The Boom Boom Room Tacoma — Restaurant in Tacoma

Let me just say we tried a cocktail, the Marion berry one with coconut. It was really good. I want to lead with a positive and say that for drinks ALONE this place is nice if you want to pay for expensive cocktails and like a loud, faux speakeasy experience. But the rest, not a fan.

I'll start with atmosphere. It's very gimmicky. The sequins and lights, the "Sinatra Room", etc. Its like a cheap knock off of a speakeasy. The bathroom literally didn't have a regular door handle; just one of those slide doors with a nasty latch which basically eliminates the whole point of washing your hands (and you can see through the gap in the door). We got put in the Sinatra Room and it's basically an echo chamber of loud round tables. Big tables mostly with a couple of 2 person tables. Being a pair sucks in there.

Now the worst part: the food. I got the Sinatra Steak dinner, advertised as having a white wine pan sauce and mushrooms, fingerling potatoes, etc. It came in a plate-bowl with a runny sauce that was basically just sour lemon soup. I'm talking a bath. And the fingerling potatoes? Literally just cut and roasted with no culinary inspiration. They weren't tender or special in any way. Like out the bag straight to the oven. But God, the mushrooms. So many kinds and all WET and SLIMY in the nasty white wine sauce you can't escape from. The filet mignon was good, despite being drenched in a soup. It was cooked as I ordered. But for a $39 dish very underwhelming and in my opinion falsely advertised. That sauce was a soup. It should have been an addition to the dish, and reduced more. Not a sour lemon soup with no character that made everything slimy. Also, notice their description of the dish uses the phrase "hand-cut" for the steak and potatoes. It's like they knew it was lackluster and just needed extra adjectives to make it sound fancier. No crap, a filet is hand cut. And really, fingerling potato's were cut? Let me guess, with a knife? Bravo, you cut the potatoes, let's call them "unbagged" and "ground-grown" while we're at it.

My girlfriend's pasta was fine - nothing bad but nothing spectacular either.

Now to service. The waitress was nice - I told her I didn't like the mushrooms and she didn't offer anything to make me feel better about the situation (this would be something going above and beyond so not a deal breaker obviously). But the wait to get in was severely underestimated. They told us around 30 mins but it was actually closer to an hour or more. For a long time there was nobody even at the front door area. Understaffed on New Year's Eve? Yikes. To top it off this guy/server/waiter called me "buddy" on the way out. Yes, I know, it's being nitpicky and it's innocuous enough. But when you add everything up, the place seems tacky and unprofessional. Want to seem upscale? Be professional. Call me sir, nothing, or at the least "man" which is not condescending.

Bottom line: this place is very mediocre for food. Would recommend La Cá, Asado, DOA, and a lot of other places on 6th if you want either an upscale or actually culinarily-inspired dish. Will not return.

Sorry for roasting you guys but what are y'all thinking with that trash steak dish? Wasting my money on a nasty slimy soup. Whoever passed off on that needs to go to culinary school or be fired. Absolutely disgusting. Hate to think what Gordon Ramsay would say about your...

An Unforgettable Experience at The Boom Boom Room, Tacoma

From the moment I stepped into the Boom Boom Room in Tacoma, I knew I was in for a treat. Hidden away in the heart of this bustling city, the Boom Boom Room provides a remarkable escape into a world of refined tastes and understated elegance. It's an experience of time travel that takes you back to the Prohibition era, a speak-easy ambiance with a modern twist that is simply delightful.

One of the highlights of this unique establishment has to be the amazing cocktails. Each drink is carefully crafted by skilled mixologists, who understand the intricate balance of flavors and the art of presentation. The drinks menu is expansive, creative, and daring, with a delightful mix of classic staples and intriguing new concoctions. The cocktails not only taste divine but also look like pieces of art, almost too good to drink - but too delicious not to.

The old favorite, the Smoky Old Fashioned, is a must-try. The smoky undertones perfectly complement the sweetness of the bourbon, creating an unforgettable flavor. If you're feeling adventurous, the signature Boom Boom cocktail is an extraordinary treat. The mix of flavors is like nothing else, providing a sweet yet tangy sensation that sparks joy with every sip.

Another impressive aspect is the atmosphere, which can only be described as pleasantly immersive. The lighting is soft and warm, providing a comforting glow that enhances the overall ambiance. The comfortable seating, vintage decor, and a subtle background of jazz or blues music, all contribute to a sense of nostalgia, comfort, and refinement.

The staff further amplifies the pleasant ambiance, creating an atmosphere that is warm, friendly, and accommodating. They are knowledgeable and patient, ready to guide you through the extensive menu or surprise you with an off-menu suggestion if you're feeling adventurous. They truly make you feel welcomed and cherished, enhancing the overall dining experience.

In conclusion, the Boom Boom Room in Tacoma is more than just a bar. It's a hidden gem offering an extraordinary cocktail experience and a soothing ambiance that transports you to a bygone era. Whether you're a local or just passing through Tacoma, do yourself a favor and step into the Boom Boom Room. Your senses...

I’ve been to The Boom Boom Room in Tacoma many times and have always considered it one of my favorite hangouts. The ambiance and the usual bartenders are fantastic, and the cocktails—though on the pricier side—have typically been worth it. Unfortunately, my most recent visit on Friday night was disappointing and felt completely out of character for the place.

I ordered my usual, an Aviation—a classic, floral cocktail with crème de violette that gives it a signature purple hue and taste. Instead, I was served a drink that was green, vaguely sparkly, and tasted like vermouth and pickle juice. My friends and I later realized it was likely a holiday drink (the “Grinch”) instead of what I had ordered. Mistakes happen, so I wasn’t upset—I just let the waitress know.

What followed, however, was baffling. A bartender I didn’t recognize (perhaps new?) came over and confronted me as if I’d done something wrong. Rather than apologizing or offering to remake the drink, he insisted that what he had made was an Aviation. He even pretended to sip the drink and listed the ingredients to “prove” it was correct. The drink in question was clearly not an Aviation—it lacked both the color and flavor that define the cocktail.

The interaction felt unnecessarily combative, and at no point was the focus on making things right. I wasn’t looking for a free drink or a confrontation; I simply didn’t get what I ordered. It was an uncomfortable experience, made worse by how dismissive and defensive the bartender was.

This wasn’t the only issue of the night—other drinks at our table also missed the mark, like a Manhattan without its usual garnishes and a completely incorrect whiskey order for my friend. These kinds of details matter, especially when you’re paying more for craft cocktails.

While I’ve had many positive experiences here in the past, this visit left me questioning whether I’d return. The joy of going to a cocktail bar like The Boom Boom Room is enjoying expertly crafted drinks in a welcoming atmosphere, but that’s not what we got this time. I hope this was just an off night and not a sign of larger issues with...