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Monday, May 11, 2009

Chow / Nightlife Speakeasy Semantics

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Mon, May 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM

The gentlemen of the massively popular Spur Gastropub in Belltown (feel the reader-reviewer love over here) now plan to open another bar/lounge/restaurant called Tavern Law in the Trace Loft building at 12th and Madison on Capitol Hill. (It's the same space that was originally slated to house the Gun Club, which was to be a mid-size music venue brought to you by the Bauhaus/Top Pot/Sun Liquor gentlemen. Apparently they got about a quarter of the way done with the space, then something about the deal went awry.)

Tavern Law is going to be a classic old-school lounge—leather booths, dimness, golden-age-of-cocktails. This all sounds great, and these gentlemen have done a lovely job with Spur. However, the press release says: "Seattle Chefs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are opening a new speakeasy bar in Seattle." Another new Capitol Hill bar, Knee High Stocking Co. (pictured), is calling itself a speakeasy as well. It must be pointed out: If you have a liquor license, you are not a speakeasy.

Dana Tough just said on the phone that he thought they called it "speakeasy-style." He admits a liquor license and a speakeasy are mutually exclusive. But, he says, Tavern Law will have "a few surprises within the space," speakeasy-style. They're working on the space now, and they're not committing to an opening date (smart) other than "in a few months."

Photo of Knee High Stocking Co. by Invisible Hour from The Stranger's flickr pool.

Comments (7) RSS

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Will this one be more gay?

Most speakeasys end up being so straight. I think the whole underground drinking, smoking cigars and poker type atmoshphere must appeal more to straights. This will be on the up and up so no cigars, poker or even "underground"

Posted by filling the gay quota for the day on May 11, 2009 at 4:42 PM

"a few surprises within the space," speakeasy-style.

They could have random police busts with some gratuitous skull-cracking; that'd be surprising and fit the theme.

Posted by shabadoo on May 11, 2009 at 5:40 PM

in fairness, Knee High knows enough to call itself "speakeasy style".

Posted by josh

on May 11, 2009 at 6:51 PM

argh, for years bars in tacoma have been calling themselves speakeasies, which has frustrated me to no end. c'mon seattle, you are getting your trends from tacoma now?

Posted by yawn on May 11, 2009 at 9:58 PM

It's already enough like Goddamn Prohibition with the Liquor Control Board rules; why the hell do we need more reminders?

Posted by Greg on May 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM

Knee High Stocking Co is a themed bar done in the style of a speakeasy from the 1920s and 30s. Obviously, it is not a speakeasy per se -- we have a liquor license, kitchen permit, fire permit, and no sign board. But we have deviltry and duplicity in our hearts, does this count?

Speaking of which, Knee High Stocking Co is starting our first daily special, Punchbowl Tuesdays! There is a free punch tasting Tuesday, May 12, from 6pm until it is gone, complements of St. Germain. Each Tuesday we'll feature a punchbowl on our specials board, perfect for winding down those mid-week hot summer nights.

Posted by Jack Valko on May 12, 2009 at 11:42 AM

Jack, please keep us updated—everybody likes free punch!—just email chow@thestranger.com.

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on May 13, 2009 at 1:07 PM