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Bars where Pete has had a Drink (5,608 bars; 1,754 bars in Seattle) - Click titles below for Lists:


Bars where Pete has had a drink

Saturday, February 27, 2010

#994 - The Bar, Seattle - 2/25/2010

"The Bar," an extension of Olympia Pizza that recently opened in the old Sonic Boom space next door, adds another good choice to a great little bar strip that includes Liberty and 22 Doors just a few steps away.  In addition to some pretty good cocktails, The Bar features the beautiful, old, Austrian Mahogany bar from the J&M Cafe, sure to be one of the oldest (physical) bars in Seattle (shipped to U.S. in the 1890s).

516 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
yelp

Friday, February 19, 2010

#993 - The Goose Pub, Bellevue, WA - 2/19/2010

I'm not particularly fond of Bellevue, and I've previously posted my opinion on utterly banal sports bars. But for some reason the Goose Pub'n'Eatery, while it's not about to make any of my favorite lists, seemed substantially more pleasant than usual. Maybe it was because it was lunchtime, or because of the non-Bellevueish, non-sportsbarish people there. Or maybe it was just sitting down the bar from an elderly regular called "Tiny," drinking his mini-pitcher of Mountain Dew. When I asked the friendly woman working the bar about him, she said, "Tiny? Oh yes, he's quite the regular." Then added, "He's quite the dirty little old man too."


The way she said this made it seem charming, not disturbing, so I just left it at that.

12001 NE 12th St Ste 90, Bellevue, WA 98005 - (425) 454-1554
goosepub.com - citysearch - yelp

Monday, February 15, 2010

#992 - Wayne's World Tavern, Seattle - 2/13/2010

So here's one of several reasons I will not be going back to Wayne's World Tavern: On this particular night, I was by myself and had things to do and only wanted to get one drink and go. They have Manny's on tap, so I order a pint. Keep in mind that this is a dive bar south of Boeing Field, not a New York airport bar or El Bulli. The bartender apologetically explained that pints were $6!  But mini-pitchers, she added, were only $7.

 So I'm all for heavy drinking, but what kind of dive bar won't sell beer in any increments smaller than 32 ounces? Do they get kickbacks from the Tukwila PD for each DUI? "She [the owner] says that pints are hard to pour," the bartender explains.

1832 S 120th Street, Seattle, WA 98168 - (206) 433-8658
yelp

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Cactus, Boise, ID - 1979?

This is an entry for one of the bars already included in my starting list for this project and one of the earlier bars I've been to in my life.  I couldn't find how it was, but it was an old bar when I turned legal, and remains perhaps Boise's quintessential dive bar.

517 W Main St Boise, ID 83702 - 208-342-9732
boise weekly -sneaky sunday best dives - nile guide - yelp

Monday, February 08, 2010

#991 - Capital Grille, Seattle - 2/6/2010

This is a fine, dry-aged steakhouse on par with the Met and El Gaucho, and with some pleasantly non-standard drinks.  The infused (peach?) vodka was very pleasant and the Hemingway Daiquiri was delicious.  This is part of a national chain but it's pleasantly localized by large paintings of various Seattle celebrities and business luminaries (we sat facing Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee in business attire).  The prices are pretty standard for an upscale steakhouse -- $35 to $42 for the entrees you'll want (ala carte) -- and proportions of most steaks and sides are huge.  It also has one of the city's best crab cocktails (10 legs for $21). Judging strictly as a bar, I still give El Gaucho a slight nod for the rat pack, romantic ambiance, and I give an ever so slight edge to the crab cocktail at The Met. But I'll prefer the Capital when I am looking for an interesting cocktail.

1301 4th Ave., Seattle 98101 - (206) 382-0900                                            
thecapitalgrille.com - seattle times - seattle foodster - seattle magazine - yelp

#990 - Finn MacCool's, Seattle - 2/7/2010

Finn MacCool's, Seattle, WA

4217 University Way., Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 675-0885               
finnmaccools.com - the stranger - yelp

Thursday, February 04, 2010

#989 - Unicorn (and Narwhal), Seattle - 2/2/2010

Like the bastard drug child of Shorty's and Pony, Unicorn features a wild French circus and mounted animal head decor that makes one's head spin with wonder at what kind of spectacle awaits when they open the basement.  The drinks are pretty standard (I was told that a cocktail menu is on the way) and the food -- well let's just say that "Unicorn Balls" were a little more adventure than I was seeking on this night.  But by all means, come in for the show. ((more pics)


1118 East Pike St., Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 555-1000
Est. Jan 29, 2010 - Narwhal (basement) opened June 28, 2012 - Building constructed: 1916
Previous bars at this location: Spag's Tavern, Satellite Lounge
unicornseattle.com - the stranger - capitol hill blog - yelp

#988 - Mustard Seed Too, Bellevue, WA - 2/2/2010

Just read the yelp reviews of this place by native Bellevueites.  If you feel like you have anything in common with those people, then this blog is probably not for you.

1428 156th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA 98007-4414 - (425) 746-8852
mustardseedgrill.com - yelp

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

#987 - Chasers, Lynnwood, WA - 2/1/2010

Chasers Grill and Lounge is apparently a large improvement on the previous bar in this location, and it tries, with mixed success, to be a bit upscale.  But it is still very much a suburban strip mall bar, despite the prints depicting much classier and more interesting settings and customers.

15620 Hwy 99, Lynnwood, WA 98087 - (425) 745-0777
chaserslounge.com - myspace - yelp

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

#986 - Orient Express, Seattle - 1/28/2010

The drinks are pedestrian at best, and the food (Chinese/Thai/American) did not seem remarkable, but of course what you go to the Orient Express for is the setting. It occupies the seven old time railroad cars that once hosted Andy's Diner. It's a strangely compelling combination of elegant old railcar decor and sloppily assembled Chinese-American restaurant signage, and features various nooks and crannies such as a private karaoke room and a surprising upstairs performance area.

2963 4th Ave S., Seattle, WA 98134 - (206) 682-0683
yelp - the stranger - seattle weekly

#985 - Carlsbad Tavern, Scottsdale, AZ - 3/25/2006 (OOO)

How could I have forgotten to list this place?  A nifty little spot with good Mexican food and margaritas.

(more photos)

3313 N Hayden Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 - (480) 970-8164
carlsbadtavern.com - yelp