West Seattle beverage biznotes: Vidiot to ex-Benbow; Junction Starbucks update

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Two notes from the local beverage biz:

JUNCTION STARBUCKS: Just found out from Starbucks tonight that its store on the southeast corner of California/Alaska will be open before the end of the week. It’s been six months since we first reported that Starbucks was on the way to that spot; its West Seattle presence already includes stands inside two Junction grocery stores, and it briefly operated a standalone store at Jefferson Square in 2007-2008. (Thursday 6:47 pm update – A Starbucks spokesperson confirms the new store opens at 7 am Friday [August 14th].)

VIDIOT TO EX-BENBOW: Via Facebook, we learn that Vidiot has moved out of its spot in the ex-Shipwreck Tavern, into the ex-Admiral Benbow bar space next door. Not the Benbow (ex-Heartland Café) restaurant space, the proprietors write – just the bar. It’s not mentioned in their post, but a liquor-license application has turned up for what is apparently the now-former Vidiot space, in the name “Parliament Tavern.” That in turn has a FB page started under the classification “Dive Bar.” Vidiot opened at 4210 SW Admiral Way in early 2014.

JanS August 13, 2015 (12:21 am)

Lovely…a “dive bar” just 1/2 block north of where I live. I can’t wait ! :(

Matt S. August 13, 2015 (7:51 am)

@JanS: Not sure if you’ve been to Vidiot, but it was basically a dive bar with video games. Not a huge difference, in my opinion.

Villagegreen August 13, 2015 (8:56 am)

Lucky you! If only I were that close.

HelperMonkey August 13, 2015 (9:28 am)

oh, please. there’s no such thing as a true dive bar anymore. this will be “faux-dive” just like all the rest of them, because it’s hipsteriffic to call it a “dive”. you want real dive? head to the Locker Room in White Center or head down a block to the Yen Wor.

Matt S. August 13, 2015 (10:24 am)

Fair enough, HelperMonkey, but what about Shorty’s in Belltown? It may skirt the edge, but it’s been there some time and there’s nothing remotely fancy going on there.

Brewmeister August 13, 2015 (11:55 am)

Never really ever understood Vdiot but hey, I’m an adult.

However, a decent dive bar, authentic or faux, would be great if they could just please have some decent local craft brews on tap. Please! Something other than just Manny’s. If they do, I’ll hit them up.

HelperMonkey August 13, 2015 (12:03 pm)

Shorty’s- just by virtue of where it is- is kind of hipster-dive (to me), but I always liked it and felt comfortable there. I never thought it was a “dive” in the truest sense of the word, but it’s obvious that word has different connotations for different people. I personally would rather frequent a dive than a fancy bar – because the people are usually nicer, more genuine than at some fancy establishment. Again, just my $.02. I just think it’s hilarious that people are shocked that there’s a DIVE BAR going in at that location…anyone remember when it was TNT’s? Now THAT was a dive. :) If your feet stick to the floor – dive. If there’s a nicotine outline showing where the cigarette machine used to be – dive. if there’s actually still an old cigarette machine – SUPERDIVE!

thisisagooddeal August 13, 2015 (12:06 pm)

The location of the bar has a much bigger impact on the people who patronize it than the character of the bar itself.

A “dive bar” in Admiral is more likely to attract local residents than anyone people might consider undesirable. It’s not like people flock to West Seattle for the amazing nightlife.

Villagegreen August 13, 2015 (1:46 pm)

‘Dive bar’is simply a category on Yelp. Just means it isn’t upscale. Nothing to do with hipsters.

Yes, TNT’s was a true dive. As is the Locker Room. Actually wish there were at least one in West Seattle proper. The Tug no longer seems to qualify. But I still like it.