Proof... A cocktail bar by night

Proof is a community-oriented, neighborhood cocktail bar in Old Town.

By day, this is Anthem coffee shop. When this coffee shop closes, a cocktail bar opens. Five nights a week, Proof — a new concept from one of Tacoma’s most respected bartenders — takes over Anthem Coffee in Tacoma’s Old Town off Ruston Way, transforming the cafe into a neighborhood haunt with excellent drinks and snackable food to match.

Owner Chris Keil and his team, including fellow en Rama vet, chef Meghan McLean, introduced the project in mid-February. The industrial space, simply adorned with dark-wood tables and Edison pendants, is surprisingly adept at its new evening persona.

Working in the confines of the modest cafe setup, McLean serves house focaccia to enjoy with pimento cheese and pickles, as prosciutto toast with whipped citrus and herb ricotta and lightly dressed arugula, or as the vehicle for a BLT and tuna melt. Truffle-salt popcorn, a generous vegan Caesar umami-ed with miso, new spring potatoes with “dilly-dally” sauce, and hand pies with pizza vibes or broccoli cheddar complete the drink-friendly menu.

We are dropping in for Happy Hour and will grab the tables to the right as you first walk in the door. They do not take reservations so the group size is limited on this first visit.

https://www.instagram.com/proof_tacoma/

Proof (Inside Anthem coffee) 2312 N 30th St, Tacoma, WA 98403