Contemporary restaurant featuring locally sourced New American fare in a convivial, cozy setting. Farm-to-table Pacific Northwest fare with a distinctly Tacoma feel—small producers, off the beaten path, and multiple Wine Spectator Awards. Planning a large event? Have a dietary question? Reach out to us!

The El Gaucho experience blends impeccable service and exceptional quality. Our team of talented chefs and dedicated staff provide old-school, tableside service for people celebrating their lives. Each ritual, from the greeting at the front door to the fire-dancing desserts, is how we honor the past and share our vision for how fine dining should remain.

El Gaucho was founded in 1996 by Paul Mackay based on his experience working at the original El Gaucho, which set the standard for a fine dining steakhouse from 1953 to 1985 at 7th and Olive in downtown Seattle. Since that time, new locations opened in Bellevue, Tacoma, Portland, Vancouver and AQUA by El Gaucho on Seattle’s Pier 70. In 2021, the flagship location moved to a new home in Seattle’s Union Stables building. Each location is inspired by Paul’s original vision and is designed to present guests with a unique, unparalleled service encounter—one in which every detail is considered an essential element to the overall experience.

El Gaucho is part of the Revelers Club collection of iconic Pacific Northwest lodging and restaurants which includes Aerlume, AQUA by El Gaucho, Crossbuck Brewing, Walla Walla Steak Co., Witness Tree Lounge and Yellowhawk.

Nestled at the heart of Tacoma’s financial and theater hubs, this upscale Tacoma hotel is primely located on Commerce St. This downtown Tacoma hotel is conveniently just steps away from the city’s convention center, distinguished museums, renowned restaurants and the University of Washington-Tacoma campus. The Light Rail tram is accessible from the hotel, transporting guests to enticing attractions such as the Tacoma Dome, Chihuly Bridge of Glass and Washington State History Museum. After a day filled with business meetings or sightseeing, guests can unwind in the Bistro with its seasonal delicacies and signature cocktails. Organizing an event? The Cascade Ballroom, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and modern decor, overlooks an urban park and can host up to 400 guests

Roam, explore, and embark on an adventure…discover Elks Temple!

The 1916 Elks Temple has been restored and reimagined into a vibrant gathering place for out-of-town guests and locals alike. From the Old Hangout, a bar reminiscent of world travels, to the Spanish Ballroom, a grand space hosting live music, you’ll find entertainment at every turn. Threads of art, history, and elements of the local community are woven into the structure. Wherever you are in Elks Temple, you’ll find the comforts of your favorite neighborhood pub and a world of adventure.

We wanted to see how much fun we could pack into seven floors, so we started with a McMenamins Brewery, the Bottle Shop & Brewery Tasting Room, and The Old Hangout on the ground floor, and worked our way up. Take the scenic route up the Spanish Steps to the Spanish Bar and Ballroom on the second floor before wending your way to Doc’s, a third-floor games bar overlooking the ballroom; pause on the nearby mezzanine overlooking Puget Sound. On the fourth floor stop for a celebratory meal (you’re halfway to the top!) in McMenamins Pub where expansive views of Puget Sound’s Commencement Bay and the marina at Foss Waterway dominate the east-facing windows.

Once you’ve refueled for the rest of your journey, continue to the diminutive fifth floor – if you can find it. From there it’s on up to the sixth floor guestrooms and a spectacular overhead array of lights, lamps and chandeliers. Travel your last flight to seven, where guestrooms overlook the lush indoor atrium and give you an eye-level view of the light display like no other.

Whether your port of call is the Old Hangout, the Spanish Bar, Doc’s or the Spanish Ballroom, you’ll find handcrafted cocktails, tales from home and afar, cozy hideaways and untold fun.

A Little History
The Elks Temple was built in the second Renaissance Revival style in 1915-16 when fraternal organizations were an important part of the community and had the money to build beautiful buildings such as this one. It was designed by É. Frère Champney, a graduate of the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Spanish Steps
Climbing the hillside adjacent to the building is a stairway called the Spanish Steps. Modeled after the Scalinata di Spagna in Rome, Tacoma’s Spanish Steps were constructed in 1916 to connect a streetcar line on Broadway with City Hall on Commerce Street. The staircase fell into disrepair in the 1950s and continued to degrade until it was rehabilitated by the City of Tacoma in 2011.

Elks Temple allows pets on the side patios and in hotel rooms for a $25 fee.

Spend Time in Tacoma

Well-situated hotel off I-5 in the heart of the city