#1489 - The Balcony Club, Boise, ID - 6/30/2011

Boise's most celebratory and flamboyant gay bar, the second floor Balcony Club is also straight-friendly, winning votes as Boise's best dance club some 10 years running.  It has a fairly large dance floor, a wrap-around patio to watch the Boise downtown area below, and hosts various other subcultures such as goth nights.

150 N 8th St Suite 226, Boise, ID 83702 - 208 336-1313
thebalconyclub.com - facebook - uncleboise - boiseweekly -  yelp

#1488 - Solid, Boise, ID - 6/30/2011

405 South 8th St, Boise, ID 83702 - (208) 345-6620
solidboise.com - facebook - yelp

#1487 - The Hut Bar and Grill, Pendleton, OR - 6/30/2011

This is a nifty old restaurant and lounge just across the street from the Pendleton Round-Up rodeo grounds.  It's fairly large, with some classic old lounge touches and, of course, a country western theme.

1400 SW Dorion Avenue, Pendleton, OR 97801
facebook - oregonlive - yahoo 

#1486 - First and Last Chance Tavern, Ellensburg, WA - 6/30/2011

 A nifty, tiny tavern on the edge of town in Ellensburg

1200 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926-2678 - (509) 962-5999

yelp

#1507 - The Hub, Centralia, WA - 7/15/2011

The Hub Tavern, AKA The Hub Bar and Grill.

A comfortable, bamboo-adorned dive bar that is moderately capacious and hosts live music.

There appears to have been a bar here at least as far back as 1910 (city guides list bar owners Gray & Temple).

110 S Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531 - (360) 736-2229
facebook - yelp

#1485 - Bleachers, Ellensburg, WA - 6/30/2011

730 E University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926 - (509) 962-2337
bleacherssportspub.com - facebook - yelp - urbanspoon

#1484 #S900 - Via Tribunali (Capitol Hill), Seattle - 6/29/2011

The first of Mike McConnell's series of Neapolitan pizza houses, each with a small to medium-sized bar, and some fairly good cocktails with fresh juices.


913 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA - (206) 322-9234
Est. Nov. 2004 - Building constructed: 1912
viatribunali.net - facebook - seattlepi - yelp

#1483 #S899 - A Terrible Beauty, Seattle - 6/28/2011

Now and in time to be,
Wherever green is worn,
Are changed, changed utterly:
A terrible beauty is born.

Named for the Yeats poem about Ireland's Easter Rebellion, A Terrible Beauty is the second Irish themed bar on a theme and menu established in Renton by Irish-born Jenna Shannon Garvey-O'Brien and her husband Paddy O'Brien.  The space, once Seattle's swankiest mid-century modern decor as Ama Ama Oyster House, is now covered with lovely dark wood.

There's a good selection of beers (30 on tap), pretty much the standards when it comes to cocktails, and a large menu with many traditional Irish items.  I'm not a big fan of drinking Guinness and I am weary of how much their paraphernalia tends to define cookie-cutter Irish bars across our country and others. Bangers and mash, Reuben sandwiches, and corned beef and cabbage are never going to seem like a huge treat for me.  And the cocktails at Irish bars tend to be pretty dull.

So the Irish bars I tend to really like -- e.g. The Owl and Thistle downtown or the Galway Arms in the U District -- are defined by the general vibe and the crowd that attends them.  I'm not sure, from one visit, how the latter will define itself at Terrible Beauty.  The decor is quite warm and welcoming, and I like the cheekiness (so to speak) of the servers wearing that greatest of gifts to the world from the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic school girl outfit (no doubt triggering sublimated childhood memories of lusting after Laura Schaeffer at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Boise, Idaho).   Some people will no doubt complain, but I think those folks would probably be happier avoiding spirited bars altogether and sticking to Applebees.  In any case, whether the place will be home to a crowd I feel like singing along with as the rain drizzles outside, ala the O&T and Galway, will be determined in future visits.

Postscript:  Though this may seem like the most unremarkable nit, the drawing of beer taps on the web site includes a tap for "Harp's."  The reason this caught my eye is that several years ago, in a different Irish bar, I had this conversation with a very large bartender:

Me:  I'll take a Harps
Bartender:  We doon't 'ave any Harps.
Me (eyeing the tap):  A Harps.
Bartender:  We doon't 'ave any Harps.
Me (finally getting it):  Oh, I'll have a Harp.
Bartender:  Ay, that we 'ave.


4752 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 - (206) 453-4066
Est. June 28, 2011 - Building constructed: 1910
Previous bars at this location:  Guppy's West, Ovio Bistro, Ama Ama Oyster Bar, Table 35
aterriblebeauty.com - facebook - westseattleblog - westseattleblog - heedthehedonist -  yelp

#1482 #S898 - Meza, Seattle - 6/27/2011

Update:  Meza closed the weekend of July 8th, 2012

A small bistro featuring Latin food (Spanish, Venezuelan, Cuban) and nice, summery drinks like sangria, mojitos, jalapena margaritas, and 15 infused vodkas.  I had a quite tasty jalapeno magarita.

1515 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 922-2399
Est. August 2009 - Closed July 2012 - Building constructed: 1925
mezaseattle.com - facebook - seattletimes - seattleweekly - thestranger - yelp

#1481 #S897 - Artusi, Seattle - 6/27/2011

Artusi is an expansion of the very popular Spinasse under chef Jason Stratton.  But it is not simply an expansion, as Stratton has aimed to make the bar more prominent, with an emphasis on small plates with more modern takes.  The name is an homage to Pellegrino Artusi, the 19th century author of the influential Italian cookbook The Science of Cooking and the Art of Eating Well.

Both the food and cocktails here are very fine, and often off the beaten path.  I had a Pink Hook (Old Overholt Rye, Punt e Mes, maraschino, grapefruit) with the Fra'mani salametto w/marinated fava beans, and Lopez Island clams with Docetto, garlic and bread crumbs

1535 14th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 251-7673
Est. June 8, 2011 - Building constructed: 1910
artusibar.com - facebook - seattletimes - capitolhillseattle - thestranger - dailycandy - seattlemag - yelp

#1480 #S896 - Via Tribunali (Fremont), Seattle - 6/26/2011

The Fremont incarnation of the Mike McConnell's local Neapolitan pizza chain (certified authentic by the Associazionne Verace Pizza Napoletena). Good pizza and fairly good drinks.


4303 Fremont Ave N., Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 464-2880
Est. Dec. 2008 - Building constructed: 1927
viatribunali.net - fremontuniverse - yelp

#1479 #S895 - Bleu Bistro's Grotto, Seattle - 6/26/2011

Update: Bleu Bistro's Grotto is now closed.

Bleu Bistro's Grotto was built largely because the owner Ross McCartney feared losing the lease on the original Bleu Bistro on Broadway.  Sure enough, the latter closed in September 2011.  The Grotto shares the former's huge menu, but unfortunately has virtually none of the funky, dark, intimate character of the old place, nor any hint of a grotto for that matter.  The original will be sorely missed.

1801 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 322-3087
Est. June 8, 2011
bleugrotto.com - facebook - capitolhillseattle - thestranger - thrillist -  yelp

#1478 #S894 - RN74, Seattle - 6/25/2011

Update: After closing temporarily in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, RN74 announced in 2021 that they would not be reopening, and announced plans to open one of Mina's "Bourbon Steak" establishments in the fall of that year.

---

Seattle's RN74 echoes Michael Mina's San Francisco version (named for Route Nationale 74, running from Dijon in the North to Chagny in Burgundy's wine country).  Mina was born in Cairo and resides in Las Vegas, but grew up in Ellensburg and attended the University of Washington.  RN74 is upscale, busy, designed like a French train station, and has an emphasis on French cuisine and on wine.  A large sign board announces prices on wines like arriving and departing trains.  It's a bit loud, rushed, and crowded for Seattle restaurant, but adds a nice alternative to downtown (the location was previously a Rite Aid pharmacy).

RN made big news by seducing legendary Seattle bartender Murray Stenson away from his long-time home at ZigZag.  But subsequent reports had Murray delayed a few months recovering from a shoulder industry.  Nevertheless, while the emphasis is on food and wine, there are some very good cocktails to be had at the bar as well.


1433 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 1433 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 456-7474
Est. June 13, 2011 - Closed May 2021 - Building constructed: 1910
michaelmina.net - facebook - thestranger - seattleweekly - bizjournals - seattle times - eater.com - seattletimes -  yelp

#1477 #S893 - The Backdoor at Roxy's, Seattle - 6/24/2011

The Back Door at Roxy's is a new and ornate speakeasy themed bar in the former location of Rain City Video, behind Roxy's Diner in Fremont.  Like the best speakeasies, stepping inside makes you feel as if stepping into a different world, this one created by a set designer using images of the 30s, statues, velvet curtains and chandeliers.

The cocktails here are very good.  I had a very pleasant visit, in the hands of bartender Jason and chatting with customer Marie.

462 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 362-7322
Est. May 25, 2011 - Building constructed: 1939
backdooratroxys.com - facebook - fremontuniverse - thrillist (video) - bellesofthesound - yelp

#1476 #S892 - Via Tribunali (Queen Anne), Seattle - 6/19/2011

There is a small bar with some nice cocktails at this, the second instantiation of the local (and good) Neapolitan pizza places.

317 West Galer Street, Seattle - (206) 264-7768
Est. June 21, 2007 - Building constructed: 1913
viatribunali.net - facebook - seattleweekly - nwsource -  yelp

#1475 #S891 - The Rabbit Hole, Seattle - 6/18/2011

Update: Rabbit Hole closed Dec 12, 2021

Interesting addition to Belltown, roughly along the same rabbit/Alice theme as Fremont's new "White Rabbit," but very different in vibe, from the owner of Bathtub Gin, Marcus Johnson.  Rabbit Hole takes an intentionally more unrefined, more homey approach -- including skeeball and food choices like hush puppies, fried green tomatoes,  and bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuff jalapenos.  The cocktails are still quite good and a little more affordable, esp. during the 4-7 happy hour.

2222 2nd Ave, suite 222, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 728-6069

Est. June 9, 2011 - Building constructed: 1923 - Closed Dec 12, 2021
Other bars at this location: Buddha Belltown
rabbitholeseattle.com - facebook - seattleweekly - seattletimes - yelp

#1474 - Tin Room Bar and Grill, Burien, WA - 6/18/2011

A very fine neighborhood joint built in the old Ernie Eder’s Hi-Line Tin Shop (est. 1930). The food and cocktails are both quality versions of down home favorites.

923 Southwest 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166 - (206) 242-8040
Est. 2004 - Building constructed: 1921
tinroombar.com - seattletimes - yelp - zagat

#1473 #S890 - Ipanema, Seattle - OOO

I missed creating and entry for Ipanema until just after it closed, in August 2011.  Ipanema was a fabulous palace of meat, serving Brazilian churrascaria rodizio style, with servers bringing various cuts and styles on long stakes, and slicing you off the types that you choose. But while meat was king, Ipanema had a large and good enough salad bar to be a great lunch option even if you were foolish or ethical enough to forgo meat.

And while this may have been the least noticed of all, Ipanema had a nice little bar with some of the best summer drinks in the downtown area. It not only had caipirinhas, it had eight different kinds of caipirinhas, with red grapes or passion fruit or guava. A big screen in the back seemed played loops of Carnivale. The only thing that seemed to be missing were hammocks hanging between the faux palm trees, where you could sleep off your satiated food coma.

At least owner Marco Casas Beaux has left a new sister operation, the Amazon Grill, in downtown Bellevue. (Marco also owns Sur in SoDo and at least used to own the Buernos Aires Grill.) But it was a sad day for meat-lovers who live or work in downtown Seattle.

1225 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 957-8444
Est. Feb 2005 - Closed Aug 2011 - Building constructed: year
Previous bars at this location: Wolfgang Puck
ipanemabraziliangrill.us - pubj - seattletimes - culinaryfool - thestranger - tnt - yelp

#1472 #S889 - Fred Wildlife Refuge, Seattle - 6/12/2011

Whether to count this as a "bar" may be somewhat dubious -- it's probably more akin to a theater which sells drinks during performances. But while I wouldn't count places like Benaroya Hall or ACT, I do count places that strike me as more a party venue -- locations where liquor and drinking fit more naturally into the events, like the Can Can, (which is also owned by Chris Snell).

In any case, what is not in doubt is that it's a very interesting building that hosts a range of very intriguing events (and generally with liquor, featuring bars on two floors).  The building was originally the studio of photographer Fred Milkie, and its mid-century flourishes have now been accentuated by the addition of wild paint jobs, deer figurines, and miniature golf.

As the web site describes it,"FRED Wildlife Refuge is a privately-run, collaborative art center that includes a photo studio, art gallery, rehearsal studio (for physical arts) and scene shop. A refuge for Seattle's most inventive and innovative artists FRED challenges creatives to break away from their normal routine and venture into unlikely collaborations with artists of disciplines other than their own. FRED will provide space for collaboration among (but not limited to) music, dance, physical performance, digital media, literary artists and visual artists to enter into cross-genre partnerships with the intent of adding new repertoire to Seattle's already vibrant art scene."

127 E. Boylston, Seattle, WA 98102 - 206-588-6959
Est. Jan 20, 2011 - Building constructed: 1961
fredwildliferefuge.com - facebook - thestranger

#1471 #S888 - Via Tribunali (Georgetown), Seattle - 6/11/2011

This entry in the local chain of Neapolitan style pizza joints was created by deconstructing a 100-year-old pizzeria in Naples, shipping it to Seattle, and reassembling it in a 100-year-old building in the heart of Georgetown. It's a very pleasant space and serves fine pizzas and some pretty decent cocktails.

6009 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA - (206) 464-2880
Est. July 15, 2008 - Building constructed: 1907
viatribulani.net - facebook - seattletimes - yelp - thestranger