Bamboo Bar, post-shooting: Community meeting; authorities’ scrutiny

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB; above, Bamboo bar manager Erika Pirzadeh, speaking)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tonight’s community meeting at Bamboo Bar and Grill was preceded by a completely different kind of meeting – one called by authorities and agencies because of what happened outside Bamboo early Sunday.

The Alki Beach establishment’s future depends on how it respond to both meetings.

The community meeting brought about 20 people, including several Bamboo managers and staffers, to the back of the restaurant/bar. Hours earlier, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had filed two assault charges against the man arrested following the Sunday fight that turned into a shooting (here’s our report).

During tonight’s meeting, Bamboo management insisted that while the establishment’s “new” owners (who weren’t present) have actually owned it for almost a year and a half, they have been making changes since a new general manager – longtime West Seattleite and hospitality-industry veteran John Theofelis (below center) – took over a month and a half ago, and will do more.

“We’ve been making changes, but nobody knows if they are too scared to come in here,” Theofelis told WSB before the meeting.

During the meeting, more than one attendee said security presence would make a difference, as Bamboo acknowledged they did not have a security guard on hand Saturday night because they felt that, without live entertainment that night, it wasn’t needed.

They also acknowledged that both groups involved in the clash – which, court documents revealed today, left one victim with a bullet lodged close to his heart – had been inside Bamboo earlier. Employees say the groups had been “cut off” but had not shown signs of trouble or conflict in time for them to make any sort of proactive call to police.

First: What the authorities are doing. While the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct had two representatives at tonight’s meeting – Operations Lt. Pierre Davis and Community Police Team Officer Ken Mazzuca – the major news came from the City Attorney Office’s precinct liaison, assistant city attorney (and West Seattleite) Melissa Chin.

Late in the meeting, she rose to discuss the Code Compliance Team meeting held at Bamboo earlier in the day, explaining that participants included police and fire representatives as well as the city’s Director of Nightlife and the state Liquor Control Board.

“We discussed some ways (Bamboo) could improve their safety and their relationship with the community,” she said. “I also firmly warned them of repercussions with their liquor license and business license if this activity continues. We’re working with new management on trying to improve the environment. … We’d like to work with them as much as they can.”

Chin called for the earlier meeting, she told us tonight, because of the Sunday incident. While the LCB will pursue its own investigation, she said Bamboo could face civil liability under the city’s Chronic Nuisance Property ordinance.

Describing the meeting with authorities earlier during tonight’s community discussion, Bamboo bar manager Erika Pirzadeh mentioned that the LCB would “have a training program for (Bamboo) staff” beyond the state certification she says they all already have obtained. “Some laws are changing, so we (will all be) more fresh.”

She also said they had spoken with the liquor board today about “not serving doubles after a certain time of night” as a matter of policy, and other potential policies such as “slow(ing guests) down” after a certain number of rounds.

GM Theofelis had also explained that the multi-agency meeting earlier would result in Bamboo submitting to the city a business plan and a “certified security plan.” Security was a major topic of discussion woven throughout the community meeting.

The Bamboo managers also reiterated, repeatedly, that their music no longer included hip-hop. (Before the speakers were turned down for the meeting, we heard ’60s classics, by the Supremes and the Mamas and Papas.)

And they stressed their community ties; Theofelis said he’s been an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church for decades – “I say that because I want you to know, I am your neighbor, not your enemy.” He added that he has two sons working at Bamboo, and “I would not do anything to put them in jeopardy. I want you to know we are not promoting or endorsing any kind of violence. I lost a daughter to a drive-by in 2001 – I don’t know anyone who would detest violence more than me.”

Pirzadeh said she had “worked here on and off for the past five years” while going to school for a business degree and grew up “at 59th and Hanford, up the hill. … We really want to be a part of the community, we want to get the West Seattle commnity in here. … It’s so easy to get a bad reputation; it’s so hard to re-establish yourself.”

Theofelis contended that the former hip-hop programming “was encouraging outside neighborhoods to come in – some were a negative influence … The music we’re doing now is soft, late ’70s early ’80s type of music and it’s geared toward an older crowd, older than what we were bringing in in the past.”

“With the new music,” Pirzadeh continued, “we had tried not to have a security officer present at the door … being a restaurant with a security officer at the door … gives a negative image. We were hoping that we would attract a different crowd. … It is a work in progress.”

“We have a security consultant in place, and are in the process of securing that to a fulltime position,” Theofelis added. In the meantime, though, the managers said they were only committing to security on nights with live music. That was challenged by one man in attendance, who said, “If I were in your position, I’d have (a fulltime on-site security guard) for at least the next two or three weeks.”

“Every day?” asked Theofelis.

“Every day,” the man replied. “I don’t know your cash flow … but if you have to go out of business [because of trouble], that’s not good for your cash flow either.”

The managers later said Bamboo has 31 security cameras. They also said things have been slow since the music change; the man who advised full-time security said, “You say things have been fine, no problems … if you say you have been monitoring and this [shooting] still happened, that scares me more.”

Questions from attendees included how staffers know when someone’s been overserved – Pirzadeh’s reply included watching patrons, while she noted that “everyone shows intoxication differently … we’re not going to catch them all.”

Asked about their closing time, she said, “We close early sometimes” and at one point mentioned 12:30 am.

Attendees wondered about the owners; Theofelis said they own two local Amante Pizza franchises, including the one on Capitol Hill. (Online records show the same name on the West Seattle Amante.) He said they no longer live here “but they are very much a part of and ingrained in the community; they are not just trying to take the West Seattle money and leave.” Asked if they have other local bar experience, Theofelis said the Capitol Hill Amante has a full bar, and has not had trouble that he is aware of.

Then came the question: “What actually happened on Saturday – did it start inside and spill outside? Was it just out front?” (The police narrative in court documents from the charges filed today does not go into that much depth.)

A Bamboo employee who said she was bartending on Saturday night said two groups who had been cut off went outside, and that’s where it happened. But they were outside for a while, she said, “with no sign of a fight,” and no suggestion there might be trouble.

Then a man identifying himself as a neighbor and saying he saw what happened went on to say he doesn’t believe it’s “just a problem with the Bamboo – the people causing problems aren’t from here.” (Shooting suspect Michael Helmer is described in police/court documents as a Kent resident.) “I think the community needs to step up,” he continued. “These individuals I witnessed the other night, they were out to hurt somebody. They were probably out looking for trouble. There’s a guy already down, and they were kicking him in the head. The community needs to start calling these things in. … I don’t want to see this where I live.”

Lt. Davis, shortly afterward, added a voice of agreement to that, with a familiar contention that too often, police hear anecdotally about crimes that were never formally reported. “If you see something, say something.” That would help with a commitment of resources, he said, in response to some attendees who said they would like to see police walking the beach more often. “If (reports of lower-level trouble) go into our data system, we can look at it … we know as managers, sergeants, whatever, where to place our resources, how much of the resources.”

How many officers are on duty in West Seattle at any given time? he was then asked. He cautioned that it can vary – but on the “average watch” (shift), maybe 15 to 20.

In response to another question, Lt. Davis confirmed that the Bamboo is considered a drinking establishment – and “you’re not supposed to have a gun” in one.

But, said Theofelis, “There’s no way we would know – we don’t search people.”

So, he then was asked, “what’s going to be different this weekend? What changes do you guys plan on making? Am I going to see the same thing?”

Theofelis promised security and again mentioned the “softer acoustic” music.

What else is going to change? someone asked.

Pirzadeh said the drink menu would change – since some had commented that the drinks were “too strong,” a new menu “in the fall” will have “drinks not quite as strong … to show we’re listening.”

Shortly thereafter, another employee noted that three nearby Alki bars serve until 11 pm, “then there’s here … sometimes (people) just want to find a bar to drink at. We just happen to be the bar they choose. We can’t control what they do.” He brought up the 2009 deadly shooting outside Talarico’s in The Junction (the Steven Bushaw murder, which led to four convictions, with a victim who was specifically targeted in a pre-planned killing).

You can’t make a comparison – aside from facts of the case – said one Alki resident: “Talarico’s isn’t in the middle of a residential district” like Bamboo is, with homes and apartments immediately next door.

It was also pointed out that the presence of “restaurants that turn into bars at night” was a big issue in Alki years ago.

Whatever the case, said Theofelis, “We can’t change the way the world is and the fact people carry guns, some legal, some not. All we can do is promise you that we want to be part of the community. We are your neighbors. We want to be your neighbors.”

Concerned residents were hoping that could be the case: “I want to feel comfortable, that I can walk down here, and not feel the tension,” one woman said.

The residents aren’t the only ones who will be watching; assistant city attorney Chin said that Bamboo already had been on her radar and will be watched closely – the chronic-nuisance ordinance can kick in with three serious incidents in ninety days, or seven over the course of a year.

After the meeting concluded, the conversations continued – inside Bamboo, as well as outside in the early evening sunshine, with patrons dining on the patio and in the front of the house, and managers saying they hope those who say they haven’t been in for years will come in to give them a chance.

56 Replies to "Bamboo Bar, post-shooting: Community meeting; authorities' scrutiny"

  • JanS August 22, 2012 (11:11 pm)

    Thanks for this extensive report, TR. Hopefully, something good will come out of this meeting.

  • Amrakx August 22, 2012 (11:22 pm)

    I would question the sincerity and true grit commitment to change and dedication to improvement, based on the Owner’s absence. I can only hope they continue to be under the magnifying glass of the liquor control board, the City Attorney’s Office, and the Seattle police SW precinct. Finally, is having “security guards posted” at an entrance to a beach community’s restaurant/bar really something we want in our neighborhood, where we picnic, bicycle, jog, share the beach with family and friends and visiting guests?

  • alki star August 22, 2012 (11:35 pm)

    The owner’s absence speaks volumes. We need bombard the owner with civil suits and get Bamboo off of Alki. We must utilize every legal method at our disposal to remove this scourge from our community.

  • dsa August 23, 2012 (12:27 am)

    “…three nearby Alki bars serve until 11 pm…”
    .
    Are there other bars on Alki open as late as Bamboo? It seems all their problems happen way late, so if they closed earlier…they could remain in business.

  • WMF August 23, 2012 (12:49 am)

    Been to the bamboo once. Couple of guys tried to start something with a friend of mine. More friends arrived, and they left. This was a few years ago. Doesn’t sound like much has changed.

  • cascadianone August 23, 2012 (12:58 am)

    The place pours heavy drinks and has cheap food. They have traditionally been highly tolerant of rude/thuggish customers… That said, I blame the violence on the perpetrators of the violence, not on the owners/operators/employees of Bamboo… Personal responsibility, people. Just like a woman wearing a short skirt isn’t “asking for it”, a divey frat bar isn’t “asking” for violence. Thugs (and rapists) need to be held personally accountable, their actions made socially unacceptable (even, *gasp* UNCOOL), their presence driven out by frequent 911 calls and complaints from OTHER CUSTOMERS as well as the Bamboo staff. You don’t drive a business under because of a few bad seeds, you support them and get your community through the bad times by hanging together. Maybe since the shooting happened out on the street where EVERYONE is at risk, the Alki business owners and home owners need to get some private security patrols. You don’t think downtown Bellevue would be as safe without Kemper Freeman-paid Corporate Security, do you???

  • Erika August 23, 2012 (1:07 am)

    I just want to thank everyone for attending the meeting today. I know how busy our lives can get, and it means a lot that you all (bloggers included) are taking time to get involved. Thank you, to those supporting the Bamboo, and I hope we can regain the trust of the people we have let down in the past. We have some ideas on how to become nicer neighbors, such as those mentioned in the blog, and others we can begin doing immediately. Starting tonight we are turning off our outside speakers at 10pm, and keeping our back door closed to prevent noise and loitering. We will practice better enforcement of the 25ft away from the door smoking rule, and we will do a better job to keep the front of the restaurant clear of cigarette litter.
    These are small steps, but we will continue to make adjustments as we move forward.

    • WSB August 23, 2012 (4:42 am)

      Erika – Thanks for your note. Just a clarification, though, if by “bloggers” you meant us, we’re not “get(ting) involved,” we’re covering this as an ongoing news story.
      .
      For what it’s worth, I can attest to the lack of outdoor music as of 11 pm – I didn’t leave Alki till I had published the story – sat in Tully’s till they closed at 9 and then moved to Starbucks, which is open till 11; had to walk past Bamboo right at 11 to get to my car parked a block inland on 63rd. No music and nobody outside. Then again, it was a bit chilly by then. – TR

  • Annie Huffman August 23, 2012 (2:16 am)

    Does anyone else remember the incident at the end of March? Didn’t it also start in the Bamboo as well?

  • Alki Resident August 23, 2012 (2:54 am)

    This place has been a problem for years. We went in once and left shortly after. Definitely not a place anyone I know would want to frequent.
    Of course the owner did not attend, cuz he does not care.
    This place needs to be shut down, before someone is killed.

  • Seattlite August 23, 2012 (3:03 am)

    Alki Star you are right… Bamboo and any other establishments on Alki that attract the criminal element have no place in the Alki residential area. Alki should be developed with family oriented establishments period. Close Bamboo and any other establishment that brings high a risk of criminal activity to the Alki community. Who will be shot next…

  • D.C. August 23, 2012 (5:24 am)

    By bloggers, I think she was referring to the commenters who weren’t at the meeting.

  • Mightymoh August 23, 2012 (6:19 am)

    By all means, blame the style of music you play for security problems. As we all know, only people from “outside neighborhoods” like to listen to hip-hop.

  • NW Momma August 23, 2012 (6:38 am)

    Speaking for experience as a server in belltown years ago- reputation sticks around. No one in kent (or anywhere outside west Seattle) is following this story. They’ll be back next summer- expecting Over service, music and fellow thugs. I recommend bamboo shut down, rebrand, and put together a great restaurant.

  • Kyle August 23, 2012 (6:38 am)

    I think most of the activity happens in the warmer months. I live on Alki and notice “thugs” cruising down the street and either looking for trouble or “honeys”. As a previous poster stated, most are not from around this area. As talking to a bartender at Bamboo the other night, she says most of the ID’s are from out of state. Cactus could be making more money by staying open later. Why don’t they? I think out of respect of the neighborhood and know it would bring in trouble by riff raff drinking double margaritas and shots of tequila. Once 11pm or midnight hits, its is just a different crowd that comes out. I think that the only solution to this would be having the liquor board make them stop serving after 11. Bamboo is open later to try to take in extra revenue but it is not worth losing their entire license. I also feel sorry for the residence around this place. Having to hear people outside talking to each other late at night while having a cigarette.

  • Jack Loblaw August 23, 2012 (6:38 am)

    We used to go to Bamboo a lot from 2003 to 2009. We quit going to Bamboo after I found a couple of roaches in my Nachos. There was always something that felt odd about the relationship between the bartenders and the customers sitting directly at the bar. I could never quite figure it out. We never went there at night as Alki is not safe for a family after dark in the summer time. My suggestion directly to the new owners is to replace the current bar tenders and limit customers to two drinks. With the drinks that Bamboo pours you do not need more than two to get a good buzz. I also suggest that they close at 10pm – nothing good happens after 10pm at night. Just my two cents as a former regular customer.

  • Craig August 23, 2012 (6:38 am)

    Guns are the problem, not Bamboo.

  • Rob August 23, 2012 (7:08 am)

    When it’s nice out, the beach is packed with gang looking types. I demand the beach be closed on nice days! I can’t even walk around out there without being scared and offended by language and fear. It’s out of hand and we need bombard the beach with civil suits and get shut down. We must utilize every legal method at our disposal to remove this scourge from our community.

  • Dave August 23, 2012 (7:27 am)

    Close the bars after 9pm or 10pm. I like a ‘drink’ with dinner sometimes (beer or wine), but Alki is the entirely WRONG spot for late night hard drinking (spirits). Sure Capital Hill, downtown, U District and other places have late night bars, but they also have a lot of police around to handle the (inevitable) problems. Alki is a quiet residential strip once the sun goes down, few folks around the fire pits, walking, etc, but it’s not a late night “drinking” spot. It shouldn’t be.

  • jiggers August 23, 2012 (7:35 am)

    Shut them down, shut them down shut them all down, Who needs bars only losers!

  • Jiggers August 23, 2012 (7:57 am)

    Telling owners how to run a bar and how to make a profit is like telling a lion when it can or can’t eat. You people are funny…

  • jeff platt August 23, 2012 (7:58 am)

    u guys are all crazy!
    something happend and you want them to close haha
    try walking around white center
    u guys all have it easy down there
    a bar closing at 10pm is laughable
    how do u expect a bar to stay in biz? oh by cutting there profits by 20%
    TO BAMBOO OWNERS: STAY OPEN AND GET $
    THESE PEOPLE DONT GET THE POINT TO HAVING A BAR
    ALL THESE COMPLAINTS SHOULD GO TO POLICE AND OR A CAREBEAR!!
    YOUR FELLOW BAR OWNER

  • LA August 23, 2012 (8:04 am)

    I love NW Mom’s idea above about shutting down, re-branding, and putting together a great restaurant. Start expecting a bit more class from customers. People treat you how you let them treat you. Same goes for a business.

  • SKB August 23, 2012 (8:05 am)

    I can NOT believe that the “new” ownership didn’t even bother to show for this meeting. The managers can have all the best intentions, but they need the support of those who are responsible for paying for the commitments made.

  • Jiggers August 23, 2012 (8:12 am)

    Where is Pheonix Jones when you need him?

  • NorDel August 23, 2012 (8:18 am)

    Been to Bamboo a couple times in the past year….

    Roaches.
    Filthy.
    Over service.
    Hip hop from the 80’s and 90’s.
    (California Dreaming…NO. California Love…YES!)

    I laughed when I read that they no longer play hip hop music! Total riff raff there, I kept watching the door and other patrons.
    The only reason we ended up there was because Cristos was closing and the people I was DD for wanted a place where they wouldn’t run into anyone from West Seattle!

    BUT- I get it. It’s a bar, and it will attract and breed drunks and bad news. Why are the other bars in West Seattle not this bad? Is it location? Summer sun? Reputation? Owners who could care less about a community meeting?

  • Ben August 23, 2012 (8:44 am)

    thank you, tracy, for your extensive coverage!

  • cr August 23, 2012 (8:57 am)

    I’ve stopped by Bamboo for a night cap after eating at other local alki restaurants. Never had a problem.

  • NotMe August 23, 2012 (9:13 am)

    Do any of you writing, “shut Bamboo down” really think you are DOING anything? You want results? Get out there at night, armed with signs, a camera or two and a cell phone pegged at 911 and make sure to let people going in the place know tou are watching. Pritest the owners to do something sincere. It wont be long before they start playing “hip hop” to get the money flowing in again.

    Oh, and…. Way to go, Craig. Yep. The gun did it.

  • jsv888 August 23, 2012 (9:15 am)

    Sounds like Erika should be the owner. She seems to have the right attitude and ideas.

  • Anne August 23, 2012 (9:27 am)

    Limit customers to two drinks & close at 10-really?I patronized BG several times..for lunch a few years ago & dinner once or twice. All was fine-great upbeat atmosphere, food was good, prices reasonable.In the last few years things have changed-it seems darker, edgeier somehow & not really family friendly-especially in the evenings.Now I totally agree with those saying the blame lies on the shooter-absolutely
    but there is also something to be said about a business being aware of the vibe of their place-& how it affects the surrounding neighborhood. Wether it’s serving stronger than regular drinks, playing certain kinds of music, or tolerating questionable behavior by patrons-all these things can be factors over time. If it takes adding security every night for a while,changing choice of music, paying more attention to behavior & scaling back on drink strength-then try those things.Glad to hear from Erika that they are taking steps already-it seems like BG wants to be a good neighbor..now it remains to be seen if their efforts will continue.

  • EB August 23, 2012 (9:31 am)

    Thank you cascadianone and Mightymoh. Well said.

    ALL of the Alki restaurants & bars should come together to discuss these issues in order to reach some common agreements and solutions. That would go a lot farther to creating a safer culture for everyone in the area.

  • Kyle August 23, 2012 (9:31 am)

    We are not at all telling Bamboo on how to run their business. We are telling them how to save their business. It is hard to make a profit without a business license or a liquor license…

  • Alki Mom August 23, 2012 (9:37 am)

    I agree with having them close earlier. I applaud Erica and GM John-they are making great efforts…And why was the owner missing??????
    They should take a page from Cactus’ book. responsible serving of alcohol and reasonable hours in view of the neighborhood setting.

  • WSratsinacage August 23, 2012 (9:46 am)

    Good one Jiggers (Phoenix Jones). LOL

  • BG August 23, 2012 (10:14 am)

    I attended the meeting at Bamboo last evening and believe that Mr. Theofelis and his staff truly want to make Bamboo a more respected and frequented establishment by West Seattle locals. He mentioned several times that if people don’t come in, how will they know the changes we have made. Indeed, he is right. But what are the changes, and are they really the ones that matter.

    I would suggest that if the new owner, who was conspicuous by his absence, (maybe if someone had actually been killed he would have felt the necessity to be at the meeting) really wanted change, he should have changed the name, decor and menu. Erica, in her blog, stated that they were making “small steps”. Well small steps don’t fix major problems. I feel the present management, however well intentioned they may be, are not able to see the real problems.

    They didn’t have security in place Saturday night, because they decided not to have live music.
    I’m not convinced that it is only the live music that is the problem, but they were. So how was the fellow leaving Kent, coming to Bamboo supposed to know that there was no live music that night. And by the way, since there was no live music how come there was a problem?

    Mr. Theofilis and his staff want the West Seattle community to support his establishment and wonder what to do. Perhaps instead of having “brain storming” meetings and telling us all how much you want to be a part of the community, you could clean the restrooms, as well as the rest of restaurant, including the sidewalk, and spend more time on quality control. And while you are at it, you might ponder why it is that most restaurants close earlier the 2:00am.
    Just a thought!

  • BG August 23, 2012 (10:23 am)

    I want to make it clear that although my signature is BG, it has nothing to do with Bamboo Garden. I just read Anne’s comments, and felt there might be some confusion.

  • Takesresponsibilty August 23, 2012 (11:17 am)

    While it may be Bamboo’s business to serve alcohol, it is on the patrons shoulders that they take responsibility for their actions, including; drinking too much and getting into fights. When I first heard this story, I was saddened that anyone needs to worry about firearms in a bar/restaurant – anywhere! Unfortunately, our times have changed. At the same time, my secondary reaction was more like; well, if you aren’t drunk at a bar at 1am, you likely wouldn’t have altercations with other patrons. Nothing good happens after 11pm at a bar. I sure hope the guys who were attacked are going to be ok.

    • WSB August 23, 2012 (11:34 am)

      Takesresponsibility, if you missed our report (linked in this one) yesterday about the filing of charges – court documents say the shooting victim has a bullet lodged near his heart that cannot be removed without endangering his life. Not sure about the other victim, though he was not said to have life-threatening injuries.

  • 2 Much Whine August 23, 2012 (11:20 am)

    Where is Bamboo Garden? Sounds interesting – I’d like to try it.

  • Guy Olson August 23, 2012 (11:49 am)

    I don’t want any business’s shut down, and I like a variety of different bars. However it just seems this place attracts a lot of wild customers. With that being said I love hip-hop, but I don’t go out and act like a thug. It’s not a racial thing, it’s an overserved dumb-ass thing. They need a rebranding and a real security guard. I’ve said before that I’ve seen a dress code enforcement work great too. Also, refuse service to anyone who looks like trouble. A good bouncer can tell who these types are right away. In fact, hire two bouncers on busy nights. Or just keep expecting the same thing over and over while counting your short lived cash.

  • Krystal August 23, 2012 (12:02 pm)

    Support small business, except when their vibe doesn’t fit your ideal world. Then try shut them down because they are AWFUL!

    The problem is overpopulation and a crappy justice system, not Long Island Iced Teas.

  • RedHairQueen August 23, 2012 (12:05 pm)

    New owners?!? Isn’t it the same ownership group that also runs Pegasus? They have been ran by the same people for years now and the place only gets worse. Their employees constantly hang out in the back waiting for random cars to pull up (draw your own conclusions), and I just saw signs all over Alki last week stating that they do not pay their employees. Some things need to change real quick or they need to be shut down.

    • WSB August 23, 2012 (12:07 pm)

      No, it is not the same ownership as Pegasus. Was at one point, though. As reported in our story, the current owner/s purchased it almost a year and a half ago.

  • Krystal August 23, 2012 (12:07 pm)

    “Alki should be developed with family oriented establishments period.”

    Pretty unfair to assume everyone wants family-oriented establishments at Alki. There are plenty of people who do not have children. There are some nice planned communities that cater to families and children in the suburbs. If you want to raise your family in the city, it isn’t going to be all puppies and rainbows and hugs. General safety, great. Family-oriented, no.

  • alkikmac August 23, 2012 (12:12 pm)

    “And by the way, since there was no live music how come there was a problem?”

    Because the people involved in the incident were drinking in other establishments before going to the Bamboo. I suggested to Erica that they speak with other establishments on Alki to create a call list, so that if one business cuts-off someone or a group, they contact the other businesses on Alki and give them a heads up. This creates a COOPERATIVE, PROACTIVE effort for everyone to WORK TOGETHER to reduce over imbibing.

  • Guy Olson August 23, 2012 (12:21 pm)

    I don’t want to see it turn into another Dicks Chowder House. One thing I can say they are doing right, is that the plants inside the restaurant are doing great. Even without any sunlight.

  • Huindekmi August 23, 2012 (12:50 pm)

    They should give Dalton a call. I hear he’s the best “cooler” in the business!

  • Ace20604 August 23, 2012 (12:59 pm)

    The police report seems to indicate very little or no activity happen in side the Bamboo Grill. Shooter had one intent to hurt of kill the victim. From stomping the victim in the head to shooting a person trying to stop the fight. Priors like Attempted Vehicular Assault, Carrying a Concealed Weapon Without a Permit hopeful this third felony will result in a meaningful sentence.

  • Alki Resident August 23, 2012 (1:46 pm)

    Alki Resident- I AM the original Alki Resident and have had this name for quite some time. Maybe you can change it to #2 or something else but a lot of people know who i am and I’d appreciate a name change so the community doesn’t get mixed up on what is said on thhis blog please. Thanks.

  • CR August 23, 2012 (7:24 pm)

    If the Bamboo truly wants to be a good neighbor and be successful they need voluntarily close, rebrand including a name change, and then reopen with a format that caters to W Seattle. It is a great location with lots of potential. Continuing to try to reinvent themselves as is will result in being forced to close. They need to reopen with a format that does not require additional security and regular police presence.

    I have now crossed Amante off the list after learning they are affiliated.

    As mentioned in an earlier post I stopped going years ago after the place went downhill. W Seattle residents no longer felt welcome.
    If they close and rebrand I’ll be there on opening night. If not, I am out indefinitely.

  • Amrakx August 24, 2012 (6:17 am)

    Bottom line is that actions speak louder than words. If their commitment to change is nothing more than rhetoric, then I repeat, it’s time for the circus to leave town.

  • wescatle August 24, 2012 (3:34 pm)

    Will the “real” Alki Resident…..please stand up……

  • KD August 25, 2012 (12:04 pm)

    To Jeff Platt: You sound SCARY!! Pray tell, where is your bar/establishment? It sounds like your recommendation and motive is to make $$, (obviously fine), but at the expense of people and hoods when said bar is pushing the limit and folks and hoods be damned. Wow, nasty attitude. Anyone know what Jeff Platt’s bar is? WSB? I’d be curious to know if similar troubles have played out there.. of course for profit. Don’t get me wrong. You and your employees have to make a decent wage, but read your post guy… it sounds awful! Can I come hang out?

    • WSB August 25, 2012 (12:12 pm)

      KD, I have never heard the name before, and nothing comes up on Google, but keep in mind, we do not require registration, so there’s no guarantee that’s the commenter’s real name. (And if there is evidence that someone is impersonating someone else, let us know, since that’s grounds for deletion at the very least.)

Sorry, comment time is over.