Engine House 9

Given its location and atmosphere, you'd think Engine House 9 would be a fun local dive to grab a drink. It has potential, but the service kills it. Yes, the building is a cool old firehouse, but other than that you'd be better served grabbing a beer elsewhere. The waitstaff is incredibly slow even when its not very crowded inside. Our waitress appeared to be incredibly annoyed with our group although we did nothing to warrant it from her. Maybe she was just having a bad night or something, but I wish she wouldn't have taken it out on us. I've only visited once but I'm not sure if I would test it a second time. more

I have a group of friends that go almost every Thursday for Karaoke. It's always busy and loud and crowded, but it's fun. There is never a cover and the bartenders are pretty generous. The service isn't always great, we are regulars and the last time we went we got forgotten and neglected, but it's a really crowded tiny hometown bar, what do you really expect? There are only a couple of servers, but they are nice. The food is good, but not great. I really like their quesadillas and their fish and chips is good too. Beer battered and deep fried, really greasy, but delicious. Pros: No cover, generous bartenders, good food, karaoke on sat and thurs. Cons: Service is slow due to crowds and lack of servers. more

I wanted Salmon, but the waiter told us it wasn't fresh, there was another dish I wanted, I believe a chicken dish, but was told it wasn't fresh either; glad I was told before I ordered! The food is not all that great, but the old-fashioned antique decor interested me. This place is okay for a one-time visit! more

My sister in law loves this place, but I have never had worse service. The last time we went (and the last time we will EVER go), we sat at our table for 15 minutes and no one even came by to ask if we wanted something to drink or wanted to look at menus. I could understand if they were shortstaffed or had a lot of customers, but the place was almost empty and the 4 servers were busy flirting with each other and never came by. One server did say something to us, but it was merely a rude ""excuse me"" as she moved my niece's high chair out of the way to get by. When we walked out, I said something to a couple servers that were just standing around about how long we were there and ignored, and their indifference to our lack of service said it all. Pros: They are never busy due to the bad service and reputation Cons: This area is too small to even begin listing all the cons... more

Free beer if you're smart. I like it. more

Free beer if you're smart. I like it. more

Since I am a local I have be to E9 on several different occasions. Some of those being my 21st b-day, my Bachlorette party, and group gatherings. All, in which I have been tremendously unhappy with the service from everyone! On my B-day the bartender refused my ID, which was completely legal, with my mother present and I had a copy of my birth certificate with me becuase I had just gone into Canada the week before. They were incredibly rude to all of us. Other times it has taken my husband over 30 minutes to recieve the check to close our tab. And, finally, I showed up for someones birthday my husband and I shared a pitcher, paid our bill, and left. On monday I noticed on my bank statement that E9 had charged our debit card for something that wasn't ours. After much trouble with E9, they are still refusing to refund me the illegal charge. Apparently, someone who had stopped by at the birthday party did not pay there bill and E9 decided to put in on our debit card. Overall, bad waitresses, bartenders, management, and service. The place is small and crowded. I recommend going to E9 for dinner before 7:00pm and nothing more! Pros: Good Food Cons: Bad Parking, Too small for groups, horrible service, and rude management more

I regret going there on my 21st, a good friend of mine asked the bartender if the birthday girls gets a free drink and she told us to pay for one or get out. I realize it's ilegal for bars to give away drinks, but doesn't mean we had to find out that way. What a cold hearted ( fill in blank ) . Pros: The outside looks fun. Cons: The inside was cramp and service was pitiful. more

Before there was the smoking ban, we used to drive down to Tacoma from Seattle to go to this place. The beer is excellent. The food is fine. And the service is terrific. We'll still go there, even after the smoking ban. Pros: Beer, Service, Atmosphere more

Once you walk through the pleasant outside sitting area into the Engine House No. 9 you are immediately struck the wonderful atmosphere of a once authentic fire house. There is no shortage of warm and friendly service here. The food was excellent, the beers on tap that are brewed next door are fantastic. I would recommend that anyone stop by and have an experience that you'll want to come back to over and over again. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service more

Waitress was just plain rude to us. Food is overpriced, service is terrible. The place is very small, so if there is a crowd at all, you can't find a seat or even walk through. Cons: , expensive, crowded more