SeattleBars.org

#1640 #S969h - The Upstairs, Seattle - 12/10/2011

2012-01-23T22:22:00.000-08:00

The Upstairs is a rather hidden, semi-elegant cocktail parlor up the stairs in the former location of the McLeod Residence. It has something of the feel of the nearby Bathtub gin, and is a relaxing break from the Belltown streets, with dark wood, old brick, and some quite good craft cocktails.

2209 2nd Ave (2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-4013
Est. Dec 7, 2011 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars at this location: The McLeod Residence
theupstairsseattle.com - facebook - seattlemet - belltownpeople - thrillist (video) -

#1639 #S969g - Taste, Seattle - 12/7/2011

2012-01-19T18:51:00.000-08:00

I'd had lunch here at this cafe under the Seattle Art Museum a few times before, and upon finally recollecting that it has a bar, I was thinking of it as just another bar to knock off on my Seattle list. Instead I had one of my favorite dining and drinking experiences of the year.

This was in large measure because we pulled up to the bar to the capable hands of Duncan Chase. I somehow lost my notes and I'm writing several weeks after, so I do not recollect everything we tried. But I do clearly remember much enjoying Duncan's Manhattan with fig infused Maker's Mark, another cocktail or two, and perhaps the most tender and tasty white fish (ling cod?) dish I think I have ever had.

I am not a fan of the bright and cold decor -- a fine bar should be dark and woody. But the sheer deliciousness of the food and drinks, along an enjoyable chat with Duncan, will definitely have me coming back.

1300 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 903-5291
Est. 2007 - Building constructed: year
tastesam.com - facebook - blog - seattleweekly - seattletimes - seattledining - seattletimes - seattlepi - thestranger - seattlepi - gayot - yelp

#1638 #S969f - Tutta Bella (Stone Way), Seattle - 12/5/2011

2012-01-19T17:46:00.000-08:00

Another in the local chain of Neapolitan style pizza places (certified by the Naples-based Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana), with good pizza, salads, and cocktails; this one located in an old, brick, Wallingford print shop.

4411 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 633-3800
Est. June 2009 - Building constructed: 1955
Previous bars in this location: None known
tuttabellapizza.com - seattletimes - seattledining - seattletimes - gayot - foundedproject - yelp

#1637 #S969e - Tutta Bella (Westlake), Seattle - 12/4/2011

2012-01-19T17:24:00.000-08:00

Another in the local chain of Neapolitan style pizza places (certified by the Naples-based Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana), with good pizza, salads, and cocktails. This one is in a more modern space above Whole Foods on Westlake, with a view of the Space Needle and a counter made from reclaimed wood from a 100-year-old tree.

2200 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 624-4422
Est. 2007? - Building constructed: 2006
Previous bars in this location: None
tuttabellapizza.com - seattletimes - seattledining - seattletimes - gayot - foundedproject

#1636 #S969d - Chuck's 85th St. Market, Seattle - 12/3/2011

2012-01-15T21:27:00.000-08:00

First, new owner Chuck Shin took a shady little shop and cleaned it up into a bright convenience store that the neighbors actually welcomed. Next he turned the back section into a beer lover's mecca, with a small bar, a fairly large selection of craft beers on tap, and 1,200 additional choices in bottles (this is to go along with 600 wine choices under $15. It's a homey place, where the beer is served in masan jars, the workers know and love beer, and their toddlers and families drop by. The Seattle PI listed it as the "Best bar that isn't exactly a bar."

As it *is* a convenience store, it's a little bright and busy when one is in the mood for a relaxing pint. But it's a great place for beer lovers to fill their growlers or grab a quick taste of some very interesting things on tap.

656 NW 85th St, Seattle, WA 98117-3143 - (206) 297-6212
Est. year - Building constructed: year
chucks85th.com - facebook - seattlepi - beeradvocate - phinneywood - crapmonkey - seattlest - yelp

#1635c #S969c - Sun Liquor Distillery, Seattle - 12/3/2011

2012-01-15T19:00:00.000-08:00

Sun Liquor Distillery is a sister cocktail lounge to Sun Liquor and also the first distillery on Capitol Hill since prohibition. Both locations make quite good cocktails -- the bars are managed by Eric Chapman.

512 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122-3618 - (206) 720-1600
Est. March 11, 2011 - Building constructed: 1926
sunliquor.com - seattletimes - seattlemet - seattleweekly - tumblr - thestranger - yelp

#1635b #S969b - Chino's, Seattle - 12/3/2011

2012-01-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

Chino's calls itself an "Urban Tiki House & Taiwanese Cantina." They offer Mexican and Taiwanese street foods, as served from old-style L.A. food trucks, along with tiki cocktails. Whereas tiki drinks are generally terribly made sugary concoctions for drinkers who don't really like spirits, here they are a rotation of well-crafted classics from Verionika Groth (of Poppy and Oliver's Twist). The foods items we sampled were very tasty and many not quite like anything I've seen anywhere else in the city. “Most of the food we're doing can be found at the Taiwanese night markets,” says one of the owners.

Chino's is a nice new alternative.

1024 E Pike Street Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 860-4238
Est. Dec 3, 2011 - Building constructed: 1913
Previous bars at this address: None known
chinosseattle.com - facebook - seattlemag - seattlemet - gastrolust - capitolhillseattle - eater - yelp

#1635a #S969a - Fusion Ultra Lounge, Seattle - 12/2/2011

2012-01-02T21:00:00.000-08:00

An all-ages nightclub with a separate bar area.

Historical notes: This has hosted bars since at least 1939, most notably The Rainbow (Rainbow Tavern, Fabulous Rainbow Room, etc.). It was the Rainbow from at least 1941 into the 60s, renamed the Sandpiper Tavern for a while, then renamed The Rainbow in 1973, and hosted a wide range of musical styles and artists including Robert Cray, Bo Diddley, George Thorogood, and Sound Garden.

722 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 774-9296

Previous bars at this location: Rainbow Tavern/Room, Sandpiper Tavern
clubfusionseattle.ning.com - yelp

Number Adjustment Notes

2012-01-02T20:00:00.000-08:00

A systematic review of my starting data has led me to adjust my counts of both total bars and Seattle bars, and the next several posts will reflect these changes:

11 bars listed under "Seattle area" and previously counted in the Seattle total are/were not technically within the Seattle city limits
8 bars have been removed entirely, either because they were duplicates, not actually bars (e.g. an all ages club was included), or simply cannot be confirmed
5 Seattle bars were added due to a refinement in my definition of what counts as a bar

Thus I will suspend the numbering of bars after this post for 14 Seattle bars and 3 bars overall to make up for the difference.

#1635 #S969 - The Innkeeper, Seattle - 12/2/2011

2012-01-02T19:02:00.000-08:00

The Innkeeper looks much the same as Marco's Supperclub, but manages to have both a little more personality and a little less attitude. The menu is focused on Latin American and Caribbean dishes, with a few good cocktails to boot. I had the Penn Cove Manila Clams and Chorizo, which were spicy and tasty and had me ordering extra bread to sop up every drop of the broth. I also had a cup of the Ham Hock White Bean soup which was also very fine.

The cocktails were fairly good, though not quite as well balanced as one would expect at, say, Spur or Canon. I had a fairly good "Fleur de Lys" and an okay Corn n'Oil, while my friend had a slightly sweet but enjoyable Dark and Stormy.

The Innkeeper is run by the folks behind Black Bottle and here they provide the same sort of affordable, quality food in perhaps a slightly more casual atmosphere. I'm eager to go back, particularly if the back patio is open on warm evenings.

2510 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 718-7817
Est. Nov. 28, 2010 - Building constructed: 1954
Other bars at this location: Seoul Tavern, Wheelhouse Suds, Marco's Supperclub
innkeeperseattle.com - seattlemag - thestranger - eater - yelp

#1634 #S968 - Lost River Winery, Seattle - 12/2/2011

2012-01-02T18:52:00.000-08:00

The Lost River Tasting Room, just north of Pike Place Market, offers glasses of the selections from the Mazama, Washington winery.

2003 Western Ave Ste 100 Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 448-2124
Est. Oct. 1, 2011 - Building constructed: 1981
lostriverwinery.com - facebook - yelp

#1633 #S967 - Cactus (South Lake Union), Seattle - 11/30/2011

2012-01-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

The new Cactus in South Lake Union shares the menu of the other three Seattle are restaurants, which means quite good southwestern and Tex-Mex food and some good margaritas with fresh lime and citrus juices. My personal favorite is the Baja (El Jimador Blanco with cilantro, jalapeño and fresh citrus juices).

Like the Alki location, the SLU space has a more open and modern decor than the original Madison Park location (est. 1990), and it tends to have a younger crowd, including staff from nearby Amazon.com.

350 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Wa 98109 - 206.913.2250
Est. Nov 12, 2011
cactusrestaurants.com - facebook - seattletimes - bizjournals - thestranger - seattleandrestaurants - lookatlao - thrillist - seattlemet - yelp

#1632 - T&T - Tacos and Tequila, Las Vegas - 11/27/2011

2012-01-02T15:23:00.000-08:00

3900 Las Vegas Blvd S (Luxor), Las Vegas, NV 89119 - (702) 262-5225
tacosandtequilalv.com

#1631 - Drai's After Hours, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

3595 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109-8918 - (702) 737-0555
afterhours.drais.net - facebook - draislasvegas.com - draisafterhouse.com - yelp

#1630 - Rok Vegas, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T12:02:00.000-08:00

3790 Las Vegas Boulevard S (New York-New York), Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 740-6969
rokvegaslv.com - lasvegas.com - yelp - vegasvip

#1629 - Flight Bar, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

3900 Las Vegas Blvd S (Luxor), Las Vegas, NV 89119 - (702) 262-4503
luxor.com - vegas.com - joonbug

#1628 - Shifty's Cocktail Lounge, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

If one should honor truth in advertising, Shifty's deserves some acclaim for the name. It's a classic neighborhood dive, a mile or two from the Las Vegas strip, and caters to bikers and Raiders fans. It was recently "Squiggy's," and at least used to host goth karaoke. If you want a break from the ersatz Vegas grandiosity and blaring glitz -- or if you just want a strongly poured drink for a low price -- I can't imagine Vegas has many better options than Shifty's.

3805 W. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102 - (702) 871-4952
facebook - examiner - citysearch - yelp

#1627 - Herbs and Rye, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

The space of a long-time favorite Italian restaurant, The Venetian, after a brief life as the "Slanted Clam" and others, has been reclaimed and remodeled into a classic, rat pack style Italian restaurant and pre-prohibition cocktail lounge. I did not have dinner there, but the cocktails are top notch.

3713 W. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102 - (702) 982-8036
Est. Dec 15, 2009
herbsandrye.com - facebook - lasvegasweekly - eatinglv - yelp

#1626 - Frankie's Tiki Room, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T09:46:00.000-08:00

Frankie's is an all-out tiki bar a short cab ride from the strip. Upon entering you are immediately greeted by pleasing darkness and a towering tiki by Crazy Al, above a faux fire that occasionally emits smoke. The decor is largely designed by Bamboo Ben, with works by leading tiki carvers like Bosko, LeRoy Schmaltz, Ken Pleasant and Tiki Ray. The drinks include tiki classics in custom-made mugs, and it is open 24 hours.

Frankie's is one of the best tiki bars in the country and should not be missed on any Vegas trip. The one shortcoming for many of us here a half century past the mid-century era it evokes is that it quite genuinely replicates the heavy cigarette smoking of the era.

1712 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102 - (702) 385-3110
frankiestikiroom.com - facebook - critiki - tikicentral - vegas.com - urbanspoon - yelp

#1625 - kokomo's Steak and Seafood, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (866) 339-4566
mirage.com - lasvegas.com - bestofvegas - yelp

#1624 - House of Blues, Las Vegas - 11/26/2011

2012-01-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

3950 Las Vegas Blvd S (at Mandalay Bay), Las Vegas, NV 89119 - (702) 632-7600
houseofblues.com - mandalaybay.com - yelp

#1623 - Vesper Bar, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

Of all the shows in Vegas, my favorite is sitting in the Vesper Bar in the Cosmopolitan on a Friday or Saturday night, watching the parade of humanity roll past. As in most of the bars in the Cosmopolitan, you can also do so while having some well-made cocktails. Give the bartender a base spirit, let him concoct a special drink for you, and sit back and enjoy the show.

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S (The Cosmopolitan), Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 698-7000
cosmopolitanlasvegas.com - theminty - drinkspirits - foodgps - yelp

#1622 - The Chandelier Bar, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T08:35:00.000-08:00

The Cosmopolitan has the best bar selection on the strip for cocktail lovers. Of these, the most elaborate is the Chandelier Bar -- three stories of bar within a massive, ornate chandelier.

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S (The Cosmopolitan), Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 698-7000
cosmopolitanlasvegas.com - lasvegassun - lavishvegas - grapesandgrainsnyc - hollywoodlife - vegas.com - yelp

#1621 - Studio 54, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Studio 54 is closing February 4, 2012
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S (MGM Grand), Paradise, NV 89109 - (702) 891-7279
mgmgrand.com - vegas.com - wikipedia - hauteliving - yelp

#1620 - miX, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T01:02:00.000-08:00

A highly regarded restaurant (Michelin star winner) and lounge with a nice patio and 360 degree, 64th story view.

3950 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89119 - (702) 632-9500
mandalaybay.com - gastronomyblog - vegas.com - facebook

#1619 - Minus 5°, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T00:54:00.000-08:00

An ice bar where most everything -- walls, furniture, decorations, cups, female torso shot dispenser -- are made of ice.

3930 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119-1010 - (702) 740-5800

#1618 - Rainforest Cafe, Las Vegas - 11/25/2011

2012-01-02T00:49:00.000-08:00

3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - (702) 891-8580

#1617 - Liquidity, Las Vegas - 11/24/2011

2012-01-02T00:46:00.000-08:00

3900 S Las Vegas Blvd (at Luxor Hotel & Casino), Las Vegas, NV 89119

#1616 - Crazy Horse III, Las Vegas - 11/24/2011

2012-01-02T00:44:00.000-08:00

3525 W Russell Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89118 - (702) 673-1700

#1615 - Octane, Las Vegas - 11/24/2011

2012-01-02T00:43:00.000-08:00

3850 S Las Vegas Blvd (Excalibur), Las Vegas, NV 89109

vegas.com

#1614 - CatHouse, Las Vegas - 11/24/2011

2012-01-02T00:39:00.000-08:00

3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89119 - (702) 262-4228
cathouselv.com

#1613 #S966 - Harborside Bistro, Seattle - 11/23/2011

2012-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

This is the old McCormick and Schmicks, sold to the Landry chain, and remodeled a bit. It is a tad swankier, and Thomas the bartender knows his stuff, but the spirits are still fairly limited for a moderately upscale restaurant and the cocktail menu has room for some more serious drinks.

1200 Westlake Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109-3543 - (206) 270-9052
Est. Nov. 2011 - Building constructed: 1971
Previous bars at this location: O Lounge, McCormick & Schmick's
harborsideseattle.com - eater - bizjournals - thestranger - yelp

#1612 #S965 - Republiq, Seattle - 11/19/2011

2011-12-28T22:07:00.000-08:00

Not to be confused with South Lake Union's "re:public," this is most often a club of the "ultra lounge" variety. That means, of course, the cookie-cutter white couches, the pink lights, the badly made drinks, the VIP area silliness, photos in front of the logo, thumping techno, and the pat-downs at the door.

2946 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 552-8730
Est. Oct. 17, 2009 - Building constructed: 1918 (radically remodeled)
republiqofseattle.com - facebook - yelp - voiceplaces

#1611 #S964 - Rookies Sports Bar and Grill, Seattle - 11/19/2011

2011-12-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

A nice little sports bar with a floor made from a basketball court floor and a bar made from a bowling alley. Rookies has a family-restaurant area and a bar area, and serve fairly standard sports bar food with very friendly service.

3820 S Ferdinand St, Ste 101, Seattle, WA 98118 - (206) 722-0301
Est. Nov 2011 - Building constructed: 1990
Previous bars at this location: None known (Verve Wine Bar once in adjacent suite)
rookiesseattle.com - facebook - rainiervalleypost - thestranger - seattleweekly - yelp

#1610 #S963 - Bogart's, Seattle - 11/19/2011

2011-12-27T21:28:00.000-08:00

Bogart's is pretty near suburban dive bar perfection. It's big, like dive bars in industrial areas should be; it serves a wide range of bar food; it has a stage for live bands; it has poker tables; it has a web site equivalent of a hand-painted sign; it has friendly patrons diverse in age, race, and gender; and to top it all off it has karaoke, but on a separate floor with a fireplace and away from the other patrons.

If you like dive bars, Bogart's is not to be missed.

Historical Notes: When Brad Bogart first purchased the space in 1997 (previously Adolfo's Italian Restaurant), he named it Goldies, to go along with the Goldies he owned in Wallingford (now Iron Bull). He sold it in 2008, and re-acquired it in early 2011, changing the name to Bogart's (years ago he owned the Bogart's on 2nd Ave in Pioneer Square). The "South End Tavern" was at this address but in a previous building by 1939 through the 40s.

3924 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98108-5215 - (206) 622-1119
Est. 2011 - Building constructed: 1950
Previous bars at this location: Goldie's, South End Tavern
bogartsairportway.com - facebook - seattleweekly - yelp

#1609 #S962 - Ship Canal Grill, Seattle - 11/19/2011

2011-12-26T22:34:00.000-08:00

This place doesn't know what it wants to be. It's not just the bridge/construction theme that replaces the, well, whatever the "Kristos" theme as in its previous incarnation; it is also the hodgepodge menu, and the various attempts to pull different sorts of crowds to different parts of the space.

It's in what must be a difficult space -- with few apparent parking spaces and at an odd intersection of streets which leave drivers little time to decide before being quite down the road to another part of the city. The food and drinks are okay, but with that sort of challenge it would seem like you need a lot of people to make a special effort to seek you out, and without a really standout menu and cohesive personality, it's just difficult for me to see that happening.

3218 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 588-8885
Est. Nov 18, 2011 - Building constructed: 2008
facebook - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

#1608 #S961 - Kelly O'Brien's, Seattle - 11/18/2011

2011-12-26T21:21:00.000-08:00

A fairly standard, American Irish-themed bar from Marcus Tellefson, the owner of Sully's Lounge. The wall opposite the bar includes old photos of Irish relatives, and the standard TVs, Guiness ads, and soccer flags fill out the remaining space. Guiness and Jameson are the go-to drinks here, and the bar seems to have enthusiastic fans for the games on TV, no matter what part of the country the teams are from.

5410 17th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107-3817 - (206) 257-6080
Est. June 2011 - Building constructed: 1946
sullyslounge.com - facebook - myballard - seattleweekly - yelp

#1607 - Buzz Inn Steak House, Everett, WA - 11/17/2011

2011-12-26T17:28:00.000-08:00

A fairly standard 80s roadside diner, with cheap steaks and a small bar in back.

3615 Broadway, Everett - (425) 259-1972
buzzinnsteakhouse.com - tripadvisor - yelp

#1606 - Anchor Pub, Everett, WA - 11/17/2011

2011-12-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

A bar was established here as soon as the building was constructed in 1907, hard by the railroad tracks, just up from Possession Sound, and constructed in the brick "flatiron" (wedge) style ala the Flatiron Building in Seattle which hosts the Triangle Pub. It was "Mulligan's" at this point, and some of Larry Mulligan's sign painted on the back north wall is still visible. Mulligan ran it until Washington state prohibition in 1916, with an interregnum during a local prohibition measure. As of the repeal of the 18th Amendment, it resumed tavern life as "The Anchor."

It was recently a pretty rough place -- like bars named "The Anchor" around the world, one sailor told me, you went there when you wanted to get into a fight. However the crowd has much mellowed under current ownership, Holly and Jeff Gibson. They have cleaned up and expanded the place, adding a nice space for a wide range of live music and open mic thursdays. It maintains many an homage to unions and the working man, including items on the "Everett Massacre" when two deputies and at least five Wobblies were killed on the dock just down Hewitt Avenue.

The upgrades in decor, beer, food, and range of clientele make it questionable whether it still merits the description of a "dive bar." But while the brick walls ooze history and hard times, The Anchor is now one of the more relaxing and pleasant places to have a beer in Everett and the greater Seattle area.

1001 Hewitt Ave Everett, WA 98201 - (425) 252-2288
Est. 1907 - Building constructed: 1907
anchorpubeverett.com - facebook - urbansketchers - yelp

#1605 - Jodie's Drink, Everett, WA - 11/17/2011

2011-12-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

Jodie's Drink, AKA Jodie's Bikini Bar, is a classic dive with the addition of scantily clad bartenders, ala the bikini barrista trend. With the exception of bartenders showing more skin, it is a very typical dive, and appropriately pours strong, cheap drinks for a friendly group of blue collar patrons. Owner Jodie claims this is the first bikini bar in Washington state, so here's to the pioneers.

For details, I quote the Everett News:

Bartenders wear bikini bottoms and they used to wear pasties on top but apparently the liquor board put a stop to that so they have string bikini tops. She stressed that its not a strip club, there are no table dances just cheap drinks and food. She said her background is in strip clubs and her family had been involved with several in the Everett area over the years. She told me things here are going so good that she is scouting for three or four more locations outside of Everett. She said there are lots of rules, no cameras allowed and don’t try and take a picture with your cell phone. They open at 9am for breakfast with food, drink and bikinis all the way until 2am. With the explosion of Bikini Barista stands popping up all over Everett it will be interesting to see if more bars will follow this trend.

1817 Broadway Ave, Everett, WA 98201 - (425) 304-1039
Est. July 2010
everettnews - yelp

#1604 #S960 - Heidelberg Haus, Seattle - 11/16/2011

2011-12-25T23:26:00.000-08:00

At the moment the bar in this new German restaurant is about as about as meager as a bar can get. There are exactly four wine options and four beers on tap, and a lot of blank, empty space on the walls. But the plans are to eventually expand to a full bar.

In the meantime, lest you think the Heidelberg Haus to just a kitschy theme for a typical neighborhood pub, here you can have some rarely delicious, made-from-scratch, southern German food, and in a place where most the staff and about half the patrons converse in German. The bartender told me about his father still bringing him homemade Schnapps from the Black Forest.

I had the Wienerschnitzel mit spatzle and an extra side of the Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), with a pint of Weihenstephaner Premium Lager. A couple patrons with much more experience than I in German cuisine assured me that this was some of the best schnitzel they'd had. I am personally not a large fan of lagers, nor most German beers, so I will leave comments here to persons who share those tastes. But I will say that I would be very surprised if you would find better German food in many places in our area, and while the bar area is a bit overly bright for a bar, the company is interesting and engaging.

2122 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 466-5369
Est. Nov. 10, 2011 - Building constructed: 1921
Previous bars in this location: None known
seattle-eats-german.com - facebook - ravennablog - eater - thestranger - seattleweekly - yelp

#1603 #S959 - Harissa, Seattle - 11/15/2011

2011-12-25T22:25:00.000-08:00

"Harissa (Arabic حريصا) is a mountain village in Lebanon. The village, which is located 650 meters above sea level, is home to an important Lebanese pilgrimage site, Our Lady of Lebanon." Harissa in Ravenna is a pleasant little Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant run by the amiable Walid Alabtan.

Harissa is not likely to be a very interesting choice when you are looking simply for a bar. But it does have a small bar and some pleasant wine choices to go with your kabobs and mezzeh.

Historical notes: This was the first location of the Santa Fe Cafe, established here in 1981. Before that it was Bimbo's, a biker bar. It was Earl's Tavern in the 60s and 70s, and in the 40s Cliff's Tavern and Frank's Tavern.

2255 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - 206 588-0651
Est. Nov. 2010 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: Cliff's Tavern, Frank's Tavern, Earl's Tavern, Bimbo's, Santa Fe Café
harissaofseattle.com - seattletimes - ravennablog - thestranger - yelp

#1602 #S958 - Azteca (Ballard), Seattle - 11/12/2011

2011-12-25T21:54:00.000-08:00

Azteca is a local, family-run chain, that sells pretty much the definition of standard American Mexican food. They were established in the greater Seattle area in 1974 and now have about 35 restaurants across the Pacific Northwest, including four in Seattle.

Adventuresome or remarkable Aztecas are not, and foodies should pass. But for people who like -- or are just in the mood for -- this type of food, they have a wide array of affordable selections, which arrive in large portions. They are good for families, but usually have a cantina area, which again serve relatively bland standards.

Of course if you would like fine Mexican food, La Carta De Oaxaca is pretty much right around the corner, and if you want fine cocktails, the Ballard area has any number of fine options (consider Sambar, The Sexton, Golden Beetle, Hazlewood, Bastille, Moshi Moshi, MacLeod's, Paratii or Staple & Fancy). But on the other hand, while Azteca is not about to win three Michelin stars, you know what you're getting, and it is just fine for what it is and whom it is for.

2319 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107-4027 - (206) 782-7079
Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: None known
aztecamex.com - happyhoursinseattle - yelp

#1601 #S957 - Jamjuree Thai, Seattle - 11/9/2011

2011-12-25T17:09:00.000-08:00

This is a Thai restaurant run by a family that ran it under the same name name in Bangkok. There is not much to the bar here, but they do serve better than average Thai food.

509 15th Avenue East Seattle, WA 98112-4512 - (206) 323-4255
Est. 1995 - Building constructed: 1929
jamjuree.com - whatsthesoup.net - whatscookingoodlookin- seattletimes - citysearch - yelp

#1600 #S956 - Coastal Kitchen, Seattle - 11/8/2011

2011-12-24T23:50:00.000-08:00

It's hard to imagine many people would come here for the small bar, with options like Liberty and 22 just down the street. But they serve some decent drinks and are better known for their rotating menu, especially breakfast and seafood.

429 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-1145
Est. 1993 - Building constructed: 1924
Previous bars at this location: None known - Unknown if any of these restaurants included an actual bar: Beau Jardin restaurant (1970s), Bentley & Ives' restaurant (1979-1980), Diamond Lil's restaurant (1980-1981), the Ritz Cafe (1982-1993)
seattle-eats.com - seattletimes - thestranger - funfeasts - topthisplace - gayot - yelp

#1599 #S955 - Cafe Kanape, Seattle - 11/7/2011

2011-12-24T22:42:00.000-08:00

"Kanape," this cafe's web site explains, is a "finger food, often eaten in one bite, but shared with many." Cafe Kanape features such dishes from across Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern Europe. Owner Sabine, who is from Latvia, previously owned Contour for 10 years, and could hardly have created a greater shift in ambiance, with this romantic little cafe. In addition to the small plates it features a worldly selection of coffees, wines and beers. It is a nice stop for some pretty good food, much of which you do not see too often, and for a relaxed conversation.

700 Broadway E, Suite D, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 708-1210
Est. Feb 11, 2011 - Building constructed: 2002
cafekanape.com - facebook - thestranger - seattlepi - seattleweekly - thehungerseattle - thestranger - thrillist - yelp

#1598 #S954 - Dulce Latin Bistro, Seattle - 11/6/2011

2011-12-18T17:24:00.000-08:00

This upscale bistro, which builds around the tastes of Mexico, Spain, and France, has moved from Madrona to a portion of the former location of Typhoon, below the Harbor Steps (the original location of Wild Ginger). Dulces started out many years ago from a bakery in West Seattle, and is now a somewhat pricey European style bistro, with white table cloths and piano bar. The bar is nothing particularly special, but we enjoyed the food and the service from bartender Annie.

1404 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - 206 623-3556
Est. Oct 2011 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars in this location: Wild Ginger, Typhoon
dulcesbistroandwine.com - seattlemet - seattletimes - eater.com -

#1597 #S953 - The Terrace Lounge (Fairmont Hotel) , Seattle - 11/2/2011

2011-12-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

While the "Terrace Plaza bar" may evoke images of rooftop patios and ornate gardening, the location in the Fairmont is simply a small, elegant bar off the main lobby. The Fairmont Olympic is Seattle's grandest hotel, hosting celebrities, world leaders, and every U.S. president since Herbert Hoover. For several years I walked past it on my way from bus stop to office, and it was a fairly common event to see motorcades and security guards swarming the back entrance.

The hotel was specifically designed by the community to be just that sort of grand hotel, with the construction in 1924 funded by public bonds. It sits on the original location of the University of Washington, in a place known as Denny's Knoll when Arthur Denny donated it 1861 to the Territorial University. The UW, which moved northward to its current location in 1895, retains a large chunk of ownership of the land and building, although it sold 64% in the mid 90s. The hotel was built around the Metropolitan Theater, which was demolished in 1956 (and eulogized by Helen Hayes, after a final night performance), providing the current entrance area.

I don't know how long the Terrace Plaza bar has been open in this location, but if you enjoy genteel hotel bars, this is a nice, intimate one, with capable bartenders and a small number of interesting patrons passing through. The lounge area extends into the lobby, but if you like bars, you'll want to be in the elegant room around the bar itself, with it's welcoming wood and lowered lights. And from 3:30 to 6:00pm Sundays through Thursdays the bar features all-you-can-eat appetizers or cheeses for $12 each.

411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 621-1700
Building constructed: 1924
fairmont.com - facebook - historylink.org - thestranger - fairmont.com - seattleweekly -

#1596 #S952 - New York Pizza and Bar, Seattle - 11/2/2011

2011-12-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

New York Pizza and Bar explains on their web site that they serve New York style pizza with a nice picture of a family eating Chicago style pizza. In the next sentence they explain that they also have "extraordinary service and unsurpassable food and drink quality," which also doesn't quite square with reality. Perhaps they are aiming for a New York style of overstatement.

But it's not a bad place. There is pretty good, nice-sportsbar sorts of food (think Fox Sports Grill quality), many televisions to catch games, decent cocktails, and a vibrant decor in a style that recently graduated frat boys would describe as elegant and classy.

It seems like a comfortable choice to catch a game or bring the family.

500 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98104-7097 - (206) 587-0381
Est. Nov 7, 2011
newyorkpizzaandbar.com - facebook - seattleweekly - thestranger - yelp

#1595 #S951 - Spinasse, Seattle - 10/31/2011

2011-12-18T01:59:00.000-08:00

Based on the Piedmont region, highly regarded upscale northern Italian cuisine, which lives up to it's reputation. I had the tajarin, a long-standing favorite (delicate egg pasta with butter and sage).

1531 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122-4023 - (206) 251-7673
Est. Aug 2008 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars in this location: None known

spinasse.com - thestranger - seattlemet - seattletimes - komonews - seattleweekly - gourmet - yelp

#1594 #S950 - Cafe Lago, Seattle - 10/30/2011

2011-12-17T20:11:00.000-08:00

A very good Italian restaurant (Peter Reinhart's “American Pie: My Search for the Perfect Pizza" called it the best pizza in America in 2003). It also has a small bar with limited cocktail options. It serves thin crust pizza and a terrific looking antipasti plate that I will certainly order next time.

2305 24th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 329-8005
Est. Oct 10, 1990 - Building constructed: 1922
Previous bars at this location: None known
cafelago.com - seattletimes - bonappetit - seattlepi - yelp

#1593 #S949 - Electric Tea Garden, Seattle - 10/28/2011

2011-12-17T18:17:00.000-08:00

A small-ish club that caters to DJs and electronica, with an "infusion lounge that specializes in tea based cocktails and elixirs," hidden around the corner and upstairs from an artificial limb store.

1402 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 568-3972
Est. March 10, 2007 - Building constructed: 1909
Previous bars in this location: None known
electricteagarden.com - facebook - yelp

#1592 #S948 - Pecado Bueno, Seattle - 10/27/2011

2011-12-13T22:49:00.000-08:00

Pecado Bueno ("Sin Well") serves pretty standard American Mexican dishes, with a bit more quality than average and a good deal more personality. They have a salsa bar, but to taste the Diablo sauce you need to sign their "Unconditional Waiver and Hold-Harmless Stipulation" where the customer agrees to "hold the ownership, management and employees of Pecado Bueno utterly without blame for any discomfort, pain, first, second or third degree burns, ruined mascara, and/or loss of self-esteem and/or respect from one's peers resulting from ingestion"

The owner is one of the founders of Taco del Mar, the margaritas are affordable and drinkable, and the food stresses local, organic, sustainable ingredients.

4307 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 457-8837
Est. Oct 2011 - Building constructed: 1952
pecadobueno.com - facebook - seattleweekly - thrillist - williamson.ws - fremontuniverse - eater - yelp

#1591 - Afriq, Skyway WA - 10/25/2011

2011-12-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

Afriq is a night time place. It opens at 9pm. It's a Kenyan-owned dance club, with food and drinks from across Africa. The best nights to go are Saturdays, which are reggae nights.

12619 Renton Ave S, Skyway, WA 98178-3712 - (206) 772-6300
Est. Feb 2008
thedjpeter.com

#1590 - Roman Casino, Seattle - 10/25/2011

2011-12-11T22:58:00.000-08:00

The unincorporated Skyway area, just south of the Seattle city limits and an on-again/off-again subject of annexation by surrounding communities (Seattle, Tukwila, Renton), is not quite like anyplace else in the greater Seattle area. It is probably the most ethnically and racially diverse large area -- one of the few where whites a (slight) minority.

The Roman Casino is one of those places that accentuates both the diversity and the ethnic cohesion of the area. The workers seem split evenly between white, black and Asian, while the customers appear about 95% Vietnamese, and the whole is surrounded by the ersatz simulacra of famous Roman art, including a mini Michelangelo's "David" in a fountain.

The cheesy decor does not lead to cheap food and drinks. The mostly Vietnamese and Chinese menu ranges from $50 for lobster-based dishes, to $40 for crab-based plates, appetizers $9-$17, standard American Chinese dishes (beef with broccoli) $12-$18. The drinks are pretty much what you would expect. The casino is housed in a sort of shopping center structure, with a Pawn Pros store conveniently located around the corner.

11829 Renton Ave S, Skyway, WA 98178-3723 - (206) 772-7524

#1589 - Skyway Park Bowl and Casino, Seattle - 10/25/2011

2011-12-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

A cheesy mini casino, bowling, a lounge serving cheap, strong drinks and chicken and waffles. What else could you possibly want? (How about a web site that is "Copywrite 2011"?)

11819 Renton Ave S, Skyway, WA 98178 - (206) 772-1220

skywayparkbowl.com - facebook - yelp

#1588 - Skyway Sports Bar, Seattle - 10/25/2011

2011-12-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

This has recently changed it's name from "Best Damn Sports Bar." Since no aspect of the place provides any hint of how that could ever have been taken seriously, and for people like me who like these sorts of places, I'd suggest just going the straightforward route and naming it "Dive-iest Damn Dive Bar."

12833 Martin Luther King Jr, Skyway, WA 98178-3513 - (206) 432-9379
Est. year - Building constructed: 1950
Other bars at this location: Willy's Too, Best Damn Sports Bar

#1587 #S947 - Amore Infused, Seattle - 10/23/2011

2011-12-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

Amore Infused is the new version of Sean Lanagan's Italian restaurant which once lived just around the block. Lanagan's range of events, charitable work, and personality make you root for the place, and the food and drinks make that easier. The new name seems to accent the bar a little more, and the interesting infused spirits such as ginger limoncello, vanilla whiskey and chai rum.

I had a Cucumber Mist (house cucumber vodka, lime, sweet and sour, mist of fresh black pepper) and then a Winter Sazerac (absinthe, bourbon, Grand Gala Orange Liqueur, blood orange juice, fresh black pepper, bitters). The cocktails tend to be a tad on the sweet side for my tastes, but these two were really tasty, and Ernie the bartender makes it a pleasure to explore your personal tastes.

522 Wall St, Seattle, WA 98121 - 206.770.0606
Est. Feb 11, 2011
tasteofamore.com - facebook - seattletimes - seattletimes (Thanksgiving dinners)- yelp

#1586 #S946 - Local Vine (U Village), Seattle - 10/21/2011

2011-12-11T00:16:00.000-08:00

Local Vine has a terrific array of choices (100 wines by the glass), a few interesting cocktails, and their goal is laudable -- "a place where you can hang out the way you would in a coffee shop while learning about or just enjoying wine." In addition, the servers are very nice. But this location is in the middle of the University Village shopping mall, which is about as far as humanly possible from the setting in which I would like to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine. It would be like going to the middle of GameWorks to do yoga.

So I would never make this my choice for a drink (beginning with the extensive hunt for a parking space) if I was not already in the shopping center. But it's a nice little stop if you have already had the misfortune of being there.

2620 NE University Village St, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 527-6222
Est. Oct. 13, 2011
thelocalvine.com - facebook - seattlemet - seattlemet - yelp

#1585 #S945 - Delancey, Seattle - 10/20/2011

2011-12-10T23:16:00.000-08:00

As a bar Delancey is simply a friendly suburban neighborhood joint where you can get a good glass of wine. So it doesn't get the a highest recommendation on this bar blog, and it's not recommended that you go (and probably wait) when you are simply seeking a bar. Bur of course the main attraction of the place is the pizza, which has been praised by all kinds of local critics as well as the New York Times and other remote sources that know their pizza.

The accompaniments are also quite good -- I had a delicious Jersey salad, with a glass of PR Corsini Docetto blend, before the sausage pizza (tomato sauce, fresh and aged mozzarella, Grana, housemade sausage). Delancey pizzas are thin crust and wood-fired, and I prefer them to the certified authentic Neapolitan style pizza of Via Tribulani or Tutta Bella, where the crust and pie tend to become goopy in the center. Also, the ingredients on the Delancey pies seem a tad better to me (though I still give a slight edge to Serious Pie here).

You'll often have a wait but it's well worth it.

Historical notes: While I've found no previous bars listed at the 1415 address, the "Pantry at Delancey," which is behind the pizzeria and hosts dinner parties and classes, is listed at 1417. This leads me to believe that at least a portion, if not all, of the street-facing Delancey was the previous location of several bars listed under the 1417 address. These include the "West Seventieth Street Tavern" from the 40s into the 60s, "Sam's Place Tavern" in the 70s, and the "Guardsman Tavern" in the 90s. The brick building of which Delancey is a part was constructed in 1926.

1415 Northwest 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98117-5340 - (206) 838-1960
Est. Aug 2009 - Building constructed: 1926
delanceyseattle.com - nytimes - gastronomyblog - seriouseats - seriouseats - seattlepi - yelp

#1584 #S944 - Cafe Campagne, Seattle - 10/19/2011

2011-12-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

French bistro cuisine with a tiny bit of a bar.

1600 Post Alley, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 728-2233
Est. 1994
campagnerestaurant.com - facebook - foodpluswines - seattleweekly - seattleite - seattlemag - seattledining - gayot - zagat - yelp

#1583 #S943 - Marche, Seattle - 10/19/2011

2011-12-10T15:56:00.000-08:00

The long time Seattle institution Campagne has been remodeled into a somewhat more relaxed format under owner/chef Daisley Gordon. (Cafe Campagne remains downstairs.) The white table clothes and wall between restaurant and bar are gone, and the menu offers more diversions from the central French theme. The bar offers some interesting cocktails and, of course, wines (with some more adventuresome by-the-glass offerings thanks to the preserving powers of their new Enomatic preserver.

86 Pine Street Seattle, WA 98101-1531 - (206) 728-2800
Est. Oct 7, 2011
marcheseattle.com - facebook - seattleweekly - yelp

#1582 #S942 - C.C.Attles, Seattle - 10/18/2011

2011-12-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

People go to CC Attles for the people at CC Attles, not for the unique decor or a fine cocktail. So there are a lot of people very happy to see the much liked bear bar back in action. But for the sake of variety, it's sad to see someplace as different as Café Metropolitain replaced with a remodel as utterly boring as CC's.

Café Metropolitain was by no means a great bar. But it took the space in one more of those boring condos-above / retail-below buildings steadily diminishing the character from our neighborhoods, and turned it into something unique and surprising. One walked under the condos and into a Disney-like slice of Paris streets at night, with a fountain, cobblestones, and string lights.

CC's pours dive bar style cocktails (poorly made, but cheap and strong), and tries to replace the patio of the old location with, essentially, a hallway at the side of the room. If you want to have a night out with burly, gay men, CC's still seems to be one of your better choices, and the owner promises "no attitude." I'm obviously not in their target demographic, and perhaps boring and plain decor (with the exception of a large, plaster, Tom of Finland style figure) is just the right complement for a neighborhood bear bar that resents attitude. But speaking strictly from the personal tastes of someone who rather "collects" bars and likes to feel a strong, unique character, no matter what kind of bar it is, a little more attitude might have gone a long way.

1701 E Olive Way Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 726-0565
Est. June 11, 2011 (relocated from 1501 E Madison) - Building constructed: 1993
Other bars at this location: Café Metropolitain (Henry's Off Broadway in a previous building)
ccattles.net (NSFW) - facebook - thestranger - yelp

#1581 #S941 - Shop Agora, Seattle - 10/18/2011

2011-12-06T23:00:00.000-08:00

Unlike its sister Mediterranean deli in Phinney, the Capitol Hill version has a small wine bar and restaurant in back. The food is excellent (I had the Pastitsio, which was very tasty, but wanted to try every item I saw served to the others around me, and a glass of Gouleyant Cahors malbec). It's not a go-to place for a bar, but it is a fine stop for lunch or dinner.

346 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-1103
Est. Aug 3, 2011 - Building constructed: 2001
Other bars at this location: None
theshopagora.com - facebook - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

#1580 #S940 - Hilliard's Beer, Seattle - 10/14/2011

2011-12-06T21:33:00.000-08:00

The Hilliard's tasting room comprises a small bar, some wooden cable drum tables, and a few concrete seats tucked in the corner of a pretty sizable brewing warehouse in Ballard. Ambitious new brewers Ryan Hilliard and Adam Merkl, who plan to skip the microbrew stage and go straight to regional brewers, covet the other half of the building, which currently hosts practices by a roller derby team. Their self-financed facilities produce brews in 450 gallon lots and they can their beer with a machine that produces 24 cans a minute.

The owners are amiable and enjoyable to converse with. They are carving a niche in the craft beer business by skipping the usual IPAs and starting with brews like an amber and a saison, and with large runs in cans. The cans are very attractive, and the brewing facilities themselves are a great makeover of a dilapidated old auto warehouse. It's large and industrial, but they pay attention to details, from the hops, to the cans, to the paint.

On Saturdays, you can also grab some dinner from visiting food trucks from the likes of Skillet, Snout & Co., and WhereYaAtMatt.

1550 NW 49th Street, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 465-0078
Est. Oct. 7, 2011 Building constructed: 1947
hilliardsbeer.com - fueledbybeer - seattlemag - seattlebeernews - seattlemet - thestranger - yelp

#1579 #S939 - Momiji, Seattle - 10/12/2011

2011-12-04T21:54:00.000-08:00

I am not a great fan of sushi, so I cannot really advise on the food at Momiji. It is, however, decidedly more elegant than Umi and the raucous Kushibar, owner Steven Han's Belltown establishments, and the bar in front glows with a welcoming wood and brick warmth. "Momiji" means "maple," and in addition to the maples on the walls there are a couple live ones in the Kyoto-style garden courtyard in the middle of the back room restaurant portion.

The crowd is more typical of Belltown than Capitol Hill, and the cocktail list is large and dominated by sakes and shochu. Again, these are not something I have any developed any particular taste for, so I don't feel any notes on my reactions would be helpful. But it is at minimum a happily dark and graceful place for a meal and a drink.

1522 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 457-4068
Est. October 2011 - Building constructed: 1922, but heavily remodeled in 2011
momijiseattle.com - facebook - bizjournals - thestranger - itsyowyow- capitolhillseattle - seattlemet - yelp

#1578 #S938 - Crush, Seattle - 10/12/2011

2011-12-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

The Crush restaurant winds around the old rooms of a century-old Tudor, and serves very fine food from owner and award-winning chef Jason Wilson. The prices are a bit upscale as well, but Crush now has a Happy Hour menu with small bites for $4 to $12, and for a romantic occasion it is hard to beat. In addition to the extensive wine list, Crush has some different and enjoyable cocktails, and a seat at the small bar will afford you a good view of the food alternatives and their delicate preparations.

2319 East Madison Street, Seattle, WA 98112-5416 - (206) 302-787
Est. Feb. 22, 2005 - Building constructed: 1903
chefjasonwilson.com - seattledining - seattletimes - seattle weekly (slides) - seattle weekly - komonews - meatyair - thestranger - gayot - yelp

#1577 #S937 - Altura, Seattle - 10/11/2011

2011-12-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

People have been raving about this new restaurant from chef Nathan Lockwood of "The Ruins," but I probably saw the place in it's worst light. Having just had dinner, I stopped in for just a cocktail, and although the wine list is quite good, the list of spirits is not. So I won't be stopping by just for drinks unless/until they up their game substantially, but I definitely will be back for dinner.

617 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 402-6749
Est. Oct. 5, 2011 - Building constructed: 1931
Other bars at this location: None known
alturarestaurant.com - facebook - gastrolust - thestranger - seattlemet - yelp

#1576 #S936 - Bako, Seattle - 10/11/2011

2011-12-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

Bako is lovely. First there are the Cantonese-style small plates, some of the best Chinese food in the city. But there is also the small bar, manned by Guy Lafitte, lately of Vegas, a big fan of tiki drinks, and with a look and presence that might lead you to think you're in the most popular bar of gold rush era San Francisco.

Guy serves a mixture of classics, sometimes in their unfamiliar, original versions, and newly invented drinks. The latter include the "Jimmy's Pearl," named to honor Jimmy and Pearl Woo, owners of the divey Jade Pagoda that preceded Bako in the location for 63 years (before closing in 2006 and being partially torn down for a new building in 2010). The cocktail menu is divided into “Classic Variations”, “Colonial Heritage”, and “Bako Now” and ordered by spirit, "taste", and "effect." Guy also features a "spirit of the week" and will create variations upon it to suit your tastes.

606 Broadway East Seattle, WA 98102-5391 - (206) 829-8958
Est. Oct 5, 2011 - Building constructed: 1926, substantially rebuilt in 2010
Previous bars at this location: The Jade Pagoda (1943-2006)
bakoseattle.com - facebook - eater - capitolhillseattle - capitolhillseattle - thrillist - eater - seattlemet - rollwithjen - thestranger - yelp

#1575 #S935 - Diesel, Seattle - 10/10/2011

2011-12-03T13:23:00.000-08:00

The soft jazz and romantic fire feature of Martin's are replaced with an unambiguous bear bar, with musclebound gay porn on the walls and televisions. The cocktails are uninteresting, but that's probably fine for what is basically a blue-collar, neighborhood dive for large gay men, and a bit older crowd than many of the nearby alternatives.

Historical note: There have been bars at this location since at least 1939. By the 40s it was known as Fritz's Tavern, and by 1960 and into the 80s it was "The Cellar" or "Cellar Tavern." It was Hombres Saloon in the 90s and Martin's Off Madison from 2005 to 2010.

1413 14th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-4145 - (206) 322-1080
Est. Sep. 2, 2011 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars at this location: Fritz's Tavern, The Cellar, Hombres Saloon, Martin's Off Madison
dieselseattle.com - facebook - sgn - yelp

#1574 #S934 - LloydMartin, Seattle - 10/8/2011

2011-11-30T20:18:00.000-08:00

A pleasant, somewhat mundane wine bar, with good, somewhat fancy small plates.

1525 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - 206-420-7602
Est. Oct. 6, 2011 - Building constructed: 2005
Other bars at this location: Bricco Della Regina Anna
lloydmartinseattle.com - facebook - seattletimes - thrillist - eater - yelp

#1573 #S933 - Mezcaleria Oaxaca, Seattle - 10/8/2011

2011-11-28T22:51:00.000-08:00

Along with it's sister restaurant in Ballard, this new Queen Anne location the best Mexican food in Seattle, from chef Gloria Perez (and managed by her family). As the name suggests, there is a bit more emphasis on the bar in this location, featuring every mezcal available in Washington state.

2123 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle 98109 - (206) 216-4446
Est. Oct 6, 2011 - Building constructed: 1920
mezcaleriaoaxaca.com - facebook - gastrolust - seattleweekly - eater.com - thestranger - yelp

#1572 #S932 - Phoenicia, Seattle - 10/5/2011

2011-11-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

My ratings are focused on bars, not restaurants, and thus this wine bar does not quite get my highest recommendation; but it would if I were based on the food. It is my favorite food in West Seattle and among my top four favorite pizza locations in the city (after Serious Pie, it is in a rough tie with Bar Del Corso and Delancey). The menu is Mediterranean focused, with some very fine tapas, and rotating special entrees on the chalkboard. I had the Sausage & Peppers pizza (house-made fennel sausage, Mama’s Lil Peppers, fresh and whole milk mozzarella, Grana Padano, parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, and red sauce), which was terrific, and the Fiery Diver Sea Scallops, also very nice.

Phoenicia opened on California Ave in 1974, moved to Queen Anne from 1980 to 1992, then relocated to its present space back in West Seattle, across the road from Alki Beach. After the much loved founder, Hussein Khazaal, passed away in 2009, his wife and daughters remodeled and continue to run the place, with a menu revamped by Byron Hummel (who trained under Charles Walpole, now chef at Anchovies & Olives). The family are friendly and engaging, and I especially like stepping into their warm confines on a rainy Seattle evening.

2716 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 935-6550
Est. 1992 (1974 on California Ave) - Building constructed: 1968
phoeneciawestseattle.com - facebook - seattletimes - westseattleblog - seattlemag - seriouseats - thestranger - urbanspoon - zagat
Khazaal's passing: seattletimes - westseattleblog

#1571 #S931 - Outwest, Seattle - 10/4/2011

2011-11-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

This is West Seattle's only gay bar -- the first since Guppy's West was in the space of the current A Terrible Beauty in the early 90s. Given a fairly substantial LGBTQ population in the neighborhood, that may be enough to sustain the business, and perhaps the crowd and age will add some character as time goes by. Right now it is a fairly bland, boxy space with mediocre drinks.

5401 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136 - (206) 937-1540
Est. Aug 11, 2011 - Building constructed: 1925
outwestbar.com - westseattleherald - westseattleblog - sgn.org - yelp

#1570 #S930 - Pan Africa Grill, Seattle - 10/4/2011

2011-11-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

As a bar, this is not much -- at least at the early date I visited. And since this is a bar blog, I can't recommend it as a bar. But if I were reviewing restaurants this would would be one of my top three in West Seattle and in my top 20 for all of Seattle. They have a very tasty rotation of entrees from different regions of Africa each month, along with dishes from owner Mulugeta “Mulu” Abate's native Ethiopia.

5905 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136 - (206) 971-0698
Est. Sep. 27, 2011 - Building constructed: 1926
Other bars at this location: None known (previously Ho-win Chinese, unknown whether this had a bar)
panafricagrill.com - facebook - westseattleherald - westseattleblog - westseattleblog - thrillist - yelp

#1569 #S929 - Pritty Boys Family Pizzeria, Seattle - 10/3/2011

2011-11-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

This is a new, family-oriented pizza place from the owners of Branzino in the former Madrona location of Dulce Latin Bistro. I had already had dinner when I stopped in, and was only interested in the bar -- which is not very good, overly bright, and suffers from being right across from the children's play area. The pizza did not look like anything special to me. However since I have subsequently learned that the chef is the same one who did the excellent pizzas at West Seattle's Phoenicia (and trained under Charles Wadpole, of Anchovies and Olives), so I definitely will be back to give the food a try.

It's probably a quite good option if you have young children with you. You will not want to go there for the bar.

1430 34th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 257-1319
Est. May 26, 2011 - Building constructed: 1996
prittypizza.com - seriouseats - eater - thrillist - yelp

#1568 #S928 - June, Seattle - 10/3/2011

2011-11-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

Update: June closed in Dec 2011

An upscale but casual bistro from Vuong and Tricia Loc, featuring Vietnamese-influenced French cuisine.

I had an Aaron's Cucumber cocktail, the prawns with green cocktail sauce, the burger (ground bacon and beef, Kurtwood Farms camembert, fries).

1423 34th Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3300 - (206) 323-4000
Est. May 2010 - Building constructed: year
juneseattle.com - seattleweekly - seattleweekly - thestranger - seattletimes - seattlemag - yelp

#1567 #S927 - The Cactus (West Seattle), Seattle - 10/2/2011

2011-11-14T22:52:00.000-08:00

The West Seattle version of this popular Mexican restaurant does not have quite the neighborhood feel of the Madison Park version, but it does have a location right on Alki looking across the beach to the water and large roll-up windows for great summertime seats. The Mexican food and margaritas are both better than average, and the airy, modern building makes it a sort of loungey, modish counterpoint to the funky and fun Chupacabra up the road.

2820 Alki Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116-2788 - (206) 933-6000
Est. 2006 - Building constructed: 2003
cactusrestaurants.com - gayot - yelp

#1566 #S926 - Via Tribunali (Belltown), Seattle - 5/13/2011

2011-11-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

Many of us will miss the dirty foam and neon sheep and the divey atmosphere of the back bar in the original Crocodile. But the remodel included many things done right, including the dark and swanky Via Tribulani in the back portion. This was Mike McConnell's fifth and most romantic of his AVPN-certified Neapolitan pizza restaurants, with a bar that seemed like a central point instead of squeezed in. The most striking features where the very high-backed black vinyl seats and the gorgeous paintings of Mt. Vesuvius, emphasized with carefully positioned Rembrandt lighting.

When it closed after approximately one year, Via Tribunali left the wood-fired pizza oven made from ash from Mt. Vesuvius and the mahogany bar to the owners of the Crocodile. They continue to sell very similar pizza and fairly decent cocktails, though no longer under the volcano paintings.

2200 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-4618
Est. April 16, 2009 - Closed 2010 - Building constructed: 1924
facebook - seattlepi - hideousbelltown - foodbuzz - seattleweekly - seriouseats - cornichon - belltownpeople - yelp - zagat

#1565 #S925 - Emerald City Beer Co, Seattle - 10/1/2011

2011-10-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

The Emerald City Beer Lab is a medium-sized tasting room for the microbrew that has moved into the historic old Rainier Brewery between Airport Way and I5. The new brewery is also lager focused, but create a variety of craft brews. The "lab" is somewhat spare, consistent with the industrial setting, with a good sized bar, two taps, and a big screen television. The owner and staff are casual and friendly.

The tasting room is most notable to long-time residents for its historic location. Beer has been brewed here since 1883, and the large R from the Rainier days was a Seattle icon. The current building was constructed by Kopp & Hemrich brewery in 1887 and has been the site of major brewing from then until 1999 (around the prohibition years) under the names Bayview Brewery, Sick's Seattle Brewing & Rainier.

The Mountain Room ran within the brewery from the 30's until 1999, hosting at times Jim Whitaker (the first American to climb Mt. Everest), Mickey Rooney, and the Seattle Rainiers baseball team. The brewery and Mountain Room were closed in 1999 and "Rainier" subsequently sold to Pabst and brewed by Miller. In recent years, developers have converted portions of it into artists studios and rehearsal spaces.

3100 Airport Way S, Ste 8100, Seattle, WA 98134 - (206) 351-8250
Est. Aug 21, 2010 - Building constructed: 1887 (Historic Bay View / Rainier Brewery)
Other bars at this address: La Cantina, The Mountain Room (1930s - 1999)
emeraldcitybeer.com - washingtonbeerblog - seattlepi - king5 - seattlest - yelp

#1564 #S924 - Epic Ales, Seattle - 10/1/2011

2011-10-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

Epic Ales is a microbrewery run by Cody Morris with a tiny bar & tasting room in the KR Trigger Building in SoDo. You'll need to ring the doorbell to be shown in. On Saturdays he teams with a chef and presents upscale meals in the "gastropod," an upstairs room with lovely old wood and signs. The room contains a lovely old bar made to look like a ship, which the landlord obtained from an old tavern in Spokane, and which now juts its bow through the wall into the next room.

The beers are adventurous and use some offbeat ingredients, and the food and beer pairings of the gastropod show the same creative considerations. I had a lambic made with fresh hops called Zero Minute IPA. Belgian-styles are not my personal favorites, but it was nice to have an intriguing set of tastes so different from the typical offerings.

3201 First Ave South, Suite 104, Seattle, WA 98134 - 206-351-3637
Est. January 22, 2010 (Brewery est. Dec 2008) - Building constructed: 1923
epicales.com - facebook - yelp - hessbrewing - beerblotter - eater.com

#1563 #S923 - Mars Bistro, Seattle - 9/30/2011

2011-10-30T17:28:00.000-07:00

Mars Bistro (previously Blue Dog Kitchen) is a funky little spot on the north end of The Ave that focuses on organic breakfasts and lunch, along with teas and coffee. But about a month ago they opened up a bar, and now in the evenings they offer an intimate, unfussy, little break between the frenetic Galway Arms and the sophisticated Lucid.

5247 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 632-5132
Est. 2011 - Building constructed: 1950
Other bars at this location: None known
organic-mars-bistrot.com - facebook - thestranger - yelp

#1562 - Goldfish Tavern, Tacoma, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-24T23:33:00.000-07:00

A nifty little dive bar across from Point Defiance Park, with a pretty decent beer selection (no liquor). The sign says it's been around since right after prohibition, and a lot of the folks who have been there since have carved their names into the wooden bar and tables.

5310 North Pearl Street, Ruston, WA 98407 - (253) 759-7474
Est. 1933
facebook - weeklyvolcano - yelp

#1561 - Tanglewood Grill, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

3222 56th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA 98335-1359 - (253) 858-5555

tanglewoodgrill.com - yelp - tripadvisor - urbanspoon - patch.com

#1560 - Halftime Sports Saloon, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-23T22:11:00.000-07:00

So this appears to be the happening hangout on a Saturday night in Gig Harbor, with a sizable crowd and lively karaoke tucked in the corner of a strip mall. It's a fairly typical neighborhood dive, with the expected sort of pub food, pull tabs, and a mixed crowd. The one unique aspect apparent is that many of the ceiling tiles have been personalized over the years by patrons.

(Spell checking is apparently optional as well.)

5114 Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 853-1456
Backwards baseball cap count: 7
myspace - yelp

#1559 - Hy-Iu-Hee-Hee, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-23T21:57:00.000-07:00

I've been unable to find out what the (Chinook?) phrase Hy-Iu-Hee-Hee means, but judging from appearances it is "big divey sports bar." An earlier location, a couple miles north of the current venue, apparently burned down sometime during the 70s.

4309 Burnham Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98332 - (253) 851-7885
facebook - gigharbor.patch.com - weeklyvolcano - yelp - tripadvisor

#1558 - 7 Seas Brewing Taproom, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

This microbrew has a nice little taproom and a nicer beer garden area hewn from the surrounding woods. The beers are nice and the vibe is pleasant. 7 Seas is the first microbrewery in Washington state to can their own beer. They were founded in 2008, moved after a fire, and the tap room has been open since at least 2009. To find them, it's better to find the Inn At Gig Harbor, and just drive to the back of the parking lot.

3207 57th Street Court Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 686-3703

7seasbrewing.com - facebook - seattlepi - kbbj - washingtonbeerblog - bainbridgeislandreview - yelp

#1557 - Tides Tavern, Gig Harbor, WA - 9/24/2011

2011-10-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

The Tides has been a tavern of various names since prohibition, and was remodeled and renamed into the current incarnation in 1973. From the tavern's web site:

'The building that now houses the Tides Tavern was built by Axel Uddenburg in 1910 and served the area as a general store. Located next to the "People's Dock", the town's only public ferry landing, it was called the West Side Mercantile. The ferry dock provided a steady stream of customers through the first half-century. With the end of prohibition in the 1930s, a tavern was added, and a tradition of good times began. Beer was sold for 10 cents a glass, and 20 cents a bottle. The tavern never made much money, but no one cared.

Through the years, the building has seen a number of colorful owners, not the least of which was "Three Fingered Jack," a Jerry Garcia look-alike whose tenor voice resonated across the dance floor on Friday and Saturday nights in the late 60s and early 70s.

In 1973, current owner Peter Stanley bought the run-down, but well-known tavern, and began a two-month re-construction project which culminated in the memorable opening of The Tides on the weekend of "Harbor Holidays."'

One of the things I liked about The Tides was that the staff were all running around working hard to serve a full house, but there was much smiling and laughter. It felt like the heart of this small town, for both locals and visitors, and both customers and workers seemed like they were glad to be there.

2925 Harborview Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 - (253) 858-3982
Est. 1973 - Building constructed: 1910
tidestavern.com (history) - acoupleoffoodiesintacoma - yelp

#1556 #S922 - Benihana, Seattle - 9/22/2011

2011-10-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

1200 Fifth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - 206-682-4686
benihanaseattle.com - facebook - thestranger - urbanspoon - yelp

#1555 #S921 - Origin, Seattle -9/22/2011

2011-10-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

I don't understand why they have a bar at all. Origin is a mediocre Vietnamese restaurant hidden from street view in the middle of a small shopping mall. Does anybody really go to this bar? You couldn't tell it from the bartender they hunted down for me, who served me a limp gin and soda when I ordered a gin and tonic. Unless you have your own project to have a drink at every bar in Seattle, I don't know why you'd bother with the bar here.

1333 5th Ave, Ste 510, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 317-2979
Est. Sept. 4, 2011 - Building constructed: 1976
Other bars at this location: Navya Lounge
facebook - yelp

#1554 #S920 - Orcas Landing, Seattle -9/20/2011

2011-10-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is a new Hillman City bar from Laurie Lusko, the displaced owner of the Beacon Hill Pub (now Bar del Corso). This night was a slow one and I ate bruschetta and chatted about bars of Seattle past with Mary Lou, who has owned area restaurants and on this night was working for tips for her friend the owner. There's nothing particularly remarkable about this place, the drinks, or the food, but it seems like a reasonably nice neighborhood joint.

5609 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 - (206) 402-4034
Est. 2011 - Building constructed: 1915
Other bars at this address: None known
facebook - seattlemag - seattleweekly - newpubbistro - yelp

#1553 #S919 - Velvet, Seattle -9/14/2011

2011-10-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

Velvet is an event space in a 100-year-old wooden warehouse just south of the ballparks. It is decorated in the style of a 19th century bordello and has a nice big bar and some basic cocktails. This was the first night of the "Velvet stage," which I think means it was the first night for the Velvet bar (this night featuring the dark neo-cabaret of the Blackmoor Travelling Picture Show).

1701 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA - 206 380-9576
Est. Sep. 14, 2011 - Building constructed: 1910
velvetstage.com - facebook

#1552 - Hollywood Tavern, Woodinville, WA - 9/17/2011

2011-10-21T22:36:00.000-07:00

Just around the corner from the courtly wine country of Woodinville, WA is a tiny old bar with a small neon sign reading simply "Tavern." The place is inexplicably named the Hollywood Tavern, although until the early 90s it was "Mabel's Tavern" and the latter name is still commonly used to clarify the location. The building opened as The Homestead Grocery (and gas station) in the early 1920s, and in the 40s was sold to Mabel Newman, who converted into a tavern.
.

There's a parking lot where Mabel's house used to be, and the bar itself contains many pieces of paraphernalia from Olympia Beer, the current owner's favorite. It is a true tavern (no liquor, just beer and wine) and has a pleasant set of old regulars on the stools

14508 Woodinville Redmond Rd, Woodinville, WA 98072-9092 - (425) 488-0630
Est. Late 1940s - Building constructed: Late 20s
woodinville.patch - woodinville.patch - kcls (woodinville history) - yelp

#1551 #S918 - Coterie, Seattle -9/14/2011

2011-10-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

There was not a lot of tension over whether I'd like to food or cocktails in this new restaurant in the old location of Restaurant Zoe. It's another place by Brian McCracken and Dana Tough, after Spur and Tavern Law, my favorite stop for cocktails or fine food in Seattle. The emphasis is on the bar in those other two, but it's a smaller part of this one. We had some tasty cod fritters and mac & cheese to go with a Seelback, a sazerac, and a third drink of no name with aquavit and celery bitters (the third came as a challenge to bartender Jerry to make a nice drink with an aquavit base).

It was all very tasty, as I expected. However if you are looking primarily for a bar, this space is less intimate and darkly comfortable than Spur and Tavern Law, despite an intriguing wall of live ferns. But it's great to have more options from these two guys.

2137 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 956-8000
Est. Sep 13, 2011 - Building constructed: 1927
Other bars at this location: Restaurant Zoe
thecoterieroom.com - facebook - tossedsaladsandscrambledeggs - seattletimes - seattletimes - eater.com - thestranger - yelp

#1550 #S917 - Bar Del Corso, Seattle - 9/10/2011

2011-10-20T21:00:00.000-07:00

I was sad to see the long-running Beacon Hill Pub close before I could ever make it (the owner moved to open Orcas Landing). But holy smokes, Jerry Corso has turned this into one of the city's best neighborhood pizzerias and restaurants. We sat at the end of the bar and watched delicious looking dish after delicious looking dish coming out. It's no secret either -- though it is a reasonably sized place, you can expect to have a fairly long wait any day of the week if you go anywhere close to the dinner hour.

But it's worth it.

I put BDC in my personal top 3 pizza stops in Seattle (along with downtown's Serious Pie and West Seattle's Phoenicia). We had the Salame Piccante pizza (tomato, salame, mozzarella, roasted peppers and grana). But the salads an appetizers are as good or better. We enjoyed the Suppli al Telefono (Roman street food: fried risotto balls and mozzarella) and I had the best heirloom tomato / Caprese salad I've ever had in my life (heirloom tomatoes and burrata with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic must, basic and coarse see salt).

The bar is good as well. I had an Old Perry ko Manhattan redux (sweet vermouth, rye whiskey, Angostura bitter), but it is the food that will make you lust to return.

3057 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 - (206) 395-2069
Est. July 12, 2011 - Building constructed: 1926
Other bars at this location: There have been bars her since at least 1939, and it was the Beacon Hill Pub from at least 1948 until 2010
bardelcorso.com - facebook - seattletimes - seattletimes - seattleweekly - thestranger - eater.com - yelp

#1549 - East Side Bar and Grill, Bellevue, WA - 9/6/2011

2011-10-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

Um, no.

625 116th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue, WA 98004-5207 - (425) 455-9444
coasthotels.com - yelp

#1548 #S916 - Canon Whiskey and Bitters Emporium, Seattle -9/5/2011

2011-10-20T20:54:00.000-07:00

After a sunny day at Bumbershoot we just thought we'd give dropping by the new place a shot, and as luck would have it, Jamie had decided to open for the night, with little advance warning, to test things out. The place is a very cozy place to have a cocktail with all the dark wood, impressive selections of spirits, punch bowl, and various cocktail accoutrements.

I had a "Canon Cocktail" (rye and Ramazotti with Cointreau foam) which was excellent, followed by another great rye-based drink that I forget from the "Roulette" selection (name your spirit and let the bartender improvise -- something I would have done in any case, but is now formalized on the menu). My companion, not quite the fan of whiskey-based drinks as I, opted for a peach Rickey, and was happy to find a well-balanced, not too sweet option, as you might fear from lesser hands.

We also tried the pork burgers, which come on Asian style buns and are bookended by a little toy cannon. The 100-item menu was not yet available, but I am very much looking forward to going back often and working my way through it.

After this visit we learned that, in addition to the talented bartenders already working there, Jamie has recruited the legendary Murray Stenson to the bar -- which seems like the perfect balance of interested drinkers and limited size that would be perfect for him. In any case, this has to already be considered one of the top cocktail destinations in Seattle, and indeed, in the cocktail world, while at the same time retaining the intimate, specialist, offbeat sort of vibe such that it is not over-run by boring people. It's obviously not much of an insight to discover that this is great bar, but experience confirms that there's no denying that for lovers of bourbon and finely balanced cocktails, it doesn't get any better than this.

928 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
Est. Sep 2011
Other bars at this location: Licorous
canonseattle.com - facebook - seattlemet - thestranger - eater - seattleweekly - yelp

#1547 #S915 - Phinney Market Pub and Eatery, Seattle - 8/27/2011

2011-10-19T23:57:00.000-07:00

Phinney Market Pub, named after the grocery store that preceded it in the space, is intended to be a nice breakfast and coffee stop in the mornings, a family-friendly dinner stop in the early evenings, and a bar later. As the "family friendly" might hint, this is not the place you want to go for a peaceful evening before your neighbors have put their toddlers to bed. Indeed it seems virtually designed to augment the wailing of spoiled yuppie children. But if you want a nice place where you can take your wailing kid -- or if you can wait until after bedtime, it is a pleasant place with fairly good food and cocktails, and a cool aunt's sort of decor.

5918 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 219-9105
Est. Aug 2011 - Building constructed: 1920

phinneymarketpub.com - facebook - seattletimes - thestranger - eater - inwardfacinggirl - yelp

#1546 #S914 - The Chieftain, Seattle - 8/26/2011

2011-10-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

The Chieftain is a comfortable, Irish bar from the people behind Finn MacCool's and McGilvra's. The name is an homage to Irish history, the Irish folk group, and the old mascot of Seattle University, all at the same time. It provides a a more blue-collar and student-friendly bar than the fine cocktail selling neighbors Canon and Ba Bar, and provides a bit of balance to what became, in the second half of 2011, a great little stretch of bars along 12th Ave.

But the reason I was most eager to visit the bar is not so evident -- it is one of the more historic bar locations in Seattle, having once hosted the extravagant Doc Hamilton's Barbecue Pit, "the most famous of the prohibition hangouts, Seattle's equivalent of the Cotton Club." Here is a bit of description from Paul DeBarros's Jackson Street After Hours:

"Doc opened his first speakeasy at 1017 1/2 E. Union, and later operated The Ranch, on highway 99 just north of the King County line. The Pit was elegant. Limousines lined the curb out front, while Seattle's social elect, including the mayor, ducked in and out of the club. Downstairs was the action -- roulette and an all-night dice game. Should there be a raid, the Barbecue Pit was prepared. A complete alarm system of bells, bars, and pulleys, snaked through the building. A button convenient to the cashier at the lunch counter was wired to a buzzer at the triple-barred doors of the cabaret basement."

908 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 324-4100
Est. Aug 19, 2011 - Building constructed: 1926
Other bars at this location: Doc Hamilton's, The 908 Club, Habibi
capitolhillseattle - seattleweekly - thrillist - seattlemet - seattlemet - facebook - su-spectator - yelp - thestranger

#1545 #S913 - Emerald Grill, Seattle - 8/23/2011

2011-10-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

My guess is that about 99.9% of bargoers in Seattle would ask, "Where on earth is the Emerald Grill?" It is a fairly unremarkable bar (with the exception of sexy bartender Sarah) in the Holiday Inn where Aurora approaches Belltown, remodeled to remove any bit of soul the space might have once had.

211 Dexter Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109-5105 - (206) 694-0070
Est. 2000? - Building constructed: 2000
holidayinn.com - facebook - yelp - urbanspoon