#2557 #S1257 - Aragona, Seattle - 6/4/2014

Strange pork and bean thing, Aragona, Seattle, WA

Update: Aragona closed in September 2014 and was refashioned into Italian themed Vespolina, which itself closed less than a year later. Stratton noted that while many people loved the Aragona menu, many others were slow to warm to it. Zach Geballe of the Seattle Weekly attributes the failure to a wine program too unfamiliar and ambitious for this space, despite being managed by two of the city's leading sommeliers:

"The goal was to get guests to take a chance on unfamiliar wines—to trust in the wine team’s skill in a way that is still largely uncomfortable for many diners. Setting aside the more outlandish suggestions, like drinking sherry with entrées, a list that offered few familiar touchstones was always going to challenge the staff and diners alike. Yet I can’t help but appreciate the optimism of such a move, even if in the long run it seemed unlikely to succeed. Indeed, as time passed and the restaurant struggled, the somm team that opened it departed. It was clear that the center could not hold."

Geballe adds that he has "no doubt" that the concept could have worked in a smaller space in a more hip neighborhood such as Capitol Hill or Ballard.

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Strange ice cream thing, Aragona, Seattle, WA

Aragona is a Spanish-inspired restaurant from extolled local chef Jason Stratton. As Ronald Holden noted:

'Stratton, of course, is known to all as the "boy wonder" who took over Spinasse in its convulsive first months (when the investors dismissed founder Justin Niedermeyer), and has since continued with Artusi. To run the kitchen of the new spot, which will concentrate on Spanish fare, Stratton has turned to his longtime sidekick (and current Top Chef contestant) Carrie Mashaney.'

Strange sculpture thing, Aragona, Seattle, WA

Aragona would be recognized at a James Beard semifinalist for best new restaurant of 2014. So it was very buzzy in foodie land when Stratton took over this almost hidden space on the southern edge of tourist-filled Pike Place Market. I've lost my notes on what these food items were, but it was quite tasty while it lasted and I suppose that doesn't matter now. But we also enjoyed both the cocktails and conversation with bartender Aaron.

Strange diced thing, Aragona, Seattle, WA

96 Union St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 682-3590
Est. Dec 9, 22013 - Closed Sep 6, 2014 - Building constructed: 1985
Previous bars in this location: Leo Melina, The Other Place, 96 Union, Harbor Place, The Islander, Thoa's
Web site: aragonaseattle.com
Articles ranked: seattleweekly - thestranger - cornichon - fb101 -  bizjournals -  foodandwine -  seattlemag - seattlemag - seattlemag - seattleappetizer -  tripadvisor - seattlerefined - thrillist - metropolismag - hansonphotogroup - katejessup

#2556 #S1256 - R Place, Seattle - 6/1/2014

R Place, Seattle, WA

For about five years "R Place" was a classic dive gay bar at the foot of the Hotel Waldorf on Pike Street, across from what is now the Seattle covention center. In 1989 they opened up in the four-story building on Pine that remains their current location (the Hotel Waldorf was demolished in 2000 and the old location now contains a Cheese Factory).

At first the place had few differences from the old -- only the first two floors were open at the time, and they continued to sell only beer and wine amidst a sports theme and pull tab bins. In 1997 new owners took over, expanded to hard liquor, and added a dance floor, and eventually converted the third floor into a clubby dancing section. Or as thestranger describes it:

R Place, Seattle, WA

'For centuries, R Place was where fratty A&F-ers went to pose with beer and dartboards. Now it's a tri-story dance emporium ruled by bonsai eyebrows and thrusting retail hips. And a cover charge. The first floor remains pretty much the same (a bar, some boys), but the second floor is now the loungey "living room" decorated in mod furniture. And the third floor? Dance, dance, dance!'

Over the years they added events like the "legendary Lashes Drag show" and a weekly amateur strip show. General manager Floyd Lovelady explained the origins of the latter to seattlegaynews:

"In 2001, Lovelady and company created the famous Thursday-night Amateur Strip Show - more commonly known as ASS - when they added the strip pole. 'The liquor laws in our city prohibited us from serving alcohol and paying performers to strip,' he explains. 'That's why clubs like DejaVu and others, who employ female dancers, only serve beer and wine. But I thought, 'What if it was a contest and the clientele was allowed to strip?' We checked with the liquor board and were given the thumbs-up! That's how ASS was born!'"

It remains "Seattle’s semi-beloved old school gay bar" (seattlegayscene) with Wet Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays, karaoke the first three days of the week and a "twerkologist" on Tuesdays.

619 E Pine St, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 322-8828
Est. 1989 (1984 in earlier location) - Building constructed: 1917
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: rplaceseattle.com - facebook
Reviews: seattlegaynews - capitolhillseattle - thestranger - yelp - tripadvisor

#2555 #S1255 - Eetbar, Seattle - 6/2/2014

Eetbar closed in November 2015

Eetbar is latest of a rapidly rotating set of bars and lounges in this two level space at the foot of a condo building. It is named after a Dutch cafe the owners remember fondly, and is sometimes listed as Filipino cuisine, though they actually have dishes from all over the globe. The most important thing for me is that they preserved the Nitro sandwich, a spicy spin on the French Dip that is one of my favorite sandwiches in the city.

1556 NW 56th St, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 783-0131
Est. April 2, 2014 - Closed Nov 2015 - Building constructed: 2000
Previous bars in this location: Amber Den, Nick's Off Market
Reviews: yelp

#2554 #S1254 - The Timberline, Seattle - 6/1/2014

The Timberline, Seattle, WA

The Timberline actually closed in 2003 but I was able to go there on this night thanks to the Timberline Revisited event in the building that started as Norway Hall in 1915 and is now Raisbeck Performance Hall.

"Designed by architect Sonke Englehart Sonnichsen in the traditional Norwegian style, the building is an amazing confection of carved ornamentation, turned columns, sawn balustrades topped with a gabled roof. As its former name implies, the hall was intended for Seattle’s Norwegian community and their cultural and fraternal organizations. As per Christine Anderson, Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 historian, Norway Hall was completed in 1915 and used by the organization until Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 and Valkyrien Lodge #1 (Daughters of Norway) sold Norway Hall in 1948. After that time, it was used by a variety of community groups." (cornish.edu)

Part of the line at Timberline Revisited, June 1, 2014

The building hosted the City Beat disco starting in 1974, and shortly thereafter became the Boren Street Disco. In the late 80s it was renamed the Timberline, a country western, mainly gay dance club, renowned for its 25 cent beers, free peanuts with shells thrown on the floor, Wednesday lube wrestling tournaments, country line dancing, and its Sunday Tea Dance. The music would shift to country at 9pm sharp. Women lingered on right side of the large dance floor and the men on the left. People who attended it back in the day describe a friendly, crowded place, less cruisy than some, but easy to meet new people. It had a short cameo appearance on the origional Twin Peaks as the interior of the Roadhouse Bar.

A bit after the last day at the original location in 2003, there was a shortlived attempt to revive it as Timberline Spirits at the corner of Denny and Yale, but this too closed in 2005. But the Timberline Revisited event that kicked off Pride month in Seattle in 2014 afforded those of us who had never attended the original club a taste of what it was like. There was no country western to be found, but before noon the venue that officially holds about 200 people had a line down the block and around the corner (there were over 1,000 RSVPs on Facebook), and all those lucky enough to get in enjoying the flashbacks and 70s disco.

2015 Boren Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (800) 726-2787
Est. 1989? - Closed 2003 - Building constructed: 1915
Previous bars in this location: The City Beat, Boren Street Disco
Web site: facebook
Reviews: nytimes - seattlegayscene - bobmeyers

#2553 - Beach Rock Lounge, Brinnon, WA - 5/31/2014

This is a sports bar and concert venue within the Suquamish Clearwater Casino. The food and drinks are typical sports bar fare - pizza, burgers and sandwiches. The stage hosts comedy, dueling pianos, and bands like Lita Ford, Creed, and Dru Hill.

15347 Suquamish Way NE, Suquamish, WA - (360) 598-8700
Building constructed: 2003
Web site: clearwatercasino.com
Reviews: tripadvisor

#2552 - Geoduck Restaurant and Lounge, Brinnon, WA - 5/31/2014

For people outside of western Washington, that's pronounced the "gooey duck," named for the revolting and huge saltwater clams that many locals, as well as a large number of people in China, inexplicably consider edible. The Geoduck Tavern has been in this location on Highway 101, north of Dosewallips River and the Duckabrush trail, since 1938. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1989, but quickly rebuilt as the Geoduck Restaurant and Lounge, with expanded space for family dining. Murray and Sue Perley bought the place in 1978, and it has remained in the family since. It is fairly modern feeling inside, but still has a cabin-like feel, with an aged wood exterior, animal heads and memorablia inside, and a view across a grassy slough where the Dosewallips empties into the Hood Canal.

In fact one of the animal heads started taunting me as I took pictures of the place. I eventually tracked this down to a bushy bearded local named Mark, as he tucked away the microphone retrieved from behind the bar, and stared away a little too obliviously to be innocent. Mark later explained that the locals call this game "Brinnon karaoke." This side of the canal is a bit more blue collar than much of Kitsap peninsula on the eastern side, and most of the people at the Geoduck are locals. You can't get geoduck at the Geoduck, but you can choose from a dependable selection of American comfort foods with several seafood options, and a good selection of beers on tap. Esquire has actually repeatedly named it one of the best bars in America, based largely on their salmon derby and burger dip.

For its friendly and funny people, the view, and satisfying meals, and the history of the place, its a relaxing and satisfying stop along the Olympic peninsula loop.

307103 U.S. 101, Brinnon, WA 98320 - (360) 796-4430
Est. 1938 (rebuilt 1990)
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: kitsapsun - peninsuladailynews - esquire - yelp - tripadvisor

#2551 - Eagle Creek Saloon, Lilliwaup, WA - 5/31/2014

Eagle Creek Saloon, Lilliwaup, WA

The Eagle Creek Saloon lies along Highway 101 on the west shore of Hood Canal, on the eastern edge of the greater Olympic peninsula, a little north of Lilliwaup and south of Hamma Hamma. Various waterfalls and hiking trails bring a steady stream of tourists through this area, and if they miss the saloon's sign it may perhaps catch there attention by the giant fiberglass cheeseburger on the roof. The burgers inside are smaller, but only slightly so if you order the "Eagle Burger," one pound of beef with fried egg, grilled mushrooms, jalapenos, and mushrooms. There, or whatever you order from the large pub food menu, are delivered by super friendly lady servers. It's not unusual to see vintage cars or a large number of motorcycles parked out front, and along the water lily flecked pond on the other side of the parking lot, a solid indicator of a fun stop, with a bit of character and a lot of characters. It's well worth a stop whenever you find yourself hungry and/or thirsty in the greater vicinity of Lilliwaup.

Eagle Creek Saloon, Lilliwaup, WA

Eagle Creek Saloon, Lilliwaup, WA

31281 U.S. 101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555 - (360) 877-6729                          
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor

#2550 - Town Pub and Deli, Shelton, WA - 5/31/2014

Town Pub & Deli, Shelton, WA
(Former location of Town Tavern in orange on left)

The Town Tavern (now Pub & Deli) has been in Shelton for quite a while, although not always at this location. I can't vouch for going back to the 30s, as one person at the bar told me, but I have found listings for it around the corner at 118 South 2nd St from the 50s through the 70s, and I've found a bar owned by Tony Fonzo listed at location in 1936.

It's now in the building at 130 West Cota, which was the longtime home of the Pastime Tavern, and briefly the "Do Cum Inn" (not to be confused with the Dew Drop Inn which the old location became in the 90s). Since 1993 it has been owned by an incorporated group named "Ladies Unanimous" and seems to be mostly older ladies serving bikers.

130 W Cota St - Shelton, Washington 98584
Previous bars in this location: Pastime Tavern (1950s, 60s), Do Cum Inn (1970s)
Web site: facebook
Reviews: yelp - yelp - urbanspoon - clubplanet

#2549 - Milton Tavern, Milton, WA - 5/31/2014

Milton Tavern, Milton WA

Due east of Tacoma, Washington lies the small city of Milton, named after a 17th century English poet because the United States Post Office would not allow them to use a two-word name -- not to mention that there was already a Mill Town in Washington. The mill had gone up on the hill in the 1890s, and the city incorporated in 1907. "Milton gradually shed it’s dependency on timber and grew into a bedroom community mainly for those who commuted to the larger, surrounding cities to work. Milton started to provide its own electricity in the 1930’s, and later experienced a burst of both geographic and economic growth due to a 1.8 million-dollar sewer project completed in 1971." (cityofmilton.net)

Milton Tavern, Milton, WA

I do not know exactly how long the Milton Tavern has been here, but it's been since at least 1941, and probably sometime in the 30s. The building is said to have been constructed in 1928, orginally hosting a gas station and grocery store, and also, it is rumored, a speakeasy in back. For many years it operated as both tavern and gas station. You might assume that a small town tavern off the smaller highway was fairly divey, and indeed for many years the joint had a reputation as a smokey and occasionally violent biker bar. But that changed when Chris Gruzek bought it in 1987. Gruzek and his wife Nancy ran it from that point until finally giving up the ghost in late 2016, after years of struggling in the aftermath of the 2008 recession.

Milton Tavern, Milton, WA
(Tacoma Public Library)

Gruzek also owned the historic Mint in Enumclaw, and his father ran the Drift On Inn north of Seattle. Chris and Nancy cleaned and remodeled the place, added windows, paved the parking lot, planted flowers, banned smoking, added eventually 31 taps along with hard liquor, and opened the doors to families during the daytime. Their large menu of pub food featured "gourmet" hot dogs and pizza, and they established a local reputation for good pizza, to which I can personally attest.

One hopes that someone will eventually revive the old place, but the Gruzeks note that a health inspection has found deisel in the ground, making a sale by the bank more problematic.

7320 Pacific Hwy E, Milton, WA 98354 - (253) 922-3340                    
Est. 1941 - Closed Oct 13, 2016 - Building constructed: 1928
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: miltontavern.com - facebook
Articles ranked: seattletimes - miltonedgewoodsignal - northwestmilitary - northwestmilitary - yelp - tripadvisor

#2548 #S1253 - Stoup Brewing, Seattle - 5/30/2014

Stoup Brewing, Ballard, Seattle, WA

To be frank I am completely incapable of comparing, contrasting, or ranking most craft beer tasting rooms and smaller brewpubs. I mean, pretty much all of them have some really good beers, and my preferences vary more from beer to beer than they do from brewery to brewery. And most of them are very much alike in decor and vibe. Typically, like Stoup, they are in something like a prefab steel warehouse, with a few tables -- maybe cable spools, maybe picnic tables, maybe one made of super nice, lacquered wood -- a small number of pieces of art on the walls, a view of the brewing tanks from the indoor seats, an outdoor, concrete patio, and a food truck parked alongside during the most busy hours. Customers who all look like avid hikers come in on their bikes and/or with their dogs, and tahey all seem like perfectly pleasant people as the sip from their flight or get their growler refilled. Stroup does have a meat vending machine -- I don't think I've seen that in any other Seattle bar.

Anyway, Stoup is a prefectly fine example of one of this sort of place. Whether it's better or worse than its microbrew competitors you'll need to ask someone much more discerning than me.

1108 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 457-5524
Est. Oct 23, 2013 - Building constructed: 2004
Previous bars in this location: None
Web site: stoupbrewing.com - facebook
Reviews: myballard - yelp - washingtonbeerblog - beeradvocate - untappd - washingtonbeerblog - tripadvisor

#2547 #S1252 - Hana's Kitchen, Seattle - 5/30/2014

Hana's Kitchen, Frelard, Seattle, WA

Update: Hana's Kitchen closed in late October or early November of 2014

This is an odd little location that over the years has hosted everything from the original location of Red Hook Brewery (and arguably the birthplace of the craft beer movement), to Medin's Ravioli Station, which morphed into "Trainwreck" and some colorful nights under the ownership of vivacious local bartender Hefe. Hana's is primarily an Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant, but they are giving it a go to become at least a part-time nightlife spot as well, with DJs and weekly stand-up comedy.

Hana's Kitchen, Frelard, Seattle, WA

4620 Leary Way NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 783-0745
Est. Oct 2013 - Closed 2014 - Building constructed: 1947
Previous bars in this location: Medin's Ravioli Station / Trainwreck
Web site: facebook
Reviews: westseattleherald - yelp - tripadvisor