#493 - 9 lb. Hammer, Seattle (Georgetown) - 5/13/2006

Bookish, shabby wonder.

6009 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98108 - (206) 762-3373                        
Previous bars at this location: None known
ninepoundhammer.com - yelp

#492 - Jules Maes, Seattle (Georgetown) - 5/13/2006

Jules Maes Saloon, Seattle, WA

Update: Jules Maes closed in March of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, then was pronounced permanently closed in June 2020 due to a rent increase described by owners as unsustainable.

However, it then reopened on Jan 12, 2021 under new management.

---

Jules Maes Saloon - Georgetown and its SoDo surroundings are now, with zero doubt, the coolest neighborhood in Seattle. The "new Ballard" was once a little premature, but it now underestimates the area. E.g. the Rainier Cold Storage building across the street** from Jules front door, which makes you believe you can't possibly be in Seattle -- or for that matter, the west coast.

Jules is in a space constructed in 1898 and which first hosted a saloon in 1907*, and few places in the country retain the flavor of the term "Saloon" any better. To be reborn with this level of shabby grandeur -- a big, late night roadhouse that creates the place to be in the middle of nowhere -- reminds one of the excitement that precedes the gentrification and inevitable of neighborhoods of character in wealthy cities.

It also features a beautiful Brunswick back bar -- the same "The Record" model seen in the Pastime Saloon in Castle Rock, WA, the Whistle Stop Ale House in Renton, WA, and the Rainier Bar and Grill in Enumclaw, WA.

This particular visit was on the night of the CD release from The Bad Things, so it was unusually rife with history -- rockabilly heels and tattoos mixing with the 30's clothing of the acid folkies that follow the Things. Georgetown is like being in an entirely different city, and this night was an entirely different era.

* Historical Notes: See Seattle's Oldest Bars
  5919 Airport Way South Seattle, WA 98108 - (206) 957-7766

Est. 1936 (Jules Maes' bar in this location) - Building constructed: 1898
First bar in this location: 1907
julesmaes.com - seattleite - thestranger - seattleweekly - gregorspub - yelp

#491 - Mona's Bistro, Seattle (Green Lake) - 5/12/2006

Update: Mona's closed in April or May 2013

6421 Latona Avenue Northeast Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 526-1188
Est. 1995 - Building constructed: 1907
Previous bars at this location: None known
monasseattle.com -  seattlemet - thestranger - gayot - yelp

#490 - Jai Thai, Seattle (Belltown) - 5/9/2006

Update: This location is now closed.

Jai Thai: Not good in any way.

2132 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 770-7884
Previous bars in this location:  Il Gambero / Volare Room
Subsequent bars in this location: Cellars

jaithai.com/belltown.htm - yelp

#489 - Black Bottle - Seattle (Belltown) - 5/2/2006

 Good wine and food and very affordable.

2600 1st Avenue Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 441-1500
Est. July 26, 2005 - Building constructed: 1903
Previous bars at this location: Two Dagos from Texas
blackbottleseattle.com - seattletimes - thestranger - yelp - zagat

#488 - Galerias, 611 Lounge, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 4/24/2006

Update:  Galerias and the attached 611 Lounge were closed by a large fire on Nov. 17, 2011

A pleasant conversation with Jack, a 72-year neighborhood veteran.


611 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
galeriasgourmet.com

#487 - The Back Door Pub, Seattle (Lake City) - 4/18/2006

Smoking ban? What smoking ban?

12330 Lake City Way Northeast Seattle, WA 98125 - (206) 364-2642
Previous bars at this location: Jim's Tavern (by 1945 into the 60s), Ed Delby's Tavern (70s)
Building constructed: 1927
voiceplaces - yelp