Owner Tara watches over the bar and her “family”The Watering Hole:

Old 5th Avenue Tavern, 8507 5th Ave. NE. MAPLE LEAFThe Atmosphere: Anyone wandering the alleys of Maple Leaf in search of a good neighborhood bar may be up for a challenge amidst the sleepy streets of nearby Sandpoint and the busy congestion of Northgate Mall. Easily mistaken as an old warehouse, the neon glow from both the Pabst and Rainier signs reassure any passerby that this is a spot worth pulling up to if you’re looking for classic cheap beer. Inside, a long bar cascades into the tavern’s darker corners where a jukebox plays tunes from Old 97’s. Anyone with a steady hand in pool can try out their luck in the adjoining room beneath the painted figures of Sasquatch, cougars, grizzly bears, and mermaids. The Barkeep: Tacoma native Tara Burkett, the keeper of both the bar and its jukebox collection for fifteen years. Upon first impression, she appears shy and cautious, but that’s typically the reaction when picking out newcomers. Burkett keeps track of her local drinkers, referring to them as the family that “takes care of each other” and fresh faces undergo a few backward glances and hesitant pours. Upon acceptance, Burkett’s smile and mother-bear ‘tending keeps the PBR pitchers rolling and the men swooning over a good story. The Drink: A simple kamikaze shot that Burkett says she use to drink on camping excursions back in the day. Consisting of Stoli vodka (what Burkett refers to as “the good stuff”), muddled lime, triple sec, and lime juice, the drink is served without garnish or a flimsy straw. Filled to the brim in a rocks glass, the drink’s purpose is to be a sipper rather than a quick throwback. Allow Rainier to light the wayThe Verdict: The sweet cocktail goes down smoothly; a tasty palette cleanser prior to what could become a pile-up of $1.50 PBR that is available during the late night happy hour. Anyone looking for a snack in between sips will have quite the selection to choose from depending on the evening. Mondays bring Crock-Pot surprises, while Tuesday’s hot special is two tacos for a buck, sloppy joes on Thursdays, and occasionally a barbeque cookout on Fridays.