River Rat Tavern

Happy Turkey Day!

2008-11-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

All of us at the Rat Tap wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with family and great food! We will be taking the day off, but we will be open again on Friday, so come in, relax, and enjoy a few of the new beers that we currently have on tap:

Widmer Brrr!

This is a great seasonal from Widmer with a light hoppiness that will please those who are on the fence about traditional IPAs. It goes great with everything on the menu!

Pyramid SnowCap Ale

We'll be tapping this rich winter ale soon, so stop by often!

See you soon - The Rat Crew

Battle of the Superpowers

2008-11-06T17:38:00.000-08:00

Watch it live at the Rat this Saturday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m!

2nd Annual Halloween Bash at the Rat

2008-10-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Creep on in this Friday night, the 31st, for the Rat Tap's 2nd Annual Halloween Bash!!

We'll have treats for you and live music by The Lost Creek Boys starting at 8:00!

Costume judging and prize hand-outs will take place at 10:30 p.m., so come in looking your freakiest!

Don't miss out! ~ The Rat Crew

Open Mic on Fridays

2008-10-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

Join us on Friday evenings, starting at 6 p.m., for open mic nights! Whether you're an actor, poet, comedian or musician, share your talent in a fun, low-key atmosphere. We'll even throw in something to drink or snack on for those adventurous souls who step up to the mic!

We'll see you soon! ~The Rat Crew

Live Music This Saturday!!

2008-09-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, enjoy the beachgrass sounds of Floating Glass Balls starting at 7:30 p.m. Come in early for dinner and a seat!

Happy Hour

2008-09-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

Our bartender extraordinaire, Alex, has some great happy hour specials for you, so stop by between 3 and 6 p.m. every day and see what we have going on!

All draft beers are .50 off!

Get a tasty snack and beer of our choice for 2 for cheap!

Grab some friends and get a "bucket of beer" for $7.50! (Micros are a little extra, ask what our current price is)

The times may be tight, but these prices are easy on your wallet. Visit us soon!

~The Rat Crew

Baby, It's Hot Outside...

2008-06-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

Finally, summer has decided to show up! When the weather is good, the deck is open! Join us for a cold one.

~ The Rat Crew

Lost Creek is back

2008-06-12T23:23:00.001-07:00

The Lost Creek Boys will be back to entertain us with their classic rock covers this Saturday at 8. Get in early to get dinner and a good spot to listen!

We're pulling tomatoes

2008-06-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

Amidst the FDA investigations into the salmonella outbreaks associated with roma, plum and red round tomatoes, a lot of restaurants have been pulling tomatoes off of their menus. While we have not heard of any adverse consequences from the consumption of tomatoes in the local area (thankfully), we are erring on the side of caution and pulling tomatoes from our menu until the FDA gives the all-clear or we are able to purchase tomatoes from those geographic areas that are deemed non-hazardous.

We appreciate your patience at this time, and we value your continued patronage.

Many thanks ~ the Rat Crew

Happy Birthday to us!

2008-06-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

This Friday, the Rat Tap will be one year old (again)! To celebrate, all of our draft beers will be just ONE dollar from 3-7 p.m.! Stop by and party with us!

~ The Rat Crew

Memorial Weekend Music

2008-05-20T22:01:00.000-07:00

All of us at the Rat Tap would like to remember all of the American men and women who have died in military service to our country and honor those who are currently making sure we still live in the land of the free.

Celebrate the holiday weekend with us and join the Lost Creek Boys for some rock, some blues, and some kick-ass guitar playin' starting around 7 p.m. this Saturday. Arrive early to get a good seat and a cold beer!

Happy Mom's Day!

2008-05-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, we're celebrating Moms with a dinner of Italian manicotti, caesar salad, and fresh baked French bread! Bring Mom in for a fabulous view and a great meal, and let us help you make Mother's Day special.

~ the Crew

2008-04-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Join us this weekend for The Floating Glass Balls!

They'll be playing their unique "beachgrass" this Saturday, April 5th at 7 p.m.

Come early and try Cindy's "sticky" bbq chicken, fantastic homemade baked beans, and apple cider coleslaw dinner before the show!

See you there ~ The Rat Crew

Fishing season hours

2008-03-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

We want to be available for all of you who will be out on the river and in need of a cold beer or a hot dinner afterward!

Join us this next week during these hours:

Monday (3/24) - 4 p.m. - ???
Tuesday (3/25) - 11:30 am - ???
Wednesday (3/26) - 11:30 am - ???
Thursday (3/27) - 11:30 - ???
Friday (3/28) - 11:30 - ???
Saturday (3/29) - 11:30 - ???
Sunday (3/30) - 11:30 - ???

We hope to see you soon! ~ The Rat Crew

Live Music This Weekend!

2008-03-12T08:26:00.001-07:00

We are excited to have the Wahkiakum Acoustic Guitar Society join us this Saturday, 3/15, from 7 to 9 p.m. The group is composed of local musicians with a wide range of experience and style. They are a hugely talented bunch and you shouldn't miss this event! If you would like to know more about them, check out http://guitarsociety.wahkiakum.info

Come a little bit early and enjoy one of our new salads or a classic burger - we'll see you this weekend!

~The Rat Tap Crew

Men of Honor

2008-02-29T08:59:00.000-08:00

This Saturday at 8 p.m. we are happy to host our local extras from the movie "Men of Honor," part of which was filmed right here at the Rat Tap Tavern! Join Tim and Tom to talk about their .2 seconds of fame and all of the behind-the-scenes excitement! They might even let you wear their standard-issue sailor caps.

Join us for great food and great conversation ~ The Rat Crew

Karaoke tonight!

2008-02-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

The River Rat Tap crew is happy to have DJ Joe manning the mic tonight for karaoke from 7-10 p.m. Join us and show us what you're made of!

~The Rat Crew

Join Us This Weekend!

2008-02-19T23:05:00.001-08:00

We have a great weekend lineup at the Rat Tap!

On Friday, enjoy the classic rock and blues of the Lost Creek Ramblers from 7 to 9 p.m. They put on a great show last time, so don't miss them this weekend!

On Saturday, DJ Joe hosts karaoke starting at 7 p.m., so come sing your favorites and show us what you're made of!

We hope you join us! ~Jen, Alex and Cindy

Valentine's Day is Almost Here

2008-02-12T23:21:00.000-08:00

Join us this Thursday, February 14, 2008 for a Rustic Italian Spaghetti Dinner, including:

Artichoke Spinach Dip with Housemade White Corn Chips
Mixed Greens, Red Onion and Tomato Salad
Spaghetti Pasta with Garlic Basil Marinara and Greyfields beef Meatballs
French Garlic Baguettes
Choice of Dessert
Glass of Wine or Pint of Beer

Let us help you make your Valentine's Day special!

Couples - $39.99 Single courses - $19.99

Reservations suggested, but not required - call us at 795.0099

Updates

2008-01-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and are still feeling the glow of being around family and friends. We have been busy cooking up some new things for 2008 and we're excited to share them with you:

New Beer

San Francisco's famous Anchor Steam®, the classic of American brewing tradition since 1896, is virtually handmade, with an exceptional respect for the ancient art of brewing. The deep amber color, thick creamy head, and rich flavor all testify to their time-tested brewing method, using an all-malt mash in their handmade copper brewhouse. It's a refreshing light beer that will please even those sticklers for domestics.

Certified Organic Amber Ale is a medium-bodied beer with an appealing deep amber hue. The organic pale, Munich, and crystal malts create a gentle sweet character that is difficult to resist. From organic Hallertauer hops come a zesty flavor and aroma that beautifully balance Organic Amber’s malt character.

New Food

Join us for lunch or dinner and try our Chicken Parmesan with breaded chicken, marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese or our Jambalaya with red and green bell peppers and a tender chicken skewer.

If you're in the mood for something lighter, order the chicken skewer appetizer with cranberry-barbecue or teriyaki glaze, or a basket of our hot and crispy Black & Tan onion rings. They're our new favorites!

We look forward to your company, and we hope to see you soon! ~ Jennifer, Alex and Cindy

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

The Rat Tap Crew wishes our current and future patrons a very happy holiday season and a prosperous new year! Stay safe and enjoy the company of your family and friends.

The Rat Tap Tavern will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. We hope to see you soon!

Now Serving Lunch

2007-11-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

We are starting new hours for the winter, and we're now open for lunch!

The new hours:

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 11:30 am-8 pm
Wednesday - 11:30 am-8 pm
Thursday - 11:30 am-8pm
Friday - 11:30 am-8 pm
Saturday - 2 pm-10 pm
Sunday - Closed

Join us for a burger and a pop, or a hot bowl of gumbo and french roll!

--The Rat Crew

Thanksgiving Limited Hours

2007-11-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

We'll be open at 8:30 p.m. for the Gonzaga game on ESPU - join us after your Thanksgiving feast!

Have a wonderful Turkey day and don't forget to join us for lunch starting Tuesday, November 27th!

--The Rat Crew

Research

2007-11-17T00:30:00.000-08:00

The Rat Crew is taking off Saturday, November 17th, to tour the Widmer brewery in Portland! We'll be closed, but we'll still be working on bringing the best Northwest beer back to Cathlamet. Stop by so we can tell you all about it!

--The Rat Crew

New This Week

2007-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

The Beer

We are really excited to have a new beer on tap...we just added the Vortex IPA from Fort George brewery in Astoria! This IPA is made with generous additions of Cascade, Simcoe and Palisade hops throughout the brewing, fermentation and conditioning phases, balanced with heaps of organic pale malt. The result is a strong, hoppy, yet still balanced beer with no super-bitter aftertaste. It is currently our favorite, and we bet it will become one of your favorites too!

The Food

In a couple weeks, we will start making our burgers with grass-fed beef from Greyfields Farm, right here on Puget Island! Their animal products are produced “naturally" which means they use no feed medicated with antibiotics or hormones to promote unnatural growth rates. We're lucky to have such quality food right here in our community and we're proud to have it on our menu.

Stop by and see us soon! --The Rat Crew

Greg Parke this weekend

2007-11-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

Greg Parke is back! Greg will be playing this Saturday around 8 p.m. so come enjoy what is always a great show and of course, one of our great beers. Greg plays a lot of classic rock and hopefully he'll play a few of the original songs that he has been working on.

On a food note, we now have fresh, organic produce from the Stockhouse Farm on Puget Island! We'll be trying some new recipes and incorporating the fresh ingredients into our existing menu, so don't miss out! Also, we'll occasionally have delicious, grass-fed beef from the Greyfields farm, also on Puget Island. You can check them out yourself at www.greyfields.net. If you haven't tried their beef, you don't know what you're missing...it is fantastic. We are so excited to have such quality food right here in our County and we can't wait to share it with you!

Stop by soon! The Rat Crew

2007-10-29T15:16:00.000-07:00

Introducing our newest seasonal...Rogue Brewery's Santa's Private Reserve in a 12 ounce bottle. Rogue’s annual holiday offering is a variation of the classic Saint Rogue Red, but with double the hops--including Chinook, and Centennial, and a mystery hop called Rudolph by head brewer John "more hops" Maier! For you hop-heads, this holiday elixir is brewed with two-row Harrington, Klages and Munich malts, along with Hugh Baird 30-37, Carastan 13-17, and Crystal 70-80 malts, plus free range coastal water and John’s proprietary top-fermenting Pacman yeast.

We have a very small supply and it will go fast, so come on by and grab a burger, pulled pork sandwich or our lobster bisque with a bottle of Santa's Private Reserve!

Hallo-weekend

2007-10-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend we'll be partying...

This Friday is Freaky Friday at the Rat - we'll have prizes for great costumes, drink and food specials, and music by DJ Joe. We'll be dressed up, too - come join us!

The Wahkiakum County Democrats are taking over the tavern on Saturday - they welcome anyone who wants to hang out with them and talk politics or whatever else you feel like.

...eating good food...

We're featuring a smoked salmon salad with shallots and cucumbers from the Two Islands Farm Market, Gala apple slices, crumbled bacon and locally caught and smoked salmon. We also have a lobster bisque with french bread that is really yummy and is perfect for warming you up as the days get colder.

...and enjoying great beer!

Right now, we have a limited supply of Widmer's Oktoberfest, and Red Hook ESB. Soon, our rotating taps will feature Widmer Snowplow and Rogue Shakespeare Stout. Try out these awesome beers before they're gone!

See you soon! --The Rat Crew

Live Music This Friday!

2007-10-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

We are happy to have the Floating Glass Balls play at the Rat this Friday at 8 p.m.! This band plays an upbeat mix of folk, traditional and bluegrass music that they've made their own - it's been labeled "beachgrass."

"We're into the second set. Spud, the intense fellow with the bandana and mandolin, has been taken suddenly barefoot and Gary's fiddle is having its way with him again. Joel and his six-string are kicking up serious dust, Dan's watching a melody sliding around on his dobro, and Bill's hugging his bass, eyes closed, nodding his head and smiling that smile. People are whooping and hollering and stomping their feet. You'd have to have been there. Next time, maybe you should be."

— Michael Burgess

Check out their website at www.floatingglassballs.com and enjoy their music at the Rat Tap Tavern this Friday!

--the Rat Crew

Shuffleboard and Soup!

2007-09-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

We just installed a shuffleboard table and all it needs is someone to play on it! We're having a SHUFFLEBOARD TOURNAMENT this Saturday starting at 8 p.m. with a $50 GRAND PRIZE for the winner - it's just $5 to enter and show off your shuffle skills.

While you're with us, try our special this week - Yukon Potato & Cheddar Soup with crispy French Bread. It's getting colder out, and this is the perfect way to warm up.

We hope to see you soon!

--The Rat Crew

Fall News

2007-09-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

School has started, the tourists are fewer, and we're heading into the fall season here in Cathlamet. Here at the Rat, we have changed to fall hours and we have some new items on the menu. We now have gumbo, shrimp po'boys and pulled pork sandwiches to complement our traditional burgers and fish n' chips. Come on in and let us know what you think.

As for the beer, we will soon be adding Dick Danger Ale to our extensive line-up. Dick's brewery is located in Centralia, Washington and we are excited to be able to offer another good, local beer.

We hope to see you soon!

-- The Rat Crew

New This Week

2007-08-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

We're constantly striving to improve our menu here at the Rat, and we've come up with a few items we think you'll love:

--Hush Puppies - Hush Puppies are cornmeal fry bread, and ours have onion and parsley in them. They are a delicious side to any of our burgers and also super tasty on their own and dipped in your favorite sauce. Try them in our Rat platter, too, which also includes our large seasoned chicken strips and new beer-battered onion rings.

--Beer Battered Onion Rings - We finally have onion rings, and these are sweet and crispy! Try them alone or on our BBQ burger.

--Cajun Burger - Our newest burger is inspired by the owner's family home, New Orleans - this juicy Chuck burger is seasoned with Cajun spices and covered with Provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and Creole mustard. It is served on Ciabatta bread, and it is great, if we do so say ourselves!

Come in and visit us soon!

--The Rat Crew

Construction Hours

2007-08-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

Broadway Street is undergoing a major facelift for the rest of the summer! The mess requires us to temporarily change our hours of operation - for the next few weeks this is it:

Monday - Closed
Tuesday - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday - Noon to midnight
Saturday - Noon to midnight
Sunday - Noon to 8 p.m.

Thanks for your patience during the construction...we think the new road will be worth it.

--The Rat Crew

Live Music this Saturday

2007-08-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

Greg Parke is playing at the Rat this Saturday starting at 8 p.m.! Hailing from Skamokawa, Greg plays his original songs as well as rock classics on acoustic and electric guitar. He's an excellent entertainer and we're excited that he is available this weekend! Check out his website at http://www.gregparke.com/home.html.

On a sad note, the Rat crew lost a dearly loved friend and father on Saturday, August 4. The Rat Tap will be closed this Friday, August 10 in honor of Michael Johnson, M.D. We appreciate your patience during this difficult time, and we look forward to seeing you another day.

--The Rat Crew

We're Opening for Lunch

2007-07-30T08:11:00.000-07:00

Starting Wednesday, August 1st, the Rat will open at noon for lunch! We will have our regular menu, which features our 1/2 pound Rat Burger, 1/3 pound Salsa and BBQ burgers as well as a Crispy Chicken Burger and Tropical Chicken Salad. We will also have a Soup of the Day.

What Else Is New?

We are also starting Taco Tuesday and Fish Fry-day this week, so come have a Beef or Fish Taco or Fish and Chips - it will be a beautiful week to enjoy the deck!

We are introducing a new beer to our selection - Blue Moon Belgian White Ale. It's an unfiltered wheat ale with a hint of citrus. Enjoy it with an orange or lemon slice.

Play pool for free on Sunday! Tuesday through Saturday you can play pool for $3.00 per hour, or $1.00 per game.

The Town of Cathlamet is starting construction on Broadway Street this week - in a month or so, we will have a shiny new street with sidewalks and bright lighting, but in the meantime, there will be a bit of a mess - we appreciate your patronage during this time.

--The Rat Crew

Bald Eagle Days

2007-07-15T12:52:00.000-07:00

Cathlamet's annual Bald Eagle Day Festival is this weekend! The Rat will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the 21st and close at midnight. The deck is the perfect place to watch the fireworks at 10 p.m. - we hope to see you!!

The Rat Crew

2007-07-08T22:58:00.000-07:00

Hang out at the Rat this Friday, the 13th, for Hawaiian Night! Wear a Hawaiian shirt and receive $1.00 off of our burger special. We'll have a Teriyaki Hamburger or Chicken Burger that comes with lettuce, onion, ham, a pineapple ring and teriyaki sauce, plus a side of seasoned fries. Relax with a beer, listen to traditional hawaiian music and enjoy the River Rat's version of a Hawaiian vacation!

Happy Hour Starts Next Week

2007-06-28T12:34:00.001-07:00

Starting Tuesday, July 3rd, we will have Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with discounts on all draft beers. Domestic drafts will be $2.25 and Microbrew drafts will be $3.50. Pabst is always $2.00.

Draft beers: Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Amber Bock, Widmer Hefeweizen, Broken Halo IPA, Drop Top Amber Ale, Alaskan Amber, Fish Blonde Ale, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Deschutes Porter, Coors Light, and Killian's Red.

Grand Opening Was A Success!

2007-06-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

There was an amazing turnout for the Grand Opening of The Rat...thanks to everyone that showed up, and to everyone that has supported us so far! A big thank you to Greg Parke, who had everybody dancing by the end of the night, and to Sunrise Fletcher, who joined Greg for a set. The music was great and so was the crowd.

If you didn't make it, don't worry - we saved some beer for you!

Grand Opening

2007-06-20T12:23:00.000-07:00

We're having our Grand Opening this Saturday, the 23rd, at 6 p.m. - come check out our food and beer specials, play foosball or just enjoy the deck!

We look forward to seeing you - The Rat Crew

We're Open!

2007-06-12T23:13:00.000-07:00

We are open and anxiously awaiting warmer days so people can use the deck! We're serving burgers and brew, so come on by to have a bite and see the new Rat. We look forward to seeing you!