#1000! - Visions Lounge, Seattle - 3/5/2010

Visions Lounge closed in 2012 and was replaced by RView.

Project K-Bar is about hitting all bars, not just great bars -- and the K-Bar final four event was all about a group rolling into unexpected places.  In that way, the Visions Lounge was fairly representative.  To be fair, our group of 20-some strange-looking people arrived en masse just as they were closing.  On the other hand, the fact that they were closing before midnight on a Friday night pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how interesting the bar is.

The main attraction of Vision Lounge is not a regular clientele of optimologists, but rather the large set of windows looking out from the 28th floors onto... well, not much.  You have a great view of I-5, and you can kinda see the Space Needle, and kinda see Elliot Bay between two buildings, and you can definitely see one of the less attractive angles of downtown buildings.  Columbia Tower Club it is not.  More realistically, given the boring decor, uninteresting drinks, and sorry reputation of the food, the main attraction is that you are staying in the hotel and don't have to walk all of a couple blocks to get to much better bars (poor tourists can be pitied that no one told them that Sip is just around the corner).

Nevertheless, with some heavy cajoling we convinced the grumpy bartender to stay open an extra 20 minutes to experience the dubious joy of being the 1,000th bar on Project K-Bar.  For pictures of the momentous event, plus the visits to bars #997, #998, and #999 and the bus ride in between, see here, and here and here, and (if you have a facebook account) here.


515 Madison St., Seattle, WA 98104 (28th floor of the Renaissance Hotel) - (206) 583-0300
marriott.com - thestranger - seattle met - yelp - citysearch
(Photos by Kym A. & Larry J.)

#999 - The Barrel Tavern, Burien, WA - 3/5/2010

Update: The Barrel Tavern closed in 2015, was briefly replaced by an Indian restaurant, then the building was razed in October 2018.

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The Barrel is a semi-divey bar built in an old 1963 XXX Root Beer Drive-in in Top Hat, the neighborhood between Burien and White Center (there's a nice summary of the history in the B-TownBlog). So it's the big barrel facade that really grabs you.

The menu and drinks are the basics. The Barrel has blues nights and biker crowds, so I think our group arrived at one of its down moments, and I'm interested to see what the crowd is like when it is more full of regulars and less full of K-Bar not-so-secret agents. (Picture is a Larry J. photo of one of the regulars reacting to our group.)

The Barrel Tavern, Burien/White Center, WA
(Photo from whitecenternow.com)

Technical Note: Despite most places listing this with a Seattle address, it doesn't technically count as a Seattle bar, as my best efforts to place it relative to the crazy Seattle southern city limits line puts it a tad south of the city.









11051 1st Avenue S., Burien, WA 98168 - (206) 244-7390

Closed 2015 - Building constructed 1963

Previous bars in this location: None known
thebarreltavern.com - b-townblog - city-data - seattle weekly - yelp

#998 - Mac's Triangle Pub, Seattle - 3/5/2010

This is one of four "Triangles" I have been to in Seattle, along with the old Triangle Pub in Pioneer Square, the Ould Triangle in Greenwood, and the Triangle Tavern (sometimes "Triangle Lounge") in Fremont, now closed.

This Triangle was the highlight of the of the K-Bar final four event.  The space is nice, the bartender was great, the patrons were varied and having a highly entertaining karaoke night.  (You can see a video of one of our party singing -- after another member getting serenaded for an ersatz birthday -- here).  The Triangle is also the only bar I can remember ever visiting that has a dedicated Men's Room (i.e. not unisex bathroom) that does not a have a urinal.

(Larry J. photo)
9454 Delridge Way SW., Seattle, WA 98106 - (206) 763-0714
facebook - seattle weekly - yelp - urbanspoon

#997 - Tug Tavern, Seattle - 3/5/2010

Update: The Tug Inn closed in July 2020. The following explanation was posted on their facebook page:

"Hal never owned the property. The property owner sold the land way back before COVID, but at the time it looked like they would be happy to extend a new lease for the tug while they got everything in order for at least a few years. They were going to use the field behidn the building as an HQ for their plumbing company once they got it built out. What happened next is that it turns out the permitting and construction costs on that would be waaayyyy more than expected. Because of that, they terminated teh least so that they will be able to use the tub building itself. Viola, no more tug." -- Danielle Northart, July 25, 2020

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"The Tug has been known as a dive bar that is full of violent and crazy drunks.  This reputation is entirely false."  -- The Tug web site

As some of the yelpers make clear (and by all rights should have known, before going there and complaining), if you don't like dive bars, don't go to Uncle Hal's Tug Tavern. I do like dive bars, and while it's hard to judge a bar when you're rolling in with an unexpected party of 20-some people in black spy-wear, this one seemed like a pretty good one. There are the ramshackle personal touches -- a brown couch facing a corner, an R-rated puzzle on the wall, and a picket-fenced patio extending into the parking lot -- and there were colorful regulars.

The entourage of people in black was due to this being the first stop on the bus to celebrate the final four bars of the count to 1,000. Said one regular, who was on the phone as we arrived, "I've got to go. The Blues Brothers just came in."   (Larry J. photo)

2216 SW Orchard St., Seattle, WA 98106 - (206) 768-8852
yelp - seattle weekly - the stranger - flickr/mural

#996 - Hard Rock Cafe, Seattle - 3/4/2010

Being a Hard Rock Cafe, this place is primarily yuppie-ish 20-year-olds mingling among artifacts of the rock icons of 50-year-olds.  There is, of course, the nod to famous locals -- Hendrix, Cobain, etc. --

and among this stuff you'll actually find some items less than 50 years old.  The wood decor and lights are pleasant, the staff were all unusually nice, the bar is serviceable, and the food is fairly good.  It also looks like they're trying to book some bands that are a little more hip than Top Forty homages on the walls (with the friends of the band standing out sharply from the preppy regulars) .  It's not the sort of place I'll go often, but if you react to the term "guitar god" with reverence rather than rolling your eyes, you'll enjoy it.


116 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 204-2233
hardrock.com - yelp

#995 - Still Liquor, Seattle - 3/2/2010

Still Liquor follows the speakeasy fashion, but does so in a simple, timeless way. The large space feels fairly isolated, despite it's Capitol Hill location, thanks to the space in the old, half underground BMW paint shop, down a narrow alley, and a minimalist but elegant treatment.  Just one subtle sign tells you you're there -- no blaring neon giveaways from liquor and beer companies give away the dark windows -- Still has the self confidence to present an exterior that no one would ever find if they weren't looking for it.  And the cocktails are artful without being flamboyant -- you'll want to work your way through the entire menu of special drinks.

P.S. Has anyone EVER had a bad cocktail with muddled cucumber?

1524 Minor Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 467-4075
stillliquor.com - the stranger - yelp

#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

#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

#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

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

#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

#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

#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

#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

#984 - 2100 Bistro, Seattle - 1/25/2010

2100 Alaskan Way, Seattle - (206) 256-1040
yelp - best hotel bar to meet a silver fox

#983 - Louie's, Seattle (Ballard) - 1/23/2010

Update: Louie's Cuisine of China closed on June 29, 2014

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The Louie family have been running Seattle restaurants since the 1930s, and this one seems to serve the bland form of Chinese food that is popular with elderly white people.  But the elaborate decor and old school bar make it worth a visit.

In a previous post I opined that lounges attached to Chinese restaurants are widely bifurcated into "classic" types and "slipshod" types. The lounge at Louie's Cuisine of China was recommended as a good classic type. And indeed it is, with a very nice decor, though with a curiously limited set of baseball memorabilia somewhat conflicting with the theme, a limited, standard bar menu, and a nice little set of regulars.

The latter, on the Saturday afternoon I dropped by, including a 60-ish man with a white mohawk, and a large guy in a Hawaiian shirt who brought his prized meatloaf in thinking it was meatloaf contest night. "I worked all day on that," the guy said, "Look at my presentation!" It turns out that the meatloaf contest is next Sunday.



5100 15th Avenue Northwest, Seattle, WA 98107-3899 - (206) 782-8855
Est. ? (1976?) - Closed June 29, 2014 - Building constructed: 1976
louiescuisine.com -  yelp - citysearch

#982 - Faire Gallery Cafe, Seattle - 1/22/2010

Update: Faire closed June 8, 2012

Faire Gallery Café (from the French verb "faire" or "to make") hosts rotating art displays, live jazz, and other forms of live music, and a small but nice menu of food and drinks.

1351 East Olive Way, Seattle WA - (206) 652-0781
Est. March 2006 - Closed June 2012
fairegallerycafe.com - myspace - yelp - seattle weekly - seattlepi