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Bars where Pete has had a Drink (5,996 bars; 1,754 bars in Seattle) - Click titles below for Lists:


Bars where Pete has had a drink

Monday, December 15, 2008

#743 - Heaven, Seattle (Pioneer Square) - 12/14/2008


Update: Heaven closed in 2010 and was replaced by Volume nightclub.

The old "Catwalk" with very little changed (except the Men's and Women's rooms inexplicably switched), and the crowd and vibe varying greatly with particular nights and events.

Historical Notes: This space is perhaps the most storied of current Seattle bars or clubs. In 1890 it was established by vaudeville pioneer John Considine as "The People's Theater," the most notorious of Seattle's old "box houses," where female performers sold drinks on the floor and more personalized services in the closed box rooms.  Considine brought big time acts like "Little Egypt" to the theater, and battled Pantages for theatrical crowds and even Wyatt Earp for a brief period.  In 1901 Considine and his brother were engaged in a shootout by ex-employee and ex-Chief of Police William L. Meredith.

As much or more than any other man, Considine helped establish Seattle's "Tolerance Policy," the well-established guidelines for paying off police that would last for 80 years and help nurture both the Jackson Street jazz scene and Pioneer Square gay scene.  The most epic example of the latter was "The Casino," (unofficially known as "Madame Peabody’s Dancing Academy for Young Ladies"), where drag queens and gays danced openly with each other, and their reputation attracted gay and bi people from all over the country including the likes of Rudolf Nureyev and Tallulah Bankhead.

Many years later (1994-2005), it became The Catwalk, hosting fetish fashion shows and various gothic and S&M themed events.

172 S. Washington St, Seattle, 98104 - 206.622.1863
Est. 2006 - Closed 2010 - Building constructed: 1890
heavenseattle.com

Friday, December 12, 2008

#742 - Fourno's, Seattle (U District) - 12/11/2008

Bump and grind for Greek Row -- I'm surprised it took so long for a place like this on The Ave.

4733 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 729-5195

#741 - A-Pizza Mart, Seattle (U District) - 12/11/2008

An unpretentious but happening little night scene. Who knew?

5026 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 517-4000

#740 - Canterbury Ale & Eats, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 12/11/2008


Update: Canterbury Ale House closed March 27, 2022

When this 38-year-old medieval themed dive bar went under in 2014, two Capitol Hill bar owners, Mike Meckling (Neumos) and James Snyder (Sam's Tavern) took over the space, giving it a large-scale sprucing up and installing a fancy menu by the former chef of Madison Park Conservatory. That menu, which included tater tots topped with steak tartar, scotched quail eggs, and mostarda coated chicken liver toast, was eventually dialed back to resemble a broad and fairly typical contemporary bar menu. The bar has 30 taps and unfancy cocktails, while other sections now allow families, pushing it a bit more toward a 70s style old English themed restaurant.

Canterbury Ale & Eats, Seattle




534 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-3130














Est. October 1976 - Closed March 27, 2022 - Building constructed: 1907
Previous bars in this location: Gaslight Tavern (1960s - early 70s)
Web site: thecanterburyalehouse.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - capitolhilltimes - eater - seattlerefined - eateryelp

Saturday, December 06, 2008

#739 - The Shanty Tavern, Seattle (Lake City) - 12/05/2008

Historical Notes: The Shanty goes back to at least 1937, although it was previous located in a couple different locations up the road on Lake City Way. The 1937 listing has "Mack's Shanty" at 1937 Lake City (AKA Bothell Way AKA Victory Way), and it is listed in a few subsequent years under the name of owner Doris McLeod.  In the 1941 guide, Mack's Shanty begins appearing at an 8916 address, and then shifts to the current 9002 address around 1948.  In at least this last move, and perhaps the previous one, the actual building (constructed in 1932) was moved.  It continues to be listed as "Mack's Shanty" into 1960.  In 1961 it was purchased from the original owner by current owner John Spaccarotelli, and changed the name to just "The Shanty."

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Saturday, November 29, 2008

#736 - Gainsbourg, Seattle (Greenwood) - 11/28/2008


Try the: Jane Birkin

The first non-coy, unapologetically hipster venue in Greenwood. In certain aspects it is ridiculous, of course, like the perfectly-spaced, brick-revealing holes in the plaster. But the place was packed and there were no little horns in the front of the hair, zero untucked long sleeve striped shirts, and only one backwards baseball cap. And what the hell, I like hipsters.



8550 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 783-4004 - map
Est. 2008 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: gainsbourglounge.commyspace
Reviews: seattle times - yelp - phinneywood - seattle weekly - seattleweekly

#735 - Beveridge Place, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

I'm a sucker for lots of wood and old books in a bar.

6413 California Ave SW, Seattle, Washington 98136 - (206) 932-9906
Est. October 27, 2003 - Building constructed 1991
Previous bars at this locaton: Full Moon Saloon

#734 - Yen Wor Village, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

The standard Chinese restaurant dive, with a small bar, karaoke, cheap decor, overpowering smell of cleaner, and a brilliant range of patrons, from the giggling girls to the absolutely smashed old men.

#733 - Admiral Pub, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

A clone with absolutely zero character or physical attractions. You'd have to really love the patrons there to skip so many less boring bars in the area.

#732 - Mission, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

Update: The owners of Mission announced that it would close Feb 17, 2024 due to "rising operational costs, changes in the economy, and an evolving hospitality landscape." 

Another lovely West Seattle bar.

Historical notes:  The building currently housing Mission on California Ave was constucted in 1924,   although it probably did not contain the upper floor at the time. The Seattle Daily Times notes a noise complaint at a bar owned by George Willey in this location in November 1933. It starts appearing in city guides under James Robinson or his "Jim's Tavern" in 1934, continuing into the 70s.  In 1980 it is the "Rainy City Tavern," in 1990 the "Caddyshack Tavern,"and by the early 2000s "Lizzard Lounge."

Seattle Daily Times, Nov 1, 1933


2325 California Avenue Southwest, Seattle - (206) 937-8220
Est. 2005 - Closed Feb 17, 2024 - Building constructed 1924
Previous bars in this location: Jim's Tavern, Rainy City Tavern, Caddyshack Tavern, Lizzard Lounge

Monday, November 17, 2008

#731 - Cozy Inn Tavern, Kenmore, Wa - 11/17/2008


In addition to being genuinely cozy and a genuine tavern (no liquor), the Cozy Inn Tavern has a deck and a history -- it's been around since the early 30s.  It's a comfortable neighborhood place with lots of wood and microwave pork rinds.

Friday, November 14, 2008

#730 - Martin's Off Madison, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008


Update:  In mid 2010, the 5-year-old Martin's was re-named "Greg's Profanity Hill," and then closed shortly thereafter.
-----


This is why I love this project. I would have never stumbled upon this place if not for K-Bar.

#729 - C.C.Attles, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

This location of the popular bear bar opened in 1992 and closed in 2010, re-opening at 1701 E Olive June 11, 2011.

1501 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 323-4017

#728 - Osteria la Spiga, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

#727 - Bill's Off Broadway, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

Closed 12/3/2013 while new building constructed, re-opened Aug 10, 2015

725 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 420-7493
Est. 1981 - Building constructed: 2015
Previous bars in this location: Mother's Tavern

#726 - Kurrent, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

Kurrent closed in November 2010

Monday, November 10, 2008

#725 - Spring Hill, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

 Update: 2/27/2012:  Since the night of this visit, Spring Hill upgraded their cocktail game to a fantastic degree, and then on Feb 8, 2012 changed their emphasis to Hawaiian and their name to Ma'Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky.
 
This relatively new place (6 mos. old) looks like a fine restaurant. But this list is about bars, and the bar here is an afterthought.

#724 - Poggie Tavern, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008


I suddenly felt like I was in a tavern in the mountains in Idaho. A classic dive, with guys with big beards and gals with big hair. The large bartender, in levis suspenders and plaid shirt said of a just-departed patron, "He's a character. But ain't we all?"

Indeed.

Historical notes: There has been a bar in the location of West Seattle's Poggie Tavern since at
least 1934, and it has been "The Poggie Inn" or Tavern since at least 1936. However, it appears that the previous structure was replaced with the current one in 1970.

4717 California Avenue Southwest Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 937-2165
Est. 1936 OE - Building constructed 1970
Other bars in this location: None

#723 - The Corner Pocket, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008


Update: The Corner Pocket closed Dec 2, 2016, when the owner Michael Eugene Main was arrested for routinely selling cocaine in the bar.


In 1979 brothers Dave and Jerry Norberg converted an old bomb shelter into an upscale wine and beer tavern called "The Alasks Pipeline." This lasted into the 90s, when it briefly became the "California Underground," before the "Corner Pocket," which remains today.

The current version is nothing special to look at, but I like the downstairs location and I liked the people hanging out there. I might give this my Great Dive rating if the Poggie Tavern weren't right down the street.

4302 Southwest Alaska Street #204, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 933-0320
Previous bars in this location: The California Underground, Alaska Pipeline

#722 - Shadow Land, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008


I almost gave this my Highly Recommended rating, based on the magnificent sign, the bartender Jay, and the one cocktail I had -- a bartender's muddled choice which is informally, if not that appetizingly, called the "Plumber's Crack." But the place was pretty dead when I went there on a Sunday evening, and I couldn't get any sense for what the vibe and crowd are like when it's busy. I must revisit soon on a Friday or Saturday evening.

4458 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 420-3817
Est. Nov 28, 2007 - Building constructed: 1948
Previous bars at this location: None known
shadowlandwest.com

#721 - Elliot Bay Brewery, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008


Try the Dry Hopped IPA, which immediately hopped onto my favorite beers list (along with Manny's Pale and Diamond Knot Industrial).

It finally occurred to me, as it must have to many others, that West Seattle is Seattle's Portland. They've very nicely mixed in the new with the old, like a small town with an inexplicable amount of variation. And the 4400-4700 stretch of California Ave. is the best and most varied set of drinking establishments in the city, from the ultra-swanky Ama Ama, to the hip and funky West 5, from the young people's dive at the Corner Pocket, to the classic older folks' dive at Poggie Tavern. And Elliot Bay Brewery is one of a number of nice places in between





4720 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA - (206) 932-8695           
Est. July 11, 1997 - Building constructed: 1932
Previous bars in this location: California & Alaska Street Brewing Co.
Web site: elliotbaybrewing.com

Saturday, November 01, 2008

#720 - Naked City, Seattle (Greenwood) - 10/30/2008


Another great addition to the Greenwood area for beer lovers, with a broad range of rotating taps.

BTW, this makes 100 new bars in 2008.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

#719 - Holy Mountain, Seattle - 10/25/2008

A great, underground, happening scene that I haven't seen in Seattle in many years.

#718 - Victory Lounge, Seattle - 10/25/2008

Update: The Victory Lounge closed Dec 31, 2022

433 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 223-9204
Est. 2007 - Closed Dec 31, 2022 - Building constructed: 1918
Previous bars at this location: Green Tavern (1945 into the 60s), Eddie's Tavern (mid 60s), Mister Ed's Tavern (70s), Lobo Inn (mid 70s - 2007)

MySpace, Stranger, yelp

#717 - Cafe Racer, Seattle (U-District) - 10/25/2008

Update: Cafe Racer closed October 18, 2017


Just the sort of quirky, artsy, weird little joint to wake up the neighborhood. There's hope for the U-District. Suffice it to say that when these guys took the stage:












They said of the previous act, "They're weird!"

Cafe Racer also features the Official Bad Art Museum of Art (OBAMA) room, curated by Jo and Marlowe.

Cafe Racer, Seattle, WA




























































Drew Keriakedes - RIP Schmootzi


















5828 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 523-5282
Est. 2005 - Closed Oct 18, 2017 - Building constructed 1925
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: caferacerseattle.com - facebook
Articles: thestrangerseattlemet - mynorthwest - eater - komoking5 - kiro7  - yelp - tripadvisorwikipedia (murders)



Sunday, September 28, 2008

#711 - The Grey Parrot Brewpub, Long Beach, WA - 9/27/2008


Update: Phil and Carlene Goularte's Grey Parrot closed sometime by 2011


This is a charming little place where Phil and his wife brew beers and serve food in a double wide mobile home filled with souvenirs from his travels, and marked by his home carved signs out front.

Est. July 4, 2005






Grey Parrot Brewpub, Long Beach, Washington

#710 - Gear Shed Lounge, Long Beach, WA - 9/26/2008


Features a very nice lodge sort of room.

#709 - The Lamplighter, Seaview, WA - 9/26/2008

Backwards baseball cap required.

#708 - Columbia Bar (Lightship Restaurant), Long Beach WA - 9/26/2008

#707 - Doc's Tavern, Ocean Park WA - 9/26/2008


This and the Grey Parrot Brewpub are my favorite bars on the peninsula. It's a big place, an old place, stocked with history and personality and personalities. I have no primary source data on the history of the bar, but long-time owner Don Sheldon recently penned a colorful history for a calendar, a copy of which is now posted conveniently above the urinals in the mens room next to a centerfold of "Miss September":

"In 1933, at the urging of Roy E. Sheldon and Ralph Osborn, Art Matthews decided to start a tavern in Ocean Park. The trio traveled to Olympia to get a license and a tavern known as "The Whalebone" was established at this sight [sic]. The name came from the fact that dead whales which had washed up on the beach, were buried under what is now the northwest section of the tavern. Art opened at 12 noon on the 4th of July 1933, and closed an hour later at 1:00 P.M. to go to a local ball game.

Doc's Tavern, Ocean Park, WA
In 1936, Art was forced to move. A local leaseholder, following the Good Book, decided that his property shouldn't house a drinking establishment. It seems that the Methodists controlled Ocean Park and a couple devout Methodists operated a bakery across the street. They advertised "home baking," so Art mischievously advertised "home breaking."

Art didn't give up. He had a new building built at the site, which was the old Richfield Station (now Jack's Country Store's new addition). The Tavern, complete, including labor and materials, cost $744.00. He renamed it "Arts" and operated it until 1944, then sold it to A.W. "Doc" Watson.

Doc's Tavern, in business for 79 years, is the oldest tavern or bar in our area, as the liquor license was purchased immediately following the repeal of prohibition.* There have been only three owners, which is nearly unheard of in the liquor industry. Art Matthews, the first; A.W. "Doc" Watson was the second and although he passed on, is a legend in local tavern history; the third, Don Sheldon, Doc's grandson, is carrying on the family business and had the opportunity to share many years in close relationship with Doc Watson.

Before the building housing Doc's Tavern was a tavern, it had many uses. An ice cream parlor (from which the stools you sit on still exist), beauty shop, W.W.I. recruiting office, pool hall, restaurant, bakery, real estate office, antique shop, and gas station. The tavern is actually 5 buildings under one roof and the oldest section was built in 1883. There is an example of the foundation with iron nails and hand carved dowels connecting the corner. This was discovered as we replaced the foundation.

Doc's Tavern, Ocean Park, WA
Doc, a merchant marine, worked on ships while his wife ran the tavern. Doc would return home while not on duty and do the same. Things were fin until another leaseholder not caring for taverns forced another move. A deal was worked out and the original site was purchased by Doc in 1948. Doc being superstitious, kept the name "Arts" and built a lasting trade. In 1968, the tavern was enlarged to include pool tables. Doc ran the tavern for many years and built a lasting reputation in the tavern industry and community.

In 1976, Don Sheldon began working at "Arts" under the guidance of Doc Watson, and in 1979, was hired as a manager of the tavern. Doc died on April 16, 1980, while enjoying his favorite pastime, fishing. Don Sheldon then purchased "Arts" and renamed it "Doc's Tavern" in Doc's memory....

Your friend Don Sheldon"


*Very small nit here: The 21st amendment and the repeal of prohibition actually became effective only on December 5, 1933. However, it is still possible that a (legal) tavern was opened July 4 of that year as it was actually the Beer and Wine Revenue Act, effective April 7 of that year, that allowed the legal flow of beer taps to resume.



1414 Bay Ave, Ocean Park, WA 98640 - (360) 665-4105
Est. 1980 - Building constructed: 1883 (oldest section)
Previous bars in this location: The Whalebone, Art's
Web site: facebook
Articles: yelp - chinookobservor - tripadvisor

#706 - Long Beach Tavern, Long Beach, WA - 9/25/2008

#705 - The Sea Hag, Ilwaco, WA - 9/25/2008

http://seahagilwaco.com/

#704 - The Little Red Barn Loaf'n Shed, Grand Mound, WA - 9/25/2008