Bobs Java Jive

Dive Bar in Tacoma holds a special place in my heart as my go-to spot for a fun night out. Steeped in history, this establishment, originally known as the Coffee Pot Restaurant, has a rich legacy dating back to 1927. Its iconic status is further accentuated by the fact that it has been featured in several movies, including scenes with the talented actor Keanu Reeves in the 1990 film Love You to Death.One of the standout features of Dive Bar is its impressive selection of local and international beers that cater to a variety of tastes. Whether youre a beer aficionado or looking to try something new, this bar has you covered. Additionally, their menu boasts delicious food options, my favorite are Jungle Fries and Lamp Burger 🍔What truly sets Dive Bar apart is the welcoming and hospitable staff, who make every visit a memorable experience. The owners active presence on most days adds a personal touch that contributes to the warm and inviting atmosphere of the bar.Dive Bar isnt just about drinks and food; its also a hub for entertainment. With daily karaoke sessions, trivia nights on Mondays, open mic nights for musicians on Tuesdays, and open mic nights for comedians on Thursdays, theres always something exciting happening here. These events provide patrons with the perfect opportunity to showcase their talents or simply enjoy some live entertainment while socializing with friends.Overall, Dive Bar in Tacoma is a gem of a spot that seamlessly blends history, great drinks, delicious food, and fantastic entertainment. Whether youre a regular or a first-time visitor, this bar is sure to charm you with its unique charm and vibrant atmosphere. Cheers to Dive Bar for being a standout destination in Tacomas nightlife scene!

Didnt hear about this place until a dear friend told me about it while we were in the area. So glad we came in for a light dinner and some good drinks. The bartender was such a sweetheart and the food was delicious. It sounds lame but I ordered a grilled cheese and tomato soup. It was SO GOOD. Everything made in-house! I recommend!!

Wonderful place to kick back with your favorite libation. Kitschy, retro and full of history. Sarah, our barkeep, is a gem: friendly, knowledgeable, and suffered through me showing her pictures of our parrots with grace. This place has been visited by celebrities from far and wide. It is a lot bigger inside than it appears due to additions and remodeling. Its popular with the younger crowd, or those young at heart. People in Tacoma drive by this place all of the time. Next time youre in the area, stop by. Youll be glad you did!

Just might be the best bar in all of Tacoma, if you enjoy karaoke, Trivia, open mic nights, jazz nights, playing pool, and many more things. This place is a great spot to go where you can get fair prices on drinks, and the food is not over priced, the menu on food is small but the kitchen staff I can tell care a lot about the quality of food they send out. I have never gotten anything food or drink that wasnt as good as it could be. That on top of the amazing staff and the friendly group of regulars. I would (and do) whole heartedly recommend Bobs Java Jive to anyone.

I had a wonderful time exploring this dive bar! Every person that went up to sing karaoke, was enthusiastically inspiring, and it made me want to put on a show! And that is just what I did I sang The Little Mermaid Part of Your World, and I had a Grand Old time! The staff was personable and friendly! I really appreciated getting a chance to check this place out, Ive always driven by it as a child and thought it would be cool to go inside of a teapot! And I definitely was not disappointed!

Most happening dive bar in Tacoma!Dont be turned away by the dark windows when you pull up. This place is happening. Live events from local artists most nights of the week and karaoke every night with great hosts!.Once a month three is even a pasta dinner and jazz night. Comedy every Thursday with bonus shows on the weekend.One of my favorite parts of local businesses is having involved owners that you can visit with at the bar. That is definitely the case here.Conne for the unique venue, return for the welcoming community.Once you come to Bobs youre an instant regular.

Edit. With new ownership, the place is much better than it used to be. The seats do not have tears in them from what I saw any longer, the food is ok, nothing has really changed there, and the drinks were weak still but the staff is even better than before, so that made me pretty happy. The show was a little confusing to figure out as far as who was playing and I couldnt find a lot of info on it, but they went out of their way to make the event enjoyable with misters around certain seats/along the fence on a hot day. The bands were decent and if it didnt get started an hour later, Im sure I would have at least stayed for another band. Ill definitely try and come next year.Old review: 4 stars for an awesome staff who is attentive. It would be two stars for the worst drinks Ive had in Tacoma. That being said. Fantastic burger at a reasonable price. Cook mentioned that the griddle wasnt up to heat to provide the sear and was spot with what I was thinking it needed. Ill come back but only buy beers here. Stuck to whats good. I learned my lesson. Great live music. Piano music this night. Burgers might be only on Wednesdays. Its a drive bar thats cleaned up ever so slightly. By divey, I do mean its very divey with ripped seats and parts if the ceiling slightly discolored. But theres many dollar bills on the ceiling. You get the idea. Ive been many times over the years, good shows in the past.

Came here for an event and there was awesome karaoke. Everyone was super friendly and was singing and dancing on the dance floor on Friday after 9. Drinks were strong and cheap. Staff were super friendly and place was hopping. Love the dog friendly patio. Food looked good will have to check it out and update.

We didnt get any food. We went for a comedy show night and the show was fantastic! The building itself feels, smells and looks like its going to burn down any minute. Its a very very crowded space where everyone is trying to get by each other. If youre in to that sort of thing, go check it out. The bathrooms are interesting at least lol.

Super neat hole in the wall kind of bar. The walls are filled with interesting knick knack stuff.. plenty of seating considering its a teapot shaped building hahaPlenty of alcohol selection- decent menu to cover all your bases. Solid pricing.Tons of events happening here throughout the year.

Great place. The bartender was very friendly. The history was amazing. The food was just ok, although, to be fair, we only tried the chicken tenders. Will definitely try something else next time. This was a place Id driven by hundreds of times. I will definitely return.

Weve passed by Bobs Java Jive many times, wondering what it was like inside. After a quick lookup, I decided to check it out on my birthday.Being in the early afternoon, the parking was easy, and when entering, the patrons and the bartender/server were all friendly. It was like greeting a friend who hasnt dropped by in awhile.We found a seat in the back (it looks larger on the inside, wonder if they borrowed from TARDIS technology), and the waiter took our order. We ordered two Lamp Burgers, a BLT, Jungle Fries, and some Onion Rings. Our server told us that it was a lot of food, even for three people. He wasnt kidding. The burgers are HUGE and the Jungle Fries were enough to feed two people by themselves. Needless to say, we brought the burgers home for dinner. Even then, Im not making any bets that they can be finished off. I took a few nibbles and I am looking forward to it.The Jungle Fries are like having a giant burger crumbled onto crispy fries and smothered in cheese, burger sauce, bacon, onions, tomatoes, and pickles. We cleaned that up. My Sister in Law got the BLT and she loved it. The sandwich was large, and the bacon done to crisp perfection. The fries were crisp and plentiful. We had to bring some of those home.The price for all that food was more than reasonable. About $70 (before tip) and considering thats at least two meals for three people, itd be hard to do better with any other decent restaurant.About the only thing lacking was the variety of non-alcoholic beverages. I guess if you like Coke or Sprite, thats OK, but maybe add a root beer option or lemonade.The atmosphere has been described as a dive bar, and I guess that might be accurate. The ceiling has notes and dollar bills spanning the decades and the walls sport decals from various groups, places, and iconic memes. It really has a homey charm to it.I wanted someplace different to go to on my birthday, and I found it. It will not be the last time, and I wont need a special occasion to visit. Just coming here is occasion enough!

I joined some friends for karaoke here for the first time and the bar, food, the vibe, the employees, and the other patrons were great and I would love to spend more time here. The karaoke unfortunately was pretty terrible. The music was too loud and muddy and completely encased the entire seating area where the only escape was outside. Ill be back for more pool and very tasty macaroni bites.

I started going to bobs Java jive back in January. From day one I felt like part of the family. The ladies behind the bar are so amazing. They have taken the time to get to know me. The regulars have welcomed me with open arms. Bobs has become my safe place. Moving to Washington has not been easy but finding this gem, has made the move much easier.

8/10/24: Great place to hang and awesome food.

I have known about and gone to Bobs Java jive since the early 1970sMy friends and I left a party and went down to karaoke things were going real well and the dog that was with us was very casual not interruptive and people paid him a lot of attention he was a winner with the crowdFor some reason security thought that they took it upon themselves to overtook some bounds and ask them to leave and made a big big issue out of the thing that was very inappropriateSecurity insisted that we left immediatelyWith some rude commentsI withheld any comment or any actionUntil they continue to harass us off the propertyAmongst the chaos I wanted to retrieve my phoneI had to plead and plead desperately to try to retrieve my propertyWhen I return to the table that we occupied the table was cleared and my phone was goneNobody knew what happened oh my phone nobody knowsI tried to take that in strideI may have been out of line but I really doubt it in this situationThe very rude and insignificant little pukeCould not keep his mouth shutAnd I cannot keep mine shut eitherSo it did not endwellIn my part trying to resolve the issueSecurity looked at me as a threatWhich also was very inappropriateUntrained security causes more problems then I can rememberI drove taxi in this town for 35 yearsEyewitness all kinds of situations all kinds of dramaBut this was completely out of line for a place that used to be so fun is off-limits to me from now onI just hope your experience never compared to mineWhats the sickening and HardingI guess they were just bored and needed something to do and we were the victims

Delightful shopfront feeling like out of some fantastical movie/book. Inside is whimsical hurricane of old furnishings. Outside seating is fenced-in and sturdy good-as-new picnick tables with an umbrella canopy.Mixed drinks (mixed on request bartenders specialty):Alien Secretion-fun, youthful, sweet and green.Bird of Paradise- exotic, complex, nectar-like. By far one of the best mixed drinks I had in WA. It is something you could swear was just flown in from a tropical island.

Definetly a dirty dive bar but has its weird charm. Saw this place I think on YouTube a while back and found it on accident. So we had to stop. Definelty will be back just because its a weird cooky bar with history in Tacoma. If your looking for a super clean nice bar, this is definitely not it. But if you love dive bars, this is a must on your list.

Amazing place for group partying with live karoke and games

Came from Lacey on a SATURDAY ti check it out there was a private party that wasnt even busy and the rude bartender denied us entry. We just wanted to see inside. F you

Old time dive with ancient charm. Disappointed that the jukebox no longer works. Staff was super friendly and accommodating. My wife, Jane, has her own bathroom....the other one is for Tarzan.

We just went for the karaoke, and had a blast. The host was awesome, and there was a great mix of music. 10/10 going back.

Let me start by saying they celebrate 100 years in 2027!! That speaks for itself. Definitely returning.If you rate this place anything under 3 stars then you may be used to a more high end experience. This is more hole-in-the-wall/dive bar/mom & pop. Please don’t let the negative reviews stop you from trying it yourself.I went in tonight (07 Feb 2024) and had such an amazing, welcoming experience. I have not been out to a bar in over a year (single female with S.A. experience so if you know then YOU KNOW) and felt very safe and cared for. Definitely coming from a “tourist” or newbie but nonetheless as someone who is A) new, B) not from here, C) female, and D) Hispanic they were so kind, caring, understanding, and welcoming. Never did karaoke in my life only to find out they have it 7 days a week and encouraged me to scratch something off my bucket list! The bartender, Cheyenne (hope I spelled it right) was extremely attentive and kind; she made wonderful conversation and ensured my comfort. The DJ also made sure I felt safe. The ages range depending on the time/day. Definitely a local bar with a beautiful vintage feel. Not your high end spot but if you want to feel like family and enjoy some bar food/drinks then this is the spot and place to be. Friendly, attentive, observant, fun. You may encounter a different culture/crowd but it’s about what you make it as most places. Truly enjoyable experience and will be returning as most “regulars” do. Wonderful place. Grateful to have discovered it.

Karaoke 7 nights a week, no bad vibes at The Jive. All are welcome. Regular spot for Tacoma locals, must-see historical landmark for Tacoma visitors.

Edit: I returned back and was pleasantly surprised to see they fixed the issues with the pool table! Outstanding service and quick to fix issues!! Im bumping up my review!place has cozy vibes but the issue is that the last few times I have gone to the bar, the same girl is very unwilling to compromise to let anyone play pool within their own friend group. Truly killed the mood and needs to be dealt with. Not everyone is there to play competitive pool. My buddies and I waited all night to play on a compromise and were treated with hostility by this individual, one would assume they are drunk, multitudes of people had this issue with this person. Security tried his best to help. Best to find a bar with more pool tables to avoid the teenage drama. Hoping the owner is able to draw up a solution for this.

Fun, friendly, eclectic and Karaoke! Had such a great night. Been by this place so many times and assumed it was closed and abandoned. Far from it! I went with a small group on a Tuesday night and we had a blast! Drinks are basic, facilities are a bit primitive at this time but it all just added to the night. We will be back.

At 8 dollars a beer when down the street is 6 bucks a beer. jAVA jIVE WONT SEE ME AGAIN. Bobs on 56th st. is 5 bucks happy hour beer. The place is not even that nice, i understand keeping the ceiling for all the autographs, but the rest of the place needs some serious upgrades and the their are odors.

Fun and welcoming dive bar. Highly recommend. Fun and small but affordable.

The staff and security was not friendly with our group at all. Would never come back here. SATreated us like criminals.

I’d been living on the highway for over a week by the time I arrived here. This was the first real food I had in over a week. Seems weird to say that about a bar but is true. I stopped at restaurants on the road and was fed high school cafeteria junk for like $40. This place was affordable and serves real food not reheated junk. I got there rather early, 11am, and there was plenty of parking for my giant commercial vehicle. There’s lots to look at while you wait for your food which doesn’t take very long. I had the lamp burger which left me with some left overs for the road since I didn’t know when I’d find decent food again on the road.

I love the physical bar itself but can’t with the current ownership. Happy to serve underaged kids, allows some staff member to tie up their (incredibly anxious and obviously uncomfortable) dog for their entire shift on the patio, bar tenders that don’t know basic cocktails, teeny tiny plastic shot glasses… I could go on but this is only a good time if you’re there early enough to avoid the sheer chaos that is a night at Bob’s.

Great service, cozy atmosphere, good people, fun karaoke. I definitely plan on stopping in the next time Im in Tacoma!!

I always love coming here! Food is always so delicious. Drinks are done right! Its always a great time.

Quirky classic little Tacoma dive bar in a coffee pot-shaped building (4 stars for nostalgic purposes alone) this place has been standing since 1927 when they 1st started selling cups of Joe then converted to a bar in 1955... if you like karaoke and a limited beer & wine selection then this place might just be for you 🍻

Bar had the best “vibes” or whatever you call it!! This place reminds me of the small town and lots of laughs kind of situation. Similar to The Big I in Fairbanks, AK. Definitely coming again! Saturday, had a live band that was good until around 9:30 then Karaoke.

Below par cooking, dirty , saw a bartender while working take a shot of liquor. Speakers suck. Don’t take your comments and concerns to owner. doesn’t care. Shooed me away like I was a peasant. You are a bar owner not god. Real D-bag

I have lived here my whole life and this was my first time and it is amazing the staff the cook and whole vibe was phenomenal 🙌 I will be back...

Such an AWSOME place! Everyone needs to go there at least once! Have a beverage in a GIANT percolator!

Mix drinks are overpriced. Paid over $100 for 4 drinks. Would be kinda normal for an upscale bar, but this is pretty much a dive bar. And even as a dive bar, its not the best. Pretty crowded with a bottleneck going from the back to the front area, and the place is just kinda generally gross. One bright side, I think, is the outside area is pretty big. But then theres no speakers outside and everything happening at the bar is pretty much inside, so it kinda trivializes that bright spot unless you just wanna hang out with smokers.On mobile, so maybe thats why I cant reply. My drinks werent from the well, owner. Youre quoting the absolutely cheapest drinks you have. And if you have speakers outside, you need to utilize them better. Couldnt stay outside during karaoke because you cant hear if youre the next person up, and Im pretty sure its because you guys werent actually using the outside speakers. And yeah, I was at the right place.

This place has a friendly vibe and colorful ambiance. The toilets are smelly, but I think thats fairly par for the course when comparing bars IMO.

This is the quintessential dive bar experience... you can feel the energy seeping out of the walls and over the fence as you walk through the parking lot...Upon entry, the decor and ambiance assaults your senses... the energy and body heat are palpableIf you want lame and boring, then stay FAR AWAY from this joint... only the hippest and hardest partying people are in attendance at Bobs.

Visited here for one of their monthly Jazz nights, it was fantastic. Great bands playing and something to try if you havent, they have live music on the last Sunday of every month. As well as that, their bar is fantastic and their food is delicious. Parking lot is rough and the place itself is cramped but it didnt damper the experience enough for me to rate it any lower. Check out this piece of history in the Tacoma area whenever you get the chance, not something to miss out on.

Only whiskey, rum and tap being served here... ginger ale it was. Karaoke was fun!

A slice of Tacoma history. These walls talk and they have stories to tell. The staff is friendly, the beer is cheap and the vibes are laid back and comfy. Travis, and Gordy and Gabe are talented, hilarious individuals that make karaoke so much fun. If this is an example of what karaoke is supposed to be, then a lot of other bars are coming up short.In the words of a friend, and regular:Its like a blanket fort that serves booze

The most basic bar food you have ever encountered but it doesnt matter because this is the cheesiest dive bar with a great Vibe ever! They have comedy shows on Thursday and karaoke other times too. Outdoor patio has many tables, umbrellas and allows smoking.

Old neighborhood dive bar with live music. A must stop if you are in Tacoma.

I am walked in at midnight on a busy Friday night and was immediately served. Great vibe. Probably my favorite dive-y bar in Tacoma. :)

Fantastic atmosphere. First time in and I was welcomed with open arms by the public. Karaoke was a lot of fun and the host did a great job of rotating everyone fairly. Not a huge selection of hard alcohol but enjoyed my time regardless. Will definitely be back!

Awesome place, great food and booze. Hadnt been on a busy night so dunno if it gets too nutty.

I finally came home for the holidays from Texas and came by and everyone was great very nice food is awesome its a must try. Staff are so nice, love what they did to the place, it still has the same vibe. Ill be back.

Waitress was a little rude. The drinks were pricey but very strong!

Love this bar, right near my house and they finally got their liquor license and serve food which is nice. Most everyone I’ve met there is super friendly and cool, besides a really rude cook, but not the worse thing to happen. Comedy nights are my favorite. Me and my buddies frequent here.

Fun and Quirky. A Tacoma Staple. I mean, you can drink anywhere, but this is a giant coffee pot!

I really enjoyed my evening here. It started off as a stop on a birthday crawl, and we ended up staying for several hours. Although we didnt go into the back to listen to open mic comedy, we had a great time gathered around the bar. The bartenders were fast, friendly, and attentive. Drinks were surprisingly inexpensive. Unlike other dive bars the Java Jive was well lit and clean, a little worn, but clean.

Unfortunately, the fact that this place didnt sell liquor was a major let down, but they have a single $0.50 a game pool table, pinball machine, a touchmaster, karaoke every night, as well as serve beer, wine, and soda. It was quite a jive spot.

Very disappointed with my last visit. I’ve been coming to Bob’s for the better part of 10 years and never have I had a truly bad experience.Arriving at their location with a friends service dog, sitting down in the main karaoke area for less than 5 min only to be told to “respect the employees” and was asked to segregate where the dog was sitting to outside. With a quick google search, that is blatant discrimination in a place of public accommodation.I will not be returning to Bob’s.

A amazing and unique bar that has a rich and vibrant history and culture. This place is incredibly iconic and honestly not as well known as you’d expect. I’d definitely recommend stopping by here for some karaoke or a game of pool. That being said, they only sell beers and ciders, no liquor. Definitely recommend coming here!

Fun Surroundings When Looking Around Inside .And It Comes With A Restaurant & Bar On The Inside. With A KAROAKE STAND AND SONGS BEING SUNG , FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HAVE A GOOD TIME ! ! , And Still , Such A Cool , TeaPot Style Building, On The Outside .Dont Forget That CUTE & FUN KAROAKE BAR In The Next Room ! AT THE JAVA- JIVE TEAPOT - SHAPED FOOD & FUN , AND KAROAKE TOO. Come On In , Ill See You Soon.

My favorite bar, hands down. Karaoke is great, people are always cool. Tacoma is cool, parking is great, love love everything about this bar. They are having some issues with the booze tho, sometimes the bartenders will say they cant give drinks and then sometimes they do?? No clue whats happening there but Im sure the new owners will figure it out because theyre amazing.

This place is an entirely different vibe. I come here very often , the staff is very nice and the drinks are cheap. I am happy that they have a well equipped security personnel now.

A great dive, good food that you wouldnt expect. The service is lovely and the drinks are strong. What more do you need. Its chill, the outside area is really nice. Always enjoy it here.

Great spot for karaoke. This place went under new ownership this year, and the improvements are definitely noticeable.Quite an interesting, kitschy vibe. Feels like a different decade as soon as you step through the door. I love it!

This place is SoOo old and cool... Used to see this cool pot as a kid and couldnt wait to get old enough to go in. Fun karaoke place! I wish someone would invest a lil money to help clean/fix it up a little... But a must Visit place if your a local!

Weeknight karaoke is a blast here! The locals are super friendly and the music hosts are great: they really know how to sing! But there’s no pretension and everyone is encouraged to relax and enjoy. Great brews on tap, very fun vibe.

Went to Bobs the first night on my trip to Tacoma - ended up going each night I was in town. Fantastic spot with a diverse crowd, karaoke, pool table, and a good range of draft beers. The new owners are putting a lot of time and money into the place; looks like the outdoor area has been recently renovated and more upgrades to come. Will be back!

Interesting dive bar, very small group of karaoke(itwas a Wed in winter so not surprised), food was standard, prices were very decent. No refills on soda though.

Best karaoke spot Ive been to.

Super fun place to do karaoke. THEY HAVE FRIED PICKLES!!

Awesome place!! Had a great time playing music there and the staff and the owner are all really nice people. Has the old school NW vibe as well as absolutely slamming lasagna.

Ive been going to Bobs Java jive since I moved to Tacoma in 2019I even stayed a couple months in the top of it from the previous owners house-sitting for them I bet a lot of people dont know if there used to be a studio apartment Bobs is like home karaokes great atmosphere straight the people are great the new owner and his staff are awesome youll enjoy a good time at Bobs Java jive

Bobs Java Jive has an ambiance and community around it that is unmatched by any other bar in the tacoma area. You never know who will be there from night to night but it feels like a bar where everybody knows your name. Come here to meet new people from different walks of life and feel like a part of the tacoma community.

Funky little spot that is a necessary dive to visit at least once for all locals. It encapsulates that Tacoma vibe. Theyve cleaned up recently and it shows (thank you!). Wish there was more than wine and beer. Next steps: make the outside lounge section nicer. Bonus - the karaoke and hosts (especially Mercy Me) are incredible. Tip em nicely!

The four times Ive been here Ive had wonderful times on the 4th time I try the burger the double absolutely wonderful the staff is kind and quick and thorough and a pleasure to be around thank you so much to the staff and kitchen at Bobs Java jive

Pros- cute buildingDrinksFoodNice bartenderThey have PoolCons- dont allow SERVICE DOGS due to the owner being allergic Drinks on tap WERE WARM!Mixed Drinks were weakFood was pricy for very little and what you did get wasnt very tasty.

I don’t even take the time to leave reviews but how i was treated i do not appreciate what’s so ever the bartender was completely rude all i asked was why we was being charged different prices for the same drinks she got mad as if i couldn’t ask a question she turned it into i was intoxicated which was totally false all the while she snatched the drinks i ordered poured them out didn’t give me my money and snatched up the change all the while her boyfriend decides to get all loud so my friend approached him then som guy comes from the back speaking spanish making threats that my friend understood then they called the police which we was never irate in fact the bartenders boyfriend was the police was very friendly didn’t consider us drunk we was talking very clear not sluggish or drunk to cause that much kaos and conflict over me asking a question in the difference of the price when we ordered the same thing we never got the service discount when i was clear and we came in with a large group in u inform and everyone got this lil discount but us seemed a lil racial profiling we never got recipts or anything like i’m beyond livid and feellike there should be consequences for that behavior like u gone kick us out for questioning being charged different prices then accuse us of being drunk i’m really curious if the owner or management even cares as to how customers are being treated or even took the time to investigate as that’s how the business operate from paying customers and even others was saying things that witnessed it guess jus didn’t want no parts i will def be looking in to further consequences bbb cause i do not appreciate the way we was discriminated against all for asking a question and not returned our money for drinks that was never touched in fact poured out as fast as she made them and the guy that came owner or manger not sure but if he had any sense we talked calmly to him and the police u can tell if someone is drunk so because u asking price difference cause we getting the same drinks at different prices we are treated as drunk thrown out and treated like trash when if u are a bartender if we was drunk it’s ur responsibility to call a cab or something not throw some one out and let them leave drunk cause if something happens the bar could be help reliable if that was the case and even with people saying the bartenders act racism i still wanted to give them a chance but that messy boyfriend of that bartenders omg had a problem from beginning

Bartender Dave is the best and he has some great stories to tell if you sit and engage him in conversation. This bar has the best karaoke ever cuz you dont have to be a good singer to sing and everyone will still enjoy the song. Overall this idea an amazing place to be.

Great dive bar. Karaoke is available and the hosts are amazing and super fun. They dont serve hard alcohol, but beer and wine. The food they have is so good too! If youre looking for a place to go out and sing karaoke with your friends, order a few brewskies, and not be OVERLY CROWDED, Bobs Java Jive is where its at!

Came from out of town and this was by far my FAVORITE place in Tacoma, the locals that frequent this place make it feel like you are hanging out in a living room with old friends despite the fact that we had just met them. Got great pool lessons, played some darts, had awesome conversation, and the bathrooms are pretty rad too. Karaoke and dancing is a plus too if you are into it!

The ultimate dive bar experience. You must go to there. Karaoke night is the Best! No liquor served only beer and cheap wine. Food decent! Small crowd, lots of locals and you always get a chance to sing a few times at least! Be sure to memorialize yourself by writing your name on a star or dollar bill to put on the ceiling. I heart Bobs Java Jive!!

Friendly helpful,bartender & nice small little patio area here & thats it. The building has been here since the 1930s & probably hasnt been cleaned since. There are so many accidents waiting to happen, with uneven flooring, exposed staples on the poorly rcovered furniture, scarey. I thinnk they just keep adding decorations & other odd stuff on top of the old. The water out of bathroom faucet was colder than the cold water they had to drink, not that Id even drink that.

So much fun. So much to see. So many amazing people and events. Dont miss the bands, Kareoke, open mind nights and comedy night.

Honestly thought this place was closed because Ive never driven by at night. Although they do not offer food, that I was able to see, they do have a very good cider as an alternative to beer.Attended this Dive bar for my first time Karaoke and now Im hooked. People were great and really enjoyed the decorations.

This place is special. While it is definitely not an example of clean or nice, it is a fun spot with a great crowd and some pretty great Karaoke. You should try it art least once. Dont expect a fancy drink. Dive

This is a locals favorite. They do live shows on Saturdays, and karaoke every night. Once a month is the infamous Pirate Karaoke night, when a huge crowd dressed as pirates takes over. My favorite time to visit.They dont have a huge selection of beer, cider and wine, and there is no hard liquor. But its all very affordable. Food is simple but good; burger, fries, chili.The décor is wild and organically built over time.

This is definitely a unique place! The decor reminds me of TGIFridays on a Goodwill budget, but it is lots of fun. There is a great comedy open mic on Thursdays and there is karaoke too. Great place to hang out.

First time in. Friendly place. People singing karaoke all seem to be having fun. They dont sell hard liquor. Bummer.

Got to meet the owner and that was a treat. But we wanted food so bad so we had to leave. Cool looking spot tho. Come here for drinks and know what u want there is only 1 or 2 ppl working on a Tuesday night (it was kinda busy)

I love the Teapot its been around so long I remember riding by as a kid and wanting to go there now that I am old enough I get to go in and sing karaoke on that stage and have some fun with people. I love JR and his wife so kind and fun to talk with and they have a variety of DJ hosts for karaoke who like to dress up and make the atmosphere more fun. They have themed events and if your into comedy they have comedy nights followed by Karaoke and they do live music too.

I always feel like Im going to visit family, and I bring all my friends when they come to visit. You come for the uniqueness, but come back for the ambiance.

With the new owners really stepping up, the food and drinks have drastically improved!They got some Great staff.Now its a dive bar worth going to.

Its dingy, dark, beautiful and eclectic. The best dive bar Ive been to throughout my travels accross this country.The crowd is a mixture of people, from goths, punks, and pirates. To hipsters, grandparents and everything in between.Most recently I spent my 40th birthday there singing karaoke and had a blast.Everyone usually gets along (one incident of a jerk in the past 20 years is pretty darn good in my book) and its a very relaxed and electric environment at the same time.

Been by this place not sure how many times and have always thought about going in. It wasnt till a friend asked me if I had seen the coffee shop shaped like a teapot yet? Such a neat place. Was pleasantly surprised to see that it wasnt a coffee shop at all, but, a tavern instead. I may not have known about it at first, but now after walking in the front door, Ill never forget it and Ill definitely be going back. They also have pool table, arcade games, and karaoke. The food is inexpensive as well.

Ok, this place is a dive ;) But an awesome one. I go here for Karaoke when I am in town and to enjoy some typical bar food and drinks. I am giving this place 5 starts because it is an authentic roadside attraction. Everything about it screams roadside attraction. Dont expect five star service, and dont expect five star food, but if youre coming here for the ambience and environment, its all here.

Haha, what a dive bar, but oh so much fun! Date night without the kid could not get any better if you visit Bobs Java Jive. You KNOW some funky stuff has gone on there through the years but its rife with local flavor and history. Not very good drinks outside of beer, but karaoke was a hoot and the fabulous woman hosting it was an amazing singer. My kid cousin and I had an absolute blast, a truly care-free, let it all loose kind of night here. Was great to relax, laugh, and know Im in a friendly community of Bob Java Jive go-ers. I didnt get a chance to try the food, so that will be on the menu next time I visit.

The best dive bar in Tacoma, hands down. They have great karaoke (inclusive, non-judgemental), and the decor is both fiercely unique and cozy. The staff are wonderful as well.

First time there. The atmosphere was great! Good vibes. Food ans service was great.

Its a fun place to go but its another karaoke spot that lets the same people sing over and over while skipping others. Drink options suck.

Crowd is a little stand offish. Kareokee is good with lots of opportunities to sing. Pool table is fair condition. Service is pretty much go serve yourself.

Stepping into this place, you can just feel the good vibes of the last nearly hundred years. Dont be intimidated by its industrial location. Just inside the door is a kind bartender with a cold beer waiting to tell you the long, fantastical history of this little coffee pot that could. It is on the historic register now. Im not telling you too much, because I want you to go find out for yourself, but some keywords would be chimpanzees, secret tunnels, and ghosts. Try to find Ace Frehleys signature on the wall amongst all the graffiti! Do karaoke, its every night of the week!

Always a fun place to go and hang with friends. Nothing fancy just a relaxed atmosphere.

Plenty of room with in the bar back room or outside. Bartenders are nice and karaoke is always a great time

Really nice and positive place. Even if you suck at karaoke, you will still feel supported by your peers with cheers and beers!!

This is a great place to hide out, no one will ever look for you here and Sometimes its pretty amazing who you end up rubbing elbows with. If you look closely you can see some people your parents used to listen to. I met Deon Estus, bassist for George Michael and Wham,Tina Turner,and so many more when he was on break from Elton Johns last Las Vegas gig in 2016. A really very spiritual actually we had a real nice conversation about the metaphysical and so much more. A true creative genius, totally under appreciated. So sorry to hear of his passing on October 11 2021. Rip Deon.

Homey little Karaoke bar/Tavern. Everyone was kind and supportive and fun! The only down side is the aweful bathrooms for me. The oder is strong. Bathrooms are dirty, non working toilets (2 times weve been) & no bathroom soap or even a spot for it, just sanitizer. & if youre looking for food, I just wouldnt. Unless you want a hot pocket lol.

This place is the best! Fun times! Just bring a good attitude when you come here!

I love this place, I love Dave and Jr.I agree with a few other reviewers here, the smell of cleaning chemical is so freaking strong the last year that Ive had trouble breathing after being in there for a few hours.Ive asked about it, and either dismissed with I dont smell anything or we dont use chemicals in here. Not sure what the deal is with that. This place is fun and a great place to meet your tacoma natives.

I love dive bars and Bobs is a classic. Vintage everything. Cold, strong drinks all inside a giant coffee pot. Groovy! Thursdays and other days they do comedy and open mic and karaoke, too.

When you close your eyes and picture a dive bar you will have visions of Bobs Java Jive. The decor can only be described as a collection of oddities that have taken up residence. I attended the Open Mic comedy show they hold on Thursdays. It was a well organized show with wonderful comedians. The bar does not serve liquor only beers and wine.

Historic and epic, its the last bar standing with a Cabaret license in WA state. Its been the backdrop in several films, and has a hell of an interesting history. They do not serve hard alcohol here. They do have karaoke, bands and comedy. A last standing gem of an era long gone.

Its just a fun but chill experience . Good drink specials and service!

Probably the sleaziest bar in Tacoma. The Jive is legendary, but dont get your hopes up about the place. Beer and wine, plus karaoke most nights. Unpretentious, comfortable, and theres pinball.

Really cool place to get drinks. Lots of personality and atmosphere. Not the best location, but nice as an alternative to the other crammed places downtown.

Bartender seemed mentally unstable. We were a party of two who sat down ordered 1 beer a piece and he became aggravated and irritable because we interrupted his movie (Braveheart), we paid and left won’t be back. The place seems simple and retro but the bartender an older gentleman with gray long hair and beard wearing fatigues is doing a great job of driving away customers.

Cool atmosphere and karaoke fun, pool table available, I was informed Keanu reeves played on this table. Outdoor seating and PBR in the can!

What can I say about this national treasure that hasnt been said? Yes, its tacky. Yes, the pool table needed to be replaced thirty years ago. Yes, the food is greasy and they dont serve hard liquor. And yes, the wine is third rate. But what they do have is everything else:Service: excellent, if a little strange at times. J.R. the owners husband is a charmer. He will serve you relatively quickly, and he will take your food to your table with a smile and an odd joke that you may not understand.Entertainment: karaoke seven nights a week that goes from utterly epic to completely deserted, with no rhyme or reason. You can come on a Friday and only get two songs the whole night. Or you could come on a Monday and sing so many songs you have to stop cause your throat hurts.Ambience: how to describe it? Sort of like what a survivor of a plane crash might put together from random flotsam floating in from the sea. Strange black-light tiki figures, walls of band stickers, dirty graffiti, clever graffiti, odd drawings, a pool table in need of burning, tables - fairly sturdy, benches - torn to stuffingless, sit-down video games, a tiny stage with a giant tv (not working), dim lighting, strands of Christmas lights, fake plants, a defunct jukebox, and a smoking area worthy of the gods. Wooden bus stops to get out of the rain, cafeteria tables and plenty of chairs, a bench seat from a long-gone vehicle, and all the coffee can ashtrays you could need.The People: some of the coolest people in Tacoma go there, to drink, to watch wrestling, rock out some Karaoke or just jam out to the music. Every rock show (mostly on Saturdays) seems to bring in a different crowd, all wanting the chance to see bands they like at the weirdest-lookin place in Tacoma. If youre a smoker, half the local geniuses spend more time outside bullshitting and smokin weed than singing or drinking inside. As you might expect, Bobs has its share of local weirdos, but theyre the kind of weirdos that make you smile when you see em. Creepy or scary dudes know not to mess with Bobs Java Jive. Women are always comfortable there, and rarely do you leave thinking you wasted your time. Acquaintances become friends, friends become lovers, and shy people learn how to spread their wings and dance.So heres the deal. If youve gotten this far in this interview, youre probably thinking about going. So do it already. Cheap beer, cheap food, and all the Tacoma flavor you could ever want.Well see you there!

OK, I havent been here since about 1989, but it was my first bar experience as a young man and I LOVED it. It is a no frills, grab your beer and chill sort of place.

Needs More Space = More People and More Fun ! Came here with a friend in October and she knows how to be country singer on the karoke machine. Great Bartender and slow weekdays obviously but the weekends HELL YEAH ! Funny And rocking announcer for the karoke machine.

Great place for friends to have a karaoke night, very unique setting but fun.

The dive-iest dive and the awesomest place. Back room of pinball and karaoke? WHAT?? Do not dress up because you might get dirty, but isnt that what you want? The atmosphere is Excellent because it is EXACTLY what it wants to be.

One of Tacomas Gems. A must go see and enjoy have a beer meet the owner she is wonderful. Dive bar? No its got heart that beats to a different drum.

This is a really fun dive bar! Always a great time visiting and singing karaoke

Bob’s Java Jive is hands down my favorite Tacoma spot! From the brews, to the nightly karaoke, pool, and camaraderie, this place doesn’t disappoint. 🤙🏻

I have live in Tacoma for close to 50 years. The Jave Jive was here long before me. It is a Landmark and Local, State and National treasure. The pandemic has had its toll on the Tea Pot icon, but its still in business. Following safety protocols, please stop in and say hi.

If you are looking for a no-judgement bar with fun karaoke, comedy, and interpersonal adventures look no further. There is visual stimulation anywhere you look and captivating conversation elsewhere. Go, frolick, be free, and be kind to all others.

Funky , shabby chic, nostalgic. Attended comedy night FUN time!

Its the Java jive. Karaoke 🎤, drinks, music, drinks... all in a truly unique atmosphere. Nice folks and great staff.

I could feel the weighted energy of all of the Patrons of Bobs past squelching inside every crevasse. History is thick there and it gets inside you so though I have left, I know I shall forever feel the pull to return and no matter the path I take, all roads return to the gurgling bog of bodies that is Bobs Java Jive. Only then will I know I have returned to where I belong. I yearn for the day I shall fight to defend my place there. Go forth, lonely traveler, and revel in the true heart of all that is gritty and raw.

Dave, Jenna, Mike & everyone who works here is so nice and down to earth. Really really divey so its not going to be everyones cup of tea. Theres a great free comedy open mic every Thursday @ 8:30 if you need a reason to check it out!

Killer hole in the wall with fun karaoke ;-) chillin with Steven James from under sin !!;-)

Tacoma landmark!Love this place. The building is a giant coffee pot, great atmosphere, Karaoke and was featured in movie, I Love you to death, which was based on a true story!

The Java jive is Tacoma baby. That tea pot is a icon from years ago. Kings burgers was just down the street from Atlas foundry where I ate lunch. But many a night home from work at Atlas we all stopped in for a beer with Bob.Great bar, great theme.Loud and proud BobGood luck man.

Bobs has come along way! Dig the atmosphere and the people. Very in flux

Incredible staff with great personalities and service, cheap beer, and some astonishingly good karaoke guests!! very fun environment no lames all0wed

The world Famous place to take UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar when he is in town. Nice little grunge spot, a bit of coffee and a bit of whiskey. Yum yum eat em up.#ripstephan #stephanbonnar

Always a fun time at this historical landmark.Thanks Dave!

Adorable quirky little dive bar/kareoke spot. The cave is unbeatable. Cant wait to show this to some friends.

The Java Jive is a hidden gem that has been the spot to go to for so many over the years. Under new management the past year...it has improved drastically for the better!! But dont just take my word for it...go visit Bobs Java Jive and experience it for yourself!

Definitely a dive bar. Pretty decent karaoke talent mostly because they came with me.. only beer and ciders. No shots here!!

Best place in Tacoma if youre looking to get tipsy in a teapot.Dont let your dreams be dreams.- Sheila Boeuf- Michael Scott

The womens bathroom is disgusting, the whole building is cold. The bartender who took our orders was super rude when we were just asking super questions because we had never been here before.

The place is a wonderful vibe. The karaoke was so fun. Definitely going to be going back.

Bad experience tonight worst ever customer service

Boy oh boy Im still at java jive and its getting worse and worse the toilets dont flush and its freezing in here theyre actually fixing things at the bar I mean drilling and screwing things as I type I had to drop my rating to a 1 star

Great atmosphere, great kareoke, great foodThe wings are the best Ive had

Fun dive bar ....with solid food . Live mic night is great

This establishment discriminates against people with service animals. I will never spend another penny at this sad excuse of a business

Cant beat the Karaoke here! Good people and atmosphere.

Total dump of a dive bar but it has some sort of weird charm, too.

So much entertaining fun watching everyone sing and all the patrons singing along encouraging everyone!7

Great vibe. Its the perfect dive bar!

While I wish they had more of a selection, at least gin, I love the ambience at this bar and the karaoke singers were really entertaining.

Beautiful crowd.. best kaoroke in town.. nostalgic and historic.. this is Tacomas most famous historic dive bar!

Very limited drink selection; only beer and cider. They have a pool table if interested as well as live music.

A little pricey but fun for karaoke and pool.

Love this place so much! Ive watched some awesome bands here. So intimate and fun!

Amazing karaoke staff! Great place altogether. Not a lot of alcohol choices though.

Not a safe place for people with service animals & overall disappointment. Spend your money literally anywhere else in Tacoma

Awesome little dive. Small karaoke stage but sounds good. Great place to hang out.

Great atmosphere and Karaoke 7 nights a week!! And the building is in the shape of a TEA-POT!!!! How cool is that?

Karaoke was sub par. Beer was nice and cold. Location is industrial. Not bad but not great.

No better place to get your fill of karaoke in all of Tacoma. A must-see on the list of local attractions. Just look for the giant teacup!

Really cool, historic building in Tacoma with decent drinks, great food, and kareoke!!

Always good vibes, unusually-shaped front area, good people.

This place was pretty cool.The Halloween party + Karaoke was super fun.

The bartender was amazing the food is very delicious good atmosphere

Best dive bar in America. Its just that simple. (Would say best in world but theres a place in Svitz thats marginally better.)

Very neat place for a beer and karaoke, but dont leave without asking for a bit of info on its history!

Dingy dive but now the bathrooms are functional eeeekk !! Yay!

Gets kinda hot, otherwise excited to se what they do with the place

One of best places in Tacoma , karaoke and live music . Chill staff and patrons , and great history . Gotta see for yourself .

Its the atmosphere and staff that give this place 5 stars. A little piece of music/movie history in an unlikely place.

Definition of a dive bar. Great people and atmosphere. Unique decorations.

Wonderful little venue. Aesthetic af.

Great staff, good food, and really fun shows. Just a heads up, they only serve beer.

It was amazing. Something different everywhere you looked. Disappointed in myself for not going there before now and Ive lived here 40 + years

If you love funky dive bars then this is the place for you!

Great dive bar. We go on comedy nights and always have a good time.

Wonderful historic spot! Love it here :)

The only comedy open mic with a height limit. Come and laugh with us. Did I mention its free?

Such a Diamond in the Rough. Absolutely a hidden gem with lots of charm and character.

Whoop whoop! Fun and amazing. Its all I know and I had a great time! Hope to see you there

Fantastic atmosphere, wonderful staff. This place could really use your support having struggled through closure and mandates!

Its an OLD bar shaped like a coffee pot. All the booths are super small and everything is falling apart but that is the charm of bobs.

In Toyota Tacoma commercialOn Tacoma WayIn Tacoma Washington, clever marketing.

Best Karaoke Ive ever been too, and thats all I go to the bar for.

Cute tiki bar. Little community of regulars. Cute dog :)

I have yet to be served anything other than comedy from this venue, but so far I enjoy it.

How do I put this. It scratches a certain itch for a special kind of person. Unsure is a certain way to describe it.

They water down the alcohol stick to beer and they overcharge this is the most expensive bar in Tacoma

One of my new favorite beer and karaoke spots!

Its cozy and full of history Rockin karaoke, good food, good people! A must!

Mediocre service..but who cares..this place is AWESOME!!!.. So cool so much history... And this place is trying to make it happen... An absolute treat

Best place for karaoke in Tacoma. Love the the unrefined hole in the wall motif.

Local landmark with good beer. Hamburgers are very salty but the beer is cheap and flowing.

Good karaoke but dont expect more than cheap beer

New owners were much needed. Always a fun place to hang on the weekend.

Fun atmosphere, good karaoke selection!Friendly staff!

Great outdoor patio area, theyve really done a lot with it.

Not terrible if you like jives, beer, karaoke, comedy packed in a historic landmark