#1244 #S751- Royal Booze & Burritos, Seattle - 9/27/2010

I hadn't heard about this place until I started reading about the noise complaints.  I mentioned this in a pleasant chat with bartender Sonya and she described having to reassure some concerned customers that publicity about too much noise is hardly a threat to a bar's well-being.

Sonya said that the place doesn't usually start to get busy until about 9:30 and I was there around dinner time, so I can't really speak for the crowd or vibe yet.  But the food is better than average Mexican food, the drinks have some pretty decent options (try the Mango Margarita, which has a little more kick than it sounds like), and the decor and big patio give it the feel of a bar you might find in Scottsdale or Miami, but not Seattle's University Ave.

5211 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
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#1243 - Dockside Grill, Suquamish, WA - 9/26/2010

Not be confused with the upscale "Dockside Grill" on Sequim Bay, this "Dockside" is a much more blue collar bar and restaurant.  Despite certain references to it as the "Darkside" by locals, this apparently represents a step up from the previous Troller Tavern.  The owners (who also own the Main Street Ale House in Kingston and the Olympic Timberhouse in Quilcene) were inspired to make the changes by a fine and 80-day suspension of the Troller's liquor license.

The location is now more of a family restaurant, though still featuring a bar and smoking patio.  The drinks are pretty much the standards and the food has a bit more variety than the average pub.

7234 NE Parkway, Suquamish, WA 98392
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#1242 #S750 - Thirsty Fish, Seattle - 9/25/2010

"It's usually not like this," the bartender volunteered with no prompting from me, "It's usually mellow."  That would be a nice change from the screaming 22-year-olds with sideways baseball caps, apparently assembled for a birthday party.  The liquor choices and decor are both pretty limited and spartan, but this is positioned as a sports bar, which appears to simply mean that it has several TVs and mediocre food.  But the bartenders are friendly and likable, which can go a long way, so I plan to keep an eye on how it develops and come back when there's not a group of beginning drinkers trying too hard to leave an impression of being cool partiers.

Historical Notes:  This is the new bar in the location of the recently closed Acorn Eatery. The building was constructed in 1927 and it's hosted a bar since at least 1948.  Then and for many years afterward, including at least until 1980, it was known as Nicky's Holman Road Tavern or simply Nicky's Tavern.  By 1994 it was Atlantic Street Pizza and Comedy Stop, by 1999 it was the Ridge Pub and re-opened in 2001 as the Acorn Eatery, which closed in 2010.





9041 Holman Rd NW, Seattle, WA 98117 - (206) 782-1999   
Est. 2010 - Building constructed: 1927           
Previous bars at this location: Nicky's Tavern, Atlantic Street Pizza & Comedy, The Ridge Pub, Acorn Eatery
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