#1193 #S730 - Thai Fusion, Seattle - 8/17/2010

#1191 #S728 - Casa Patron, Seattle - 8/16/2010

805 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 923-7680
facebook - mygreenlake - yelp

#1190 - Big Daddy's, Woodinville, WA - 7/23/2010

13420 Northeast 177th Place, Woodinville, WA 98072 - (425) 402-9887
bigdaddysplace.com - yelp 

#1189 #S727 - I-Spy, Seattle - (OOO)

Briefly in the old space of the Weathered Wall (1921 5th, now demolished)

#1188 #S726 - Bai Pai Thai Lounge, Seattle - 7/17/2010

Bai Pai Thai closed in late March or early April 2018.

2316 Northeast 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115-7098 - (206) 527-4800
Est. 2005 - Closed 2018 - Building constructed 2005
Previous bars in this location: None known
baipairestaurant.com -  the stranger - yelp

#1187 #S725 - Pair, Seattle - 7/17/2010

5501 30th Ave N.E., Seattle, WA 98105 - (206) 526-7655
pairseattle.com - yelp

#1186 #S724 - Wedgwood Ale House, Seattle - 7/17/2010

A very friendly and comfortable old neighborhood joint, dominated by the horseshoe-shaped bar.  The Wedgwood now has three distinct sections:  the bar in front, the pool room in back, and the expanded dining area in between for special occasions.  There's also a pleasant patio out front.
This area of town is lucky to have two fine, vintage bars like this and Fiddler's Inn.

Historical Notes:  The "Wedgewood Tavern" begins appearing at the current address of the Wedgewood Alehouse in 1945, is proceeded there by Hansen's Tavern in the late 30s and early 40s, and a tavern owned by Charles Hufsvang is listed at the address in 1935. However, county tax records indicate that the current building was constructed in 1964, so I do not date the current bar back to any of these dates. The current owners have had the place since 1992.

8515 35th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 527-2676
wedgwoodalehouse.com - seattle times - seattle weekly - yelp

#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

#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