#773 - Madison Pub, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 2/14/2009

"I’m in a weird situation because i like rainbows.. but I’m not gay. So, i wear a rainbow on my shirt - but then under it, it says “not gay ” .. but I’m not against gay people, so under that i have to put “but supportive.” I just think its weird that one group took refracted light. That’s pretty greedy gays." -- Demetri Martin

1315 East Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 325-6537
Est. 1986
Previous bars at this location: Brew & Brew Inn (1982), Emerald Pub (early 80s)

#772 - Neighbors Underground, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 2/14/2009

"I'm not quite dead yet." -- The Vogue

Since I've only been there on Vogue night, I'll take The Stranger's word for it that this is still Neighbors but "the dance floor is smaller, the bar lines shorter, and the vibe more casual."

1509 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 324-5358

#771 - Poco Wine Room, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 2/14/2009

I didn't have a great first impression when I saw this was built in to one of the condominium complexes that are methodically eating away at the character that made neighborhoods like Capitol Hill attractive to people in the first place. But this is an attractive, cozy, and friendly place (that's right, a wine bar with a friendly owner and staff) and my new favorite place for a glass of wine in the hill area.

Check out the new art piece they've added over the stairs (pictured).

#770 - Licorous, Seattle - 2/14/2009

A semi-swanky little place with fine, craft cocktails.  I haven't given this my highest recommendation, but may change my mind after tasting a few more of the drinks.

928 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 325-6947

#769 - Cafe Presse, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 2008 (OOO)

Update: Cafe Presse closed Feb 3, 2022

If you've been to Le Pichet, you know exactly what you're getting here -- although they do add soccer viewing (of course the more popular American spectator sports are déclassé). The food is very good, but this blog is about bars, and the drinks are unremarkable and the decor boring (self-consciously trying to appear unself-conscious). Still, a fine stop for a little wine and snack. Though it's entirely unclear to me what the idea is behind making one of the world's ugliest web sites.

1117 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122-4415 - (206) 709-7674
Est. 2007 - Closed Feb 3, 2022 - Building constructed 1919

#768 - Pike's Bar & Grill, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 2007 (OOO)

Pike's Bar & Grill closed in 2008.

1200 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 860-4889

#767 - Fuel, Seattle (Pioneer Square) - 1/29/2009

Fuel, Seattle

Sometimes this project is serendipitously thematic, and such was the case tonight, as I departed the bad art auction at Tether Design and the company of intrepid subculture explorers and bad art connoisseurs Jo and Marlowe to grab a nightcap at Fuel, a sports bar that is utterly generic with the exception of a series of impossibly bad portraits of the characters in "Caddyshack."

However, it subsequent visits, Fuel has grown on me a bit. It has hosted some outlandish events (e.g. "Hot For Teacher Night" with Mary K. Letourneau and her DJ husband (and erstwhile student Vili Fualaau).

Mary K. Letourneau, "Hot For Teacher Night", Fuel, Seattle

Also, if you want a rollicking place to watch Seahawks games and other Seattle sporting events, Fuel is one of the best bar scenes in the area.

Historical notes:  I have not yet found any bars in this location after prohibition until Fuel opened here in 2006 (before Fuel it hosted a tile shop and an Italian restaurant).  However, going further back it is associated with a rich part of Seattle bar history. The building was constructed for Captain James Nugent and John Considine in 1890 (seattle.gov), right after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. Nugent leased the Fuel portion from 1890 to 1904, and for at least a portion of that ran the Coocoo Saloon there.  A saloon of unknown name was there in 1905 run by Rees Heycock.  For a description of the more notorious eastern portion of the building, see my entry on the Double Header.

164 S Washington, Seattle, WA 98104-2532 - (206) 405-3835
Est. 2006 - Building constructed 1890
Previous bars in this location: Coocoo Saloon
web site: fuelseattle.com