#1818 #S1042 - 95 Slide, Seattle - 7/1/2012

The erstwhile Hunter Gatherer Lodge has been transformed into a sports bar by owner Marcus Lalario (Captain Black's, The Saint, Molly Moon, Batch 206). It is named for the most exciting moment in Seattle sports history, when Edgar Martinez doubled home Ken Griffey Jr. in the ultimate miracle of the miracle '95 season, which not only finished off the Yankees but almost certainly preserved major league baseball in Seattle.

So of course this means primarily lots of televisions, lots of soccer, burgers and pub food. I do not know what advantage they will be taking of the nifty rooftop area.

For many years, from shortly after prohibition into the 1960s, this space hosted the Harvard Tavern. In the late 70s, it became Greg Thim and Ken Decker's Brass Door, leading the Seattle gay community out of hole-in-the-wall bars mostly in Pioneer Square to large, open spaces primarily on Capitol Hill (the Brass Door became the Brass Connection when they obtained a license to sell liquor as well as beer and wine). In the subsequent years that Lalario has held the lease, it has been an all-ages and hiphop dance club (The Beat Box, Ghetto Technologies), then Blu, the War Room, and Hunter Gatherers Lodge.

722 E Pike St, Seattle, WA. - (206) 328-7666               
Est. June 28, 2012 - Building constructed: 1920
Previous bars in this location:Harvard Tavern (30s-60s), Forun Tavern (70s), Brass Door/Connection (70s-90s), Blu, The War Room (2005-2009), Hunter Gatherer Lodge (2010-2012)

Web site: 95slide.com - facebook
Reviews: seattlemet - capitolhillseattle - eater - thestranger - yelp

#1817 #S1041 - Kangaroo and Kiwi (Ballard), Seattle - 6/15/2012

What a strange and happy marriage this is between the stately, neoclassical Carnegie library building and the lively Kangaroo and Kiwi.

The Ballard Public Library opened here on June 24, 1904, part of the 2,500 Carnegie libraries built between 1883 and 1929 in partnerships between the steel magnate and local communities. It became the first major branch of the Seattle public library system when Seattle annexed the city in 1907, and remained in service until 1963. Since then it has hosted a number of small businesses, most recently the formal French restaurant Carnegie's (2003-2010).

Kangaroo and Kiwi spent the previous eleven years at the most un-stately of locations, on Aurora Avenue just south of Beth's Cafe in the longtime location of the Meet Me Here Tavern. K&K is serious about its Australian and New Zealander theme, and bills itself as the only genuine Aussie pub on the west coast. They serve up pub food from burgers to Aussie meat pies, and a few cocktails along with a lot of beer.  Around the side and front of the building is one of Seattle's better summer, outdoor drinking spaces, and one hopes that over the long term the signage will blend into the building a bit more smoothly.

The crowd is, as you might guess, friendly, informal, and fun. It's not a library, but somehow a casual public room serving beers amidst the august surroundings seems like a perfect realization of Carnegie's democratic ideals.




2026 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 297-0507
Est. June 9, 2012 - Building constructed: 1904
Previous bars in this location: Carnegie's
Website: kangarooandkiwi.com - facebook - Ballard Carnegie Library
Reviews: seattleweekly - komonews - seattleweekly - myballard - yelp - theworldisfun

#1816 - Cast Iron Studios, Bellevue, WA - 6/28/2012

Update: The Heavy Restaurant Group announced the permanent closure of Cast Iron Studios on August 27, 2020, due to ongoing challenge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

An event space owned and catered by Larry and Tabitha Kurofsky's Heavy Restaurant Group (Purple, Barrio, Lot #3), which means very tasty food and cocktails.

10650 NE 4th St, Bellevue, Washington 98004 - (206) 838-3853
Est. 2012
Previous bars in this location: Barrio
castiron-studios.com - facebook

#1815 #S1037 - Ground Control, Seattle - 6/15/2012

A funky little spot in Georgetown for cocktails and sandwiches, with model airplanes and friendly servers.

6105 13th Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 - (206) 268-0411
Est. Dec 1, 2011 - Building constructed: 1929
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: groundcontrolseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: seattleweekly - yelp - thestranger

#1814 #S1036 - Far Eats, Seattle - 6/15/2012

Geogy Chacko, chef and owner of Belltown Burger, Dos Amigos, Beba's and 3 Asian, has opened this upscale Indian restaurant in the location of the first Amore. The cocktails are only average, but the food is very good.  I had the curry lobster and goat chili soup and love both.

2301 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 770-6007
Est. June 7, 2012 - Building constructed: ?
Previous bars in this location: Spice, Amore
Web site: geogychacko.com
Reviews: cornichon - gastrolust - thrillist - seattleweekly - franticfoodie - yelp

#1813 #S1035 - Olde 99 Pub, Seattle - 6/13/2012

When the Kangaroo and Kiwi moved out of this space, Gabe McMurray, one of the bartenders, partnered with Glen, the owner of Sophie's downtown, to create the Olde 99.  It features a nifty, distressed sign, but the interior still seems a bit random and thrown together. The beers, cocktails and food are fairly pedestrian, so the future of this place really depends on their ability to catch on as just a comfortable neighborhood joint.

For many years, from at least as early as 1948 into the 90s, this location hosted the "Meet Me Here Tavern." (I'd love to find some a picture or two of this place.) It became the Greenlake Ale House in the 90s, and then the popular Kangaroo and Kiwi was established in 2001.  I did not go there that often but I have a few fond memories of the old places -- including the Greenlake Tavern erupting in screams at a shot of Bobby Ayala warming up in the Mariners bullpen, and some Aussies at a Seahawks game at K&K yelling "Kill 'em! Kill 'em!" Here's wishing Olde 99 good luck.

7305 Aurora Ave N Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 687-7047
Est. June 2012 - Building constructed: 1926
Previous bars in this location: Meet Me Here Tavern (40s-90s), Greenlake Ale House, Kangaroo and Kiwi (2001-2012)
Web site: facebook
Reviews: thrillist - komonews - yelp

#1812 #S1034 - Hunger, Seattle (Fremont) - 6/12/2012

Update: Hunger closed April 12, 2014

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The very fine stop for cocktails and Mediterranean and Spanish tapas has moved a few blocks south into the old Dad Watson's space. Spirits include a house-made, spicy, red absinthe.  Try the Velvet Bullfighter.


3601 Fremont Avenue North Seattle, WA 98103 - (206) 402-4854
Est. May 2012 (current location); July 2010 original location - Closed April 14, 2014; Building constructed: 1996
Previous bars in this location: Dad Watson's
Site: hungerseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - bulldogsandbrownsugar - thestranger - thestranger - yelp