#1605 - Jodie's Drink, Everett, WA - 11/17/2011

Jodie's Drink, AKA Jodie's Bikini Bar, is a classic dive with the addition of scantily clad bartenders, ala the bikini barrista trend.  With the exception of bartenders showing more skin, it is a very typical dive, and appropriately pours strong, cheap drinks for a friendly group of blue collar patrons.  Owner Jodie claims this is the first bikini bar in Washington state, so here's to the pioneers. 

For details, I quote the Everett News:

Bartenders wear bikini bottoms and they used to wear pasties on top but apparently the liquor board put a stop to that so they have string bikini tops.  She stressed that its not a strip club, there are no table dances just cheap drinks and food. She said her background is in strip clubs and her family had been involved with several in the Everett area over the years. She told me things here are going so good that she is scouting for three or four more locations outside of Everett. She said there are lots of rules, no cameras allowed and don’t try and take a picture with your cell phone. They open at 9am for breakfast with food, drink and bikinis all the way until 2am. With the explosion of Bikini Barista stands popping up all over Everett it will be interesting to see if more bars will follow this trend.

1817 Broadway Ave, Everett, WA 98201 - (425) 304-1039
Est. July 2010
everettnews - yelp

#1604 #S960 - Heidelberg Haus, Seattle - 11/16/2011

Update: Heidelberg Haus closed January 31, 2016

At the moment the bar in this new German restaurant is about as about as meager as a bar can get.  There are exactly four wine options and four beers on tap, and a lot of blank, empty space on the walls.  But the plans are to eventually expand to a full bar.

In the meantime, lest you think the Heidelberg Haus to just a kitschy theme for a typical neighborhood pub, here you can have some rarely delicious, made-from-scratch, southern German food, and in a place where most the staff and about half the patrons converse in German.  The bartender told me about his father still bringing him homemade Schnapps from the Black Forest.

I had the Wienerschnitzel mit spatzle and an extra side of the Kartoffelsalat (potato salad), with a pint of Weihenstephaner Premium Lager.  A couple patrons with much more experience than I in German cuisine assured me that this was some of the best schnitzel they'd had.  I am personally not a large fan of lagers, nor most German beers, so I will leave comments here to persons who share those tastes.  But I will say that I would be very surprised if you would find better German food in many places in our area, and while the bar area is a bit overly bright for a bar, the company is interesting and engaging.


2122 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - (206) 466-5369
Est. Nov. 10, 2011 - Closed Jan 1, 2016 - Building constructed: 1921 
Previous bars in this location: None known
seattle-eats-german.com - facebook - ravennablog - eater - thestranger - seattleweekly - yelp

#1603 #S959 - Harissa, Seattle - 11/15/2011

"Harissa (Arabic حريصا) is a mountain village in Lebanon. The village, which is located 650 meters above sea level, is home to an important Lebanese pilgrimage site, Our Lady of Lebanon."  Harissa in Ravenna is a pleasant little Lebanese/Mediterranean restaurant run by the amiable Walid Alabtan.

Harissa is not likely to be a very interesting choice when you are looking simply for a bar.  But it does have a small bar and some pleasant wine choices to go with your kabobs and mezzeh.

Historical notes: This was the first location of the Santa Fe Cafe, established here in 1981. Before that it was Bimbo's, a biker bar. It was Earl's Tavern in the 60s and 70s, the Hop In Tavern in the mid 70s, and in the 40s Cliff's Tavern and Frank's Tavern.

2255 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA 98115 - 206 588-0651       
Est. Nov. 2010 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: Cliff's Tavern, Frank's Tavern, Earl's Tavern, Hop In Tavern, Bimbo's, Santa Fe Café
harissaofseattle.com - seattletimes  - ravennablog - thestranger - yelp

#1602 #S958 - Azteca (Ballard), Seattle - 11/12/2011

Update: The Ballard Azteca closed Feb 28, 2014

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Azteca is a local, family-run chain, that sells pretty much the definition of standard American Mexican food.  They were established in the greater Seattle area in 1974 and now have about 35 restaurants across the Pacific Northwest, including four in Seattle.

Adventuresome or remarkable Aztecas are not, and foodies should pass. But for people who like -- or are just in the mood for -- this type of food, they have a wide array of affordable selections, which arrive in large portions. They are good for families, but usually have a cantina area, which again serve relatively bland standards.

Of course if you would like fine Mexican food, La Carta De Oaxaca is pretty much right around the corner, and if you want fine cocktails, the Ballard area has any number of fine options (consider Sambar, The Sexton, Golden Beetle, Hazlewood, Bastille, Moshi Moshi, MacLeod's, Paratii or Staple & Fancy). But on the other hand, while Azteca is not about to win three Michelin stars, you know what you're getting, and it is just fine for what it is and whom it is for.


2319 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107-4027 - (206) 782-7079
Est. 1974? - Closed Feb 28, 2014 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars at this location: None known
aztecamex.com - happyhoursinseattle - yelp

#1601 #S957 - Jamjuree Thai, Seattle - 11/9/2011

This is a Thai restaurant run by a family that ran it under the same name name in Bangkok. There is not much to the bar here, but they do serve better than average Thai food.



509 15th Avenue East Seattle, WA 98112-4512 - (206) 323-4255
Est. 1995 - Building constructed: 1929
jamjuree.com - whatsthesoup.net - whatscookingoodlookin- seattletimes - citysearch - yelp

#1600 #S956 - Coastal Kitchen, Seattle - 11/8/2011

It's hard to imagine many people would come here for the small bar, with options like Liberty and 22 just down the street.  But they serve some decent drinks and are better known for their rotating menu, especially breakfast and seafood.

429 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 322-1145
Est. 1993 - Building constructed: 1924
Previous bars at this location:  None known - Unknown if any of these restaurants included an actual bar: Beau Jardin restaurant (1970s), Bentley & Ives' restaurant (1979-1980), Diamond Lil's restaurant (1980-1981), the Ritz Cafe (1982-1993) 
seattle-eats.com - seattletimes - thestranger - funfeasts - topthisplace - gayot - yelp

#1599 #S955 - Cafe Kanape, Seattle - 11/7/2011

Update: Cafe Kanape closed the weekend of Nov 17, 2012, apparently with plans to re-open elsewhere.


"Kanape," this cafe's web site explains, is a "finger food, often eaten in one bite, but shared with many."  Cafe Kanape features such dishes from across Europe, with an emphasis on Eastern Europe.  Owner Sabine, who is from Latvia, previously owned Contour for 10 years, and could hardly have created a greater shift in ambiance, with this romantic little cafe.  In addition to the small plates it features a worldly selection of coffees, wines and beers.  It is a nice stop for some pretty good food, much of which you do not see too often, and for a relaxed conversation.

700 Broadway E, Suite D, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 708-1210
Est. Feb 11, 2011 - Building constructed: 2002
cafekanape.com - facebook - thestranger - seattlepi - seattleweekly - thehungerseattle - thestranger - thrillist - yelp