#1191 #S728 - Casa Patron, Seattle - 8/16/2010

805 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 923-7680
facebook - mygreenlake - yelp

#1190 - Big Daddy's, Woodinville, WA - 7/23/2010

13420 Northeast 177th Place, Woodinville, WA 98072 - (425) 402-9887
bigdaddysplace.com - yelp 

#1189 #S727 - I-Spy, Seattle - (OOO)

Briefly in the old space of the Weathered Wall (1921 5th, now demolished)

#1188 #S726 - Bai Pai Thai Lounge, Seattle - 7/17/2010

Bai Pai Thai closed in late March or early April 2018.

2316 Northeast 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115-7098 - (206) 527-4800
Est. 2005 - Closed 2018 - Building constructed 2005
Previous bars in this location: None known
baipairestaurant.com -  the stranger - yelp

#1187 #S725 - Pair, Seattle - 7/17/2010

5501 30th Ave N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 526-7655
pairseattle.com - yelp

#1186 #S724 - Wedgwood Ale House, Seattle - 7/17/2010

A very friendly and comfortable old neighborhood joint, dominated by the horseshoe-shaped bar.  The Wedgwood now has three distinct sections:  the bar in front, the pool room in back, and the expanded dining area in between for special occasions.  There's also a pleasant patio out front.
This area of town is lucky to have two fine, vintage bars like this and Fiddler's Inn.

Historical Notes:  The "Wedgewood Tavern" begins appearing at the current address of the Wedgewood Alehouse in 1945, is proceeded there by Hansen's Tavern in the late 30s and early 40s, and a tavern owned by Charles Hufsvang is listed at the address in 1935. However, county tax records indicate that the current building was constructed in 1964, so I do not date the current bar back to any of these dates. The current owners have had the place since 1992.

8515 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 527-2676
wedgwoodalehouse.com - seattle times - seattle weekly - yelp

#1185 #S723 - The Copper Gate, Seattle - 7/15/2010

Update: The Copper Gate is closing after June 30, 2013.

The Copper Gate dates back to 1946 and when it went under it was one of the last beer and wine only taverns in the city and one of the more intimidating dives.  It was picked up by the owners of Thaiku and La Carta de Oaxaca sometime shortly after 2000, and its bawdy theme not only preserved but accentuated (Seattle's only surviving "scandalnavian" lounge, they proudly proclaim).

The drinks are like none you'll find anywhere else in the city, centered around their home-made variations of aquavit.   The food is inspired by Scandinavian traditions, which naturally means that it ranges from tasty to disgusting.

But the best reason to go to the Copper Gate is the place itself.  The bar is a replica viking ship, with a sail formed of vintage porn images.  An original column with bas-relief naked woman has been nicely restored.  There are various mild porn dioramas, including a Barbie-orgy version in the women's room.

And then there is the Pussy Room. You enter the Pussy Room through an entry shaped like a vagina, pass a case large case of champagne, and turn into a shabby/swanky room with a stage, stripper pole, high-backed, red velvet seats and room for about two dozen people.

Ostensibly for the jazz band that plays there, and not simply the pun, there is an organ in the back of the Pussy Room.  But you do not simply enter it any time you feel the urge; currently the room is open to the public only from 8pm-10pm Tuesday nights.  At these times they host the impressive jazz drumming of Mike Peterson, a partner on keyboards whom I do not know, and often a guest artist to sit in for a few.

It is a living tribute to the unvarnished, old Ballard, and a must-visit for any lover of unique bars and cocktails.

Try the: Stor Agurk

6301 24th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 706-3292
Est. 1946 - Closed July 1, 2013
thecoppergate.com - seattle times - the stranger - seattlest - seattle weekly - seattle weekly 2 - seattle weekly 3 - yelp