The Secret Mountain Café in Tacoma, WA With Jazz, Celebrity Fans & Named After Pet Monkeys

Bob’s Java Jive, Tacoma WA

Way back in 1927, a Tacoma veterinarian named Otis G. Button built this 25-foot-tall as the Coffee Pot Restaurant.

Since then, it’s dodged wrecking balls, highway construction, and even a fire to become the punk rock dive bar it is today.

Here’s the story of a Tacoma icon, which is absolutely worth a detour if you find yourself cruising through the area.

Secret Tunnels Run Under The Coffee Pot Bar

There’s a whole secret world beneath this quirky building. During Prohibition, people could enjoy illegal bathtub gin with their coffee thanks to underground tunnels used by bootleggers. Those passages still exist under the building today, though now they’re covered by concrete and a beer garden.

Stories say the building wasn’t just about drinks. It reportedly doubled as a brothel, with one of today’s bathrooms taking the place of what used to be a room for paid companionship.

From Breakfast Spot To Tiki Bar To Music Club

In 1955, Bob and Lylabell Radonich purchased the building and renamed it “Bob’s Java Jive.” The name was inspired by a popular 1940s song by the Ink Spots. Bob transformed the place into a tiki-themed jazz club with leopard-print wallpaper, fake tropical plants, and Polynesian décor.

It’s been a diner, drive-in, speakeasy, and go-go bar since then. The current owners have added yet another chapter by bringing monthly jazz nights into the mix since 2023, creating a nice balance with the punk and rock shows it’s known for.

How The Interstate Nearly Killed Java Jive

The Java Jive’s popularity took a hit in 1969 because of road construction. Interstate 5 was built directly above the coffee pot’s ‘spout,’ which meant fewer people driving past on the old South Tacoma Way. Despite losing all that drive-by traffic, the place survived by building a loyal group of regulars.

The Coffee Pot That Keeps Surviving Disaster

This tough little landmark has faced extinction multiple times. It survived a fire in 1998, got shut down for safety violations in 2007, and nearly went bankrupt during the pandemic. When things looked desperate in 2021, a social media plea brought in $10,000 in just 24 hours from supporters everywhere.

Being on the National Register of Historic Places helps, but the owners point out that this status doesn’t guarantee protection from developers. It’s their dedication that keeps the wrecking ball away from this piece of history.

The Ceiling Nobody Is Allowed To Paint Over

Next time you visit, don’t forget to look up. The ceiling hasn’t been touched since 1968 and it’s covered with signatures from people who’ve visited from all over the world.

When someone suggested a new paint job in 1972, customers acted like the building was about to be knocked down. You’ll also spot dollar bills stuck to parts of the ceiling, a tradition that goes way back.

When Real Monkeys Named Java And Jive Lived At The Bar

Java and Jive weren’t just cute names on the sign. They were actual monkeys living inside the bar during its tropical tiki days. This mother-daughter pair of macaques had their home in the establishment back when keeping wild animals in bars seemed perfectly normal.

The simian duo lived in a special area with plexiglass walls. The bar’s tropical theme went even further. They once planted live trees inside the building, hoping for a greenhouse effect with a clear ceiling.

That plan didn’t work out, but the dead trees stayed in their pots for ten years afterward.

The Baby Who Grew Up In A Bar Kitchen

Growing up in a bar might seem unusual, but for Rich Staatz, Bob’s grandson who managed the Jive until recently, it was normal life. When he was just a baby, his bassinet sat right in the kitchen next to the dishes while his mom worked as a go-go dancer.

That Time Bob Kicked Kurt Cobain Off Stage

Kurt Cobain performed at Java Jive before hitting it big, but things didn’t go well. The story goes that owner Bob Radonich kicked him off stage and told him he had no future in music.

That prediction aged poorly, to say the least. Interestingly, despite this rough start, Cobain and his Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic became regulars at the place.

Some people say Nirvana wanted to celebrate their ‘Nevermind’ album release at the Jive, which would have cemented its place in music history.

More Famous People Who Hung Out at Java Jive

Early visitors included singer Bing Crosby and movie stars Harold Lloyd and Clara Bow. Before she was famous, Grammy-nominated musician Neko Case worked behind the bar mixing drinks and cooking food.

Local stories claim D.B. Cooper stopped by before his infamous plane hijacking, and some say Elvis Presley made an appearance too.

In more recent years, rock band Weezer reportedly held an after-party at the Jive, while local band Girl Trouble has members who were once banned from the place.

Famous Movies Filmed At The Coffee Pot

You’ve probably seen this place in movies without even realizing it. The distinctive coffee pot has appeared in several films including ‘I Love You To Death’ (1990) and Cameron Crowe’s ‘Say Anything’ (1989).

It also showed up in ‘Three Fugitives’ and ’10 Things I Hate About You.’ When you play pool there, you’re using the same table that appeared in ‘I Love You to Death.’

The New Owners Had to Prove Themselves Worthy

Brothers Richard and Derek Walden took over the Java Jive in February 2021, becoming the newest custodians of this historic spot.

Before buying it, Richard visited ‘five days a week’ and had to prove himself worthy to previous owner Danette Staatz, who wanted to make sure he would honor her family’s legacy.

They’ve found ways to update while respecting tradition. In 2024, they partnered with Tacoma’s Sig Brewing Company to create their signature ‘Bob’s Light Lager,’ giving patrons a taste that’s unique to the coffee pot.

Visiting Bob’s Java Jive

You’ll find the Java Jive at 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409.

It’s open daily from 8pm until 2am, with karaoke happening seven nights a week starting at 9pm. If you work in the food or beverage industry, stop by on Monday for special industry night discounts.

The bar now offers a full selection of drinks including cocktails and local beers. Don’t miss their signature Bob’s Light Lager, created especially for the Jive. There’s food too, plus monthly jazz nights on the last Sunday of each month.