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Monday, May 17, 2010

Chow / Drunk The Roanoke Tavern Is Closing

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Mon, May 17, 2010 at 4:28 PM

According to Capitol Hill Seattle, the north Capitol Hill drinkery is closing on or about July 31.

They are looking for a new location, but still: the end of the Chia Pet! The Roanoke is known as the Chia Pet in honor of its exterior coat of ivy. From the inside looking out, each window has an extra frame of encroaching twigs and leaves; the place is dim and friendly and worn, like a tree house with drinks and pinball. The food—sandwiches, burgers, nachos—is surprisingly good. On sunny days, there's ping pong out back. On many days, people watch sports, but they do not get too rabid about it. I love the Roanoke. (Full disclosure: I worked there as a very shy, only semi-competent cook many moons ago.)

The heartbreak!

Thanks and condolences to Brad and Kevin.

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Comments (27) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

Noooooooooo!

Posted by Eli Sanders

on May 17, 2010 at 4:33 PM

Link isn't working - you need to add the letter 'n' to the very end of the hyperlink.

Posted by Matt from Denver on May 17, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Is the ping pong table for sale?!?

Posted by Callie

on May 17, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Well, that fucking sucks! One of the best homey/divey fun bars in the city, and now it's on its way out. Seattle needs MORE places like that (not more pretentious wine bars and hipster faux-dives with dead animals on the walls, which is what we'll end up getting). Sad.

Posted by Hernandez

on May 17, 2010 at 4:51 PM

This is a tragedy.

Posted by Dan Savage on May 17, 2010 at 4:53 PM

No! I adored that place since I was at Prep and couldn't go there!

Posted by Cracker Jack on May 17, 2010 at 5:00 PM

Bummer.

On the plus side, it means the rental market is on an uptick. So the recession is over.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on May 17, 2010 at 5:05 PM

As a kid I always assumed the ivy outside meant super-fancy for the more northern Cap Hill folks, Fed Ave types. Such a nice surprise it wasn't so at all.

Posted by gloomy gus on May 17, 2010 at 5:05 PM

This city will truly die when The Viking closes its doors.

Posted by laterite on May 17, 2010 at 5:08 PM

Fucking Brutal. The Roanoke is one of the best bars in Seattle and their staff rocks the house. Seattle, you are losing a magnificent historic bar. Go enjoy the fuck out of it before it closes!

Posted by callinitlikeitis on May 17, 2010 at 6:54 PM

fuckeddy fuck fuck fuck ...

Posted by reverend dr dj riz on May 17, 2010 at 8:41 PM

I visited the tavern and no one was there...the only clue was that someone had carved CROATAN on the door post!

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on May 17, 2010 at 8:53 PM

this is horrible news. i just moved to the hill a couple months ago and quickly fell in love with the place.

Posted by patthepat on May 17, 2010 at 9:01 PM

This breaks my heart. And I was just getting half-decent at pingpong.

Posted by Kalakalot on May 18, 2010 at 8:06 AM

Terrible, terrible news. @4 hit it right on the head. I'll miss the awesome staff, nachos and Micro Mondays. Sad times when a place that's been around forever like this has to close its doors for good.

Posted by SouthEndMike on May 18, 2010 at 9:09 AM

I'll add my voice to the lamentations. Sadness!

Posted by kid icarus

on May 18, 2010 at 9:55 AM

Fucking sucks

Posted by JakeS on May 18, 2010 at 11:12 AM

$1 tacos and PBRs watching hockey. Laid back bartender. No hipster fucks. Drunks. Buh-bye.

Posted by Cmac on May 18, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Truly sad. All roads led to the Roanoke. Now where will they lead?

Posted by LSSFAP on May 20, 2010 at 10:18 AM

I have been going there since I was 19! Almost 30 years! Save the Roanoke!

Posted by ALP on May 20, 2010 at 10:19 AM

Truly sad. All roads led to the Roanoke. Now where will they lead?

Posted by LSSFAP on May 20, 2010 at 10:34 AM

Aw, thanks for the kind thoughts, you guys! Get involved on Facebook with the official Roanoke Park Place page (for updates) and the "Save the Roanoke Park Place Tavern" page, started by a fan.

Posted by Roanoke on May 20, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Hey Roanoke,
Is there any way to save the Roanoke at it's current location by purchasing the building? Do you know what the new landlord paid for the building?
Thanks.

Posted by Stu on May 21, 2010 at 12:20 PM

All we know currently is the building is under contract but has not yet sold.

Posted by Roanoke on June 7, 2010 at 5:11 PM

I believe the owner is looking for around 600-650,000 for the building. they had an offer of that much, but the people backed out at the last moment.

Posted by courier11sec on July 25, 2010 at 11:14 PM