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West Seattle businesses: Feedback Lounge announces it’s closing

July 20, 2015 12:02 pm
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

(WSB file photo)
“Say it isn’t so!” wrote one tipster who e-mailed to let us know that the Feedback Lounge in Morgan Junction has just made this announcement online:

FEEDBACK LOUNGE SAYS GOODBYE
LAST DAY: SATURDAY, AUGUST 8th, 2015

What a wild ride we’ve had over the last seven years. There are simply no words to express how \ grateful we are to have been a part of the West Seattle Business Community and to have made countless, wonderful friends and worked with a many of the industry’s best.

But all good things come to an end. The owners are moving on and the Feedback Lounge is closing. New ownership will be remodeling the space with anticipated reopening in the fall. Our last day of business will be Saturday, August 8th with a final blowout show. We’ll announce the line-up soon.

But in the meantime, please drop by to have a drink with us and say goodbye.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page – we have a few surprises coming up.

The Feedback opened in April 2009 and became known for its craft cocktails as well as for its rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia collection and, eventually, live shows including rock and comedy, as well as for its community support of various causes – it’s hosted countless fundraisers. We’re working to find out more about its owners’ plans and the space’s future.

12:22 PM: We just heard back from Feedback co-proprietor Jeff Gilbert (at left in a 2011 WSB photo with co-proprietor Matt Johnson, sporting T-shirts with a slogan they became well-known for). He says they can’t elaborate on the new ownership just yet. As for the reasons for closing, he cites several, including his ongoing work in Portland that he jokes has almost required “dual citizenship,” all adding up to the owners not being able to devote enough time to the enterprise.

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62 Replies to "West Seattle businesses: Feedback Lounge announces it's closing"

  • HelperMonkey July 20, 2015 (12:17 pm)

    without a doubt the saddest news in a long time. FBL was not just a bar – it was a community gathering place, a great place for live music and comedy, great food, great drinks and amazing staff/owners. Feedback will be sorely missed! A big rock and roll-shaped hole in my heart today.

  • Fiwa Jcbbb July 20, 2015 (12:29 pm)

    Nooooooooooo! :(

  • JoB July 20, 2015 (12:31 pm)

    what HelperMonkey said
    the feedback lounge has been a great community partner
    I don’t drink and i will miss them

  • T Rex July 20, 2015 (12:35 pm)

    Tried this place three times since it opened, each time hoping things would be better. Food was just OK with me but I can tolerate that for decent drinks. But bad service is not acceptable.

    Third strike was last year. Hate to see people lose their business but I cannot say I am surprised.

  • lizw80 July 20, 2015 (12:37 pm)

    Nooooo!!!! Best cocktails ever. I’m legitimately super sad right now. I know where I’m going tonight.

  • Jen July 20, 2015 (12:40 pm)

    Feedback has – hands down – the best, most interesting and well-executed cocktail list at the most reasonable prices anywhere in Seattle. Even after the hike in liquor taxes and the increase to minimum wage, not one of their excellent, creative cocktails was more than $10, and most were less than that (not to mention a great happy hour). Good food and nice people, too. SO going to miss Feedback.

  • Amanda Hindes July 20, 2015 (12:46 pm)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VastXQ_hPb0

    I will miss you feedback! Such a wonderful place to bartend for.

  • Chuck and Sally's Van Man July 20, 2015 (12:46 pm)

    As a frequent visitor, I’m saddened but not quite surprised. I think the owner is right in that they were not giving this business the attention it deserved. I found service to be hit-and-miss, and you just can’t have that when people are spending $10+ a pop on craft cocktails. It must be maddening to try to anticipate staffing needs, but when they got busy it was easy to get passed up–even when sitting at the bar.

    Also, in a town that LOVES their sports, the music-first venue didn’t hold up. I remember having a chat with the owner, asking why he didn’t have the Seahawks on–seemed like he was missing out on a big cash draw. Sure enough, a few weeks later he had them on the bar TV and big screen. A smart move to combat the Bridge business, I think.

    I wish Jeff the best of luck in Portland, and I look forward to the new venue!

  • emcat8 July 20, 2015 (12:48 pm)

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I loved everything about this place, the decor, the drinks, the food. The atmosphere. It was actually a place I wanted to hang out and meet up with people. This is kind of soul crushing, especially for an old rock & roll girl like me.

  • The Velvet Bulldog July 20, 2015 (12:54 pm)

    Thanks to Jeff and Matt for all the community contributions! You will be missed!

  • westseattledood July 20, 2015 (1:04 pm)

    Oh, how many fund raisers have been there? Really, such good guys. Sad to see them move on, but wish them the best of course.

    What would they think, I wonder, about printing a Final Edition of those “It’s a West Seattle thing” t-shirts. They are/were classic and special! I’d snatch one up. Yup. It’d be good.

  • Gina July 20, 2015 (1:07 pm)

    This is sad. I really, sincerely hope we don’t see another sports bar go in. Or pizza or burgers. I’d love to eat a healthy meal out without a TV blaring in the backround.

  • M July 20, 2015 (1:19 pm)

    Excited to hear more about what will go in. I’m assuming it’ll basically stay the same (I.e., food, drinks, music, 21+).

    Morgan definitely needs a few additional kid friendly eating options.

    I’d LOVE to see La Isla branch out into West Seattle.

  • Paul S July 20, 2015 (1:31 pm)

    :'( crying salty tears. Best cocktails in WS and really good food. Plus I don’t need another sports bar. =P Hope something interesting makes good use of this amazing space! :'(

  • David July 20, 2015 (1:39 pm)

    Time to put this friendship on hold

  • westcoastdeb July 20, 2015 (1:46 pm)

    Looks like I need to get in there soon with the other half – I really wanted to introduce them to the unique liquor options.

    I refuse to love another West Seattle bar. Both of my favorites (because they hosted fund raisers, had good drinks, etc) now will be gone :(

  • Oakley34 July 20, 2015 (2:47 pm)

    I’ve never been despite having lived very nearby it’s whole life (just not a bar guy)…but I recently resolved to go to their next monthly comedy night. I guess that aint happening anymore. Cheers

  • Thunder Road Guitars July 20, 2015 (2:57 pm)

    Man, what a bummer. The Feedback is a gem in our neighborhood and will truly be missed.

  • Rick July 20, 2015 (3:02 pm)

    Old Digby’s spirit lives on!

  • Kathleen July 20, 2015 (3:14 pm)

    First Alki Bakery, then Zatz bagels, and now this! Waaaaaaaah… I just don’t want to get attached anymore. :(

  • miws July 20, 2015 (3:32 pm)

    Thanks to Jeff, Matt, and Crew for all that you have done for the Community, and good luck to all, in your new adventures!

    .

    Mike

  • pam July 20, 2015 (3:53 pm)

    I talk up this place to EVERYONE. My band (The Castaways, Seattle’s Loudest Ukulele Band) held our CD release party here (Jeff Gilbert wrote our liner notes) and it was standing room only, and about the most fun I’ve ever had. Jeff has been my favorite sweet-as-pie-metal-head-West-Seattleite from the day I first hit him up to play there, the bartenders mix a mean cocktail, and the badass waitstaff have never been anything but charming, even on a crazy busy night. I’m not big into going drinking, but everyone needs a local and since it opened, the Feedback was where I went when I thought, yeah, I could use a drink. I’m really sorry to hear that the place is changing hands — I’ll really miss it. Best of luck, Feedback Crew, we are so grateful for what you’ve brought us. When I fled Cap Hill for West Seattle, the Feedback is one of the things that made this neighborhood feel like home.

    I’m heartbroken.

  • squareeyes July 20, 2015 (4:03 pm)

    Oh man, I love Feedback cocktails and will miss them. And the food never disappointed. I wondered why I stopped seeing Jeff around West Seattle the past year or so. Such a bummer to lose this place.

  • kate endle July 20, 2015 (4:34 pm)

    THIS SUCKS BALLZ!

  • jetcitydude July 20, 2015 (4:39 pm)

    Too bad I live out of the way farther north. I’ve been in only twice.

  • justducky July 20, 2015 (4:43 pm)

    Feedback was one of the main reasons we chose to purchase the house we did. We are in walking distance and looked forward to all the live music we could catch there.
    Saw some amazing shows there in the last few years, hope that the new owners will continue to host live music…

  • West Seattle Hipster July 20, 2015 (4:49 pm)

    Always amazed by the heartfelt outpouring of grief when a liquor establishment or coffee shop closes.

    .

    There are still many other places to get intoxicated in West Seattle.

  • miws July 20, 2015 (6:07 pm)

    Always amazed at the heartfelt snark some feel they must express, toward those expressing their sadness at the loss of a beloved, Community Oriented, Local Business…

    .

    Mike

  • Scot July 20, 2015 (6:40 pm)

    So sad to hear this news. I was just there on Friday night. The best cocktails in West Seattle and we frequently loved the bands they had play. Service for us was always really good and I’d say their sweet-potato fries and desserts were respectively close to perfection. Thanks to Jeff and everyone who has worked there. You will be missed but not forgotten!

  • KM July 20, 2015 (6:47 pm)

    I hope the next occupant keeps the Paul mural!

  • monika July 20, 2015 (6:55 pm)

    I earned my master’s degree in that bar!!!! Kassie would have my usual poured for me before I even sat down!!!! granted, I haven’t been in there in quite a while but I will always have fond memories of the feedback lounge and I will be relocating to fort worth soon but I thought they would be here forever!!!!

  • Ttt July 20, 2015 (8:48 pm)

    Lame!!!

  • NORTHWEST July 20, 2015 (8:53 pm)

    UNFORTUNATE A PLACE SO MANY ENJOYED WILL BE CLOSING GOOD THING WE STILL HAVE PLACES LIKE THE POOGIE TAVERN AND TUG TAVERN WHERE MY GRANDFATHER WOULD THROW BACK A FEW BEERS IN THE 50s 60s AND 70s…. . HEY YOU SMOKERS AT THIS ESTABLISHMENTS AND OTHERS LIKE THEM BARS PLEASE DISPOSE OF YOUR CIGARETTE BUTTS RESPONSIBLY BRING THEM BACK IN THE ESTABLISHMENT IF NEED BE AND THROW THEM IN THE TRASH PLEASE. WEST SEATTLE IS GOING UNDER A POPULATION BOOM AND IT WILL INCREASE AND END UP IN THE SOUND COME THE RAINY SEASON! Thanks

  • NORTHWEST July 20, 2015 (8:55 pm)

    What was the name of the bar here back in the 80’s and 90’s?

  • LAintheJunction July 20, 2015 (9:04 pm)

    Such a bummer. Loved the whiskey and bourbon cocktails. FBL will be missed.

  • Matt S. July 20, 2015 (9:17 pm)

    There’s no reason to shout.

  • Peter A July 20, 2015 (9:30 pm)

    Northwest, the bars I’ve noted previously in this location are the New Deal Tavern, Digby’s Tavern, Kilroy’s Pub, and the Full Moon Saloon.

  • Peter A July 20, 2015 (9:59 pm)

    A sad turn of events for anyone who appreciates creative, well made cocktails in a unique setting.

  • jetcitydude July 20, 2015 (9:59 pm)

    @ NORTHWEST. It was The Full Moon Saloon . The Corner inn was were Zeeks is now. I used to get hammered at The Full Moon.

  • Hp July 20, 2015 (11:46 pm)

    Man! What a bummer. I’d buy one of those shirts too…

  • sam July 21, 2015 (6:59 am)

    Sorry to hear. We also used to like the bridge but when we got bill for $17. For a picture of beer we will be going to the corner pocket

  • Jacob July 21, 2015 (7:41 am)

    I walk this area every day and it seems to me business dropped off quite a bit after The Bridge moved in on the same block. Not blaming them… competition is great for consumers, just can’t say I’m surprised someone on that block got squeezed out.

  • atemybuick July 21, 2015 (7:45 am)

    Sorry to hear they are closing. We visited many times when I lived within walking distance. Best not to drive since we loved their Whiskey Smashes.

  • skeptic July 21, 2015 (8:06 am)

    My experience was like T Rex and Van Man’s…..bad. Both times I went there I was ignored by the people working there. I thought the first time it was just an aberration, but when I went back a second time it happened again. It was not busy when I sat down at a table. No one said “I’ll be with you in a minute” or attempted to make eye contact. I left after waiting for 15 minutes thinking “with poor service like that this place is going to fold”, and here we are. I hope the next owner of that space knows how to wait tables…damn.

  • C July 21, 2015 (9:19 am)

    Hopefully we will still have live music in the new place. It was one of the very few places in W. Sea to see any. With all these new people moving into our neck of the woods…we needed this place badly. To the owners… thanks for letting it fade away =<

  • Hilari July 21, 2015 (10:20 am)

    We loved Feedback, but one of the reasons we loved it was there never was a wait. It was too easy to get a table. The menu was significantly downsized as well, and many of those original dishes were no longer available. Those are telling signs that a place is in trouble.

  • Eric July 21, 2015 (12:05 pm)

    Maybe it was inevitable. We have to let go of the 90’s at some point

  • Cindi B July 21, 2015 (9:23 pm)

    Oh no! Jeff and partners were such community supporters, not just for Morgan Junction (although they were especially nice to us, with our Festival and all), but for many groups and interests in West Seattle! And they were my go-to place for Pisco Sours – so hard to get, and they made the best. I really wish them the best.

  • CarryOn July 22, 2015 (3:49 am)

    I was there just after their opening and LOVED the place! Just a really great place for so many things. Drinks, food, fund raising, drinks, minimal sports, live music, skeeball(year 1). Parties, oh the parties.
    Jacob’s comment about business dropping off after The Bridge opened is incorrect. Letting Bradi go is when we noticed problems. The Bridge brought more people to the block, but Feedback had too much tension with the 2nd manager girl.

    I will have to come in for 1 last drink(s).

    Feedback will be missed

  • Honey July 22, 2015 (6:16 pm)

    I’m not surprised. Both times, my boyfriend and I were incredibly disappointed with their management. It seemed like a great venue with great potential but management was rude, arrogant and petty. The music was lame too. Something you’d find in in eastern Washington perhaps.

  • dale July 22, 2015 (10:19 pm)

    Talked to Jeff tonight. He wanted to reiterate its not a landlord issue. They have a non disclosure re new tenants. All current employees are taken care of with new jobs. ITS A WEST SEATTTLE THING! Mostly its an intern as l mgmt issue. They have been there for 7 years, they have partners with growing families and the responsibilities it brings. I salute Jeff for all theyve done.

  • Train July 22, 2015 (10:20 pm)

    Gosh Sam, $17 for a picture of beer. I can only imagine how much they must charge for an actual pitcher of beer.

  • dogsrbetter July 23, 2015 (11:43 am)

    I have to agree with a couple of the previous commenters that any drop off in business was a direct reflection of the managment. I remember the vibe with the original manager was much lighter and more fun, but the girl who took over after she left was one of the rudest people I have ever encountered. My husband and I used to go to the feedback all the time, but after 2 awful encounters with the new manager girl we vowed we wouldn’t go back until an “under new managment” announcemnnt was made. It is a shame. We loved the place, the neighborhood loved the place, and West Seattle needs the place to stick around. Sad sad sad. The food, cocktails, and bartenders were top notch, if only the managment was kinder to the patrons.

  • Bobontop July 24, 2015 (9:53 am)

    I have been a patron of the Feedback since it opened. It has had many ups and downs but also brought a lot to the community. The Last “management girl” who left back in January did a ton of charity work through the feedback and worked herself into the ground. Seems to me like Jeff said it was an internal management issue. Looks like the new “management boy” took on more than he could handle. Not to mention that as far as I saw in the last few years the owners were never around. I will miss it. Good luck to everybody who was a part of it!

  • dawsonct July 27, 2015 (10:28 am)

    Waitadamnedsecond!! The Bridge has been charging people $17 for a PICTURE of beer!? Talk about a buzz-kill!

  • Matt S. July 27, 2015 (10:41 am)

    Train+dawsonct: +1

  • neighbor July 27, 2015 (5:51 pm)

    Not sure which beer you all are talking about for $17, but I had a pitcher the other night there and on happy hour is was $11. That’s a great deal for me and my buds.

  • CarryOn July 29, 2015 (9:33 am)

    I agree with BobsonTop. The last mgr DID take on a large task (of clearing the negativity and tension brought on by #2) I don’t think he or the owners knew the depth of the damage. The only people who knew were the customers and no one was listening to them.
    I had conveyed in the past that #2 was driving customers and employees away, but the owners wouldn’t listen. I know others spoke about their opinions and experiences…. again owner denial.

    1st rule: Listen to your customers!!!
    2nd rule: High turnover. get to the root of it. There is a reason employees leave! Especially when they come back after the coast was clear.

    I met Evan (#3 mgr) 1 hour after #2 “left” I’m sure her “leaving” was mandatory by the owners. Instantly the establishment felt lighter. But again, the wounds were too deep.

    RIP FeedBack Lounge.
    CarryOn

  • Voiceofreason July 29, 2015 (11:06 am)

    The shelf life for a restaurant is about 10 years.(a good one) it’s a wonder that the Feedback lasted this long in such an opinionated community. And there is never only one reason that a business closes or sales. West seattle has been moaning about the terrible service from the beginning. I was one of them, having received the most terrible service from the employees in the first year. If you need a reminder there is always YELP.
    By all accounts the buisness was still thriving. The owners chose to sell. The reasoning is in the original post. Good luck to them and all of the staff.
    @CarryOn. Where you ever an employee there? One of the owners?
    All of this mean spirited, uninformed opinions I find disheartening. And reminds me that west seattle is no longer the wonderful, supportive community I once knew.
    R.I.P West Seattle

  • Bnice July 29, 2015 (1:16 pm)

    Everyone knows that the first manager got fired. And for good raeson. I was an employee at the time. I agree with voiceofreason. SHAME ON YOU WEST SEATTLE…Shame on you…

  • Jeff Nebeker July 30, 2015 (9:52 am)

    Okay mom/dad – shame on you too. Easy to sit on this blog to judge and criticize while hiding behind an alias. Cluck, cluck. Mgr #1, mgr #2, mgr #3 – it doesn’t matter now.

Sorry, comment time is over.