Central Tavern

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.

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!!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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