It has long been that way since Washington has more restrictive alcohol laws than Idaho.
If you get an extra day or so up there, there’s a lot of good stuff to do outside of Pullman. Wineries and Wine Valley Golf Course in Walla Walla which is about an hour away. Palouse Ridge – on campus golf course – is also an excellent play. Plenty of good stuff to do in Spokane. Pullman itself doesn’t have a ton to offer and the accommodations are overpriced but with a little travel, there is plenty to do.