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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Chow / Drunk Dept. of Rumors: The Five Point

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 3:42 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Despite rumors circulating to the contrary, the Five Point is not closed—yet uncertainties linger about the fate of one of the best dive bars in the world. The Five Point's motto, as spelled in neon in the window, is "WE CHEAT TOURISTS-N-DRUNKS SINCE 1929."

Two unrelated Slog tippers reported yesterday they'd heard the bar was going to shut down today. One of them went there yesterday afternoon to ascertain whether it was indeed closing; he writes via email, "I got confirmation that there are indeed new owners, but they (employees) had had only been told they may not be reporting to work today. Last I heard from an employee is that they are having a meeting today with the official word."

Another rumor has it that a local club promoter may be the new owner.

I went to the Five Point last night to see what the hell's going on. One worker, when asked if they're closing, said they weren't. When pressed, he said, "Just keep coming over the next few days," then allowed that they might be closing for a couple weeks for remodeling. When asked, "REMODELING?! The FIVE POINT?!" he said, "Nothing major, just the floors and stuff," and again, "Keep coming over the next few days."

A gentleman at the bar said he heard there was a fight going on among the owners, which could not be confirmed.

Asked what was going on, another worker said only, "Oh man, so much bullshit."

A woman who was conferring with various barkeeps behind the bar and having hushed conversations out on the sidewalk confirmed she was an owner; she identified herself as Vicky. She said, "The Five Point is open and it's going to stay open. Keep coming."

Asked if she knew how the rumors had gotten started, she said, "No idea. You live in the same world I do." (Do I? Because in the world I live in, that doesn't make any sense as an answer to that question.)

No new or updated liquor license application is on file. At the moment (and last night), the telephone at the Five Point just rings and rings; the good people of neighboring Tilikum Place Cafe say right now, the Five Point is open.

Don't go changing, Five Point, and PLEASE DON'T CLOSE! WE LOVE YOU!

Comments (16) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

please, for the love of god. can we just keep one? why is Seattle always so hell bent on erasing it's own history?

Posted by Kelly O on September 23, 2009 at 3:56 PM

I'm going down there right now and chaining myself to the payphone.

Posted by DOUG.

on September 23, 2009 at 4:04 PM

See what damage Tim Eyman's initiative is already doing. The End Is Near!

Posted by Sargon Bighorn on September 23, 2009 at 4:07 PM

Thanks for doing the research & reporting Bethany!

Posted by Timrrr on September 23, 2009 at 4:19 PM

I love Tilikum Place Cafe so hard. I would eat there every day if I could afford it.

5 Point closing permanently would be very sad, but they have received some pretty damning Health Department citations, so I am in favor of a temporary close if it means a cleaner kitchen.

Posted by Aislinn on September 23, 2009 at 4:23 PM

Meh, short of a massive e coli outbreak, there's probably nothing in that kitchen that could actually KILL anyone - and besides, a little "foreign matter" in your hashbrowns is probably good for the immune system anyway.

Still, good to hear the rumors are untrue...

Posted by COMTE

on September 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Sweet mother, please please please don't close 5 Point - that place has the best dive bar food I've ever tasted, is a stomping ground for some of the most entertaining characters in Seattle, and is an all-around good time, no matter what time it is. Best mashed potatoes ever.

Posted by DCNative on September 23, 2009 at 4:28 PM

INSERT MEATLOAF REFERENCE HERE

Posted by Baconcat on September 23, 2009 at 4:30 PM

I love the Five Point so much, whenever the Fisherman's Platter is on the special board I squeal like a little schoolgirl.

Looks like the wife and I will be going there tomorrow night for dinner to show our support for the best greasy spoon in the city.

Posted by Nic in Greenlake on September 23, 2009 at 5:48 PM

When did the laundromat close?

Posted by w7ngman

on September 23, 2009 at 6:38 PM

What happened to their motto: Alcoholics serving alcoholics since....?

Posted by Bauhaus I on September 23, 2009 at 7:18 PM

Yeah - dive bars - pure Seattle "history". Right.

Posted by Mike in Greenwood on September 23, 2009 at 11:07 PM

Where will I perpetuate my drunk from the night before. Plus I once got lucky with one of the waitresses. You just can't buy memories like that.

Posted by steakhaus on September 24, 2009 at 7:56 AM

...plus it has the only men's room I know of that features a periscope with a view of the Space Needle... that alone makes the 5. Jesus-salvageable.

Posted by Rhett Oracle on September 24, 2009 at 10:11 AM

don't get carried away with the remodeling!!! Dives should be divey! If you need to remodel, do the kitchen and bathrooms!

Posted by michael strangeways

on September 24, 2009 at 10:34 AM

really! the point closing.... what about the mecca? please tell me it's still open. i moved away, from seattle, hell, i no longer live in the state, but im always telling people, who visit, to go to the point and mecca, along with a few other divers, in lower queen. i really cant wait til i get back there, feel like im missing all the greatness, that i loved about seattle.

Posted by westward6 on October 22, 2009 at 10:41 AM