Rotgut.org Blog

Sunday, July 08, 2012

#1739 #S1015 - Paddy Coyne's (downtown), Seattle - 3/31/2012

The fourth local Irish pub of the name from Galway native Pat Coyne, this one takes over a rather odd location on Pier 70 with El Gaucho's Aqua. It is well north of most the tourists and foot traffic of the Elliot Bay waterfront, so with the exception of a few patrons of the small marina nearby, customers presumably have a clear plan to seek out the place. And it's in a larger structure that dates back to 1902, but which has been remodeled into a bright, modern, impersonal warehouse sort of design that is hardly conducive to the feel of a small town Irish pub. But indeed, placing his bars in rather cold condo or mall settings seems to be part of the Paddy's strategy.

The Paddy's waterfront interior is a welcoming combination of wood and rock, with a fireplace and pleasant but unspectacular view of the marina. The cocktails and food are both pretty standard pub fare, with mostly American bar food and the standard Irish traditional dishes. The Paddy's at South Lake Union (the other locations are in Tacoma and downtown Bellevue) is one of the warmest feeling Irish pubs in the Seattle area, and whether this one thrives -- and whether it becomes a place I would choose repeatedly -- will depend on what sort of regulars it can draw and the vibe that creates for the place.

2801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 405-1548
Est. March 12, 2012 - Building constructed: 1902
Previous bars in this location: Chez Gus, Rippe's Steaks
Web site: paddycoynes.net - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes (SLU) - thestranger - yelp

Saturday, July 07, 2012

#1738 #S1014 - The Gerald, Seattle - 3/31/2012

So, it will be illustrative to mention that the owners of The Gerald have had to tell multiple reviewers that, no, they did not consciously set out to emulate sets of "Mad Men." But there's no denying the mid-century nods in the decor and menu. The place feels nice and serves updated versions of 50s and 60s "comfort food." Frankly, it's really hard for me to tell right now whether I will grow to resent this or it will become one of my absolute favorites. Regardless of the outcome, bars with the potential to become a favorite are a relatively rare and valuable thing.

5210 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 432-9280
Est. March 23, 2012 - Building constructed: 1904 (as per plaque by Ballard Historical Society; date on tax records appears incorrect)
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: thegeraldseattle.com - facebook
Best Reviews: seattlemet - seattleweekly - seattleballard - thrillist - seattleite - heyprettythings - thestranger - yelp

Friday, July 06, 2012

#1737 #S1013 - C.S. Finnegan's, Seattle - 3/29/2012

Update: C.S. Finnegan's closed in January 2013

From the owner of Celtic Swell, a college crowd sort of bar on the shores of West Seattle, this is another Irish pub with all the standard American Irish pub accoutrements -- the Guiness ads, the exposed brick and wood, the framed photos of the old country, the Pogues playing on the sound system, and some authentically bland Irish food. They only unique thing I noticed was the wildly neck craning angles of the televisions for people at the bar. Then again, it might be seen as a refreshing change to get a bar in Belltown that people go to because it is their neighborhood place, not because it has any unique attractions or a particular crowd.

2604 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - 206-935-7935
Est. March 17, 2012 - Building constructed: 1903 - Closed Jan 2013
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: csfinnegans.com - facebook
Reviews: thursdaynightbites - seattlepi - yelp - seattleweekly - seattlemet - eater - thestranger

#1736 - Dizzy's, Phoenix, AZ - 3/27/2012

Now this is a dive bar. It has an alley entrance -- always a very good sign for bar. And it is so dark that when you step inside you have to wait a while for your eyes to adjust. It had an old fellow dropping off some money he owed -- not to the bar, but for one of the patrons whenever he came in. It had a friendly and wry bartender watching crime shows on TV and marking snarky comments.

7051 North 7th Street Phoenix, AZ 85020 - (602) 944-9699

Web site: dizzysaz.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - emol.org - voiceplaces - azcentral

#1735 - Do Drop In, Phoenix, AZ - 3/27/2012

The outer signs tell you: 1) dive bar; 2) they take their cigarettes very seriously; and 3) they had trouble deciding whether it was the Do Drop Inn or the Do Drop In. That's really all you need to know. If you do drop in, and you're not a familiar face, it's the sort of place where the regulars will stare at you completely bewildered over what you could possibly be doing there.

9501 N. Seventh St, Phoenix, AZ 85020
Est. year - Building constructed: year
Reviews: voiceplaces - newtimes - azcentral - yelp - metromix

#1734 - Pointe In Tyme, Phoenix, AZ - 3/27/2012

Within the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, Pointe in Tyme has a grand, woody interior, average drinks, and food that seemed quite good if not particularly remarkable.

11111 7th Street (Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort), Phoenix, Arizona 85020 - (602) 866-7500
Est. year - Building constructed: year
Web site: tapatiocliffshilton.com
Reviews: yelp - azcentral

#1733 - The Woodshed, Tempe, AZ - 3/26/2012

I was not taken to the Woodshed, I went there myself. It is a fairly nondescript sports bar, although the memorabilia has character -- clearly not one of those decorated with a single trip to the sports fan store in the mall. They say they were the first bar in the valley to feature satellite television, Buffalo wings, ESPN, and a CD jukebox. No word on whether that has put them on the national historic register.

19 W. Baseline Rd., Tempe, AZ 85283 - (480) 831-9663
Est. 1979
Web site: thewoodshedsaz.com - facebook
Reviews: yelp - voiceplaces - azcentral

Thursday, July 05, 2012

#1732 - San Felipe's Cantina, Tempe, AZ - 3/26/2012

Your decision to go to Felipe's Cantina in Tempe can be put this way: Would you enjoy a bit of college spring break in a big shopping mall?

2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy. (at Tempe Marketplace), Tempe, AZ 85281 - (480) 736-8226
Est. Nov 2007
Web site: sanfelipescantina.com - facebook
Reviews: phoenixnewtimes - azcentral - urbanspoon - yelp

#1731 - Cadillac Ranch, Tempe, AZ - 3/26/2012

2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy Suite 2105 (at Tempe Marketplace), Tempe, AZ 85281 - (480) 894-1111

Web site: cadillacranchtempe.com - facebook
Reviews: azcentral - urbanspoon - yelp - metromix