West Seattle businesses: West 5 announces 8th-birthday celebration

(2007 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
A West Seattle Junction icon is turning 8 in a few weeks, and inviting you to the party. Just got an official announcement on behalf of West 5 – read on after the jump for the party date, and a look back at how West 5 made history:

On February 8th 2003, the West 5 lounge opened its doors at 4539 California Ave SW in the West Seattle Junction. Eight years later, the “glowing crown” has become an icon of the neighborhood, renowned for serving delicious meals and creative libations enjoyed by residents of West Seattle and beyond.

West 5 is located in the very heart of West Seattle, and residing in the hearts of the proprietors of West 5 is a genuine respect for the heritage and history of the West Seattle community. Owners Dean Overton and Dave Montoure are both born-and-bred West Seattle natives; their heritage and passion for the community is reflected in the unique iconic West Seattle artifacts and décor that they both ardently collect and display throughout West 5.

Reflecting on the anniversary is co-owner Dave Montoure:“This is a milestone I could not have imagined nine years ago when Dean and I quit our corporate day jobs to become restaurateurs. With so many changes in the Junction, it feels good to be known as the place that offers the quintessential West Seattle experience to residents and visitors to the area.”

In addition to being the venue for marriage proposals and visits from rock legends, since its opening in 2003 West 5 has established itself as the first non smoking cocktail lounge in Seattle, proving that a successful smoke-free cocktail lounge was possible well ahead of the subsequent Washington state legislation that banned smoking in such establishments.

To celebrate their 8th Anniversary, West 5 will be holding an all-day party on Tuesday, February 8th. West 5 will be offering their award-winning Happy Hour all day and night long (11:00 to midnight), and will be offering a few giveaways and unveiling a bit of history from the establishment’s previous use.

“Things get tough during a down economy and unfortunately we’ve seen some places come and go,” said co-owner Dean Overton. “We feel fortunate to keep chugging along, offering wholesome food and excellent cocktails.

West 5 is so deeply rooted after 8 years, co-proprietor Montoure is now the chair of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce board, and has led the West Seattle Junction Association board as well.

35 Replies to "West Seattle businesses: West 5 announces 8th-birthday celebration"

  • WS Food lover January 24, 2011 (11:04 am)

    Always delicious and lots of fun. Absolutey the best Mai Tai’s EVER!!!

  • Deb Breuler January 24, 2011 (11:24 am)

    Congratulations. Job well done. I love the Tuna sandwich.

  • West5fanClub January 24, 2011 (11:38 am)

    Best halibut sandwich in town! Congratulations on 8 incredibly tasty years! Chocolate mousse definitely worth traveling for and, YES, the best Mai Tai in town! And best sloppy joe you have ever tasted!

    Thank you sooo much for your wonderful service and smiles! Absolutely love the staff!! You guys and gals Rock! You bring joy to my palate and soul!

    Happy joy!

  • Beth Kostecki January 24, 2011 (11:39 am)

    West 5 mac ‘n’ cheese – YUM!

  • RJB January 24, 2011 (11:52 am)

    Congrats! Love the West 5….! Happy Birthday.

  • Kate K January 24, 2011 (11:58 am)

    Congratulations on 8 wonderful years. I too love the Mai Tais :-)

  • junction boy January 24, 2011 (12:06 pm)

    It is one of my favorite places in WS but a menu makeover is a must.

  • Josh January 24, 2011 (12:25 pm)

    Congrats to Dave, Dean and all West 5’ers! Bottoms up!

  • Bob Loblaw January 24, 2011 (12:28 pm)

    Me and Brother Jack will drink to that! Most likely a Mai Tai. Congrats!

  • MISSION'S OWNERS & STAFF January 24, 2011 (12:31 pm)

    Congratulations to everyone at West 5. Our favorite place for delicious food, great coctails, and awesome staff!

  • Ed January 24, 2011 (12:38 pm)

    Congrats West 5! My wife and I are frequent customers for many years and always feel at home when come in. The halibut sandwich is my fave. That tater salad isn’t bad either! You’ve also got a great bar. Keep up the good work West 5!

  • sage January 24, 2011 (12:46 pm)

    We are so proud of you David and Dean! Thank you for all you do for West Seattle. Happy Birthday! xxx000

  • OP January 24, 2011 (1:07 pm)

    Bravo! Definitely one of our great west side watering holes! I always thought that West 5’s opening marked the beginning of W. Seattle’s hip, but not overly commercialized vitalization.

  • LeeT January 24, 2011 (1:13 pm)

    Man, am I the only one who’s amazed that it’s only been 8 years? Every time they have an anniversary I think, “They’ve been around longer than that, haven’t they?”

  • biankat January 24, 2011 (2:27 pm)

    The best BLT in the biz. Congrats!

  • Jenny Ward January 24, 2011 (3:28 pm)

    favorite comfort food=meatloaf sandwich!!!
    love West 5! Congratulations!

  • Lori January 24, 2011 (4:39 pm)

    Congrats to Dean, Dave & staff on 8 years of fabulous mac ‘n cheese and other yummy delights. Who would have guessed back at Hope & West Seattle that you two would one day be such successful restauranteurs? Way to go! I just might have to celebrate by trying the halibut sandwich others are raving about. Oh, but it’s so hard not to order the mac ‘n cheese…

  • campbell January 24, 2011 (5:16 pm)

    West 5 is hip enough for us to stop by for cocktails on our way to the space needle for new year’s eve fireworks, yet down-to-earth enough to bring my parents-in-law for a quiet soup and sandwich lunch. That balance is the heart of West Seattle right there. Well done gentlemen. My wife and I will stop by for the party!

  • Happy in WS January 24, 2011 (5:42 pm)

    Congrats and Thank you for being a place I can bring my kids into where we all get treated with great service every time. We have enjoyed breakfast, lunch and dinner love everything on the menu and the cobbler to finish it off with.

  • Patti Mullen January 24, 2011 (5:51 pm)

    Congrats Dave, Dean and the team for opening up a great place for our community – and keeping it open during tough times. A really sound accomplishment and worthy of a HUGE high five! Thanks for all you do to support our community as well – an honor to know you both. Patti Sue

  • Tom Shea January 24, 2011 (6:30 pm)

    Congrats on the anniversary! I will try to make it in the 8th. I just wanted to say that you guys run a great establishment. From the first time I laid eyed on West 5, I’ve loved the place. I’ve always found it to have great atmosphere and friendly service — hip but welcoming and attitude-free (BTW, I’ve always appreciated the smoke-free policy). When I moved to West Seattle, the West 5 became my favorite hang out. Although I no longer live in WS, I try to stop in West 5 whenever I am back in the hood. Long live the West 5!

  • Genessee neighbor January 24, 2011 (7:05 pm)

    Congrats West 5! One of our favorite places in the junction for Mac & Cheese, Mai Tai’s and overall good food. Never been disappointed.

  • Wild Bill January 24, 2011 (8:01 pm)

    Congratulations! We are loving your weekend breakfast!

  • Tina F January 24, 2011 (9:34 pm)

    I love West 5’s mac & cheese, meatloaf and hummus plate! Congratulations on your 8th anniversary!!!

  • Lura Ercolano January 24, 2011 (10:02 pm)

    I love West 5. I always feel perfectly at home, the service is always fast and pleasant, they have a great Pinot Noir by the glass, the cheese quesadillas are simple but perfect. In fact a lot of what they offer is like that – simple, well presented, reliably perfect.

  • Teri Ensley January 25, 2011 (8:42 am)

    Congratulations Dean, Dave and the rest of the West 5 Family. Fab food, drinks and atmosphere, plus you are very generous supporters of our West Seattle Community! Cheers, Teri

  • Lucky chick January 25, 2011 (9:26 am)

    Best drinks in West Seattle! Not my fave food type, but that’s okay, I’ll continue to go for the atmosphere, decor, and creative, yummy cocktails. I always take visitors there.

  • sun*e January 25, 2011 (9:36 am)

    West 5’s mac & cheese is all I ever order… it’s the best and just too good to order anything else. Oh, and they make a great martini too! :)

  • Keith January 25, 2011 (10:28 am)

    Another way that I appreciate West 5’s unique, trailblazing ways: no annoying TVs. Seems like a little thing, but I think it helps to make it such an integral community hub and not just another place to get a drink or grub. Those Mai Tais help, too!

  • Metal Jesus January 25, 2011 (11:05 am)

    Their halibut sandwich is to die for! Such a great place to eat.

  • charlabob January 25, 2011 (11:06 am)

    Love west five — they even make mac and cheese extra crusty for me. (All crust would be fine.) Happy Birthday from the charlabobs.

  • WS Food lover January 25, 2011 (11:20 am)

    Holy Cow, you must ask them to make the Mac N Cheese with Tuna! Sounds odd, but it’s out of this world yummy!!

  • Jessie SK January 25, 2011 (2:39 pm)

    Happy birthday West 5 and congrats Dean and Dave! The halibut is also my favorite…

  • Jan L.P. January 25, 2011 (8:49 pm)

    Time sure flies! Love the West 5 – Keep up the good work Dean and Dave! I need to celebrate my upcoming 50th Birthday with a piece of your Coconut Cake. It’s the best I’ve EVER had…
    Cheers!

  • Manny January 26, 2011 (7:35 am)

    I love West5 best spot ever, . I LOVE MY Mai Tai’s specially before bowling, and a awesome service from TONI,,, TONI you are the best and the rest of the staff is AWESOME.

    Happy Birthday and I am looking forward for more birthdays to come YAYYYYYYY.

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