West Seattle restaurants: Redline WS status check

We’ve been trying for a week to verify the status of Redline WS at 35th and Avalon – closed temporarily? closed permanently? or? Still no luck, so we’re just going on the record with what we know, as we’ve been getting questions about it multiple times a day. The restaurant/sports bar hasn’t opened for at least a week. We tried e-mailing – the address bounced. Tried calling; either no answer, or a “number not working” message. Tried finding someone there – going by at least once a day for the past week – it’s been locked and dark, and as of Wednesday evening, as a couple readers pointed out, some of the furnishings were gone, including chairs/barstools. No notes on the doors/windows (except for one that had been up a few days, “Closed for Private Party,” with no such party in sight). Redline WS opened in November of last year, with dozens of screens and a bit of inspiration from the years-gone Redline Music and Sports across 35th, whose proprietor Scott Goerig was a consultant for Redline WS owner Mike Bauer. Two months ago, friends organized a fundraiser for Bauer, revealing he was dealing with an health crisis that was getting in the way of his full vision for Redline WS. But that was the last we’d heard from them, and so far we have no way to confirm whether this closure is temporary or permanent.

22 Replies to "West Seattle restaurants: Redline WS status check"

  • annaeileen August 14, 2014 (11:04 am)

    I walk by there several times a week and noticed it was dark for the past week (usually around 11 AM or 5 PM). On 8/12 there were people inside and a truck outside and it looked to me like they were moving stuff out so that could be where some of the barstools went. My friends went there and didn’t like the food nor the blaring, competing TVs. I miss the Rocksport and old Bridge but this place didn’t fill the void for me as I did not like the fishbowl look of it. Still sad it is probably closed.

  • Chuck and Sally's Van Man August 14, 2014 (11:34 am)

    It’s my fault. I love FB and I love beer. But I also love parking and I just never made the effort to go there. I suspect that being dependent on walk-up business had as much to do with its probable end as as anything. Heck, I’d even drive down to the somewhat sketchy Marco Polo on 4th ave as it was ultimately easier to get to (and yeah, it’s an ideal Coug bar ;). Still, hopeful it will stay a sports bar if they can figure out the battling TV issue.

    • WSB August 14, 2014 (11:42 am)

      It had some garage parking at the surface off 35th, as noted in at least one of our stories; that’s where we have parked (briefly) a couple times while checking on its status at least once daily over the past week before finally publishing this … TR

  • Knowitall August 14, 2014 (11:52 am)

    They are closed, permanently. I have heard it from employees and was at a local restaurant Monday morning when stools were being delivered to them from The Redline.

  • ML August 14, 2014 (12:15 pm)

    I wondered what was up! I drove by during the pre-season hawks game last week, the lights were out and there were a few folks clad in Seahawks gear with confused looks on their faces. Drove by again a few days later and saw people sitting around inside, which then confused me!It was an awkward site for a bar, but always feel for folks when a business doesn’t pan out.

  • Michelle August 14, 2014 (12:27 pm)

    The Redline WS “friend” facebook page (not their business facebook page) had a friend post about a gas issue which cancelled their Karaoke night, as well as a post underneath it mentioning a “hiatus for the summer”. Would hate to hear that it’s closed for good. :(

    https://www.facebook.com/redline.ws.39

  • coffee August 14, 2014 (1:07 pm)

    I did see 1 person “cleaning” behind the bar about 12 today. It clearly looked like they were putting things away. I would say it looks closed to me. How about a diner? That would be perfect!

  • kg August 14, 2014 (1:13 pm)

    I just drove by this morning and noticed that there were no bar stools inside. I don’t think that area has the foot traffic to support it as of yet even with the bus stops so close.
    I too miss the Rocksport and can’t believe someone hasn’t tried to replicate their success.
    What restaurant did the barstools get delivered to?

  • Diane August 14, 2014 (2:26 pm)

    yes, 24hr diner please

  • BB August 14, 2014 (2:34 pm)

    Confirmed that it’s closed, a former bartender that I know who worked there said doors are closed permanently. The owner is unfortunately under too much debt due to health problems, etc.

  • Huindekmi August 14, 2014 (2:44 pm)

    The place didn’t seem destined to survive at that location.

    The location was too nondescript. Even when you’re sitting at the traffic light at the intersection, it was hard to notice that there was a sports bar there without a closer look. There was nothing to catch your eye or draw you in. What’s over there? I don’t know. Rental office? Barber shop? Oh, it’s a bar.

    Even once you’ve noticed it, there was no reason to come back. Limited parking. Inconvenient access. No other reason to go to the area – the other businesses in the area are all drive-and-goes (Taco Time, KFC, Starbucks Drive Thru, 7-11). Nothing that would generate foot traffic except the bus line that drops people off on the other side of the street.

    With nothing to entice people to make a special trip there and nothing that draws in the limited foot traffic, the place was doomed.

  • 12thfanatic August 14, 2014 (2:57 pm)

    Sad to see another business in west Seattle close. Went there on a couple of occasions but was never really impressed about what they presented. I know there was supposed to be another sports bar opening called the Westy, but haven’t heard about an opening date yet. I drive by it on 35th and see the sign. I guess its the Bridge for now then.

  • sittingbird August 14, 2014 (7:27 pm)

    Was empty everytime I drove by.

  • been there August 14, 2014 (7:48 pm)

    I went a few times when it first opened but was scared away by the high prices and lack of quality in the food. The ambiance was also not my thing. I must not have been alone in my decision to look elsewhere for a sports bar. I wish the best to the people who worked there. They seemed like good folks.

  • sw August 14, 2014 (7:55 pm)

    I also miss the Rocksport. Dare I suggest it would be a nice fit in the old Godfather’s/Guppy’s/Ovio/Whatever else it was/Terrible Beauty space?

  • Mel August 15, 2014 (7:29 pm)

    Sad that yet another place on the Avalon corridor couldn’t make it. I’ve got to say though, from the moment I saw the “coming soon” signs with their generic stock photos, I didn’t have high hopes. (The opening of West Seattle Brewing probably didn’t help either.)
    .
    I think there’s an obvious type of restaurant that would work both there and in the Space Where Restaurants Fail (California and Edmunds) – but I’m not gonna say (although if you’d like to invest… :) ).
    .
    I too would like to see a 24-hour spot in WS.

  • Gallito August 16, 2014 (10:43 am)

    Hi WSB

    12thfanatic mentioned the Westy. Have you heard anything new about it?

  • BlogFan August 18, 2014 (8:34 am)

    Downtown access via the buses makes it a perfect location for a Starbucks, with diner options also perhaps. Just a thought….

  • rcl August 18, 2014 (10:42 am)

    Maybe Red Star Pizza should move in, I think they were looking for a new home?

  • Juan August 18, 2014 (11:41 am)

    The place was a joke. Don’t call yourself a sportsbar and only have basic cable. They could only show three games because they were too cheap to get more cable boxes. You have to DirecTV to be a “sportsbar.” I wouldn’t even start with the terrible menu. I went there once and knew it would fail.

  • RCS August 20, 2014 (9:31 am)

    ^^^ “Shade will be thrown…”

    It was a sports bar with bar food. I thought their sliders were pretty darn good. What were you expecting? A Salty’s or Canlis menu?

  • robwestseattle September 1, 2014 (6:06 pm)

    Juan is right: Sports bar with basic cable is a joke. Kept hoping they’d wise up. The sports packages & DirectTV are expensive, but a cost of business when running a sports bar. How did they think they could get away with showing the same games you can watch at home?

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