#723 - The Corner Pocket, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

Update: The Corner Pocket closed Dec 2, 2016, when the owner Michael Eugene Main was arrested for routinely selling cocaine in the bar.

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In 1979 brothers Dave and Jerry Norberg converted an old bomb shelter into an upscale wine and beer tavern called "The Alasks Pipeline." This lasted into the 90s, when it briefly became the "California Underground," before the "Corner Pocket," which remains today.

The current version is nothing special to look at, but I like the downstairs location and I liked the people hanging out there. I might give this my Great Dive rating if the Poggie Tavern weren't right down the street.

4302 Southwest Alaska Street #204, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 933-0320
Previous bars in this location: The California Underground, Alaska Pipeline

#722 - Shadow Land, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

I almost gave this my Highly Recommended rating, based on the magnificent sign, the bartender Jay, and the one cocktail I had -- a bartender's muddled choice which is informally, if not that appetizingly, called the "Plumber's Crack." But the place was pretty dead when I went there on a Sunday evening, and I couldn't get any sense for what the vibe and crowd are like when it's busy. I must revisit soon on a Friday or Saturday evening.

4458 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 420-3817
Est. Nov 28, 2007 - Building constructed: 1948
Previous bars at this location: None known
shadowlandwest.com

#721 - Elliot Bay Brewery, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

Try the Dry Hopped IPA, which immediately hopped onto my favorite beers list (along with Manny's Pale and Diamond Knot Industrial).

It finally occurred to me, as it must have to many others, that West Seattle is Seattle's Portland. They've very nicely mixed in the new with the old, like a small town with an inexplicable amount of variation. And the 4400-4700 stretch of California Ave. is the best and most varied set of drinking establishments in the city, from the ultra-swanky Ama Ama, to the hip and funky West 5, from the young people's dive at the Corner Pocket, to the classic older folks' dive at Poggie Tavern. And Elliot Bay Brewery is one of a number of nice places in between

4720 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA - (206) 932-8695           
Est. July 11, 1997 - Building constructed: 1932
Previous bars in this location: California & Alaska Street Brewing Co.
Web site: elliotbaybrewing.com

#720 - Naked City, Seattle (Greenwood) - 10/30/2008

Another great addition to the Greenwood area for beer lovers, with a broad range of rotating taps.

BTW, this makes 100 new bars in 2008.

#719 - Holy Mountain, Seattle - 10/25/2008

A great, underground, happening scene that I haven't seen in Seattle in many years.

#718 - Victory Lounge, Seattle - 10/25/2008

Update: The Victory Lounge closed Dec 31, 2022

433 Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 223-9204
Est. 2007 - Closed Dec 31, 2022 - Building constructed: 1918
Previous bars at this location: Green Tavern (1945 into the 60s), Eddie's Tavern (mid 60s), Mister Ed's Tavern (70s), Lobo Inn (mid 70s - 2007)

MySpace, Stranger, yelp

#717 - Cafe Racer, Seattle (U-District) - 10/25/2008

Update: Cafe Racer closed October 18, 2017

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Just the sort of quirky, artsy, weird little joint to wake up the neighborhood. There's hope for the U-District. Suffice it to say that when these guys took the stage:












They said of the previous act, "They're weird!"

Cafe Racer also features the Official Bad Art Museum of Art (OBAMA) room, curated by Jo and Marlowe.

Cafe Racer, Seattle, WA

Drew Keriakedes - RIP Schmootzi

5828 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 523-5282
Est. 2005 - Closed Oct 18, 2017 - Building constructed 1925
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: caferacerseattle.com - facebook
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