#1072 #S629 - Grizzled Wizard, Seattle - 4/9/2010

For a few years this was Tony's Liquid House and I was utterly unaware of its existence.  The space is almost covert (less noticeable than most of the new speakeasies), with a single door nestled between a UPS store and the Erotic Bakery.  Tony's is no more, but new owner (and first-time bar owner) Joe Couden has taken over and created a classic little neighborhood bar.  You'll never notice it from driving down the street, but now at least it has a (fairly subtle) name on the door. Joe said sales in the first couple weeks have been about 50% ahead of the business plan, and I'm glad to hear it, as it's just the sort of nifty little straightforward neighborhood place where I'd like to hang out now and then.

2317 N 45th St., Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 849-0062
grizzledwizard.com - thrillist - yelp - seattlemet

#1071 #S628 - Betty, Seattle - 4/9/2010

A nice cafe from the people behind Crow.  The emphasis is on the cafe, so the bar crowd tends to dwindle late as the restaurant closes.  But still the bar is more than just an afterthought and features some interesting cocktails.

1507 Queen Anne Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 352-3773
eatatbetty.com  - the stranger - seattle times - seattlepi - yelp

#1070 #S627 - Treehouse Bar & Grill, Seattle - 4/8/2010

4332 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98127 - (206) 297-8888
yelp

#1069 #S626 - Crown Hill Pub, Seattle - 4/7/2010

Update: The Crown Hill Pub closed after the death of long term owner Hope Greebaum in 2015.

A neighborhood dive where the bartender knew everyone by name (except me). Martina, the bartender, alternates between serving up Olympia and chatting on the phone ("Hi. I'm doing fine. Who am I speaking? I am making my dollar.") Another partner talks about his last time at the pub, when someone wanted to trade his '96 Ford F150 pickup for his cadillac (in all my visits to bars, no one's ever made me a serious offer to trade cars).

There has been a bar in this location since at least 1940, when the Polk guide lists a bar owned by Theo. Woelfert. Shortly thereafter it was briefly Johnny Olson's Tavern. From 1955 to 1959 it is listed as Sportsmen's Tavern, then the Terminal Tavern or Glaser's Terminal Tavern from 1961 to 1980. It is listed as Sidewinder in the early 80s, then the Water Hole from the late 80s to the mid 90s. I'm not sure when it became Crown Hill Pub but it was sometime between 1995 and 2000.




8511 15th Ave NW, Seattle, Washington 98117
Building constructed: 1927
Previous bars at this location: Johnny Olson's Tavern, Sportsmen's Tavern, Terminal Tavern, Sidewinder, The Water Hole
seattlest -

#1068 #S625 - Saltoro, Seattle - 4/7/2010

This virtually hidden place, with a nondescript facade on a fairly boring stretch of Broadview road, has a nice surprise when you walk inside. There's a warm, woody decor with a large fireplace, and a fine menu of cocktails and food. Managed by the same people who run Bick's, this shares the good food while providing a more romantic setting.

14053 Greenwood Ave N., Seattle, WA 98133 - (206) 365-6025
seattetimes - seattlepi - thestranger  - yelp

#1067 #S624 - Bisato, Seattle - 3/17/2010

Update: Bisato will close October 14, 2012

Good cichetti style small plates and pretty good drinks (although the eponymous Bisato Cocktail was overly sweet).  A very Belltown-ish addition to Belltown, in the old Lampreia space, by the same owner/award-winning-chef, Scott Carsberg.

2400 1st Ave., Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 443-3301
bisato.com - facebook - yelp - seattletimes

#1066 - Cantina Due (Hyatt Regency), Scottsdale, AZ - 3/29/2010

The web site claims that here you can experience "the quintessential cocktail...the best of the best."  That was not my experience, but the real reason you go here is for the water garden and luxurious views of this grand hotel.

7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road Scottsdale, AZ. 85258 - 480-444-1234
hyatt.com -