#1179 #S720 - Van's 105 Tavern, Seattle - 12/31/2009

Update:  Van's was sold and renamed "Tim's Tavern" in late 2011.

This is a pretty standard neighborhood dive bar.  The decor is the same old beer-company paraphernalia, but the bartender and some of the regulars give it a good dose of personality.

I'd missed getting this on my list earlier, but I've been there two or three times, the last time on New Year's Eve, 2009/2010.  Don't ask me why.

Historical Notes:  This bar was said to be established in 1937 as "Jack's Tavern."  The first listing I've found is for Mackey's Tavern in 1948.  By 1970 and into the 1980's it was simply the "105th Street Tavern," and by 1990 it was "Van's 105 Tavern."  In late 2011 new owner Tim Arnot renamed in "Tim's Tavern."

602 N 105th St, Seattle, WA 98133 - (206) 789-9005
yelp - seattle weekly - citysearch

#1178 #S719 - re:public, Seattle - 7/8/2010

What a welcome change after coming from Citrus.  The decor here is warm and interesting, the lighting excellent, the cocktails very good, and the staff friendly and competent.  The garage doors make it a great stop on a warm summer evening.  I wasn't eating on this stop, but I took a look at the menu and am eager to go back.

429 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 467-5300
republicseattle.com - yelp

#1177 #S718 - Citrus, Seattle - 7/8/2010

Update: Citrus closed April 2013.

If your car is not a present from your dad, it's not likely you'll enjoy this place.

I read one review describing Citrus (in the old TGI Fridays space on Lake Union) as "ultra swanky," and the web site describes it as "a premium dining establishment."  It is really not quite either.

But it does have some nice bubbles, and there are lots of attractive women to look at- although your odds of finding an interesting conversation are about as likely as getting a good reading tip from Sarah Palin.  The bartender herself noted that their cocktail list is "all girly drinks."  But if you like popping your collar, hanging with groups of people who all dress alike, and drinking cocktails with enough sugar to hide any hint of the liquor, then it's highly recommended.

1001 Fairview Ave N, Ste 2000, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 402-6364
Est. 2010 - Closed 2013
citruslakeunion.com - myspace - yelp

#1176 #S717 - Bricco Della Regina Anna, Seattle - 7/7/2010

Update:  Bricco closed Sep. 13, 2011

The emphasis is on the wine here, and in sharp contrast to their sister establishment Moshi Moshi, the cocktail menu is tiny.  It's still interesting though, and the bartender is willing to improvise off your wishes.

It also has a very nice happy hour menu, if a confusing list of happy hours (Mon-Thurs: 4:30-6:30pm, 10-11pm, Fri: 4:30pm-6:30pm, 11pm-1am, Sat: 4:30pm-6pm, 11pm-1am, Sun: 4:30-6pm), and a wide open feel on a sunny day.

1525 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 285-4900
briccoseattle.com - seattle weekly - the stranger - yelp

#1175 #S716 - How to Cook a Wolf, Seattle - 7/7/2010

I recently had the good fortune to stumble upon the particular combination of rarities in which A) it was a sunny, warm, Seattle afternoon; B) I was not working; and C) How To Cook A Wolf was not at all crowded.  They do not have a very interesting cocktail menu at HTCAW, but if you challenge the bartender, he will fix you something good, and if you are not fond of the hoity toity attitude, you can get a minimum of it by showing up shortly after they open.  The food, meanwhile, a selection of mostly Italian-inspired small plates, is very much worth it.  I had the heirloom tomato salad (very good) and the tuna bruschetta (excellent).

2208 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 838-8090
ethanstowellrestaurants.com - facebook - seattle weekly - seattle pi - seattletimes - seattlemet - yelp

#1174 #S715 - Hudson Public House, Seattle - 7/5/2010

Update: Hudson Public House closed in May 2016.

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The Hudson New American Public House is a nice neighborhood pub with a good beer selection and an interesting, fairly upscale menu, from the owner and the chef of Collins Pub in Pioneer Square.

8014 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 524-5070
hudsonpublichouse.com - seattle times - yelp

#1173 #S714 - Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - 7/3/2010

Update: I went to many a show here since that original visit, but the club finally shut down on New Year's Eve, 2019.

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Wow, this place has so much more character than I had envisioned.  It feels like suddenly you're in Texas.  Notwithstanding what must be the largest posts to obstruct a stage view in the city (well over 2 feet wide beams), it's a fun place to grab a drink and some grub and watch blues, or, as it was on this particular night, rockabilly.

1414 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 382-2171              
Est. 2004 - Closed Dec 31, 2018 - Building constructed 1909
Previous bars at this location: Captain Cook's Pub
highwayninetynine.com - facebook - myspace - seattle weekly - yelp