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.