This Washington Roadside Beer Bar Is Worth a Stop Just for the Vibes

Nestled near the famous Beacon Rock State Park rests a small beer bar set just off the road, one that has had a bigger impact on the area than anyone could ever expect. With soft music playing from the speakers (or, if you're lucky, a live musician), locals and travelers alike can discover what the true meaning of community and strength in the PNW is, all while sampling local beers and munching on delicious food. 

Trailhead Taproom (also known as Trailhead Taproom and Outdoor Store) is a small space built for multiple purposes. The first, most obviously, is a beer bar. The second, a bike service and repair shop. These two purposes are in its full name, but the space has become much more than that — it’s a restaurant, a place to listen to music, and a building block of a community that had been separated and largely forgotten by others. 

The taproom is located in North Bonneville, a town that has been primarily built from the ground up by its citizens. Originally created to house workers of the Bonneville Dam in the 1930s, it became a sanctuary for people displaced by the expansion of the dam in the 70s. This change meant that the locals had a hand in shaping how the town was built, respecting the area’s natural landscape with wide expanses of open land and a trail system to connect it all. However, it also meant that the lack of deep roots in the town resulted in its citizens having a hard time connecting with each other. 

But that’s where Trailhead Taproom and owner Jennifer Kackley came in. When the Covid pandemic gripped the nation in 2021, and people began moving out of big cities and into the countryside, Kackley recognized the need for community more than ever and opened her business. It was a place where she could be a bike mechanic for the outdoor enthusiasts living in the Columbia River Gorge, but also fill the need for a hang out spot for locals where they could sit and converse, have a drink and some food, and listen to music. 

A local customer reflected this, saying that Kackley’s business was the first place where neighbors who had never met before finally could connect, and travelers exploring the Washington side of the Gorge could pull over and relax before their next adventure. It was also cited to be a particularly safe space for women, something to which Kackley herself said, “It’s a girl’s club, but boys are welcome.” 

To any who visit, Trailhead Taproom is a small, warm space split into three sections: the bike shop, the restaurant/taproom, and the outside deck containing heaters, chairs, and games — all with the intention to make the area feel as inviting and cozy as possible. There are six taps offering local PNW beers and ciders with the option of bottled beer, wines, and seltzers as well. They have a limited menu that changes daily (you can find the menu of the day on social media), but everything is clearly made with heart, and you’ll find that they’re very willing to work with you on food allergies/avoidances when possible. 

The bike shop offers full-service repairs for E-bikes, trikes, BMX, kiddie bikes, mountain bikes, and cruiser bikes, as well as the option to purchase a new bike. This area also has a fairly extensive merchandise corner, with sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, shoes, long sleeves, muscle tanks, cropped hoodies, and even paddle boards available for purchase. Kackley also supports local biking events and sets up shop there when needed. 

This small roadside beer bar is dedicated to building its way up slowly and steadily, with owner Kackley doing everything she can to be a space for locals, as well as a way to draw tourists to the town. Her hard work in a time of so much uncertainty has gained her the respect of her community and will no doubt give her continued success down the road (or bike path).