(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
Most business-fixture auctions are anti-climactic … days or weeks after the shutdown, with the business space a near-empty echo of its past. But Alki Tavern, ending its 38-year run this Sunday, decided not to do it that way. Tavern owner Gill McLynne (above) decided to auction off the memorabilia last night – in a raucous atmosphere among friends, with the tavern still open and rocking. WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams was there. No surprise, it drew a crowd:
Adam Price served as auctioneer:
Any winning bid was cause for celebration – here’s Marshall Thomas to celebrate:
Ahead, some of what was bid on – no, not all beer signs!
Patrons were raising numbers as well as glasses:
Steven Bartel removed his Marilyn Monroe tin sign from the wall after winning it:
The Tavern has long held a Janis Joplin image too:
It drew Sandy Murray‘s attention:
Some of the memorabilia was personal – Tom Herron, below left, and Jack Van Campen read a note on the wall of Alki Tavern saying that she met her husband in the bar. (Herron also met his spouse at Alki Tavern.)
Here’s that note:
But the notes of the night on Wednesday were the handwritten bidding cards:
Many beer signs, of course. Some with brands you’d recognize anywhere – Meagan Smith held up a sign with the Clydesdales:
Then, there was Alki Ale, brewed just for Alki Tavern:
Moose Drool Brown Ale, touted by the sign that Rick Whittier took down:
Fat Tire:
The neon signs were tested as the auction proceeded:
They lent a glow to the memory-filled room.
One by one, the items went, mirrors included:
Here’s Meagan again, this time with Coors Light memorabilia:
And the call for bids continued:
In the end, it’s only rock ‘n’ roll:
So, a toast from the auctioneer:
And now it’s on to the final four nights. Tonight, one last Taco Thursday – tomorrow, the Last Call Ball, with Tim Turner Band, Randy Hansen, Child, “and other special guests” – as promised by the tavern’s poster – starting at 8 pm. Right now, no live music’s planned during the weekend, as the Alki Tavern’s time at 1321 Harbor Avenue comes semi-quietly to a close.
P.S. No specific development proposal on the books for the site yet – we’ve checked the city files again.
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