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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

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

#1425 #S869 - La Luna, Seattle - 4/25/2011

Update: La Luna closed in August 2015


The former Opal and Flow Lounge space now hosts a romantic Mexican bar and restaurant, with good tapas, including some killer scallops, and fine margaritas.



2 Boston St, Seattle, Washington 98109 - (206) 282-2511
Est. April 2011 - Building constructed: 1906
Previous bars at this location: Opal, Flow Lounge
lalunaseattle.com - chowhound- seattle weekly - yelp

#1424 #S868 - Brave Horse Tavern, Seattle - 4/24/2011

Update: Brave Horse closed temporarily in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, then announced permanent closure as of July 15, 2020.


A new tavern in the historic Terry Building by Tom Douglas.  There are 26 good beers on tap, including the house beers brewed by Schooner Exact. There are lots of good food choices, but the emphasis is on the fresh baked pretzels.



310 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 971-0717
Est. 2011 - Building constructed: 1915 - Closed July 15, 2020
bravehorsetavern.com - seattletimes - link

#1423 #S867 - Lunchbox Laboratory, Seattle - 4/22/2011

There is a fairly standard sized bar here, but this place is all about the monstrously-sized burgers.  Yes they do have a number of original drinks "straight from our mad scientists!"  But judging from their cocktail menu output, their team of scientists was apparently comprised primarily of  junior high school girls.

There is the "Kryptonite Shot" (Green Apple Jolly Rancher infused vodka), the "Astronauts Mimoso" (champagne topped with Tang), and you can do a good enough job guessing what goes into the  "Grape Ade" and "Barbie's Bana-tini."



So if it's not a good choice for a cocktail if you are over 16, but if you don't want to have to eat again for a week, or enjoy a real challenge as to how to actually fit your burger into your mouth, it's a fine option.

1253 Thomas St, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 621-1090
Est. Jan 2011 (originally opened in early 2008 at 7302-1/2 15th Avenue N.W)
Previous bars at this location: Southlake Grill
lunchboxlaboratory.com - facebook - seattletimes - seattletimes 2 - seattlemet - thestranger

Monday, July 11, 2011

#1422 #S866 - Chupacabra, Seattle - 4/21/2011

The quirky burrito and margarita joint from Greenwood is a great fit for this funky space across from Alki Beach. There's nothing spectacular about the food or drinks here, but it still feels like a perfect little neighborhood place.

Mind your goats!


2620 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 933-7344
Est. April 8, 2011 - Building constructed: 1916
facebook - westseattleblog - thestranger - yelp

#1421 #S865 - Cafe Flora, Seattle - 4/20/2011

A friendly, garden-like vegetarian restaurant with some inventive cocktails to boot. I enjoyed the Camp Ten Trees (pine infused tequila, St. Germaine, lime, orange twist).   I'm not quite ready to give up the wicked pleasures of seared animal flesh, but places like Cafe Flora, Plum Bistro and Carmelita are leaving me with fewer excuses.


2901 E. Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 325-9100
Est. 1991
cafeflora.com - facebook - seattleweekly - thestranger - seattletimes - yelp

#1420 - Demetri's, Edmonds, WA - 4/18/2011

 In 2010, Sofeea Huffman of Kafe Neo turned the utterly stale Johnny's Sports Bar and Grille hard by the Edmonds ferry dock into Demetri's Woodstone Taverna.  The decor feels a little bit too much like some corporate chain for my tastes (I'd prefer some ramshackle individuality by the dock), but it is certainly a much nicer stop now, with decent cocktails and very good tapas.



101 Main St, Edmonds, WA 98020-3131 - (425) 744-9999
Est. 2010
demetriswoodstonetaverna.com - facebook - heraldnet - yelp

#1419 - Urban Onion, Olympia, WA - 4/17/2011



116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, Washington 98501 - (360) 943-9242
Previous bars at this location: The Village Forge
theurbanonion.com - facebook - yelp - tripadvisor - snoopf

#1418 - The Brotherhood, Olympia, WA - 4/17/2011

The Brotherhood Tavern/Lounge/Cigar Store and Bar dates back to at least the 1930s in this space in the 1887 Labor Temple building. It is now a funky, hip gathering place with a mid-century vintage decor, movies, and live music.


119 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1018 - (360) 352-4153
Building constructed 1887
thebrotherhoodlounge.com - facebook - yelp

Sunday, July 10, 2011

#1417 - Mac's Tavern and Cardoom, Aberdeen, WA - 4/17/2011


The bartender at Mac's Tavern and Cardroom told us that the place has been around since the early 1900s, and that they did have a card room before the casinos moved in and a particular game they played just died out. Before that, she says, there would be lines out the door at 6:00am.

210 E Heron St, Aberdeen, WA 98520 - (360) 533-3932

#1416 - Tombstone Wiley's , Raymond, WA - 4/17/2011

Tombstone Wiley's is in an old feed store building in the middle of nowhere outside of Raymond, Washington.  But that doesn't mean it doesn't have some wild times.  Carol, the ex-nurse who has owned the place with her ex-postman husband for the last five years, told us she's keeping a journal of what happens every night, and some day she might turn it into a book.  Since we were there on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we asked her what she wrote about the preceding Saturday night, and she responded "Oh that was a doozy."

She went on to tell us about chasing down patrons for skipping on their bill, driving when they said they weren't, and all sorts of infractions, including one woman hanging from the rafters, after trying to attach a dollar bill, with her bra caught on a bolt and her ample bosom displayed to admirers at the bar.  She told us about "the Tombstone Hooker," who is not a prostitute but rather a woman who liked to dance on the bar and hang a dollar bill on a certain hook after each week she'd lost weight in her Weight Watchers program.  Sometimes, when order needs to be restored, Carol pulls out a wooden baseball bat and slams it on the bar.  "They know it's serious when the bat comes out," she says.

The feed store was constructed in 1972, and in 1978 half of it was converted into the "Willapa Bar."  Carol and her husband lived in the Seattle area, and talked about driving around the country and eventually getting a little bar somewhere.  "We only made it as far as Raymond," Carol noted. 
But business has picked up substantially since they got a license to sell liquor in addition to beer and wine. I don't know when I'll ever be able to make it on a Friday or Saturday night -- my trips through Raymond are strictly daytime drives to the Long Beach peninsula and back -- but I sure would like to make it sometime.
8 Camp One Rd, Raymond, WA 98577 - (360) 942-6177

#1415 - Gepetto's, Montesano, WA - 4/14/2011

A sports bar filled Pittsburgh Steeler and Pirates memorabilia, behind the Italian restaurant portion of Gepetto's.


126 E Pioneer Ave, Montesano, WA 98563 - (360) 249-4445
web site - yelp

#1414 - Katie Downs, Tacoma, WA - 4/14/2011

The modern answer to the mid-century's Harbor Lights, Katie Downs Tavern and Eatery server pizza, seafood, and simple cocktails in a bright location on the bay.  The bar is uninteresting, but the reasonable food and the great setting make it a very pleasant stop, particularly on sunny days.

3211 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402-5334 - (253) 756-0771
Est. 1982
katiedowns.com - facebook - weeklyvolcano - yelp

#1413 - Harbor Lights, Tacoma, WA - 4/14/2011

Founded by Yugoslavian immigrant Anton Barcott 62 years ago, Harbor Lights is owned by the Anthony's chain now, but it preserves its mom and pop individuality, especially in the lounge.  The restaurant and bar hover over Commencement Bay, and caters to old school seafood fans.

The lounge is full of vintage liquor bottles, vintage workers, and vintage patrons, and serves strong, cheap drinks.

2761 North Ruston Way Tacoma, WA 98402 - (253) 752-8600
Est. 1959
web site - tacomanewstribune - tacomanewstribune - seattletimes - yelp - tripadvisor

#1412 - The Spar, Tacoma, WA - 4/14/2011


The Spar is rich in Tacoma history and the oldest bar in that city -- at least by a certain reckoning.  It is on the site of the original Old Tacoma Bar, established 1884, which served as a house of ill repute until Washington State enacted prohibition in 1916, whereupon it was torn down.

A new structure was built the following year was operated by the Radonich brothers as shop selling men's furnishings, billiards, and soft drinks (and apparently some less legal methods of quenching one's thirst).  It was named The Spar by the 1920s, and became a bar again with the national repeal of Prohibition in 1933.  A remodel in 1988-89 opened up a back room and view of Commencement Bay to customers. It is now a very comfortable tavern and restaurant in the heart of Old Tacoma.

The Spar in 1949, Tacoma Public Library photo
2121 N 30th Street, Tacoma, WA 98403 - (253) 272-2122                
Est. as bar: 1933 - Building constructed: 1917
Previous bars at this location: Old Tacoma Bar (1884-1916)
the-spar.com - weeklyvolcano - tacomaweekly- seattletimes - yelp

#1411 #S864 - Rock Box, Seattle - 4/13/2011

This is just an incidental sort of bar in a Japanese style karaoke joint. What the bar is missing are TVs showing the various  private rooms full  people doing karaoke, which a switch to choose which one you want the sound for.

1603 Nagle Pl, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 302-7625
Est. 2011
rockboxseattle.com - facebook - capitolhillblog - thestranger - seattleweekly - yelp

#1410 #S863 - Varro, Seattle - 4/13/2011

Update:  Varro closed in July 2011, after being open for approximately 3 months.

Casual Italian bar with Fellini-era decor, small plates and cocktails.

1542 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 324-4400
Est. 2011
varrolife.com - facebook - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

Saturday, July 09, 2011

#1409 - Twisted Cork, Bellevue, WA - 4/12/2011

900 Bellevue Way NE, Ste 100, Bellevue, WA 98004 - (425) 698-4100
web site - bellevuescene - yelp

#1408 #S862 - KiKi Tap & Eatery, Seattle - 4/7/2011

Update:  Kiki closed in April 2012

Several tasty Vietnamese and Asian fusion  dishes and a better than average bar.

600 E. Pine, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 320-7777
Est. April 1, 2011
Other bars at this location: Kurrent
kikiseattle.com - facebook - seattle.eateryelp

#1407 #S861 - Cuoco, Seattle - 4/2/2011

Update: Trattoria Cuoco closed temporarily in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, then announced permanent closure as of July 15, 2020.

Cuoco ("cook") is the Italian third Italian of the new Tom Douglas triptych in the historic Terry Building in South Lake Union (along with the Ting MoMo Tibetan dumpling cafe and Brave Horse Saloon).  Although we did not have time for dinner (it's Italian and Tom Douglas, so it seems pretty much a slam dunk), we were treated well at the bar by bartender Cody.  They were still working on a cocktail menu, and we will certainly be back.

320 Terry Ave N. Seattle, WA 98109 - phone
Est. 4/2/2011 - Building constructed: 1915 - Closed July 15, 2020
cuoco-seattle.com - thestranger - seattleweekly - dailycandy - yelp - greenbuilding - constructor