TACOMA, Wash. — When was the last time you visited a bar that felt like a discotheque, like you traveled in a time machine back to the '60s? Busy Body is a unique bar that is dedicated to music, especially the rock and roll rich history from T-Town. Without a doubt, this bar/ restaurant is a celebration of legendary American garage rock bands like The Sonics.
“Busy Body is the name of a Sonics song,” said Chris Jones. “Sonics are kind of the granddaddy of punk and garage rock.”
“Basically, something that would be straight out of the '60s,” said DJ Maxwell Edison. “The '60s was a cultural explosion, and it was such a massive creative burst from the youth.”
Every detail in this groovy space, from the menu to the décor, is inspired by music and the music industry that Tacoma had in the good old days.
“The red, the purple and the black are inspired by Etiquette Records, which was the label that was founded right here on six back in the early 1960s,” Jones said.
Busy Body exemplifies the vibe through the music they play. It's all vinyl. Usually, all 45. It's just that kind of place. It's authentic, and it comes from a place of honesty.
The DJ will entertain guests with old-school rock and roll, soul, R&B, and everything that falls under that umbrella.
“The Pacific Northwest's best rock and roll DJ for my money,” Jones said.
Located right across the street from Hi-Voltage Records on Tacoma’s 6th Avenue, it is a perfect spot for locals to hit a night of retro music and a different type of happy hour.
“We just wanted to be a fun, inviting place that anyone can come into and have a good time,” said Dave Flatman from Busy Body.
The idea behind their cocktail program was that everything needed to be a high-quality product, a slightly elevated cocktail list, but still really fun and accessible.
One of the regular's favorite drinks is “The Hustler,” a mezcal-based cocktail that hits all the points.
They also have a happy hour early in the day, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and again late at night, from 10 p.m. to midnight.
You can get a $5 San Miguel Pilsners, which is a really cool Filipino pilsner, or an “E Nine pilsner” with a shot of Fernet for $10.
They also got nonalcoholic beers, and some really good seltzer options.
“I love that that category has exploded so much that they can still feel included,” Flatman said.
Busy Body is a fun bar, but it's also a testament to the timelessness of Tacoma and Tacoma rock and roll.
Be groovy on your next happy hour.
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