Welcome to Draft Culture. Last week we explored the variety of the family-friendly restaurant bar, Lovejoy’s. This week, I ventured into the basement of our very own Student Union. Starting up officially in March of 2023, Pokes Pub was part of the remodeling initiative that transformed “The Gardens” into the bustling game room, programming space, and Skylight Lounge that the students of UW now enjoy. The pub is new but has become an integral part of any event hosted in the Union. So join me as I grab a beer, peruse the game rooms, and chat with the many faculty, staff, students, and community patrons in the lounging area.
Pokes Pub is basically a brand new bar, and you can feel it as soon as you sit down. From the pristinely clean equipment to the incredibly limited selection, it is the epitome of a university pub. The first notable downside of Pokes Pub is the distinct lack of selection for drinks. Featuring only a select few beers and a small list of mocktails, the prices on most of these drinks sit at around $5-7, which isn’t bad for what you can get. The service was incredibly friendly and welcoming right off the bat with the bartenders being primarily students, adding a layer of community. The beer selection, though small, was surprisingly good, with local options to match the campus feel. Decked out with all brown and gold branding and an open concept for the bar top, Pokes Pub is the most casual bar I have been to thus far.
The game rooms feature a wide variety of computers for e-sports and gaming while the pool tables, foosball, table tennis, and air hockey offer variety. The equipment and games are all free to play and students are always down there. I can’t name a time where I haven’t seen at least a few people knocking some pool or hanging out at the wide variety of seating near the pub. From Union After Dark events, to social outings, and study sessions, Pokes Pub is a favorite spot for meetings and gatherings for those individuals who want to grab a quick drink and blow off some steam, or work out some meeting details in a casual place.
The bar offered a limited selection of snacks for $2 each and even Pokes Pub shirts. The experience, while exceptionally casual, was a good one. I enjoyed the country music vibe in the background accompanying popular movies and tv shows on the few screens spread about. Pokes Pub is not a place you go to get drunk, nor a place that is meant for going out, but it is a good place to stop by with some classmates or faculty and hang around for an hour or two while you get work done. As always, I encourage all of you once again to drink safely, have fun, and stay classy.
