#778 - Oliver's (Mayflower Hotel), Seattle (downtown) - 3/12/2009

Oliver's is one of those rare fine bars that out-of-towners may know better than the locals.  It has classic hotel bar touches -- high ceilings, maritime sconces, and big curtained windows looking out on a busy part of downtown.  It also has the sort of cocktails that make the crowd, beyond the serendipitous hotel visitors, comprised largely of mixologists from other bars looking for a quiet, quality cocktail away from any thongs of hipsters and foodies. It is also the first bar in Seattle where passersby could see bartenders making cocktails, and it was situated in the location of the first hotel cocktail bar in the city.

Some Oliver's history via the Seattle Times:

'When Oliver's opened on June 26, 1976, it was one of the most controversial bar debuts in Seattle. The state had just lifted an esoteric law that banned cocktail lounges from having windows (to prevent the public from seeing folks imbibing). Oliver's put in floor-to-ceiling pane windows to showcase its bar in all its glory. "There were some ticked-off women," said Steve Johansson, the beverage director for the bar and hotel. "Women would walk by and say, 'Oh my God! Look at that. They're drinking and smoking at the bar.' "  Those scandalous windows now serve as one of the city's great people-watching spots downtown, especially during Christmas, when you can see the 12-story-high Christmas tree across the street.

The view is majestic when there are snowflakes floating and Christmas carols in the air. In 1977, Oliver's hired a lad named Murray Stenson, who went on to become one of America's most respected bartenders. Stenson will serve as guest bartender at Oliver's on Thursday. Oliver's, said Stenson, "may have been the first bar in the city to have an espresso machine at the bar. It was a spectacular, 4-foot-tall, copper and brass Italian espresso maker."'

Note that the window law applied strictly to hard liquor, as much older bars like the Central Tavern had unobstructed windows.

The previous bar, the Carousel Room (compete with merry-go-round horses hanging from the ceiling) was the first to take advantage of 1948's Initiative 171 allowing hotels, restaurants, trains, boats and clubs (but not taverns) to sell liquor by the glass (Class H licenses), and thereby became Seattle's first licensed cocktail bar since prohibition.  (See historylink.org)

405 Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 623-8700
Est. June 26, 1976 - Building constructed: 1927
Previous bars in this location: None (Bartell Drugs 1929-1946, The Carousel Room 1949-1974)

#777 - Boud's Pinehurst Pub, Seattle - 3/9/2009

A nifty neighborhood bar. The decor is utterly undistinguished (assuming you don't count Cassie, the sexy, Helen-Huntish bartender), but it's a very pleasant cross section of patrons. I'll be swinging by again.

11753 15th Ave NE
Other bars at this location: Cross Roads Tavern (50s-80s), Spot Too (90s)
myspace, yelp - the stranger

#776 - Chester Club & Oyster Bar, South Bend, WA - 3/1/2009

Chester Club Tavern, South Bend, WA

If you want to find the real characters in the Willapa Bay area -- and there appears to be no shortage of them -- this is the place to go.

On a return visit to the Chester Club (or Chester Tavern) in Jan 2016, we had some old school bar food lunch and chatted with local Ed, who pointed out some of the historical photos, talked about his years as a millwright, and proudly showed us photos of his granddaughter. Since the mid 90s, the bar has been known for its fried oysters, which captured the attention of the New York Times.

The Chester Tavern has been here in South Bend a long time. Various sources date it being founded by Oscar Chester in 1897, although I have not seen any primary sources to support this and the only Oscar Chester I could find in the area in census records was born in 1889 (and presumably unlikely to establish a saloon at age 8). If anyone could provide me any additional data on sources, I would love to see it.

Trista, Ed - Chester Club, South 

1005 Robert Bush Drive West, South Bend, WA 98586 - (360) 875-5599
Est. 1897?
Web site: facebook
Reviews: New York Times - yelp - tripadvisor

#775 - Artic Tavern, Cosmopolis, WA - 2/26/2009

Depending on which sign you go by, this is either the Artic Pub and Smokehouse, or the Artic Tavern and RV Park. When I checked it out on a Thursday afternoon, this looked like a fine place to come in and warm up your overalls by the wood burning stove, pop a cold one, and catch the judge shows on daytime TV. But even though this is in the middle of nowhere, it looks like they sometimes get some pretty rocking bands.
(map)

#774 - The Triangle Pub, Seattle (Pioneer Square) - 2008 (OOO)

Update: The owners of the Triangle Pub Brian Honda and Martha Steward Honda announced its permanent closure on June 2, 2020, citing challenges due to construction, coronavirus, electrical and plumbing issues, and other issues.

---

This is a tiny, triangular pub that is a vestige of the historic Triangle Hotel and Tavern.  It is one of a handful of Seattle bars that pre-date Prohibition, if you allow it various name changes in between the end of prohibition and the mid 1970s.

It is casual and neighborly except before and after ballgames at the nearby stadiums when it is overflowing.  For football games they will open the downstairs portion.

  

The "Flatiron" building was completed in 1910 at the corner of Railroad Way and 1st Avenue S. (formerly "Commercial St.") and housed the Triangle Hotel and Bar until statewide prohibition took effect in 1916. It was built for Seattle realtor and financier Victor Hugo Smith, who played an important role in the city's real estate boom in the years following the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. "... the building stands out because of its shape and eclectic detailing, which includes

rusticated brickwork with a Flemish bond pattern and pointed arches, inspired perhaps by late Medieval architecture

(or possibly by Venetian or Moorish architecture)." (National Register Nomination)

At least the basement space became a Western Union branch office, sending its messages to the Cherry Street headquarters via brass pneumatic tubes, which can still be seen today. The hotel above, which was a brothel from the 20s until the end of WWII, originally had 8 small rooms, but now holds 2 apartments. It is said to have once been featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not as the smallest hotel west of the Rockies.

After prohibition, the main floor resumed as a bar under various names. It was Jack's Bar by 1934, run by John Baldacci and Santo Santini.Santini shortened his name to Santi, and Jack's remained in the Santi family,for over two decades, later run by Ernest and later Louis Santi through 1954.

Seattle's Triangle Bar when it was known as
Lou's Tavern, c. 1956

It was probably Louis Santi who renamed it the Louis Tavern and then Lou's Tavern in the mid-50s, which it remained, through changing owners, until at least 1975. Then at some point in 1975 to 1977, it re-emerges as the Triangle Hotel and Bar, owned by Les Tonkin and Walter Greissinger. It would later by owned by John Justice, and then Brian Honda and Martha Stewart Honday purhased it in 1999. On June 2, 2020, the Stewarts announced its permanent closure, citing challenges due to construction, the coronavirus pandemic, electrical and plumbing issues, and other issues.

For additional historical/dating notes, see Seattle's Oldest Bars.

Est. 1910 - Building Constructed 1910 - Closed June 2, 2020

553 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 628-0474
(trianglepub.com - map - flickr - yelp)

#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

#766 - Fort St. George, Seattle (ID) - 1/29/2009

601 S King St #202, Seattle, WA 98104-2916 - (206) 382-0662

#765 - Fortune Sports Bar, Seattle (ID) - 1/29/2009

Update: This bar is now closed.

664 South King St, Seattle, WA 98104

#764 - Joe's Bar and Grill, Seattle (ID) - 1/29/2009

For hard-scrabble, roily bars in Seattle it's hard to beat south Pioneer Square and the International District, and perhaps the hard-scrabbliest, roiliest one of them all is Joe's Bar and Grill (Happy Hour 7am to noon). You will not find this place filled with hipsters.  If your idea of a great dive bar is one filled with grizzled regulars, working men and non-working menm who've led hard lives, this is probably the best dive in Seattle.

Joe's Bar and Grill, Seattle, WA

Historical notes: There have been bars located at this address since at least 1898, and by 1915 it was the Nebraska Music Hall. The first bar I've found located in the current building, constructed in 1926, is one owned by Mrs. Ko Nishiyama in 1939.  By 1948 it was the Combination Tavern, and in the 50s and 60s it was the Red Front Tavern (which later moved one block north to Jackson). It is also listed as Johnson Corner Tavern in the 60s, and eventually (?) Joe's Bar and Grill.  (This space may have been split for a while, as the corner location is listed under 500 1/2 in earlier years.)

500 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 223-9266
Previous bars at this location: The Combination Tavern, Johnson Corner Tavern, Red Front Tavern
thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor 

#763 - Norm's Eatery and Alehouse, Seattle (Fremont) - 1/23/2009

460 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Est. 2003

#762 - Clever Dunne's Irish House, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 1/19/2009

Update: Clever Dunne's closed Jan 30, 2017.


I found no apparent cleverness, but it's a serviceable bar.

1501 East Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122-2129 - (206) 709-8079
Est. 2002 - Closed Jan 30, 2017 - Building constructed: 1916
Previous bars in this location:  Changes Too, The Detour, DJ's Nightlife, Foxxes, Jack's Roadhouse, The Continental
Subsequent bars in this location: Hula Hula 

#761 - The Crescent, Seattle (Capitol Hill) - 1/19/2009

Definitely gives The Rickshaw a run for the money.


Update: Now that I know that Amber from Go Like Hell, touring with the Genitorturers, etc. etc. works there (and easily clinches the most sexy bartender title), I have to boost this over the Rickshaw for top Seattle karaoke dive and to my highly recommended list.

Historical Notes: The "Arterial Tavern" begins appearing in city guides at this address in 1939 and it is listed as the "Crescent Tavern" in the 1948. It is said to have been an old carriage house, although the current building wasn't constructed until 1924. It was a lesbian bar by the early 70s and now caters to older gay men, with a broad mix for karaoke.

1413 East Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 568-7452              
seattle weekly - yelp - the stranger

#760 - The Elite, Seattle (Capitol Hill, Olive Way) - 1/19/2009

Update:  The Elite closed in early July 2012.

Ostensibly gay, but it looks like it was decorated by the Rodney Dangerfield character in "Caddyshack."

Historical Notes: The Elite Tavern was established by 1935 (perhaps earlier) at 622 Broadway, currently the location of Poppy. It remained there until Jan 31, 2007, when it closed and re-opened in Dec 2007 at 1520 E Olive Way. It eventually (1950s?) became a gay bar -- the first one on Capitol Hill. On July 22, 1993 it was bombed by neo-Nazis, but suffered very limited damage with no one hurt.

1520 E. Olive Way, Seattle, WA

#759 - The Bus Stop, Seattle (Capitol Hill, Olive Way) - 1/19/2009

Small, spartan, and inhabited by a number of people who loudly seem to just seem to be getting used to this drinking thing, but I like it. It's particularly interesting on 3D-Glasses night.

The Bus Stop was first established at 508 E. Pine in 2004 or 2005 and was there into 2007. In 2009 it re-opened at the current Olive Way address.

1552 E. Olive Way, Seattle, WA