#641 - Vitos, Seattle - 5/14/2008

The Moonspinners perform at Vito's Seattle
New Years Eve 2013

It doesn't seem to make much sense for me to recapitulate the various articles already written about Seattle icon Vito's. So I will instead recommend reading articles like those from   historylink.org and postalley, with a small number of pull quotes. E.g. the HistoryLink article includes:

'Vito's was a beloved Seattle restaurant for more than four decades, from its opening in 1953 until owner Vito Santoro's declining health forced him to sell the business in 1994. Situated close to First Hill hospitals, low-income apartment houses, and Seattle University, and several blocks up Madison Street from City Hall, Vito's was a smoky, convivial clubhouse where politicians and lawyers rubbed elbows with cabbies, bookies, and priests, and where regulars hob-nobbed over platters of Italian food, jugs of wine, and stiff drinks.... Although Vito's went into steep decline after Santoro sold out, the restaurant was reborn in 2010 under new owners Greg Lundgren and Jeff Scott, who remodeled Vito's with a nod to its colorful past.'

Jimmy Santoro, Vito's, Seattle, WA - 1960s
(Photo via HistoryLink.org)

And:

"Rumors abound of hanky-panky in the dark recesses of Vito's. Reputed gangsters and other unsavories frequented the place, as did bookies and gamblers. It was easy to make a wager if one were so inclined, that much is known. When high-stakes Liar's Poker became popular, small fortunes were won and lost in the Vagabond Room. When The Untouchables became a television hit in 1960, the restaurant ran a pool each week on how many people would be killed in each episode. The bettor with the right number of corpses got the money."

The modern version of Vito's was a great combination of old school and modern. But as Wikipedia notes:

"In 2021, Vito's suffered a catastrophic fire that caused it to close temporarily. On January 1, 2024, a second fire occurred in the building while Vito's was still in the process of resolving insurance claim issues. The building is slated for demolition, and Vito's has closed permanently."

Jimmy and Vito Santoro, c.1965
(Photo via HistoryLink.org)

Vito's, Seattle, WA - Sep 26, 2014

927 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 397-4053

Est. May 8, 1953 - Building constructed: 1902 - Closed June 12, 2023

Previous bars in this location: Wood's Cafe (Vagabond Room) 
Web site: vitosseattle.com - instagram 
Reviews: historylink - postalley - seattlemet - wikipedia 

#640 - 700 Club, Seattle - 12/23/1999 (out of order)

700 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98121 - 206-343-7518
(Inside Jersy's All American Sports Bar)
Est. June 1998 - Closed: 2000
Previous bars at this location: None known
Subsequent bars: Skybox Lounge

#639 - Ravenna Alehouse, Seattle - 5/11/2008

Update: The Ravenna Alehouse was sold and its name officially changed to Flying Boots Ravenna on July 15, 2017.

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Historical notes:  There has been a bar in this building (built 1930) since at least 1939, when it was owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Bisson.  By the early 40s it was the "Friendly Tavern," which it remained through the 60s.  It was renamed the Ravenna Tavern (later Alehouse) at some point in in 1970 or 1971.
2258 Northeast 65th Street, Seattle, WA 98115-7073 - (206) 729-9083
facebook

#638 - Mira! / Faina, Seattle - 5/9/2008

Closed in 2009 and replaced by Vela Pizza.

Was Mira!, now apparently Faina - name has gone back and forth.  Entertaining chat with Gus the bartender.  In the basement of the Labor Temple building.

2800 1st Avenue (Bsmt), Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 448-8833
Building constructed: 1942
seattletimes

#637 - Sonya's, Seattle (downtown) - 5/9/2008

A nice variation for Belltown. Look down (literally) on the Pink Door.  Next door to what was Seattle's first mortuary.  Features a tiny patio, front bar, and darkened back bar where burlesque shows and events often take place.

1919 1st Ave Seattle, WA 98101-1010 - (206) 441-7996
Previous bars at this location: None known
thestranger

#636 - Jimmy's on First (Seattle) - 5/6/2008

1046 1st Ave S Seattle, WA 98134-1206 - (206) 204-9700
Previous bars at this location: None known
jimmysonfirst.com

#635 - The Ballard Loft (Seattle) - 5/2/2008

Update: The Ballard Loft closed April 9, 2019.

I don't know what went wrong here. The bartenders are cool, the space is nice, the drinks are good. But the patrons are awful -- backwards baseball cap wearing frat boys and other assorted airheads. I still love Ballard, but this place is not a good omen.

5105 Ballard Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 420-2737
Est. Jan 11, 2008 - Closed April 9, 2019 - Building constructed: 1900 or earlier
Previous bars at this location: None known
ballardloft.com - facebook - yelp