#1257 - McCoy's Tavern, Olympia, WA - 10/14/2010

McCoy's Tavern is a grand old dive on a block full of bars.  I chatted about the place with current owner, Ian, a real-life Lebowski-style Dude.  Ian was a substitute teacher for a while, but "it was not my bag."  The bar is fairly large, with a pleasantly aging clutter of bric-a-brac on the walls and regular customers on the stools.

Ian thought the bar dates back to '47, or maybe '52, but city guides list it as "Frank's Place" at least until 1954 -- it was Frank's Place since at least 1936. A Korean War vet bought it from McCoy in the 60s, and owned with only a brief exception until he sold it to Ian about 10 years ago.  The bar abides.

418 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501-1109 - (360) 352-0696
- yelp - weekly volcano

#1256 - China Clipper, Olympia, WA - 10/14/2010

402 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501-1109 - (360) 943-6300
Previous bars at this location: East Side Club (1934)
myspace - yelp

#1255 - Le Voyeur, Olympia, WA - 10/14/2010

This place is well summarized by The Stranger:

"Le Voyeur offers vegan-friendly food, drunk-friendly drinks, and punk-friendly entertainment. It's also a good spot for some Olympian people-watching, as college kids and townies mix with K Records royalty and traveling crusties. Check the bathroom graffiti for some of the best radical political dialogue in town."

404 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98501-1109 - (360) 943-5710
web site - the stranger - yelp

#1254 #S759 - Jimmy's on Broadway, Seattle - 10/11/2010

At first glance you may assume that this is just a soul-less, cookie cutter hotel bar, with no particular character and no reason for anyone to go, unless they're staying at the hotel and there's a massive downpour outside.  In this case, first glance would be pretty accurate.


1046 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134-1206 - (206) 204-9700
jimmysonbroadway - the stranger - yelp

#1252 #S757 - La Bete, Seattle - 10/8/2010

Update: La Bete closed Aug 16, 2014

1802 Bellevue Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 329-4047
Est. 2010 - Closed Aug 16,2014 - Building constructed 1925
labeteseattle.com - facebook - seattle times - seattle weekly - yelp

#1251 #S756 - Twilight Exit, Seattle - 10/7/2010

I've previously noted my affection for any bar with an alley entrance, and the Twilight Exit builds on that with a funky, retro interior and a large, beach-themed back patio (in the middle of the Central District, no less).  The drinks are very much the basics, but the attraction is the atmosphere, with vintage lamps covering the ceiling, kitschy art on the walls and objects laminated into the table tops.

Owner Stephan Mollman was force to move out of the previous location at 2020 E Madison due to redevelopment plans by new property owners.  He battled with the local school district for a bit over hours, and eventually reached a compromise, which explains why the Twilight opens only at 4:00pm most days.

2514 E Cherry St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 324-7462
twilightexit.com - facebook - seattle weekly - the stranger - yelp

#1250 #S755 - Vince's Italian Restaurant (Rainier Valley), Seattle - 10/7/2010

Update:  Vince's is closing in March 2011.

This is an old school (and just plain old, est. 1957) Italian place with a bar that serves nothing fancy to an interesting mix of neighborhood characters.  I had some spaghetti and gin and tonics and chatted with Roger, who remembers the door man at the Casino checking people through the sliding peephole, and who was at Shelley's Leg the night it burned down.  Roger likes dive bars ("the ones with Christmas lights up in April"), and has some colorful stories based on spending portions of his past life as he dealer.  A few years ago he had part of his tongue removed due to cancer, which leaves him sounding a little drunk when he is not.  If this place was a little closer to me, I'd be coming back now and then.

8824 Renton Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 - (206) 722-2116
Est. 1957 - Closed 2011
vincesitalian.com - urbanspoon - yelp