I love the atmosphere because I love a good decorated bar cause I feel like there's not much they're usually like pretty basic or rustic and this one is like pirate deep sea underwater themed. I love the drinks. They're pretty strong. Not the best place for parking though because it's literally right up the road from McMenamin's. read more

Really cozy spot nestled in downtown Tacoma. We came in a little after 5, it took our eyes a bit to adjust to the darkness but were delighted with the lantern-lit atmosphere and the moody ambient music. To the layman it may seem like just a dark "pirate" or "tiki bar", but the focus is really more centered around Lovecraftian and cosmic horror - not something you see you often but very much appreciated among those who are familiar. The menu is accessed by QR codes on the table. They have an *extremely* long list of cocktails, all named appropriately with the theming, but somewhat lacking in variety. Most of the cocktails are some combination of rum, spices, lime/lemon, and maybe something else fruity or sweet. My wife had a Ships from Far Shores while I enjoyed an Astro Orbiter. Their menu has an indicator of how strong each drink is, and it doesn't lie. The Astro Orbiter tasted great but was indeed quite strong. The staff were extremely polite and a pleasure to talk to. Unfortunately their kitchen was closed the evening we went, so we weren't able to grab any food, but hopefully we'll to try some the next time we stop by. read more

Devil's Reef - Ships from Far Shores (left) and Astro Orbiter (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean meets HP Lovecraft. Amazing ambience and decent eats. Helps if you appreciate complex rum concoctions. read more

Devil's Reef - Head behind the bar! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The vibe is super cool. But be careful. I had to Zombies and they got me pretty wastypants. Pay attention to the number of skulls by each drink on the menu! read more

I tried Devil's Reef for the first time, arriving shortly after it opened for the day. The atmosphere is spot on for the tiki vibe. I sat at the bar and enjoyed the fast service. My cocktail was tasty and packed a punch. The Cuban sandwich was outstanding. The cocktail menu is rum heavy, so if rum isn't your thing your options may be a bit limited. But definitely worth a visit. read more

Devil's Reef - Cuban sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Very cool, dimly lit pirate tiki bar. Inventive strong drinks alone are worth the trip. A little A/C would be nice. I'm sure there is some good food here but no one in our party of four lucked out. Food came out sporadically after a long wait. Two ordered Cuban sandwiches with great bread but otherwise poorly filled, with way too much coarse mustard , gristly pork and a "pickle" that had never seen vinegar. Nachos were delivered first but had clearly been sitting out for so long the cheese had gone cold. If you get lucky and find good food, post your review otherwise go for the cool vibe and a strong pirate style drink then head somewhere else for reliable food. read more

Great place! Stopped in to enjoy some tiki drinks. There is no sign on the outside here do you need to kind of know where it's located. Inside is on the dark side. There are lots of low cool lighting. It's not huge but there are several tables and a bar to sit at. It's decorated in cool Island/tiki style. The drink menus is big. We did not eat but the food coming out looked delicious. We ordered at the bar and sat at a high top. The drinks were very good. Great place for date night or yo meet up with sone friends. If you enjoy a hood tiki drink , this is definitely a place to visit. read more

See all

Service is awful. Hostess tells me to seat myself to then tell me I can't sit in the booth I picked only bc she wanted to sit there herself. Tried to order food but she told me they close their kitchen at 10:30p. I didn't need any more encouragement to leave. read more

This place is crazy cool, my friends and I wanted to try other tiki theme bars and stumbled upon this. The drinks are STRONG, and rightfully so for the price. They had sooo many options that it got a little overwhelming haha. The food is pretty good too. The service was amazing, very understanding and friendly. read more

Did not try food, but drinks are great!! Service was just perfect, and ambiance is 10/10. read more

See all

I love this tiki bar! My #1 bar to visit in all Greater Seattle Area. The scenery is immersive, the cocktail list is endless, and the staff are super kind and helpful with navigating the giant drink list. I particularly love all the different grogs. It can be a little tricky to visit when they are preparing food, as it's a tight window so consider an alternative place to eat. The food is very good if you get the chance. So many drinks are delicious but I do say they focus more on drink quality than presentation so you may not get an elaborate glass or garnish. With that in mind, this is still my #1 and never disappoints. read more

Ambiance is where this place truly shines. After walking in a very nondescript and ordinary foyer, you are greeted with a dimly lit, colorful pirate themed nautical bar. Normally a server or bartender notices your appearance pretty quickly and ushers you to a seat. The menu is on QR code and is primarily rum based drinks. So sad that they don't stock my favorite, rhum agricole! But the cocktails are strong, rated by skull level on the menu, and definitely fulfill the tiki vibe. I just wish the menu had more practical descriptions of the drinks; many of them sounded fantastical but we weren't sure what they would taste like. (But most tiki drinks taste similar to me anyhow). read more

Devil's Reef - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

So glad we have an awesome tiki bar in Tacoma. We've been coming here since they opened (RIP Tacoma Cabana) The menu is large (can be a bit overwhelming) but it's laid out really well by categories and indicators on how strong a drink is. There is also a non-alchoholic section which I deeply appreciate. They have traditional drinks like the Zombie or Mai Tai and they also have unique options with our favorites being the Colada of the Elder Gods and the Celestial Navigator. They also have several aged rums you can try. Each drink is expertly crafted and high quality ingredients with their main rum choice being "Planteray", yum!!! The ambiance is great, very Disney Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. You can sit at the bar, in a little open section with tables, or they have tucked away booths for extra privacy. Highly recommend a visit, or two, for locals and visitors alike read more

Devil's Reef - Colada of the Elder Gods (left) and Celestial Navigator (right) both are SOOO GOOD! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I went here on a Saturday 6pm and got one of the last few seats at the establishment. Popularity had a decreased over the last year fortunately but it is still a popular bar with limited seating so expect a wait if you go any later than 6pm. We got seated upstairs and you order at the counter. We got the Devil's Reef, Burn the Ships, and Single Malt Gunpowder Grogg. Wow the drinks are so strong. There are a lot of items in the menu but they are more or less different variations of the items offered so presentation is fairly standard. Drinks came out fast and decent. Not the best but it is still a vibe out here. read more

See all

A must try if you're in the area!! They have so many cocktails that you couldn't try them all in one visit and walk out. These are classic, tiki cocktails that are citrus and spirit forward. Excellently crafted, and balanced. They also have rotating food options, and quite a few! Go early to ensure you get what food you want, as they remove it from the menu when it's sold out. We were able to walk in and get seated at the bar. Our bartender was nice and made excellent drink suggestions. The vibes are sunken pirate ship. It's dark, lit by glass figures and candles. I love it here. read more

Cool interior. They don't have cocktail servers, so you have to order at the bar- don't know if that is intentional or they are just short staffed. The drinks are not the usual tiki drinks. The first one tasted like cough syrup. Posted their menu since I couldn't find one online. Get there when they open, was super crowded. read more

See all

The drinks are not your average drinks- the rum is strong and a unique taste. The vibe and atmosphere of this place is one of a kind and amazing! read more

From the specialty cocktails to the ambiance.... Everything is formula for a great time and making memories! Definitely recommend this place!!!! read more

In the middle of Tacoma lies a somewhat hidden tiki bar with fantastic drinks and food. The "vibes" are fantastic, as is the subtle tiki music and flickering lamp light. A lot of booths are tucked away for a private evening and we had really enjoyable service. If you are looking for a tropical escape, Devil's Reef is a great option. Good luck picking a drink though, the menu is massive and will take a while to read and choose. read more

See all

It's VERY dark, like REALLY dark. Service is very slow. We didn't try the food, but they only have tequila, beer and maybe wine. Can't get a vodka soda. read more

Really cool tiki bar in Opera Alley. We were bar hopping and saw this nearby- it took a bit to find the place (hint- look for the ship's wheel outside). It's pretty neat inside- definitely pirate themed- this is a Rum bar after all (hubby tried to order a whiskey and coke-bad boy!!!). Service wasn't great- took a bit to get acknowledged. We did not try the food, so cannot speak to that! I tried the Dagon's Revenge- not my favorite- pretty pricey for such a small glass. Hubby tried a rum and coke- it was citrusy- we weren't sure it was really coke- so we only stayed for one drink! Cool atmosphere gets the points! read more

See all

Not worth the 45 minute wait to get in. On top of that during the summer there is no A/C it smells like straight up armpit. The bartenders are super rude for no reason. If you try to ask them a question they are snappy and give you no information. But the terrible 20 page Google Doc menu gives you no information about what's in the drink, so you have little knowledge about what you're actually ordering cause the bartenders are hella rude. And then you get your drink which was like $20 and it's way too strong to even enjoy. No thanks. If you're looking for a Tiki Bar just save yourself some time and go to McMennamin's tiki bar instead read more

This is a first stop experience for a night of bar-hopping (and food hopping) when I'm entertaining out-of-towners. The atmosphere is fun and the drinks/food choices are interesting! The Singapore Sling is my go-to drink and I love the loaded fries and other sharable options! Sitting at the bar is fun if you have a small group, most of the bartenders put on a good tiki drink show as they work! read more

I came here back in July 2023 with a friend. The bartender was great. The drinks were strong and the nachos were good, definitely hit the spot. White vibes for sure lol! read more

Devil's Reef - Nachos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I love this tiki bar. It has such a fun tropical vibe. They serve delicious food and have an extensive themed drink menu. The bartenders are kind, patient, and helpful when asked about recommendations. read more

Devil's Reef - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Nice atmosphere, able to actually have conversations with the group I was with. Biggest issue was there were no paper menus. Required to scan a QR code. I get it, I am old, but having been scammed by QR codes in the past, I DON'T use those anymore. While this was a great place, and I understand the drink menu changes rather often, there are other options- a set menu for food and favorites, chalk board with "rotating cocktails" etc. i carry a flip phone now to make sure places know I don't have the ability to use QR codes (or at least realize the lengths I will go to to not use them). Not wanting to use QR codes is becoming more common, I recommend finding a way to adapt for a broader customer base. read more

We were looking for somewhere to get a great drink and a light meal after visiting Zoo Lights on a rainy December evening and thought this joint might be the perfect spot for us. Forget what you think a tiki bar is (1950s retro, over priced drinks made with cheap booze, plastic palm trees) and open your mind to what a tiki bar should be. The vibe of tropical places and kitsch is alive and well here, but so is an amazing array of excellent rums, and a cocktail list that must surely have something for everyone. The bar tender did a great job of guiding me a cocktail that was just right. It seems the kitchen closes early evening sometimes, but we just made it in under the deadline. A few shortages, but the spicy sausage dog I had and the pulled pork sliders that my wife had were just right. Nothing fancy here except for the drinks, but solid bar grub. A little had to spot from the street this place winds back into the bowels of the building. Lots of nooks perfect for small groups, a good looking bar, and even a lounge with some sofas. All eclectic and perfect for the vibe. read more

Devil's Reef - Spicy sausage. Tasty. Photo not up to my usual standard, but I'd already been sampling the rums. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

See all

Great vibe and top notch service. We went in tonight for a Dirty 30 and were treated amazingly. The drinks were strong but didn't taste like it which was surprising since rum can be hard to cover up. Our server was very knowledgeable of the drinks offered, he had a recommendation for every taste bud. I left my Kraken ring there tonight, I do wish I could find a phone number somewhere so I can try to retrieve it. read more

See all

Fun little bar with a tiki vibe. Their drinks are STRONG and delicious. The drink menu has skulls by each drink, which depicts how strong each cocktail is. read more

See all

If you hit one tiki bar in Seattle, this should be the one! Great drinks, fun/nautical atmosphere, well-executed all around! Background music was nice volume and appropriate for theme. They do not take reservations--go to the door and get on the list. (Mcmenaman's is a block away if you wanna kill time at "the old hangout" tiki bar) read more

See all

This is a great place for a different atmosphere for a fun night. Out with your friends and even some family members for the vibe. I wouldn't say first date vibes because it quite dark inside and can be a bit loud when at full capacity. Make reservations for sure. But if you want a date night with a partner and you don't mind being in a dark environment like that then go for date night. The drinks are mostly rum (specialty drinks), however they do have a small selection of other alcoholic beverages and can make something you will enjoy. Check out this place for amazing environment with a fun pirate theme vibe that's sure to get the conversation going. read more

Devil's Reef - Speciality Rum Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

We stopped in last night for a drink. This is a really cool place. It's super unassuming outside, but upon entering, it's another world. A tiki, dark, cool vibe. No lie, the drinks are a bit pricey, but the one I had was quite tasty. The devil reef. I was a bit bummed because I wanted to try the tofu musubi, but they were out of rice. I understand it was about 10 minutes until the last call for food. However, that was still a bummer. Hopefully next time they will have rice available. My other veggie option I was interested in also contained ice, so I just stuck with the drink. The guy running the place, the bartender, server, everything, was extremely friendly. I'm excited to go back. read more

See all

Sadly after 30 minutes after being seated, we were not served. It was our anniversary and this place was highly recommended. We were really excited because we like their other spot, I'll just continue to go there instead after this experience. read more

Devil's Reef - Just the menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

If you have not been to this hole in the wall bar, you NEED to go. They mostly sell rum and I haven't tried their food but each drink had its own backstory. The staff are super friendly even nights that felt stressful. The drinks are about the same price $14-16 depending on the amount of skulls on the drink which means how much rum is in your drink. MUST SEE the path towards the loo (bathroom) and with a piano, couches, and huge mirrors, on a rainy day you can see the beautiful concrete back wall dripping water down the drain. If not for the drinks you should go for the beautiful and cozy venue. read more

Delving into the world known as the Tiki bar, luckily I had a guide with me to educate me on the tiki bar drinking etiquette. Yes this place is really stunning inside. The decor is on par with the best of the tiki bars I have seen. Now I am not a froofroo (now it's a word) drink person I like my whiskey and my Guinness. These concoctions were out there and some of them didn't sit quite right in the beginning but my "guide" explained you need to mix these things a lot in order to get the taste to rise to eats peak I thought he was full of it at first but the drink I was sipping on did go from yuck to something that was interesting and my second drink was much better after tasting and stirring a lot the flavors melded and tasted pretty damn good. I would take friends here again for the adventure read more

Devil's Reef - Drunkenness - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

We have a legal service dog and they refused to review our documentation. They have been reported for their illegal action. Do not recommend this establishment. Not to mention they have no AC it was uncomfortable that we had planned to leave before they kicked us out. They need to take a class in what is appropriate actions regarding the American disabilities act. They have a lot to learn.. read more

Came here last night for the first time for a girls night out! Atmosphere is fun and sultry at the same time. Drinks did a disappoint, although when I think about it, crushed ice is filled to the top of every glass so I wonder just how much of a drink I'm getting lol? Ordered the caprasi sandwich with Mozzarella, tomatoes and basil and that was a clear favorite. Pulled pork sliders were great, fresh rolls not so much. All the wait staff extremely friendly, including the owner who wears a fun hat with a tassel. Had to wait an hour but it was well worth it! read more

See all

Definite hole in the wall. As I was headed to the bar to order because there are no servers; I was stabbed with in the back by a small woman with a pad or phone rudely stating, "Behind". The place has to kept dark and the drinks so strong in order to eat their food. Did I mention the bartender has social anxiety?! This place is a Hell No! Had to add a star in order to post. read more

Well executed tiki bar in a cool area of Tacoma. The interior is mostly nautical themed, with tropical touches and a medley of antique decor. The menu includes the largest selection of exotic drinks I've ever seen in one place, ranging from tiki classics (Mai Tai, Zombie, Navy Grog), to inventive house specialities that you will not find anywhere else. Seating is first come, first serve; no reservations. On a Thursday night, the place was in full swing, but not crowded. My group of 4 snagged the best booth in the house, a partially covered bamboo hut illuminated by multicolored lamps. It felt semi private, allowing for good conversation while still enjoying the ambience. All 6 of the cocktails I tried were fantastic. Fresh ingredients, expertly crafted, heavy pours of rum. My favorite was their namesake punch, the "Devil Reef" which includes citrus, pineapple, cinnamon and a blend of rums. I also loved the completely unique "Antarctica Expedition", a frosty treat featuring coconut cream and absinthe. Their rendition of a Painkiller was also exceptional. The bartenders were all friendly, and clearly talented. But, most of the food we ordered simply never arrived. Once the staff realized, they were apologetic, and brought us a round of blended aged rum shots, which were much appreciated. None of the food was good, but that's not what you are here for. Stick to drinks, and enjoy the ride. read more

See all

Such good drinks and atmosphere! Came here to celebrate our friend's anniversary!! 10 out of 10! read more

Devil's Reef - Great drinks!! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Tacoma, Washington