#743 - Heaven, Seattle (Pioneer Square) - 12/14/2008

Update: Heaven closed in 2010 and was replaced by Volume nightclub.

The old "Catwalk" with very little changed (except the Men's and Women's rooms inexplicably switched), and the crowd and vibe varying greatly with particular nights and events.

Historical Notes: This space is perhaps the most storied of current Seattle bars or clubs. In 1890 it was established by vaudeville pioneer John Considine as "The People's Theater," the most notorious of Seattle's old "box houses," where female performers sold drinks on the floor and more personalized services in the closed box rooms.  Considine brought big time acts like "Little Egypt" to the theater, and battled Pantages for theatrical crowds and even Wyatt Earp for a brief period.  In 1901 Considine and his brother were engaged in a shootout by ex-employee and ex-Chief of Police William L. Meredith.

As much or more than any other man, Considine helped establish Seattle's "Tolerance Policy," the well-established guidelines for paying off police that would last for 80 years and help nurture both the Jackson Street jazz scene and Pioneer Square gay scene.  The most epic example of the latter was "The Casino," (unofficially known as "Madame Peabody’s Dancing Academy for Young Ladies"), where drag queens and gays danced openly with each other, and their reputation attracted gay and bi people from all over the country including the likes of Rudolf Nureyev and Tallulah Bankhead.

Many years later (1994-2005), it became The Catwalk, hosting fetish fashion shows and various gothic and S&M themed events.

172 S. Washington St, Seattle, 98104 - 206.622.1863
Est. 2006 - Closed 2010 - Building constructed: 1890
heavenseattle.com

#742 - Fourno's, Seattle (U District) - 12/11/2008

Bump and grind for Greek Row -- I'm surprised it took so long for a place like this on The Ave.

4733 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 729-5195

#741 - A-Pizza Mart, Seattle (U District) - 12/11/2008

An unpretentious but happening little night scene. Who knew?

5026 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 517-4000

#740 - Canterbury Ale & Eats, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 12/11/2008

Update: Canterbury Ale House closed March 27, 2022

When this 38-year-old medieval themed dive bar went under in 2014, two Capitol Hill bar owners, Mike Meckling (Neumos) and James Snyder (Sam's Tavern) took over the space, giving it a large-scale sprucing up and installing a fancy menu by the former chef of Madison Park Conservatory. That menu, which included tater tots topped with steak tartar, scotched quail eggs, and mostarda coated chicken liver toast, was eventually dialed back to resemble a broad and fairly typical contemporary bar menu. The bar has 30 taps and unfancy cocktails, while other sections now allow families, pushing it a bit more toward a 70s style old English themed restaurant.

Canterbury Ale & Eats, Seattle

534 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-3130

Est. October 1976 - Closed March 27, 2022 - Building constructed: 1907
Previous bars in this location: Gaslight Tavern (1960s - early 70s)
Web site: thecanterburyalehouse.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - capitolhilltimes - eater - seattlerefined - eater - yelp

#739 - The Shanty Tavern, Seattle (Lake City) - 12/05/2008

Historical Notes: The Shanty goes back to at least 1937, although it was previous located in a couple different locations up the road on Lake City Way. The 1937 listing has "Mack's Shanty" at 1937 Lake City (AKA Bothell Way AKA Victory Way), and it is listed in a few subsequent years under the name of owner Doris McLeod.  In the 1941 guide, Mack's Shanty begins appearing at an 8916 address, and then shifts to the current 9002 address around 1948.  In at least this last move, and perhaps the previous one, the actual building (constructed in 1932) was moved.  It continues to be listed as "Mack's Shanty" into 1960.  In 1961 it was purchased from the original owner by current owner John Spaccarotelli, and changed the name to just "The Shanty."

#738 - The Celtic Swell, Seattle - 11/29/2008

2722 Alki Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 932-7935
Est. 2004 - Closed March 2016
celticswell.com

#737 - Bamboo, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/29/2008

Bamboo closed November 22, 2014

2806 Alki Ave SW Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 937-3023
Est. 2002 - Closed Nov 22, 2014

#736 - Gainsbourg, Seattle (Greenwood) - 11/28/2008

Try the: Jane Birkin

The first non-coy, unapologetically hipster venue in Greenwood. In certain aspects it is ridiculous, of course, like the perfectly-spaced, brick-revealing holes in the plaster. But the place was packed and there were no little horns in the front of the hair, zero untucked long sleeve striped shirts, and only one backwards baseball cap. And what the hell, I like hipsters.

8550 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 783-4004 - map
Est. 2008 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: gainsbourglounge.com - myspace
Reviews: seattle times - yelp - phinneywood - seattle weekly - seattleweekly

#735 - Beveridge Place, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

I'm a sucker for lots of wood and old books in a bar.

6413 California Ave SW, Seattle, Washington 98136 - (206) 932-9906
Est. October 27, 2003 - Building constructed 1991
Previous bars at this locaton: Full Moon Saloon

#734 - Yen Wor Village, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

The standard Chinese restaurant dive, with a small bar, karaoke, cheap decor, overpowering smell of cleaner, and a brilliant range of patrons, from the giggling girls to the absolutely smashed old men.

#733 - Admiral Pub, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

A clone with absolutely zero character or physical attractions. You'd have to really love the patrons there to skip so many less boring bars in the area.

#732 - Mission, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/28/2008

Update: The owners of Mission announced that it would close Feb 17, 2024 due to "rising operational costs, changes in the economy, and an evolving hospitality landscape." 

Another lovely West Seattle bar.

Historical notes:  The building currently housing Mission on California Ave was constucted in 1924,   although it probably did not contain the upper floor at the time. The Seattle Daily Times notes a noise complaint at a bar owned by George Willey in this location in November 1933. It starts appearing in city guides under James Robinson or his "Jim's Tavern" in 1934, continuing into the 70s.  In 1980 it is the "Rainy City Tavern," in 1990 the "Caddyshack Tavern,"and by the early 2000s "Lizzard Lounge."

Seattle Daily Times, Nov 1, 1933

2325 California Avenue Southwest, Seattle - (206) 937-8220
Est. 2005 - Closed Feb 17, 2024 - Building constructed 1924
Previous bars in this location: Jim's Tavern, Rainy City Tavern, Caddyshack Tavern, Lizzard Lounge

#731 - Cozy Inn Tavern, Kenmore, Wa - 11/17/2008

In addition to being genuinely cozy and a genuine tavern (no liquor), the Cozy Inn Tavern has a deck and a history -- it's been around since the early 30s.  It's a comfortable neighborhood place with lots of wood and microwave pork rinds.

#730 - Martin's Off Madison, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

Update:  In mid 2010, the 5-year-old Martin's was re-named "Greg's Profanity Hill," and then closed shortly thereafter.
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This is why I love this project. I would have never stumbled upon this place if not for K-Bar.

#729 - C.C.Attles, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

This location of the popular bear bar opened in 1992 and closed in 2010, re-opening at 1701 E Olive June 11, 2011.

1501 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 323-4017

#728 - Osteria la Spiga, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

#727 - Bill's Off Broadway, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

Closed 12/3/2013 while new building constructed, re-opened Aug 10, 2015

725 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 420-7493
Est. 1981 - Building constructed: 2015
Previous bars in this location: Mother's Tavern

#726 - Kurrent, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 11/11/2008

Kurrent closed in November 2010

#725 - Spring Hill, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

 Update: 2/27/2012:  Since the night of this visit, Spring Hill upgraded their cocktail game to a fantastic degree, and then on Feb 8, 2012 changed their emphasis to Hawaiian and their name to Ma'Ono Fried Chicken and Whisky.
 
This relatively new place (6 mos. old) looks like a fine restaurant. But this list is about bars, and the bar here is an afterthought.

#724 - Poggie Tavern, Seattle (West Seattle) - 11/9/2008

I suddenly felt like I was in a tavern in the mountains in Idaho. A classic dive, with guys with big beards and gals with big hair. The large bartender, in levis suspenders and plaid shirt said of a just-departed patron, "He's a character. But ain't we all?"

Indeed.

Historical notes: There has been a bar in the location of West Seattle's Poggie Tavern since at
least 1934, and it has been "The Poggie Inn" or Tavern since at least 1936. However, it appears that the previous structure was replaced with the current one in 1970.

4717 California Avenue Southwest Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 937-2165
Est. 1936 OE - Building constructed 1970
Other bars in this location: None