#1372 #S830 - Fonte Cafe and Wine Bar, Seattle - 2/14/2011

Whether to count this as a bar is a borderline call for me, but since they put "wine bar" right in the name, I guess I will.  It's not a bad place, but it's rather mall-like and I didn't see anything here that would make me ever select it again from the many choices in downtown and Belltown.

1321 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 777-6193
fontecoffee.com - yelp - seattletimes

#1371 #S829 - Locöl Barley and Wine, Seattle - 2/13/2011

This is a great little place with good drinks, good food, and a really fine, funky neighborhood vibe. They display local art and have historical photos on a loop. I had a nice chat about bars with bartender Marcus, from New Orleans and consider this my new favorite bar in West Seattle.

7902 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126 - (206) 708-7725
locolseattle.com - westseattleblog - seattleweekly - yelp

#1370 #S828 - Blue C Sushi, Seattle - 2/12/2011

Update: This Blue C location closed in August 2017.

The bar at the Fremont Blue C isn't open most of the time, and it's upstairs and out of reach of the kaiten belt cycling the food.  But we had a nice couple nightcaps and pleasant conversation on this night with the manager Drew from Boston.

3411 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 633-3411
Est. 2003 - Closed Aug 2017
bluecsushi.com - seattletimes - thestranger - yelp

#1369 #S827 - White Rabbit, Seattle - 2/12/2011

Update: The White Rabbit closed Dec 31, 2013

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I've only been there in the afternoon with few people around, so I'll want to go when the music is going to get a feel for the crowd and vibe.  But the folks working there are nice and the decor has a bit more personality than when it was ToST.

They specialize in coffee drinks, but I went for the Mad Hatter Manhattan (Honey Reserve bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters).

513 N. 36th St. Seattle, WA 98103 - 588-0155             
Est. Feb 10, 2011 - Closed Dec 31, 2013 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: ToST
fremontwhiterabbit.com - facebook
seattlemusicinsider -  seattleweekly fc - seattleweekly - fremontuniverse - yelp

#1368 - Raven's Nest, Redmond, WA - 2/11/2011

Black Raven Brewing Company taproom

14679 NE 95th St, Redmond, WA 98052 - (425) 881-3020
blackravenbrewing.com - yelp  

#1367 #S826 - Acquabar, Seattle - 2/9/2011

Update: Aquabar closed in 2015.

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This was the soft opening of the new bar of the space of the old Kelly's, which Mike Seeley described it as easily the most intimidating bar in Seattle -- and the neighbors were not a bit sad to see it go.  Acquabar has expanded the space into the location of the neighboring dog care business, and added an Asian lunch buffet.

None of the neighbors who had to deal with the rough crowd have shed tears over the loss of Kelly's, but the new place doesn't seem to have any personality whatsoever.  Here's hoping it evolves into something that has as much personality as Kelly's, if not the same dysfunctional personality type.

Historical Notes:  The current building was constructed in 1925 and for many years this space was the home of the Liberty Tavern.  The Liberty was there by 1945 and lasted at least in the 60s.  Kelly's was established in 1979 and closed down in October 2010, on the night owner Mary Costello Abbey passed away.


305 Bell St, Seattle, WA 98121-1719 - (206) 728-6583
Est. Feb 9, 2011 - Building constructed: 1925
Previous bars at this location: Liberty Tavern, Kelly's
acquabar.com - yelp

#1366 - John Howie Steak, Seattle - 2/8/2011

Yes, it's a pricey steakhouse in the Bravern, but it's also got quite affordable lunch choices and a pretty decent selection of cocktails at the bar.  I had a Peruvian Saint (classic Pisco Sour ingredients with St. Germaine elderflower twist, egg white, and bitters).

11111 NE 8th Street, Suite 125, Bellevue, WA 98004 - (425) 440-0880
johnhowiesteak.com - seattleweekly - seattletimes - yelp