#1185 #S723 - The Copper Gate, Seattle - 7/15/2010

Update: The Copper Gate is closing after June 30, 2013.

The Copper Gate dates back to 1946 and when it went under it was one of the last beer and wine only taverns in the city and one of the more intimidating dives.  It was picked up by the owners of Thaiku and La Carta de Oaxaca sometime shortly after 2000, and its bawdy theme not only preserved but accentuated (Seattle's only surviving "scandalnavian" lounge, they proudly proclaim).

The drinks are like none you'll find anywhere else in the city, centered around their home-made variations of aquavit.   The food is inspired by Scandinavian traditions, which naturally means that it ranges from tasty to disgusting.

But the best reason to go to the Copper Gate is the place itself.  The bar is a replica viking ship, with a sail formed of vintage porn images.  An original column with bas-relief naked woman has been nicely restored.  There are various mild porn dioramas, including a Barbie-orgy version in the women's room.

And then there is the Pussy Room. You enter the Pussy Room through an entry shaped like a vagina, pass a case large case of champagne, and turn into a shabby/swanky room with a stage, stripper pole, high-backed, red velvet seats and room for about two dozen people.

Ostensibly for the jazz band that plays there, and not simply the pun, there is an organ in the back of the Pussy Room.  But you do not simply enter it any time you feel the urge; currently the room is open to the public only from 8pm-10pm Tuesday nights.  At these times they host the impressive jazz drumming of Mike Peterson, a partner on keyboards whom I do not know, and often a guest artist to sit in for a few.

It is a living tribute to the unvarnished, old Ballard, and a must-visit for any lover of unique bars and cocktails.

Try the: Stor Agurk

6301 24th Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 706-3292
Est. 1946 - Closed July 1, 2013
thecoppergate.com - seattle times - the stranger - seattlest - seattle weekly - seattle weekly 2 - seattle weekly 3 - yelp

#1184 #S722 - Red Lantern, Seattle - 7/15/2010

The food in this modern Northern-Chinese/Korean restaurant gets quite good reviews, but I wasn't eating this visit. It is much more elegant than the sign outside would lead you to believe.  The bar portion is pleasant, but unremarkable, and the bartender pours wine with a heavy hand.

520 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 682-7211
redlanternseattle.com - the stranger - yelp

#1183 #S721 - Bush Garden, Seattle - 7/15/2010

As I've noted, I tend to classify the dive bar lounges attached to Chinese and Asian restaurants as either the "classic" kind or the "slapdash" kind.  This one is definitely in the classic school.  No quick trip to the 99 Cent store decor here -- the bar is happily dark and old school.  The drinks are the very basics, except for some Asian beer choices, and the (Japanese) food is mediocre.  But it's a nice, retro American-Japanese joint with bamboo, tatami rooms, sushi bar, and gin on tap. (And it's a shame my good camera was in the shop during this visit.)















Est 1953
614 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104 - (206) 682-6830
bushgarden.net - yelp

#1182 - Joey, Bellevue, WA - 7/13/2010

Even the Lake Union Joey seems pretty Bellevue, so I didn't expect to like anything about the actual Bellevue version except ogling some of the women. But the night I went there, the bartenders and crowd were both actually pretty cool. I can't say its cocktails are particularly good -- although also not as bad as some places like this (e.g. the Bellevue Earls), and the food is pretty decent. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, and I certainly wouldn't trade the Lake Union view for the mall-ish Bellevue setting, but it's not altogether unpleasant either.

800 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004-4229 - (425) 637-1177
joeyrestaurants.com - facebook - yelp

#1181 - Earls, Bellevue, WA - 7/13/2010

I have zero interest in ever going to Earl's for a drink again.  If you like top 40 dance music blaring, lots of hair product, and cocktails designed for sorority girls on spring break, maybe you'll like it better.

700 Bellevue Way NE #130, Bellevue, WA 98004 - (425) 452-3275
earls.ca - yelp

#1180 - Naga Bar, Chantanee, Bellevue, WA - 7/13/2010

Very good cocktails, very good Thai food, and hand-carved baseballs of ice to dilute and cool at just the right rate.  Mike McSorley has replaced Andrew Bohrer behind the bar, and the Naga Lounge remains the home of the best cocktails on the East Side.  (Photo by Neil C.)

601 108th Avenue Northeast #100A, Bellevue, WA 98004 - (425) 455-3226
chantanee.com - facebook - bellevue reporter - seattlemet - seattle times -  the stranger - seattle mag - seattle weekly - yelp

#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