#1905 #S1074 - Cal's Classic American, Seattle - 10/4/2012

Update: Cal's Lake Union closed on June 25, 2013

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Cal's Classic American Kitchen is a bit like an updated Applebees. That's not all bad -- the vintage clutter here is rugged, mid-century industrial and modern additions include a pour-your-own table tap where customers pay per ounce. It serves basically traditional American comfort food with a slight spin, plus a few good beers and whiskeys and a fairly straight-forward cocktail menu (but with lots of egg white).

The place, and it's predecessor in Kent, were name for Cal Chandler, the father of one of the owners (ex-Husky center Jeff Chandler) and founder of The Ram brewpubs. The ownership team also includes Shannon Galusha, former chef at Bastille, Veil, Campagne, etc., and ex-Boise State Bronco Matthew Schweitzer.

404 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 - 206.209.3000                    
Est. Oct 22, 2012 - Closed June 25, 2013
Web site: calsclassic.com
Best articles: eater - bizjournals - seattlemet - thrillist (loud/sound) -  yelp

#1904 #S1073 - Rione XIII, Seattle - 9/26/2012

Another Seattle fine restaurant from Ethan Stowell, this one focused on classic Italian food and named for the "trendy" Trastevere area, or the 8th rione (district) of Rome.  The bar at Rione (ree-OH-nay) VIII is not one you would typically visit if you were not going in to eat, but does have some pretty good quality cocktails (I had a Boulevardier).

401 15th Avenue East Seattle, WA 98112 - (206) 838-2878
Est. Aug 22, 2012 - Building constructed: year
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: ethanstowellrestaurants.com - facebook   
Best articles: cornichon - seattleweekly - seattleite - seattletimes - seattlemag - seattlemag - eater - thestranger -  dailycandy - yelp

#1903 #S1072 - Soban Restaurant and Lounge, Seattle - 9/26/2012

In recent years, this spot across the street from the Convention Center has offered pan-Asian menus centered around first Vietnamese and now Korean dishes. As it evolved from "Bambuza" and "820 Pike Street" to Soban, they've put in a lot of work to attract an evening crowd. The place now has an actual bar, it DJ loft, karaoke, and the NFL package. Bartender Phi-Du was a friendly and enthusiastic host.

But the cocktails? Well, let's just say that it wasn't my demographic. To impress me with the bar, Phi-Du showed me what he thought might be the largest selection of flavored vodkas in the city. Good luck, but not a place for me.

820 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 219-5555             
Est. Sep 14, 2012 - Building constructed: 2003
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: so-ban.com - facebook
Reviews: thestranger - seattletimes - seattlepi - thrillist - yelp

#1902 #S1071 - Bambino's Pizzeria, Seattle - 9/23/2012

Bambino's has been selling very good, Neapolitan-style pizzas just up Cedar Street from the Five Point since 2005. But it did not have an actual bar until September 2012. Now you can sit at the gleaming pine bar and sample Bambino's large craft beer selection, including Pliny the Elder, along with their interesting range of pizzas.

401 Cedar Street Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 269-2222             
Est. Sep. 20, 2012 (bar), 2005 (restaurant) - Building constructed: 1927
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: bambinosseattle.com - facebook  
Reviews: seattletimes - eater - seattlefoodster - seattlepi - thestranger - urbanspoon - yelp

#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