Puyallup Bar Closes for St. Patrick's Day Amid DUI Concerns

Owner cites high DUI rates in the city and a responsibility to keep patrons and community safe.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:53am

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Bumpy's Pub in Puyallup, Washington, has decided to close its doors on St. Patrick's Day and the following day, despite the potential for significantly higher revenue. Owner Brooklyn Smith says the decision is rooted in concerns about drunk driving and a growing expectation that bars play a role in preventing it.

Why it matters

St. Patrick's Day is one of the busiest drinking holidays, and Puyallup has consistently high DUI rates. This closure highlights the growing pressure on bars to be more responsible in serving alcohol and ensuring patron safety, even if it comes at a financial cost.

The details

Smith, who took over the bar within the past year, says there has been increased oversight from the state and a broader push to reduce DUI-related crashes. That includes expectations that bars monitor service, pace drinks, and help ensure customers leave safely. Smith says the bar could bring in significantly more revenue than usual on the holiday, but that's not her priority. Instead, Bumpy's will use the closure to make improvements to the space.

  • Bumpy's Pub will be closed on St. Patrick's Day (March 17, 2026) and the following day, reopening on March 19, 2026.

The players

Brooklyn Smith

The owner of Bumpy's Pub in Puyallup, Washington, who has decided to close the bar on St. Patrick's Day and the following day due to concerns about drunk driving.

Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board

The state agency that has increased oversight on bars and has a broader push to reduce DUI-related crashes.

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What they’re saying

“Puyallup consistently produces some of the highest DUI numbers in the state.”

— Brooklyn Smith, Owner, Bumpy's Pub

“It's a drinking holiday. The whole point is to go out and get messed up. There's no dollar amount that would make it worth it to me to put my business itself, my employees, and the community at risk.”

— Brooklyn Smith, Owner, Bumpy's Pub

“Reading a comment from a mother who lost her child ... if it were for that one person alone, that would have been enough to convince me.”

— Brooklyn Smith, Owner, Bumpy's Pub

What’s next

Bumpy's Pub will reopen on March 19, 2026, after making improvements to the space during the closure.

The takeaway

This decision by Bumpy's Pub highlights the growing responsibility bars face in addressing drunk driving, even if it comes at a financial cost. It sets an example for other establishments to prioritize community safety over short-term profits on high-risk drinking holidays.