Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Well, 4210 SW Admiral Way looks like a wreck. Of course, that’s part of the plan.
A freshly painted sign on the building’s façade – just completed by a familiar face in West Seattle, artist Glenn Case – indicates that the Shipwreck Tavern (map) will soon be open. According to owner Chris Long, that day will be Saturday, October 10.
Long is happy to talk about his new venture, which he will run along with his wife, Jennifer Ferrero. Actually, he’s happy to shout about it – a state-of-the-art PA system isn’t complete, but a jukebox on the wall is blaring AC/DC at deafening levels, competing with the din of hammers and saws.
Given the new tavern’s name, it’s no surprise when Long says, “It’s going to be somewhat of a nautical theme,” though he points out, “but not ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’” Inside, the theme isn’t obvious just yet – the long bar is still crowded with construction tools and wires. Aside from the jukebox, walls are bare. The beer taps aren’t even in yet. But oh, they will be soon.
“We’ll have a dozen beers on tap,” Long says. “We’re going to try to go with a lot of Northwest beers, but also going to diverge from what everyone else is doing.”
Despite a background as a chef – Long was the general manager and chef at the Alki Homestead before the January fire closed it down – food won’t be served. The Shipwreck Tavern will operate similarly to Beveridge Place Pub in that menus from nearby restaurants will be available and guests will be welcome to bring food in.
The final selection of beers is still being decided. “That’s tough,” Long says, sounding almost reverent. “I love so much beer. I love Northwest beer. It’s probably the best in the whole country.”
But the biggest draw, he says, will be the music. “We plan to run the gamut of most genres, from rock to jazz,” he says. Opening night, he’s hoping to bring in the Betty Ford Falcons and Colby Imus & the Good Lieutenants – both acts are still to be confirmed.
“Hopefully in the future we’re going to have karaoke and open mic night,” he says.
Of course, the future Shipwreck Tavern almost didn’t exist at all – 4210 SW Admiral is part of a block that was slated for demolition after its last tenant, TNT’s Place, closed. For obvious reasons, Long is happy the demolition never took place. But he’s more pleased to be able to carry on the venue’s musical tradition.
“So many people love this building,” he muses. “It’s amazing the history behind it. It’s been a tavern for so many years. It was called the Happy Hour.”
The Shipwreck’s front door has often been propped open during renovation, and locals have stopped in to chat about the building, Long says. “I’ve had so many 60- and 70-year-olds come by and talk about the musical acts that used to be here. One man told me how he leaned in the doorway – he was about 17 at the time – “watching Astrid Gilberto play.”
West 5 bartender and waitress Jo-Ann Clutcher, herself a local institution, confirms those memories – after all, she worked at the legendary Admiral Benbow Inn for 35 years, right next door. She recalls that musicians “like Brubeck’s band” played the Happy Hour in the early 1950s.
Is Long worried about starting a new business while the economy is still struggling to recover? “Not really,” he says. “I think this community helps itself out a lot.”
His mother Deborah Lee, in town from Orange County to help with painting and construction, can’t help but weigh in on this opinion. “People here are so encouraging!” she agrees. “Everyone is so friendly.” West Seattle’s sense of community spirit, she says, is a far cry from where she lives.
Long is helping people, too – he plans to hire three of his former Alki Homestead coworkers.
The Shipwreck Tavern’s regular hours will likely begin at 3 p.m., with Sundays open a bit earlier for football games. Long is working on making arrangements with local businesses to allow after-hours parking in the lots of nearby banks and in the underground garage at Bartell Drugs.
Mostly, Long is looking forward to the Shipwreck Tavern being home to “live music and lots of friends.” Stay tuned.
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