FOLLOWUP: West Seattle couple’s plan for Larry’s Tavern

(Photo courtesy Joel Stedman)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One day after we reported that Larry’s Tavern was in the works for 3405 California SW, we know more about what its proprietors are planning.

We spoke today by phone with Joel Stedman, who along with wife Margo Beaver bought the building after West City Sardine Kitchen‘s owners put it up for sale.

Joel says he and Margo live in West Seattle – she grew up here – and have long wanted an establishment here. They also own the Magnolia Village Pub, Targy’s Tavern (Queen Anne), the Duvall Tavern, and Pint Defiance in Ruston, which he describes as a “Beer Junction-type place.”

He says the plan for Larry’s Tavern – named for his dad (“we always wanted to do an homage to him”) – is to be “comfortable and casual.”

It will be 21+ only, and beverages will be the focus, though they’ll offer some food; they’re still working on the plan for that, “discussing with our chefs” from their other venues. Joel says their other venues are known for a “very good beer program,” so Larry’s Tavern is likely to be the same.

He expects it’ll be “a place you could go watch a game,” or play one – Larry’s will have pool tables, and likely some game machines too, perhaps pinball, perhaps Pac-Man. Hours are likely going to be 4 pm-2 am, 7 days a week.

But first, a “light renovation” to the building – “paint, floors, decor, bar top,” and of course signage. With the city still in the throes of a permit backlog, it’s hard to say how long it’ll take them to get ready to open. They’re hoping by mid-September. In the meantime, they will be working “diligently” with the excitement of being able to serve their West Seattle neighbors: “We’re really pumped.”

29 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle couple's plan for Larry's Tavern"

  • Quora July 22, 2019 (9:50 pm)

    Sweet!

  • Trophy July 22, 2019 (10:34 pm)

    So excited for this!!!

  • Seatowjesse July 23, 2019 (5:51 am)

    I hope it’s gluten-free, dog/kid friendly and open at 7am. My toddler and 9 month old are early risers. Haha.I’ve been to a few of their other establishments. Great places. Looking forward to grabbing a pint, shooting pool and a relaxing Dad break. 

    • RCS July 23, 2019 (5:56 pm)

      The middle of the article indicates that it will be 21+ only. And it has tavern in the name, so my instinct would say it’s not for kids. 

      • Luke July 23, 2019 (8:17 pm)

        My instinct would be that you don’t pick up on sarcasm very well. 

  • Marnie July 23, 2019 (8:06 am)

    Joel and Margo are awesome, and their other establishments are great, this will make a wonderful addition to West Seattle 

  • KLJ July 23, 2019 (8:20 am)

    Great news. Larry’s sounds like the kind of place we need around here.  In West Seattle, it better be a very good beer program; we like very good beer. “A place you could go to watch a game.” Too rare in W. Seattle.  I’m familiar with some of the other beer joints they own. Quality establishments. 

  • Melody July 23, 2019 (8:32 am)

    Congrats Margo and Joel!

  • Thunder Road July 23, 2019 (8:43 am)

    Welcome to WS Joel and Margo. Can’t wait to check out Larry’s Tavern. 

  • Mike j July 23, 2019 (8:53 am)

    Awesome news- been to most of these places and love them.  Larry’s will be a mainstay in WS

  • dfd July 23, 2019 (10:29 am)

    I’ll take anything that doesn’t allow kids!

  • twicksea July 23, 2019 (11:30 am)

    We were fans of West City Kitchen and were sorry to see it go.  But I am really happy that a local couple with bar & restaurant experience are taking the helm!  Looking forward to checking out Larry’s. (And sidebar: Pint Defiance is a genius name for a Tacoma bar–bravo!)

  • Foodie July 23, 2019 (11:33 am)

    Was really hoping for a place with amazing food to go back in there, as I already miss West City Kitchen or Blackboard Bistro for that matter. West Seattle is really lacking on a wide range of options for amazing/gourmet food like other neighborhoods. Oh well, definitely won’t be making the trip to up there from the Morgan junction for bar food, but I wish Joel and his wife well. 

  • West Seattle Hipster July 23, 2019 (11:47 am)

    This is encouraging news, I have been to their other establishments and I hope Larry’s is similar.  With Outwest closing I will be looking for a new bar that isn’t pretentious and serves regular good old fashioned beer.

  • Derek July 23, 2019 (12:23 pm)

    I’m pretty excited! Let’s hope they have good bar food like they have at Magnolia Village Pub! 

  • WSider July 23, 2019 (1:39 pm)

    No kids allowed, beer-focused, and little emphasis on food. Sounds a lot like Prost. Perhaps the folks should look at the history of kid-free places in WS (the place on Alki, Talarico’s, etc), and reconsider. Few have succeeded without a great food draw (hat tip to Mark Fuller’s New Luck Toy and Supreme Pizza.) Good thing there are so many other options in West Seattle because this former West Side Kitchen fan is giving this one a hard pass. 

    • ABabyInABar July 24, 2019 (12:34 am)

      Why would anyone take a child to a bar?  I am definitely not looking to be “entertained” by the entitled little darlings of West Coast helicopter parents when I’m out having a pint or two.  If people actually made their kids behave in adult places I’d have a different attitude, but that’s not something you see in West Seattle.

    • KM July 24, 2019 (8:57 am)

      There are a lot of successful bars in Seattle that don’t have food or allow kids. It’s nice to have options to see friends who have kids outside of the house (h/t Beer Star), but if I don’t want wild children spilling on me, I’ll generally go to Beveridge Place or Beer Junction. It’s almost like it’s okay to have both!

    • newnative July 24, 2019 (9:22 am)

      Prost! is absolutely kid-friendly. Talarico’s is also kid-friendly. There are 21+ places that seem to do just fine, Shadowland, Matador, Beer Junction. Don’t see the big deal. 

    • Pollo July 24, 2019 (9:23 am)

      “Perhaps the folks should look at the history of kid-free places in WS (the place on Alki, Talarico’s, etc), and reconsider. Few have succeeded without a great food draw”Huh? First off, tali’s has allowed kids for ten plus years.Second, I think Beveridge Place Pub, Vidiot, Parliament Tavern, The Poggie, the Tug, etc are all doing just fine not allowing kids and having limited or no food options.

  • RC July 23, 2019 (4:13 pm)

    Exciting. Hazy IPA’s please!!!!!!!

    • GM July 23, 2019 (6:24 pm)

      RC speaks the truth! 

    • Um, No! July 24, 2019 (8:30 am)

      Please, no!   This is the West Coast.    We don’t need more New England Style IPAs.   No more big hazy/cloudy juice bombs.   I like crisp, clean hop bombs like the West Coast and specifically the PNW are known for.    

  • Manderley July 23, 2019 (4:22 pm)

    LOL, DFD.   I’ll take anything that doesn’t allow dogs!

  • Pizza People July 23, 2019 (4:40 pm)

    Would love to make Pizza for them :) – Is there any contact info yet for Larry’s? Thanks!

    • WSB July 23, 2019 (5:07 pm)

      We’ve named all the other establishments the couple owns and linked the ones that have websites, so I’m sure you can try through any of those.

  • sam-c July 24, 2019 (7:15 am)

    Sounds like it will be a great spot!  Can’t wait to try it

  • JMJ July 25, 2019 (10:56 am)

    I’ve been to a few of their bars before and they always do a great job renovating and ensuring the offering meets their clientele. I think Larry’s will be no different! Excited to try this one too!

  • Joel & Margo July 29, 2019 (4:40 pm)

    Thank you for the wonderful follow-up. We are thrilled to be part of the West Seattle community. We look forward to opening our doors soon.  Cheers, Joel & Margo aka Larry’s Tavern

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