#1901 - Royal Bear Pub, Algona - 9/22/2012

A quite large place, popular with the bikers, hosting live bands, and featuring 15 taps.

35731 W Valley Highway South Algona, WA 98001 - (253) 833-6686
Previous bars in this location: The Algona Tavern
Web site: theroyalbear.com
Reviews: bikerfriendlybars - yelp 

#1900 - Peterson Bros. 1111, Tacoma - 9/22/2012

Peterson Brothers' Eleven Eleven is a new bar and sandwich shop in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma. It was created and is run by twin brothers Robby and Justin Peterson, whose father is one of the owners of The Swiss, and who have learned the business through jobs there, at Hell's Kitchen, the Hotel Bar and Grill, Jazzbones, other Tacoma institutions. It is named for the address at 1111 11th -- and I felt a little foolish calling to see what time they opened -- 11am of course.

Robby and Justin are friendly and funny, and make you feel like you want to hang out there often. The bar was decorated to look like an old dive that feels like it has been in the neighborhood for decades. It includes a bar made by the brothers from wood salvaged from the old Nalley Pickle Factory, in "Nalley Valley." It attracts a pretty young and hipster-heavy crowd. In addition to a good selection of beers and spirits, the 1111 serves some excellent sandwiches and good soups.

One warning -- you may feel out of place if you do not have a substantial beard. The only person working there who did not have a big beard was the one female, and one of the guys told me they were working on how to get her one.







Historical Notes:  There has been a bar in this space off and on since at least soon after prohibition. City guides list a bar owned by Andrew Molberg in 1935. By 1960 it was Abe's Tavern, and by 1970 it was Michael Eleven Eleven Tavern (or a close variation on that).

1111 S 11th St, Tacoma, WA 98405 - (253) 284-1111
Est. June 27, 2012
Previous bars at this location: Michael's 1111, Abe's Tavern
Web site: facebook
Best Articles: tnt - weeklyvolcano - examiner - yelp

#1899 - Dawson's Bar and Grill, Tacoma - 9/21/2012

Hosting a middle-aged crowd, Dawson's is big on darts and features live music every Wednesday through Sunday with no cover.  Dawson's Tavern / Bar & Grill has been here since at least 1951.

5443 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409 - (253) 476-1421
Web site: dawsonsbarandgrill.com - facebook  
Reviews: weeklyvolcano - themedallion - yelp

#1898 - Starlite Bar and Grill, Tacoma - 9/21/2012

The Starlite Lounge, Tacoma, WA

The faded signage and ornate entryway of the "Starlite Lounge" hint at some glossy past that make we wish I could find pictures and accounts of the place in whatever passed for its heyday. The exterior is now moss covered and dilapidated to the extent that it is hard to believe there is an active business inside. But there is, and the interior shows that some much needed remodeling and redecorating work is underway. Inside there are few hints of the old charm promised by the front of the place, and unfortunately the redocorating seems to be basically adding TVs and cheap Seahawks and Mariners paraphernalia, and embracing a sports bar theme -- in other words, taking the boring interior portion and making it even more boring.  I just hope the basic exterior survives the eviction of remaining  personality.

A segment of old wall paper, temporarily visible at the Starlite Lounge

5231 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409 (253) 472-7299

#1897 - Sir C's Tavern, Tacoma - 9/21/2012

This was a return trip to tour the remaining diver bars of South Tacoma Way. One of our first stops was Sir C's, where friendly bartender Jesse enthusiastically gave us a tour.  I think Jesse's boyfriend's grandfather owns the place, but I may have that messed up.  Jesse said it's been around for about 10 years, and was previously Jerry's.  It's now a biker friendly bar and from the aroma on the back patio, was ahead of its time in recognizing Washington state initiative I-502.  Another classic little dive on this old strip.

Bartender Jesse with a regular at Sir C's Tavern, Tacoma

Historical notes:  City guides do indeed list Jerry's Tavern at this location from the 60s into the 90s.  By 1940 it was a tavern named "Squeek's Rondivoo" and by 1960 it was "Ed & Larry's Rendezvous."

6234 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409 - (253) 474-7919
Previous bars in this location: Squeeks Rondivoo, Ed & Larry's Rendezvous, Jerry's Tavern

#1896 - Hans's Place, Tacoma - 9/21/2012

Hans's Place is a divey little neighborhood tavern on South Tacoma Way that is populated mostly by older folks and known for its fried chicken. The menus say it has been around since it was founded by Hans Hanson in 1942, but city guides show a bar at 6403 owned by Mr. Hanson by 1940 (it is unclear whether 6403 at the time is now the current Hans' or the vacuum shop next door, now listed as 6405 and 6401 respectively). It is decorated with copper sailboats, NASCAR memorabilia, and the occasional old photo and patriotic paintings. I liked the touch of adding the bartender gals' names to the menu. The drinks and food are pretty much what you would expect from a divey, neighborhood tavern.

Hans's Tavern, 1951 (Tacoma Public Library)

6405 South Tacoma Way Tacoma, WA 98409 - (253) 474-6503
Est. 1942, probably earlier
Reviews:  yelp

#1895 #S1070 - Q, Seattle - 9/15/2011

Queu at Club Q, Capitol Hill, Seattle

The owners did not want Q to be positioned as a gay bar -- answering questions about that with "At Q, everyone is welcome." I must admit that "New York City big-room style" electronic dance music clubs are not my favorite kinds of music or bar, so I'm not sure how to judge this one. But I do like the fact that they don't have the ridiculous VIP rooms, and that they have a whiskey bar in back. And of course it's super gay.

1426 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
Est. Sep 8, 2012 - Building constructed: 1912
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: qcapitolhill.com - facebook
Reviews: eatinseattle - seattlegayscene - edgeboston - thrillist - capitolhillseattle - eater - yelp

#1894 #S1069 - Rumba, Seattle - 9/15/2011

Rumba is a new craft cocktail bar from Travis Rosenthal (Tango) serving rum-centric, tiki and Caribbean drinks. The drinks are quite good and the look is classic Hemingway era Havana.  Original cocktails are from bar manager Connor O’Brien, who has been making fine tasting drinks at Vito's the last couple years.  The unusual focus, romantic vibe, and 250+ rum choices make this a great addition to Seattle cocktail options.



Historical notes: I can only find hints of one previous bar here, the Nikko Garden Tavern in the late 80s / early 90s.  I have no clue what this tavern was like, but an older version, closer to downtown was described as "a go-go joint with awful dancers, but if you complained, a barmaid swatted you with a stick."

1112 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 583-7177
Est. Sep 14, 2012 - Building constructed: year
Previous bars in this location: Nikko Garden Tavern
Web site: rumbaonpike.com - facebook  
Ranked Reviews: seattlemet - eater - seattleweekly - seattletimes - measureandstir - seattleite - capitolhillseattle - therumcollective - thestranger - yelp

#1893 #S1068 - Tippe and Drague, Seattle - 9/13/2012

Before you try looking up those Shakespeare characters you missed, "Tippe and Drague" is an old English-ey dressing up of the hot air ballooning term "tip and drag." The bar of that name is a beer-centric, neighborly, little place on Beacon Hill with 16 taps (and a "no crap on tap" policy) and various hit and miss comfort food items.

3315 Beacon Ave. South, Seattle, WA 98144 - 206-538-0094
Est. Sep 1, 2012 - Building constructed: 1926
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: tippeanddrague.com - facebook  
Best Reviews: seattlebeernews - thestranger - ratebeer - yelp

#1892 #S1067 - Essex, Seattle - 9/8/2012

Try the: Moab


I don't think you'll get your very favorite cocktails at Essex, but what you will get are very good cocktails and very different cocktails -- lots of home-made ingredients and tastes that you have never quite had before. I most enjoyed the Moab (Reposado, red pepper, pickled chile brine, lemon, salt, pepper) and the H.M.S. Theodore Roosevelt (Voyager gin, Extra Special Orange (house version of Grand Marnier), Campari, sparkling wine).  We also tried the Red Medicine (house aged rye, Delancey fernet, Rachel's Ginger Beer, rhubarb) and the George Brown (Gin, wood-roasted peach, citrus, Meyer's float), which were also interesting but not quite as good as the aforementioned.

Jordan our bartender was very friendly and happy to discuss the place and their cocktails. It is owned by Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg of the adjacent, excellent pizza joint Delancey, assisted by bar manager Gary Abts (Licorous, La Bete). It has a nice, homey feel with damask wall paper featuring sperm whale silhouettes, and a small, pleasant patio out front. Along the top shelf you can see bottle after bottle of bitters and infusions, promising any number of interesting concoctions in the future. It has some very nice cheeses and small plates (though if I were there really hungry I would definitely just save the room for a Delancey pizza and Jersey Salad).


All around, it is the sort of place you want to come back to often.

1421 NW 70th St, Seattle, WA 98117 - (206) 838-1960               
Est. Aug 15, 2012 - Building constructed: 1926  
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: essexbarseattle.com - facebook
Best Reviews: link - seriouseats - meandmrpants - thestranger - seattlemag - seattlemet - thrillist - yelp

#1891 #S1066 - El Quetzal Bar, Seattle - 9/8/2011

The quetzal is a colorful bird that was sacred to ancient Mesoamericans, and the national bird and name of the currency in Guatemala. El Quetzal on Beacon Hill is a bar / gallery from Almendra Sandoval, with a lot of art (much of it erotic) and apparently quite hopping on weekend evenings (gangster rap was lingering from the previous night). It's a very cool, little space and serves some fairly good magaritas.  You can also order some fairly good Mexico City-style street food from the restaurant portion next door.

3209 Beacon Avenue South Seattle, WA 98144 - (206) 329-2970
Est. Jan 29, 2012 - Building constructed: 1927
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: seattletimes - thestranger - urbanspoon - yelp - tripadvisor   

#1890 #S1065 - Ambassel Restaurant, Seattle - 9/7/2011

Ambassel is a good Ethiopian restaurant with a small bar that serves very basic drinks and a web site that is a marvel of animated gifts, scrolling text, jumbled frames, and other circa 1996 web design. Some of the staff's understanding of American accents is imperfect so you may need to take care (e.g. the bartender heard our request for "menus" as "Manny's").


1224 East Jefferson Street Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 860-7074
Previous bars in this location: Simon's Place (70s)
Building constructed 1909
Web site: ambasselethiopianrestaurant.com - facebook     
Reviews: yelp

#1889 #S1064 - Zobel Restaurant, Seattle - 9/7/2011

Zobel ("gathering place" in Amharic), is one of a large number of Ethiopian restaurants in this part of the Central District of Seattle. It was created in 2003 by Enana Kassa, who immigrated from Ethiopia in 1983 and eventually established the smaller Blue Nile in the same area. The food is good and the bar is casual and just the basics.

1219 East Jefferson Street Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 323-1408
Est. 2003 - Building constructed: 1949
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: zobelrestaurant.com - facebook  
Reviews: yelp - urbanspoon

#1888 #S1063 - Kickin Boot Whiskey Kitchen, Seattle - 9/6/2011

Kickin Boot Whiskey Kitchen, Seattle, WA

Update: Kickin Boot closed in October 2017

Try the:  Dark Sparrow

Kickin Boot Whiskey Kitchen is large and instantly popular, and people like to criticize big, popular places. But I'm a fan. The Matador guys (Zak Melang and Nathan Opper) have done a great job of remodeling the 1927 Henry Whyte warehouse, which once hosted Ballard Millwork, Union Wines, and then Olsen Furniture. The place is large, rustic and industrial. It is very pretty, but also rather corporate -- you won't find charming little shabby and personal touches, no items from childhood or inherited from Uncle Hank. In that sense it seems a bit out of place in Ballard and even Seattle -- it immediately feels more like a place in Dallas or Scottsdale.

Nevertheless it is a beautiful setting, and a fine alternative, I believe, to the more hole in the wall sorts of BBQ joints which pepper the Ballard area. The BBQ and choice of 5 sauces at your table are not knock your socks of good, but they are quite adequate. And the cocktails are more than adequate. The horse shoe shaped bar is the center of attention, backed by a giant triangle of whiskey in the large back window. The emphasis, as the name says, is on whiskey, and they have flights for tasting and whiskey (Buffalo Trace) on tap.

Kicking Boot Whiskey Kitchen, Seattle, 

Some BBQ purists may resent that it's an attraction as much or more for socializing and its large patio as it is for its smoked meats or sauces. But I see it as a fine bar and dinner alternative.

5309 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 783-2668
Est. Aug 16, 2012 - Building constructed: 1927
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: kickinboot.com - facebook  
Best Reviews: seattleweekly - thestranger - seattletimes - myballard - building history - seattlemet - seattlemag - thestranger - yelp