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Bars where Pete has had a Drink (5,608 bars; 1,754 bars in Seattle) - Click titles below for Lists:


Bars where Pete has had a drink

Monday, March 06, 2006

The Project

The goal is to list one thousand bars where I've had at least one drink. They can be bars I remember going to 20 years ago or new bars I try out today (my memory is terrible, so additions are mostly places new to me). They can be tiki bars, swanky wine bars, redneck dive taverns, massive techno blaring nightclubs, sports bars overrun by frat boys wearing their caps backwards, goth bars, members-only bars, gay bars, or even restaurants -- as long as they have a bar where people go to get mostly drinks, rather than food. They can be -- at least in one instance -- a bar owned by a man who calls himself "God," who removed all the song names from the juke box so people have to guess, and who proudly displays his letters from local authorities warning him to stop showing up nude at local restaurants.

In this blog I plan to add each new bar as I visit it, sometimes just listing it and sometimes adding some notes. I also plan to describe, now and then, some of the more interesting bars I've visited in the past. I don't take photos or commit to learning the history of every bar -- I don't want this to be work. I don't push myself to go out when I don't feel like it -- I don't want the list to encourage me to go out more -- just to go out to a larger variety of places. On the day I started this blog I could recall 466 bars where I've had a drink, and I'll start by listing those:

THE FIRST 466*

Seattle area bars:

 20th Ave Tavern/Pub - 5819 20th Ave NW (late 40s to early 2000s)
74th St. Ale House - 7401 Greenwood - Est. by 1942 at 7320 Greenwood, moved across the street to current location between 1943 and 1945, current location constructed in 1912
  Acorn Eatery and Bar - 9041 Holman Rd NW (2001-2009)
Alibi Room - 85 Pike St # 410, Est. 1995
Anthony's (Pier 66) - 2201 Alaskan Way - Est. 1996
 Anthony's Homeport Shilshole Bay - 6135 Seaview Ave NW (closed March 2016)
Apartment Bistro - 2226 1st Ave (2004-2008)
Arena Bar at Gameworks - 1511 7th Ave
 Aristocrats - 220 4th Ave S
Attic Alehouse - 4226 East Madison
Axis - 2212 1st Avenue
  Backstage, The - 2208 NW Market (1983-1997)
Bad Alberts - 5100 Ballard NW (Est. 1995, reopened after closed July-Dec 2011, closed again July 2012, reopened Sep 2013)
Bad Juju Lounge - 1425 10th Ave
Bada Lounge - 2230 1st Ave
Ballard Firehouse - 5429 Russell Ave NW (1995-2003)
Ballard Grill and Alehouse - 4300 Leary Way (AKA the 4 B's, or Ballard's Best Brew and Burgers)
 Ballroom in Fremont - 456 N 36th (est. 2000, closed (converted to Talarico's) in 2020)
Balmar, The - 5449 Ballard Ave (closed July 9, 2016)
Baltic Room - 1207 Pine
The Baranoff - 8549 Greenwood
 Barca - 1510 11th (Est. 2000, closed Nov 11, 2020, building constructed 1916)
Barking Dog Ale House - 705 NW 70th (Est. 2004, previously Mick and Art's Tavern, John & Joe's Tavern, V&G Tavern, Seventh Ave Tavern)
 Belltown Billiards - 90 Blanchard (Est. 1993; closed July 2014)
Benjamins - 809 Fairview Pl N
Bernards - 315 Seneca
 Bicks - 10555 Greenwood (Closed Jan 1, 2019)
Big Time Brewery - 4133 University Ave
 Bit Tavern - 4818 17th NW (Now the 2 Bit, previously John's Tavern)
Bizarro - 1307 N 46th - Est. 1986
Bleachers - 8118 Greenwood N - This location closed June 2016 and moved to 8560 Greenwood Ave. N.
Bleu Bistro - 202 Broadway E (2006-2011)
Blue Moon - 712 E 45th (Est. 1934, see historylink.org)
Bogey's - 1540 Eastlake Ave E
Bohemian - 6119 Phinney (previously La Boheme, subsequently Sully's Snow Goose)
Bookstore Bar - 1009 1st (previously U.S. Tavern)
Brasa - 2107 3rd Ave (1999-2010)
Broadway Grill - 314 Broadway E (previously Baffert's, The Broadway, later Grill on Broadway) - Est. 1991 - Closed April 28, 2013
 The Brooklyn - 1212 2nd Ave (closed March 13, 2020)
The Buckaroo Tavern - 4201 Fremont N (1938-2010)
The Bus Stop (original) - 508 E Pine (now at 1552 E Olive)
Cadillac Jack's (Capitol Hill)
Café Septieme - 2331 2nd Ave
Campagne - 86 Pine (now Marche)
 Capitol Club - 414 E Pine (Est. 1997, closed Sep 14, 2013)
Cascadia - 2328 1st Ave (1999-?)  (Later Taberna del Alabardero)
Catwalk - 172 Washington (Previously The People's Theater, The Casino; Heaven, now Volume)
Central Tavern - 207 1st Ave S (Est. 1892) (historical notes) (photo circa 1960)
Century Ballroom, The - 915 E Pine (Est. w/bar 1997)
Cha Cha (original) - 506 E Pine (1998-2007)
Changes Tavern - 2103 N 45th - Est 1989, previously the Looking Glass, the Anxious Asp, the Rat Hole, the Loading Zone, the Bus Stop
The Chapel - 1600 Melrose (2003-9/3/2011)
Charlies Bar and Grill - 217 Broadway E (1976-6/28/2015, building constructed 1914)
Chicago's - 315 1st Ave N (also location of Joy's 21, Niko's Place, Mr. Lucky, Kwatay Lounge, Skybox Lounge)
China Harbor - 2040 Westlake Ave N  (Est. 1994, building constructed 1962) (Previously Don the Beachcomber, Marlin's Restaurant, Hunan Harbor)
Chop Suey - 1325 E Madison (Est. 2002)  (Previously the Breakroom)
Cloud Room - 1619 9th (top of the Camlin Hotel) (1942-2003)
 Club 99 (now Highway 99 Blues Club) - 1414 Alaskan Way 
Club Medusa - 2218 Western Ave (now Venom)
 College Inn Pub - 4006 University Ave NE (Est. 1974, closed July 2020)
Collins Pub - 526 2nd Ave (Est. 2003, previously Red Dog Saloon, Newport Tavern, Gatsby's, Chapter XIII)
Colourbox - 112 1st Ave S. (1991-1999)
Columbia Tower Club - 701 5th Ave, Suite 7500 (Est. 1985)
Comet Tavern - 922 E Pike (Est. 1945, previously "Wee Deoch an' Doris")
Conor Byrne - 5120 Ballard Ave (previous The Owl, Miz Sadie's; building constructed 1902)
Contour - 807 1st Ave  (Est. 1999)
Coopers - 8065 Lake City Way (Est. 1983, building constructed 1933) (previously the Navaho Tavern, Goofy's II, Crazy Otto's Tavern, Goombah's)
Cowgirls Inc. - 421 1st Ave S (Est. 2004)
Crocodile Cafe - 2200 2nd Ave (Est. 1991)
Cutters Bayhouse - 2001 Western Ave (Est. 1983)
 Dad Watsons - 3601 Fremont Ave N (Est. 1996, closed June 18, 2011; to relocate to U District)
 Dantes - 5300 Roosevelt Way (Est. 1971, closed 2015 after an electrical fire, building constructed 1924)
Del Rey - 2332 1st Ave (2005-2011) (Now Sarajevo)
Deluxe Bar and Grill - 625 N Broaday (Est. 1942 or earlier)
 Dexter and Hayes Public House - 1628 Dexter (Closed Aug 8, 2015)
Dimaggios - (Greenwood & 85th)
Ditto Tavern (also Water Boy's Tavern Backstreet Ditto, Writer Boy's Ditto Tavern) - 2303 5th Ave (1986-1998) (previously Der Zilben Krug and the Silver Stein)
Doc Maynards - 610 1st Ave
 The Doubleheader - 407 2nd Ave (Est. 1934, closed Dec 31 2015, building constructed 1890)
Downunder - 2401 1st Ave
 Dragon Fish - 722 Pine (Est. 1997 as Blowfish, renamed to DragonFish in 2000, closed 2021)
Dubliner - 3515 Fremont Ave N (Est. 2001 this location, 1991 at 3405 Fremont; closed March 2015)
Duck Dodge Bar and Cafe - 1001 Fairview Ave N (1996-?)
Duck Island Ale House - 7313 Aurora Ave N
Dukes (Lake Union) - 901 Fairview Ave N
Dukes Greenlake - 7858 Green Lake Dr N
Dutch Ned's Saloon (now Planet Java) - 124 S Washington
Earth and Ocean (W Hotel) (Closed Dec 2, 2011; to reopen as "Trace")
Eastlake Zoo - 2301 Eastlake (Est. 1974, building constructed 1924, previously Hank's Tavern)
 Edge Grill - 1522 6th Ave (renamed in 2012 from Fox Sports Grill, closed June 1, 2013)
El Gaucho - 2505 1st Ave  (Est. 1953)
Elephant and Castle - 1415 5th Ave
Elite Tavern - 622 Broadway (First gay bar on Capitol Hill, gay as of 1979; Closed Jan 31 2007, and re-opened in Dec 2007 at 1520 E Olive Way in Dec 2007, then closed 2012; Olive Way location now Hillside Bar)
Elliot's Oyster House - 1201 Alaskan Way #101 (Est. 1975)
Elysian Brewing Co. - 1221 E Pike (Est. 1996)
Ernie Steele's (became Ileen's in 1991, Julia's in 2002) - 300 N Broadway
 Fado - 801 1st Ave  (previously Tir Na Nog) (Opened Nov 30, 2000, Fado closed March 15, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic and announced on Jan 28, 2021 that they would not reopen)
Fenix Underground (new) - 109 S Washington
Fenix Underground (old) - 315 2nd Ave S (Closed by Nisqually earthquake 2001; now 88 Keys)
Fiddler's Inn - 9219 35th NE (Open by 1939, current structure built 1933)
The Fillmore - Greenwood near 85th (I believe this was in the current Pig'n Whistle space at 8412?)
The Five Point - 415 Cedar (Est. 1933) (yelp, seattle.com dives, citysearch)
Five Spot - 1502 Queen Anne
Flowers - 4247 University Ave NE
Floyd's Place - 521 1st N (Est. March 1994; Closed 6/22/2014)
Fox Sports Grill - 1522 6th Ave (Est. 2003, renamed "Edge Grill" in 2012)
Foxxes (The Church) - 1501 E Olive Way, Seattle
 Frontier Room - 2203 1st Ave (Closed March 2014; dive bar version closed July 2001)
Fu Kun Wu @ Thaiku - 5410 Ballard Ave (closed Dec 23, 2011)
 FX McRorys - 419 Occidental Ave S (Est. 1977, Closed 2017, building constructed 1906)
Galway Arms - 5257 University Ave (closed Dec 31 2011, replaced by The Kraken)
Gameworks Lounge - 1511 7th Ave
Garage, The - 1130 Broadway (Est. 1995, building constructed 1928)
George and Dragon Pub - 206 N 36th (Est. 1995; previously Midget Tavern)
Gibsons - 1901 2nd (closed after 2001 earthquake)
Giggles - 5220 Roosevelt Way NE (closed 2010, became "Jiggles" strip club, formerly Blue Moon, Nifty Spot, Mascot Tavern, O'Banion's Tavern )
 Globe Ale House, The - 9736 Greenwood (Later Ould Triangle, Previously Mack's Tavern, Scorecard Tavern, O-Zone)
Goldies - 45th - 2121 N. 45th (Closed 2010, Previously Picture Palace, Checkerboard Tavern, Iron Bull, then Rat Hole Tavern; now Iron Bull again)
Goofy's - 8519 15th Ave NW (Est. 1973, Building constructed 1937, Previously Shire Tavern)
Gordon Biersch - 600 Pine St # 401
Graceland - 109 Eastlake E (now El Corazon, previously Town House, A Go-Go Tavern / Whisk-A Go Go, The Gallery, The Funky Watergate, Eastlake East Tavern, Sub Zero, Off Ramp, )
Green Lantern - 1618 1/2 N 45th (30s through 90s)
Green Room, The - 1426 1st Ave
Greenlake Ale House - 7306 Aurora N (Previously Meet Me Here Tavern, Later Kangaroo and Kiwi)
Gus's / Chez Gus - 2801 Alaskan Way Est. 1999, Closed 2003 (now Paddy Coyne's)
  Hales Brewery - 4301 Leary Way, Est. 1995, CLosed 2022
Hall of Fame - 45th and University
Hart Brewery - 1201 1st Ave, Est. 1995 (Renamed Pyramid in 1996), Building - 1914
Hatties Hat - 5231 Ballad, Est. 1959
Hilltop Ale House 2129 Queen Anne - Est. 1933, Building - 1910
Hollywood Underground - 323 2nd Ave S
Hop Vine Pub - 507 15th Ave E
Hoyt's Pub - 1527 Queen Anne Ave N
 Icon Grill - 1933 5th Ave - Est. 1998, Closed Jan 28, 2017, Building constructed 1923
Irish Emigrant - 5260 University Way (now Rat & Raven)
 Islander - 96 Union (now Thoa's)
J&M Cafe - 201 1st Ave S - Est. 1902 (historical notes)
Jack's Roadhouse - 1501 E. Olive way, Seattle (now Clever Dunne's)
Jake's Grill - 332 15th Ave E, Seattle
Jasmine - 1102 4th Avenue  Seattle (Closed 2013)
Jillians - 731 Westlake Ave N, Closed 2012 (now World Sports Grill)
Kangaroo and Kiwi - 7305 Aurora N.  (Moved to Market St. 2012)
The Keg - 3411 Roosevelt
Kell's Irish Pub - 1916 Post Alley
Kelly's - 2234 3rd - Est. 1979, Closed Oct 2010
Kincora Pub - 518 E. Pine (Previously Bell Pine Tavern, Matthew's Harry Kid Tavern, Glynn's Cove, Squid Row, Tug's Belmont)
Knarr Tavern - 5633 University Way (Previously Hansen's Beer Parlor, Bailey's Tavern, U-Way Tavern) - Closed March 17, 2017
 Kort Haus - 6732 Greenwood Ave N (Previously 68th St. Tavern) - Est. 1969 or 1970 - Closed Jan 15 2017 - Building constructed 1927 (Expected to be reopened in new building)
Lake Union Grill - 711 Fairview N.
Larry's Greenfront - 209 1st Ave. - Est. 1962, Closed 2006 (later Crimson C)
Las Margaritas - 1122 Post Ave (now El Malecon)
 Last Supper Club - 124 S. Washington, Est. 1998 (previously Borderline, Dutch Ned's)
Latitude 47 (now Rock Salt) - 1232 Westlake Avenue
Latona Pub - 6423 Latona Avenue Northeast 
 Lava Lounge - 2226 2nd Avenue - Est. 1995, Closed 2021 (previously The First Up, The Cab Club, Feeley's Tavern, Parade Tavern, Golden West Tavern, Hawaii West Tavern)
Leny's Tavern - 2217 North 56th Street (previously Cozy Spot, Hansen's Tavern, Howard's Tavern, Zepp's Tavern)
Library Bistro - 1007 1st Ave
Linda's Tavern - 707 E. Pine, Est. Feb 16, 1994
Lion's Lair - 7406 Aurora Ave N. - later Greenlake Alehouse, currently St. Andrews Bar and Grill
Liquid Lounge (EMP)
Little Red Hen - 7115 Woodlawn (Moved from 323 N 50th in 1968)- seattlepi
The Living Room - 1355 E Olive, Est. 2009
Lock and Keel - 5144 Ballard Ave, previously Club Tavern, Borge's Place, Ballard Ave Tavern, Smith and Maki's Neighborhood Tavern
Lox, Stock & Billiards - 4552 University Way NE, later Tommy's
Luau - 2253 N. 56th - Est. 1997 (later The Pour House, Bandoler, The Publican, The Burgundian)
Mad Dog Ale House - 10200 Greenwood, burned down in 2000, previously El Paso Bar, Kelly's, Emerald Tavern, 102 Tavern, One O Two
Madame K's Pizza Bistro - 5327 Ballard Ave, closed Oct 28, 2010, later The Sexton
Manray - 514 E. Pine, closed 2007
 Maple Leaf Grill - 8929 Roosevelt Way, Est. 1989 at 8909 Roosevelt, at current location in 1999, closed May 2014, replaced by Maple Bar
Marco's Supper Club - 2510 1st Ave, Est. 1994, closed 2011, later The Innkeeper, previously Seoul Tavern, Wheelhouse Suds & Deli
Marcus' Martini Heaven  - 88 Yesler (basement), Est. 1990, closed July 2010, later Underground Asian Fusion
McCormick and Schmicks - 1103 1st Ave - Closed Jan 2014
McCormick and Schmicks - 1200 Westlake Ave N (later Harborside) - Closed Aug 2011
McMenamins - 200 Roy St. (Est. 1995)
Merchant's Cafe - 109 Yesler Way, Est. 1890 (see historical notes)
Mercury - 1009 E. Union
Metropolitan Steakhouse - 829 2nd Ave,  Est. 1983
Mike's Chili Parlor - 1447 NW Ballard Ave, Est. 1940 (started in 1933 as sidewalk stand)
Mirabeau Room - 529 Queen Anne Ave, Est. 2004, Closed 2006, previously Sorry Charlie's, subsequently The Spectator
Moe's - 925 E Pike, Est. 1992, Closed 1997, Later Aro.space, Paradise, noiselab, Neumos
Molly Maguire's - 610 NW 65th, Previously Woodland Tavern, Rinkidink, Flip Side Tavern
Monkey Pub - 5303 Roosevelt Way
 Morton's - 1511 6th Ave - Est. 1999 - Closed Jan 2017
Mr. Bills - 930 N 130th, Closed 2008, later All Nations Sports Bar, Kathy's Place
Mulleady's - 3055 21st Ave W  Seattle
Murphy's -  1928 N 45th (Moved from 2110 45th in 1992, Est 1981)
Nectar - 412 N 36th, Est. 2004
Neighbors - 1509 Broadway, Est. 1981 (previously Goldies on Broadway, Lucky Boy Tavern, Bogey's)
Neumos - 925 E Pike, Est. 2004 (previously Moe's, Aro.space, Paradise Garage, noiselab)
Nickerson St. Saloon - 318 Nickerson (previously Cruver's Tavern, 318 Tavern)
Nitelite Lounge - 1920 2nd Ave (previously Firelight Lounge)
  Noc Noc - 1516 2nd Ave (Closed Aug 31, 2013; previously Art Bar)
Northgate Theatre Lounge - 10 Northgate Plaza (club for 1 year after theater closed)
Northlake Tavern and Pizza House - 660 NE Northlake Way (Opened 1954, moved to current location 1958, built 1934
Oceanaire - 1700 7th Ave - Est. Jan 2002, closed July 2009)
The Off Ramp - 109 Eastlake E - Est. Summer 1990, closed 1999 (later Sub Zero, Graceland El Corazon, previously Town House, A Go-Go Tavern / Whisk-A Go Go, The Gallery, The Funky Watergate, Eastlake East Tavern)
OK Hotel - 212 Alaskan Way - Opened in 1988, started serving beer in 1994; Closed by the Nisqually quake 2001
Old 5th Ave Tavern - 8507 5th Ave NE - Est. sometime between 1936 and 1938, building constructed 1925 (previously Stewart's Tavern)
Old Pequliar - 1722 NW Market (Valhalla Tavern until 1991)
Old Timers - 620 1st Ave (previously Modesto Tavern, 1930s)
Old Town Alehouse - 5233 Ballard Ave - Est. 1995, Closed 2012 - Previously Ballard Bar (1898-1916), Silver Spot (30s to 80s), Enger's Fish Knot Inn (90s)
Outback Steakhouse Aurora - 13231 Aurora Ave N - Closed 2011, subsequently Asian 1
The Outrigger - 1900 5th Ave (Trader Vics) (1948-1991)
The Owl and Thistle - 808 Post Alley - Est. 1991
The Owl - 5140 Ballard Ave - Est. 1898 - now Conor Byrne
Ozzies Roadhouse - 105 W Mercer - Est. 1958, but not "Ozzie's" for that entire time, also Emerald Diner (90s), Star Bar
Pacific Inn - 3501 Stone Way - Est. 1985 OE - Previously Square Deal Tavern (40s-80s)
Palisade - 2601 West Marina Place - Est. June 1992
Pampas Room - 90 Wall - Est. 1998 - Previously The Tradewinds, My Suzie's Lounge
 Paragon, The - 2125 Queen Anne - Est. 1995, Closed April 30, 2022
Park Pub - 6112-6114 Phinney Ave N - Building constructed 1922 - Previously Richie's Inn (1930s), the Duck Low Inn (late 30s through 70s), Rooster Tail Tavern (80s), Ruby's Pizzeria (90s)
Parkers - 17001 Aurora Ave - Est. 1930, legally serve beer in 1961, closed April 2012, demolished Nov. 2012 (PNWBands.com, historylink)
Patti Summers' Lounge - Est. 1984 - Closed Sep. 2005 - Subsequently the Can Can
 People's Pub - 5429 Ballard Ave NW - Est. Nov 22, 2000, Closed Aug 12 2017, building constructed 1923
 Peso's Kitchen - 605 Queen Anne - Est Jan. 28, 1998 - Closed Sep 2019
 Pig and Whistle - 8412 Greenwood N - Est. 1995; Closed 2012; Previously bar owned by Harvey Mashinter (30s), Central Tavern (1939-70s), Yo' Babes (70s), First Edition (80s), Winners Circle (90s)
Pike Pub - 1415 1st Ave - Est. 1996 in this location, 1989 as a brewery
Pink Door - 1919 Post Alley - Est. Dec. 1981
Pioneer Square Saloon - 73 Yesler (sometimes listed at 77) - Previously Yesler Beer Parlor / Tavern (30s - 80s)
Pub at Piper's Creek - 10527 Greenwood - Previously Viewlands Tavern (40s-60s), The Playhaus (70s), Racer's Edge Tavern (mid 70s); Manny's Tavern (late 70s); Bob's Goodtime Tavern (late 70s, early 80s), Greenwood Tavern (early 80s); B&L Tavern (1984), The Crazy Norwegian (80s-90s)
Planet Hollywood - 1506 6th Ave - Est. 1996, Closed 2001 - Later Tap House Grill
Polly Esther's - 332 5th Ave N - Previously Tropix Cafe, Later Element, Level 5, iMusic
Ponti - 3014 3rd Ave N - Est. 1991, Closed July 2, 2016
Premier - 1700 1st Ave S - Est. 2004, Closed 2006 - Laster Fenix SoDo, Showbox SoDo
Prost! - 7311 Greenwood - Est. 2002 - Formerly Kismet
 Purr - 1518 11th - Est. 2006, closed July 19, 2017; building constructed 1915; Formerly Encore, Safari, Bad Juju Lounge; subsequently Queer/Bar; Reopened Oct 4, 2017 at 2307 24th E
 Pyramid Alehouse - 1201 1st Ave, Est. 1996 (renamed from Hart Brewery Pub), closed 2020
Queen City Grill - 2201 1st Ave - Est. 1901-1911 (see history)
Rain Dancer - 4217 University Way - Later Finn Mac Cools
Rainbow, The (1930s-2000s), briefly Sandpiper Tavern in 70s, subsequently Fusion Ultra Lounge
Ray's Boathouse - 6049 Seaview Ave NW - Est. 1973
Rkcndy - 1812 Yale (now Spring Hill Suites) - Est. 1991, Closed 1999
 Re-bar - 1114 Howell - Est. Jan 1990, closed March 2020, building constructed 1920 - Previously the Night Hawk (30s to 70s), Thirsty's Tavern (70s), Sparks Tavern (80s), Alexrock Saloon (80s)
Reading Gaol - 418 NW 65th - Est. 2000, Closed 2011 - Previously Johnny's 65th St Tavern (40s), Ben's Tavern (late 40s), Dan's Tavern (60s), Hagar's Tavern (80s-90s); Later 418 Public House
 Red Door (formerly at 3401 Fremont Ave, building moved to 3401 Evanston Ave N) - Est. 1988, closed March 2020
Red Onion Tavern - 4210 E Madison - Est. by 1940 at 4222 and at existing address by 1980
Red Robin - 3272 Fuhrman Ave (Original Red Robin) - Est. 1940, Closed March 21, 2010
Red Robin - 1101 Alaskan Way
Red Robin - 555 Northgate Mall #430
Red Robin - 1600 E Olive Way - Previously Plaid Piper Restaurant (Tartan Room Lounge)
Rendezvous - 2322 2nd Ave - Est. as screening room 1924, subsequently a speakeasy, then bar
Reservoir Bar and Grill - 8509 Roosevelt Way - 1934
Rimrock Steakhouse - 12322 Lake City Way -
The Rickshaw - 322 N 105th (constructed 1950)
Roanoke Tavern / Park  Place - 2409 10th Avenue E - Est. 1980 (Dutch Tavern from 30s, Upton's Tavern (mid 70s), Sgt Pepper's in mid 70s; constructed 1921)
Rock Bottom Brewery - 1333 5th Ave - Closed Dec 31, 2016
Rock Salt - 1232 Westlake Ave
RockSport Bar and Grill - 4209 SW Alaska St - Est. 1995 - Closed July 15, 2012
The Romper Room - 106 1st Ave N - (previously Midway Tavern, Tic Toc Tavern, Arthur's Pub; subsequently Water Town, currently Hula Hula)
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - 727 Pine St - Est. 1004 (Chain est. 1965, est. prev. Seattle location 1988)
Satellite Lounge - 1118 E Pike - (previously Spag's Tavern; subsequently Unicorn)
Sazerac - 1101 1st Ave (Hotel Monaco) - closed Jan 1, 2017
Scoundrel's Lair (and Club Fiasco) - 3242 Eastlake Ave E - previously Rapunzel's Tavern (also Llahnguelhyn jazz/coffee); currently Borsalino's
Serafina - 2043 Eastlake Avenue E - Est. 1991
Shorty's Coney Island - 2222 2nd Ave, suite 2222A - Est. 1997 (designed by Larry Reid), moved July 2019 to 2316 2nd Ave
 Siren Tavern - 3403 4th Ave S - Est. 1967
Sit & Spin - 2219 4th Ave - Est. Sep 1993 - Closed 2003
Sitting Room - 108 W Roy - Est. 1998
Six Arms -  300 E Pike - Est. 1994
The Sloop Tavern - 2830 NW Market - Est. 1959 or 1960 (formerly Seaview Tavern 40s-50s, current building constructed in 1953)
Sluggers - 538 1st Ave S - Est. March 10th, 1998 - (formerly Stanley's Ticker Tape, Sneakers)
Sneakers - 538 1st Ave S - Est. 1980 - Closed 1996 - formerly Stanley's Ticker Tape; now Sluggers
Sorry Charlies - 529 Queen Anne - Est. 1975 - Closed Sep. 2003
Space Needle - 400 Broad St. - Est. 1962
Sport (Fischer Plaza) - 140 4th Ave N., Suite 130 - Est Jan. 2005
Squid Row - 518 E Pine - Est. 1986 - Closed 1990 - Previously Bell Pine Tavern, Mathew's Harry Kid Tavern, Glynn's Cove; subsequently Tugs Belmont, Beatnix, Kincora Pub
St. Andrews Bar and Grill - 7406 Aurora Ave N - Est. Oct 26, 2005 - Previously Greenlake Tavern, Lion's Lair
Starlite Lounge - 1921 1st Ave -  Est. Oct 1, 2005 - Closed 2007 - Previously Cafe Sophie, Avenue One, Cha Bar, Fire and Ice Lounge
Storeroom - 605 Eastlake Ave, Seattle - Previously Eastlake Tavern; subsequently Mars Cafe
 Studio 7 - 110 S. Horton - Est. 2003
Stumbing Monk - 1625 E. Olive Way
Suite G - 513 N. 36th St. - Previously Black Citroen; subsequently High Dive
Sully's Snowgoose - 6119 Phinney - Previously The Bohemian / La Boheme (est. 1934)
Sundown Tavern - 820 NW 85th St (new owner, remodeled, renamed "Sweet Lou's" on 6/26/2010)
Sunset Tavern -  5433 Ballard Ave - Est. 1976 (Est. 1972 in space of current Ballard Smokehouse) - Formerly Chet's Log Cabin
Swannies - 222 S. Main St. (Moved to 109 S Washngton in 2008)
Teddy's Tavern - 1912 NE 65th - Est. 1984 - Previously King Tuck's Tavern, Starting Gate Tavern, Caskeg Mt. Tavern
Temple Billiards - 126 S. Jackson - Est. 1994
 Ten Mercer - 10 Mercer St. - Est. Dec. 2000, Closed Dec 31, 2017, Building constructed 1918
Tex's Tavern - 206 5th Ave - Est. 1947 - Subsequently Zak's, The Funhouse
 Tia Lou / Mama Lou's - 2218 1st Ave - Est. 2000, closed Dec 2016, building constructed 1920 - Previously 2218 Nightclub (AKA "Twenty-Two Eighteen")
Tiki Bob's Cantina - 166 S. King St. - Est. 2001, Closed Sep 3, 2012
Tin Hat - 512 NW 65th St.
 Tini Bigs - 100 Denny Way - Est. Jan 22, 1997, closed March 18, 2017 (after 7,411 days in a row open), building constructed
Toi - 1904 4th Ave - Est. 2001 - Closed 2008 - Previously: Dahlia Lounge (moved to 2001 4th)
Tommy's - 4552 University Ave - Previously Lox, Stock & Billiards
Tractor Tavern - 5213 Ballard Ave NW - Est. 1993 - Formerly Melody Tavern, The International Schooner, The Prairie Schooner & Dance Hall, the New Melody Tavern
Triangle Tavern - 3507 Fremont Pl - Est. 1998 - Closed 2009 - Formerly Classic Tavern; Subsequently 9 Million in Unmarked Bills
Trolleyman Pub - 3400 Phinney N. - Opened Oct 6, 1988 - Closed Sep 14, 2002 - Previously The Library Tavern, The Dancing Machine, D.B. Cooper Bar and Grill
TS McHughs - 21 Mercer St. - Est. 1990
Twin TeePees - 7201 Aurora Ave N - Opened 1937 - Closed Jun 1, 2000 - Powers Pancake House 1959-1967
 Two Bells - 2313 4th Ave - Est. 1933?, (Modern version established 1982), Closed Dec 31 2017, Building constructed 1923
Two Dagos from Texas - 2600 1st Ave - Est. 1989? - Closed 2004 - Subsequently Black Bottle
Typhoon - 1400 Western Ave - Est. 2000 - Closed April 11, 2009 - Formerly Wild Ginger; subsequently Dulces Latin Bistro
Union - 1400 1st Ave - Est. 2003 - Closed 2010 - Subsequently Japonessa
The Viceroy (now Rob Roy) -  2332 2nd Ave - Est. 2003
Viking Tavern - 6404 24th NW - Est. 1950 - Closed April 20, 2013
The Virginia Inn - 1937 1st Ave - Est. 1908 (historical notes)
The Vogue - 2018 1st Ave - Est. 1983 - Moved 1999 (facebook) - Previously Babe's  Tavern, Northern Light Tavern, Johnny's Handlebar Tavern, WREX
The Vogue - 1516 11th Ave - Est. 1999 - Closed 2006
 Von's Grand City CafĂ© - 619 Pine St. - Est. in this location 1987; Est. as "Von's" in 1940; originally established as Rippes in 1904, moved to Von's 1000Spirits GustoBistro on 1st in 2013.
Wasabi Bistro - 2311 2nd Ave - Est. 2000
 Waterfront - Pier 70 (now Aqua by El Gaucho, formerly Pier 70 Restauant, Rockin' Iguana Cantina), Building constructed 1902
Watertown - 106 1st Ave N. - Closed 2006 - Previously Midway Tavern, Tic Toc Tavern, Arthur's A Fine Pub, Romper Room; subsequently Hula Hula
Waterwheel Tavern - 7034 15 Ave NW - Est. 1974 (est. by 1960 at 7011)
The Weathered Wall (And The Weathered Wall, The Purity Remains) - 1921 5th Ave -  Est. 1992 - Closed 1996 - subsequently Circa, I-Spy
The Whisky Bar - 2000 2nd Ave, Suite 101 -  Closed 2012 for move
Wild Ginger - 1401 3rd Ave - Est. July 2000
Winner's Circle - 8412 Greenwood N. - Previously Central Tavern, First Edition; subsequently Pig and Whistle
Zig Zag Café - 1501 Western Ave, #202 - Est. 1998


Bars from other areas:
 Celtic Bayou - 7281 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond, WA
Club Hollywood - 16708 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA
  Detour, The - 221 Main Ave S, Renton, WA
 Drift On Inn - 16708 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA (Closed December 2015)
  Echo Lake Tavern - 19508 Aurora Ave N,  Shoreline, WA
Goldies - 15030 Aurora Ave, Shoreline, WA
 Jimmy Z's - 1712 Hewitt ave  Everett, WA - Est. 1983 - Closed 2008
 Mick Finster's - 24001 Washington 99  Edmonds, WA
 Sam's Bar and Grill - 100 11th Ave, Bellevue, WA
Scott's Bar and Grill - Edmonds, WA 
Shays - 15744 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA
 Waldo's - Lynnwood, WA 



Electric Ballroom, Phoenix, AZ
Anderson's Fifth Estate (Area 51) (Now Club Forbidden), Scottsdale, AZ
Axis/Radius, Scottsdale, AZ
Bistro Bravo, Scottsdale, AZ
Cajun Room, Scottsdale, AZ
Cat Eye Lounge, Scottsdale, AZ
Cowboy Ciao, Scottsdale, AZ
DJs, Scottsdale, AZ
Dos Gringos, Scottsdale, AZ
  The Drift, Scottsdale, AZ - Est. 2002, closed 2010
Giligan's, Scottsdale,AZ
Mason Jar (The Killing Jar), Scottsdale, AZ - Est. 1979
Maloneys, Scottsdale, AZ
Martini Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ
Sugar Daddy's, Scottsdale, AZ
Balboa Cafe, Tempe, AZ
Club Congress, Tucson, AZ
Meet Rack, Tucson, AZ
Plush, Tucson, AZ
Wildcat House, Tucson, AZ
Bar Sinister, Los Angeles, CA
Dragon Fly, Los Angeles, CA
  Ruby, (Perversion), Los Angeles, CA
Trader Vics, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA
Aero Lounge, San Francisco, CA
Big Heart City (Death Guild), San Francisco, CA
Cat Club, San Franciso, CA
Luna Lounge, San Francisco, CA
Pow, San Francisco, CA
Ten 15, San Francisco, CA
Una, San Francisco, CA
The Church, Denver, CO
Club Onyx, Denver, CO
The Angry Inch, Washington, DC
Asylum, Washington, DC
Biddy Mulligans, Washington, DC
The Big Hunt, Washington, DC
Chaos, Washington, DC
The Childe Harold, Washington, DC
Cloud, Washington, DC
Club Heaven and Hell, Washington, DC
Columbia Station, Washington, DC
The Edge, (Chiaroscuro), Washington, DC
Gazuza Lounge, Washington, DC
Harry's Pub, Washington, DC
The Pharmacy Bar, Washington, DC
The Reef, Washington, DC
Sign of the Whale, Washington, DC
The Tavern, Washington, DC
Tom Tom, Washington, DC
Mai Kai, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Mango's/Vodou Room, Miami, FL
Oceans 10, Miami, FL
Wet Willies, Miami, FL
Irish Rose, Waikiki, HI
The Shorebird, Waikiki, HI
Waikiki Broiler, Waikiki, HI
10th St. Station, Boise, ID
Andy's Pub, Boise, ID
 Angell's Bar and Grill, Boise, ID
 Blues Bouquet, Boise, ID
The Cactus, Boise, ID
Casey's Beer Depot, Boise, ID
Corner Pocket, Boise, ID
The Crescent, Boise, ID
Hannah's, Boise, ID
Little Dutch Garden, Boise, ID
Louie's, Boise, ID
Mardi Gras, Boise, ID
Mr. Q's, Boise, ID
Quinn's, Boise, ID
Ram The, Boise, ID
The Reef, Boise, ID
Tom Grainey's, Boise, ID
Top of the Hoff, Boise, ID
The Underground, Boise, ID
Vista Lounge, Boise, ID
Whalers' Galley, Boise, ID
Whiskey River Saloon, Boise, ID
Valentinos, Boise, ID
Forrestors, McCall, ID
Lardo's, McCall, ID
McCall Brewing Company, McCall, ID
Yacht Club Lounge, McCall, ID
Shula's, Chicago, IL
Spy Bar, Chicago, IL
Cask and Flagon, Boston, MA
Chicago Bar and Grill, Boston, MA
Daisy Buchanans, Boston, MA
Eastern Standard, Boston, MA
Freeport Tavern, Boston, MA
Pushcart Café, Boston, MA
Sevens, Boston, MA
Tiernans, Boston, MA
  Tiki Room, Boston, MA - Est. June 2003, Closed 2007
PJ Cricketts, Baltimore, MD
Music Menu, Detroit, MI
Shelaileah's, Detroit, MI
Coyote Ugly, Las Vegas, NV
Ra, Las Vegas, NV
Daily Double Lounge, Lake Oswego, OR
Alibi Room, Portland, OR
Ash St. Saloon, Portland, OR
Basement Pub, Portland, OR
Belmont's Inn, Portland, OR
Berbati's Pan, Portland, OR (Est. 1994, Closed Dec 31 2009)
BOG (Bar Of the Gods),Portland, OR (opened 1996; previously The Crow, closed 1996)
Bossanova Social Club, Portland, OR
The Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
Dantes, Portland, OR
Devil's Point, Portland, OR
Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR (dougfirlounge.com - flickr - yelp - citysearch)
Galaxy, Portland,OR
  Jasmine Tree, Portland, OR - Closed 2006
Pal's Shanty, Portland, OR
Pirates Cove, Portland, OR
Satyricon, Portland, OR (Est. 1983 - Bar Closed 2003 - All-ages Closed 2010) (history)
Shanghai Tunnels, Portland, OR
Side St., Portland, OR
The Space Room, Portland, OR
Voodoo Lounge, Portland, OR
The Watertrough Saloon, Portland, OR
The Hot Seat, Tualatin, OR
The Church Brewpub, Pittsburgh, PA
  Club Laga (Ceremony), Pittsburgh, PA - Est. 1996 - Closed 2004
M, Pittsburgh, PA
Metropolis, Pittsburgh, PA
Rosebud, Pittsburgh, PA
Caravan of Dreams, Dallas, TX
Rumors, Milwaukee,WI
Velvet Underground, Toronto, ON
Wayne Gretzky's, Toronto, ON
Smokeless Joes, Toronto, ON
 Savage Garden, Toronto, ON - Closed 2009
Bovine Sex Club, Toronto, ON - Est 1991
Rock Bottom Brewery (Bellevue)
Java Jive, Tacoma, WA
Elephant and Castle, Vancouver, BC
Railway Club, Vancouver, BC
Bulldog, Vancouver, BC
BNR Tropical Daquiris, Nassau, Bahamas
Johnny Canoe's Cafe, Nassau, Bahamas
Goombay Lounge, Nassau, Bahamas
Senor Frog's, Nassau, Bahamas

*Footnote: Subsequent verification of addresses and etc., as well as tweaking the definition of what I counted as a bar, led to adjustments to this number in early 2012. I removed 8 entries that were either dups, not really bars (e.g. an all ages club), or simply could not be confirmed. I added 5 new entries after clarifying what I counted as a bar. I also moved 11 that I'd previously included in the "Seattle" section, which are/were not technically within the Seattle city limits. Adjustments were made to the numbering scheme in Jan 2012 to account for 3 fewer bars and 14 fewer "Seattle" bars.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Rocksport Bar and Grill, Seattle

Update: Rocksport closed in July 2012

A prototypical boring sports bar, whose saving grace for me was that they serve some of the tastiest salsa I've ever had.

4209 Southwest Alaska St, Seattle, WA 98116-4524 - (206) 935-5838
Est. 1995 - Closed 2012
rocksport.net - facebook - yelp

Sneakers, Seattle

In 1903, while the area south of Jackson Street was still largely unfilled tideflats crossed by the old planked First Avenue, George W. Hoffman saw the completion of one of the earliest masonry structures built this far south, and opened a carriage factory and blacksmith shop there. (seattlegov) 77 years later, in a narrow strip of the first floor, a joint called "Stanley's Ticker Tape" opened, with a mechanical tickertape machine displaying sports news installed above the bar. Despite being next door to the recently constructed Kingdome and the NFL and MLB teams it brought to Seattle, Stanley's struggled and lasted only a few months before he sold the business to Ron Danz and Jim Fullenwider.

Danz and Fullenwider ran a 110-seat deli sandwich shop called EATs, in the space that would later become part of the current Jazz Alley. With input from their wives, they greatly expanded the sports theme, adding a chalk board where they collected the autographs of athletes, a collection of star athlete's shoes, and -- driven by the challenge of a space "about as wide as 2 bowling lanes" -- an unheard of number of TVs, so that fans could watch games (the very limited selection before cable) from anywhere in the joint. They opened as "Sneakers" April 23, 1981.

50 days later, the Major League Baseball strike was announced, and would eventually cost 38% of the regular season schedule. Far before all the modern condos were added to the area, the new business struggled, and eventually welcomed Dick Oldham in as a third partner -- and added even more TVs. A couple years later, Fullenwider and Danz would sell their portions to Oldham. The bar continued to actively collect an idiosyncratic set of memorabilia and autographs from local players/patrons and players from around the country. Sneakers was often listed as one of the best sports bars in the nation.

When lineman Reggie McKenzie was traded to the Seahawks, he flew in a chef to teach the Sneakers crew how to make spicy chicken wings like they did back in Buffalo, NY (hence, "Buffalo Wings"). A bit later this would lead to a contest that involved a few more Seahawks players. As one owner describes it, "Back then as a marketing scheme we offered all you could eat wings on Wednesday for $12 I believe.  A bunch of Seahawks tried to beat the record of the day.  Joe Nash and Jacob Green would come in together, Jacob ate 73 once which was pretty good but the real stud was an average size guy that worked down 1st Ave at Sears, now Starbucks HQ,  he was about 5’10” 160lbs and ate 147 of our Buffalo Wings, I think he broke the old record by about 60 wings, if I had not seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it." (Jim Fullenwider, personal correspondence).

But I'll always remember Sneakers for a much more personal reason. In January of 1996, I got an unusual opportunity to sell some of the stock I had in our private company. Four years before that, my wife's breast cancer had begun metasticizing into other parts of her body. She'd outlived the estimates, but we knew she was dying. The stock sale gave us a considerable amount of money, the ability to pay off mounting credit card debts, and the chance for me to tell LeRoux "We can do anything you want to do." This was after the miracle 1995 Mariners season and the first thing she said was, "Let's buy season tickets!"

We did, and in '96 we went to every game she felt well enough to attend. And after almost all of those games, we'd head over to Sneakers for drinks and to play the NTN satellite trivia game. Sneakers would fill quickly after the games, and LeRoux's legs didn't work too well by then. So I'd sneak out to the Kingdome runway to watch the last out, then dash over and save us a seat, and she'd come trudging over after watching the end of the game from our seats.

We had a lot of fun. We got to recognize all the Kingdome vendors and other regulars who would often play trivia after the ballgames. Of course this included Ed the Tuba Guy, whom all the regulars could imitate, including his regular outburst of "I disagree!" whenever he missed a question (which was often). "Tuba," my wife once shouted at him, "You don't have your tuba!" "He explained that they didn't let him bring it into the restaurant, and a passing waiter remarked, "Well thank God for small favors." "I disagree!" said Ed.

This kind of pleasant banter and distraction is especially welcome when you could use some breaks from more depressing realities. I can't tell you how much I loved those nights and those silly trivia games. But in mid July LeRoux went into the hospital and then the hospice, where she had to follow the Mariners on the radio. On the morning of August 25th, a hospice volunteer woke me from the chair next to her bed where I'd sleep and informed me, "Sir, Cheryl has died."

October 12th of that year was the last day before Sneakers closed (eventually to be purchased by new owners and renamed "Sluggers.") I went down, played trivia again, and dropped a note to Dick, the owner, about how much the place meant to Cheryl and me. Dick came over to talk to me and invited me to a private closing party the next day. I attended of course, and Dick bought my dinner, read a letter from Mayor Rice and the note from me, and finally had Ed play inside the restaurant. And before the night was over Dick gave me two glass mugs with the Sneakers logo on them, which I now keep, as I always will, in a cabinet with the most prized glassware I own.



(I am grateful to James Fullenwider for corrections and additions to a previous version.)

538 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Est. April 23, 1981 - Closed Oct 12, 1996 - Building constructed: 1903
Previous bars in this location: Stanley's Tickertape
Subsequent bars in this location: Slugger's

The Mai-Kai, Ft. Lauderdale - 10/7/2005



The fabulous grand-daddy of all tiki bars.

maikai.com - critikis

(more photos)

Address3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308




























Saturday, April 23, 2005

Cowgirls Inc., Seattle



Every large city in the country now has at least one bar exactly like this, so there's no need for me to describe Seattle's version of the dancing-on-the-bar, Coyote Ugly knock off.

Sunday, June 27, 2004

The Jasmine Tree - 6/27/2004



This three-piece cannibal tiki series, originally from Portland's Kon-Tiki, is now at Thatch.

401 SW Harrison St., Portland OR

critiki

Saturday, June 26, 2004

The Alibi, Portland - 6/26/2004

Portland has the immense good fortune to have the trifecta of tiki bar types: The high end in Hale Pele, the classic, mid-range with a Trader Vic's, and the vintage divey in the Alibi.  But while the Alibi goes back to the 40s, hosts karaoke, and certainly does not have the craft cocktail chops of a place like Blair Reynold's Hale Pele, don't mistake the "divey" for some half-hearted tilt toward a theme -- the Alibi is a dark, adjust-your-eyes-and-drop-you-jaw, tiki wonderland.


The building here is said to go back to the 1880s, when it was the "Chat-n-Nibble, a stop for horse and buggies along a dirt road called "the interstate." This would later become either Patton or Maryland Avenue (these were renamed Interstate Avenue in 1917). After prohibition it was a tiny tavern called "Max Alibi, which was owned by a Mr. Peterson and quite successful for several years. In 1947 Peterson sold it to Roy Ell, who turned it into a tiki bar, emulating the experiences he had enjoyed in Hawaii. Over the years Ell expanded the place, engulfing a private home behind the tavern and a Texaco station next door to expand parking, as well as adding a restaurant section in the 50s and additional tiki touches, including the large, blacklight, hula girl bas-relief mural and Witco-style railings in the 70s.

Ell leased the business out in the 80s with the stipulation that the decor not be altered, and eventually sold the place to Larry and Karla White in 1992.  The Whites again refurbished the interior and rooftop sign in 2005, taking care to consult local tiki aficionados and preserve the vintage tiki style, despite no longer being required to do so.  Larry White passed away in early 2013.





If you are a tiki fan, the Alibi is not likely to win your affections through their overly sweet drinks, the fairly standard bar food menu, nor the drunken karaoke singers. But it is exceedingly rare to see such a long-lived institution so devoted to its tiki decor, especially one that feels so unremittingly like a bar, without concessions to the restaurant area or sunlight. You enter through a thatch hut (mostly likely acquired from the old Kon Tiki) and, as your eyes adjust to the soft glowing lamps and fish tanks in the dark, you're never sure what lies around the corner. It is this stark transition from the bright, suburban America outside -- more pronounced than you were ever experience at, say, a Trader Vic's -- which makes this one of my favorite tiki bars in the country.  Especially with the closing of places such as Rosemead's Bahooka, I feel an abiding debt to Roy Ell, Larry White, the Portland area folks who helped clean it up and preserve it, and even the karaoke singers.



(Exoticat photo)

4024 N Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97227 - (503) 287-5335
Est. 1947
Previous bars in this location: Max Alibi
Web site: alibiportland.com
Articles prioritized: critiki - roadtrippers - tikiroom - thelopeportland mercury - wweek - oregonlive - pdxbars - yelp - barfly

Friday, December 13, 2002

Saturday, May 04, 2002

The Baranof, Seattle (Greenwood) - 5/4/2002

The Baranof, Seattle, WA
The bartender in the right foreground is Dotti,
who also bartended at the Rendezvous and the
74th Street Tavern. "She was a legend" 
I believe the Baranof was, and may still be, the ultimate Seattle dive bar. I told a friend that he must go there, noting the "bands" that seemed like Saturday Night Live skits (now replaced by karaoke) and the elderly woman I met at the bar, chain smoking and drinking after coming straight there from chemotherapy. My friend ordered a White Russian, which was made with packaged dried coffee creamer. The delightful couple behind us put on a little two-person play, with Act I highlighted by "I'm not going home with you, I know your wife!"; Act II centering around the male's spectacular falling off his stool; and Act III concluding with the two staggering out together with the woman slurring, "Are you sure you're okay to drive?" Disturbing? Sure. But you don't get that kind of entertainment value at Black Bottle or Purple.

Marie's Cafe and the Greenwood Room
(Photo courtesy of Gerald Nielsen)
The history of the Baranof is evident in the produce section of grocery stores around town and around the country, as it is the origin of Marie's Salad Dressings. Marie's Cafe operated at this location from 1940 or possibly a little earlier, until 1982. It's possible this was in a different building as county tax records indicate that the current building was constructed in 1942 and Marie's is listed here by the 1940 Polk Guide. For most of that time if not all of it, the bar in the back of the restaurant was called the Greenwood Room. At some point owner Marie Nordquist hired Harold Smith as a cook, and Smith's blue cheese salad dressing recipe became so popular that they began bottling it, with revenues eventually greatly exceeding those of the bar itself. In the late 50s Smith bought out Nordquist and expanded the salad dressing side, eventually selling both the dressing business and the cafe/bar. The change to the Baranof name and the nautical theme appears to have taken place in 1982.

Today, the Baranof bartenders are diverse in gender and age, whereas several years ago they seemed to be exclusively elderly women (I once heard a patron explaining to one what goes in a Martini). Since replacing the Bill Murray style cover acts with karaoke, the Baranof is much more populated by younger people and hipsters, which may compromise the pure divey-ness, but add a different element of fun. The Baranof remains a classic old school diner in front, and one of the city's best dive bars, as well as one of its more popular karaoke destinations.

Here are a few anecdotes about the Greenwood Room and early Baranof that I've collected from folks who worked there and/or drank there:

The fellow to my right is Doug. Doug claims to have
been hired and fired by the Baranof 29 times over the
past 30 years (starting when it was still Marie's).
The Greenwood Room was a "smokey dingy strong drinks dive bar" -- John White

"I worked at Greenwood Safeway across the street, graveyard shift, and we all got off work at 7am and would head over to the Greenwood Bar in Marie’s that had a line up at 7am to open the bar, and the dance floor was busy by 8am. I was only 21 then, but it was blast from the past." -- Michael Messer

It "became Baranof when Richard Newby bought it." -- Pat Simon





"Richard bought it after the night he came in there with fellow fishing boat owners to have a meeting. It was about ten and the surly bartender was tired and tried to kick them out. After a long argument he agreed to leave but promised to come back, buy the bar, and fire her...and he did! That bartender was Wanda. He soon found out she was the only one who knew the workings of this bar and had to hire her back." -- Bonnie Delys
8549 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103 - 206-782-9260
Est. 1982 - Building constructed 1942
Previous bars at this location: The Greenwood Room (Marie's Restaurant)
Articles: seattlepithe stranger - yelp - thrillist