools. It's extremely uncomfortable to sit there for any period of time which I suppose they might be encouraging. Perhaps they don't want people to stay there and drink more. I didn't want to stay there and drink more. If I can't sit comfortably then I'm not staying there. I would love to go back here but I won't because once again if you can't even sit comfortably what the hell is the point of going into the bar? read more

I love you Central. That's kinda all there is to say. This is my hands down favorite bar in Kirkland. Yes, it's kinda dark and old. No, they don't have food (besides hot nuts and chips) but it's still an institution and deserves respect. read more

Went on a Friday afternoon when hardly anyone was in here. Enjoyed some darts on the electronic boards, loved the selection of games and not having to keep score on my own. It seemed clean and the server was friendly and attentive. read more

Do not come here for your 21st birthday if you have a vertical id. Came here with friends for my 21st - everyone over 21. We were hanging out by the pool tables and an older lady came up to us with a condescending tone and asked for id. When we showed our ids to her, she told us we cannot be in the bar because we have vertical ids. Very strange experience considering our ids are still valid for another year or two and clearly displays our birthday on it. Very unfortunate because we did not have this experience with any other bars we went to in the area. It felt like we were not welcome and we will not be going back. read more