HOUSE OF KEE; PUYALLUP, WA
House Of Kee on Puyallup's South Hill

By Sue Sawyer

House Of Kee has always had its share of good singers on South Hill as a smoker's bar, but with the new law, this intimate bar room within the large, stand alone restaurant building, is attracting lots of non-smoking, fun-loving singles and couples who enjoy karaoke.

Clayton and his wife Patty, for example, admitted they needed a night away from their kids and chose House Of Kee to sing and "let loose" with friends. A Tacoma native, Clayton is a contractor specializing in door and window installations, has been singing ever since junior-high. Wife Patty's singing followed suit. Of their four children, their second son plays the drums and has put together a "garage band" where he also sings. "I'm thrilled", said Clayton, "that my eyes don't burn and my clothes don't stink of smoke and I can choose where to sing now by fun, food, drink and karaoke service instead of where it was the least smoky."

House Of Kee was one of the first bars in South Pierce County to install a super large TV and also use it for karaoke song words. Today it's been upgraded to the newest large-TV technology. The bar was also a pioneer in collecting their own karaoke music and over time, the owners have amassed about 10,000 tunes.

Joe, who started singing at House Of Kee many years ago has been their host for the past five years on Friday and Saturday night. Joe makes the evening fun and move along quickly. He started the evening off with "Beer For My Horses." Dancing is encouraged on the intimate dance floor surrounding the singers. The audience is seated quite close making it enjoyable for those who don't like to perform on a stage to make eye contact with those watching them. It's a perfect place for those soft, sultry piano-bar songs.

Patty took advantage with "Foolish Games, Landslide, Black Velvet and Crazy." Hubby had fun with "Feed Jake, Bad Day, Where Are You Now and Hemorrhage." A singer named "Gypsy" drawled "Who's Cheatin' Who" and "Cowboy Bob", a well known local talent, showcased "Real Good Men." Brian brought on "Straight Tequila Night" and "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Come Off" while Jodie chose "Complicated, and Girls Lie Too." Mary and Debra got up the nerve to sing "I will Survive" together and Mike put over "It Don't Come Easy, and Boondocks."

A full menu of five-star-quality Chinese food is available to closing along with many exotic drink mixes and beer. Service is excellent.

For those who need to replace a cigarette, plenty of popcorn is served from an old fashioned glass machine behind the bar. However, if you sit all night with water, you will be billed $2.50 on karaoke nights.

Located at 153rd and Meridian on South Hill, Puyallup, it's a must on Fridays and Saturdays at 9:00pm.