Spencer T.

The Double Barrel is a saloon with great drink specials and good food. Spacious and full of games, it's got a fun, high-energy vibe that makes it a good place for the peak of a big night. Come here for the "Six Shooter" special, which features a draft of Rainier and a generous ration (easily more than a mere shot) of good whiskey, which rotates each day from a list of seven. Sometimes bourbon, sometimes rye, always a step or two above well. It only costs $5. A shot and a brew isn't fancy, especially when both are fairly basic specimens, but it's a great deal on a tried-and-true product. Props to the Double Barrel for making it Rainier, too, and not PBR or Hamm's or something like that. It's just better that way. In case you're not into fizzy, simple, macro-lagers, they've also got a decent list of microbrews. While they've also got a list of cocktails and some don't look bad, I'd probably go elsewhere for them, and focus on beer and neat whiskey. The food is good. Most recently, I had the "Dixie Burger," which features homemade "chow-chow" (a vegetable relish that's a bit sweet, a bit mustardy, and a bit sour) and cream cheese, and that's it. No superfluous condiments, so you can actually taste the three parts of this sandwich. Also, I was impressed with how juicy the burger was, especially considering that I didn't specifically ask for it to be medium. I also recall the wings being pretty solid, though I haven't had recently enough to review them. If you're the kind of person who likes to play games with your friends when you go out, the Double Barrel has you covered. They've got several pinball machines, shuffleboard, and Big Buck Hunter, among others. Whether you play these in earnest or with tongue in cheek is up to you--I saw examples of both there, coexisting peacefully. The Double Barrel has a Texas cowboy sensibility that's a little ridiculous, but not so over-the-top to make it unpleasant. While the wooden barrels, old beer signs, and long bar are OK, the taxidermy and faux wagon-wheels are a little much. But it doesn't seem to seek to trick patrons into thinking that it's an old Western bar as much as it seeks to pay homage to one. And that's OK. While there may not be enough patina to its cluttered decorations to justify all them, it doesn't feel at all sterile or out of place as a bar. Overall, there isn't that much to say about the Double Barrel. It's got drinks that are simple, cheap, and good, and the food is a cut above your average dive's food. Come here if you're feeling like an overload of food, booze, decorations, music, and other external stimuli. You'll find all of the above, served with abundant good cheer.