Home › Forums › Open Discussion › Rant: West Seattle Bartenders
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November 16, 2008 at 7:13 pm #588735
JiggersMemberHow do I go about this? I don’t know about you guys, but when I go out and stay in West Seattle to entertain friends for a few rounds of mix drinks like I did on Saturday night, I expect a better drink to be made for the outrageuos prices for a few ounces of alcohol. I don’t care how much money you have, but going out and getting sloshed isn’t cheap anymore. I can easily spend with tip up to $40 on myself without ordering any food. Do I ever feel satisfied after I pay my bill? no. I go out quite frequently in my hood here in WS and have noticed lately that bartending skills have diminished at most establishments. I was in the mood for an Old Fashion to kick start me and it tasted like (four letter word here). I paid $6 (plus a dollar tip)for a few ounces of a watered down drink. I won’t name the business because it won’t do any justice, but I am sure that I am not the only one who feels that they are getting jipped by watered down and crappy made beverages. Maybe I haven’t been scoping out other areas of Seattle to find my quest for a drink that can be made properly for a decent price. I don’t even drink Old Fashions but know how a good one should taste. It should be a cinch for a bartender to make those. I do know one or maybe two good bartenders in WS, but the rest of them stink.
November 16, 2008 at 8:19 pm #647478
TraciMemberJiggers, I feel your pain. This can be applied to ANY district on Seattle in my opinion… Going out isn’t cheap, and getting “stiffed” on overpriced drinks sucks!
Before I moved to WS I went to a very popular bar that’s known for good drinks. I don’t know if I can name it…? Anyway the bartender was rude, the drinks were weak (a seven dollar rum and coke with no booze!?), and I haven’t been back. Usually I’m not one to blacklist an establishment from one bad experience, but it was really, really horrible!
That same night we went down to the Corner Pocket and had a blast. Good service, good drinks, good dive-bar feel. And I’m still goin’ back. Also Circa has some delicious drinks on tap. And cheers to Elliot Bay and BPP… I’m making myself hungry!!
Sorry West Seattle bars, but Jiggers makes a good point. I more often than not find myself over in Ballard. Margaritas and salsa bar at La Carta De Oaxaca, sweet potato fries and Hamm’s at King’s… Doesn’t get much better.
November 16, 2008 at 9:59 pm #647479
JenVMemberHmm…I had 3 martinis at the Maha last night and got plenty drunk! It all depends on where you go. It also depends on how good a tipper you are- if you tipped sh***y last time, you’d better believe your drink will not be strong next time you come in. You have to be a nice person, too. If a bartender serves you a terrible drink, it might be a way to let you know not to come in next time. of course, there are just some crappy bars out there with terrible bartenders – and there’s nothing you can do about it but go somewhere else.
You could have a few drinks at home before you go out- that might help with the drunk/less money ratio. Just be sure to walk, cab or bus both ways!
November 16, 2008 at 10:43 pm #647480
JiggersMemberJen..I do have a few nice premium bottles at home that I entertain myself with before I go out so I am not flat sober when I hit a bar. It’s cheaper to do it that way anyways. I’m thinking about carrying a flask of Jack Daniels from now on in my pocket when I go out to help me get my buzz on. You can’t drink it in any bars, but I’ll cruise outside like the smokers do and walk a bit and down a shot then come back in for my beer. It has got to that point because prices for shots has become ridiculous. Plus, the bars are raping your wallet so I don’t feel guilty one bit. I also try to hit more happy hours, but saving a quarter or so isn’t worth the effort. Maybe I should stay home more often. Its not like I’m going to miss anything anyways.
November 16, 2008 at 11:17 pm #647481
GinaParticipantI have heard rumors that Yen Wor Village serves a good, stiff drink.
November 17, 2008 at 8:08 am #647482
KeithMemberI had a nice Old Fashioned at Shadowlands the other night. I still hate the huge TVs there, but they make great drinks and the excellent service (and also the food) has won me over.
As for Yen Wor, I was there last/Saturday night and the stiff drinks were in full effect, for better or worse. There was a downright scary group of a few hardcore drunks literally staggering out when we arrived around 10. After that it became less scary, mainly because more people showed up and the scary-to-normal ratio increased in a positive way. You know the drinks are strong when they’re dancing to the worst karaoke singers ever, myself included.
In any case, I believe that a good bartender makes you a good drink no matter who you are. And a ‘good drink’ is not necessarily the strongest drink or overkill on the booze.
November 17, 2008 at 9:10 am #647483
wingmeMemberOh yeah, a flask of JD to-go is a favorite ploy of mine. Marv’s makes decent drinks and lately the pull tabs have quite generously subsidized my cocktail budget. Also, I hear Tugs now has a liquor license and will start pouring the good stuff anytime now.
November 17, 2008 at 3:54 pm #647484
TrickParticipantPricing on drinks should depend on the choice of spirits you choose.
If you choose Woodford Reserve for your Old Fashion, you expect to pay a bit more, 6’ish + dollars for it.
Some better bars choose to have a better “Well” selection, while some choose the bottom of the barrel spirits.
The cheap spirits like Potters vodka shouldn’t cost you more than $4 a drink, and the less quality booze always makes your drink seem stronger because it’s poo.
The art of bartending (knowledge) is harder to find in WS, but a handful of bars downtown strive in that better quality of cocktail.
Don’t forget that bars that are required to buy liqour from the state is some of the highest in the country.
I like me some Old Fashions, one of my favorite drinks Jiggers!
November 18, 2008 at 12:56 am #647485
vincentMember“drinks” are generally a waste in most of west Seattle. Its embarrassing that most bars you visit will call a cocktail. West 5 does a good job and Shadowland is at least trying, but everywhere else you don’t so much ask a bartender to do anything more than fetch you ingredients “rum and coke” etc
If your after a equitable exchange of cash for booze and a decent time, stick to Georgetown.
November 18, 2008 at 1:28 am #647486
beachdrivegirlParticipantMy favorite bar tender story is from a bar up in Sandpoint Idaho… i through a real tricky drink out there by asking for a Cadillac margarita. I ended up with a margarita splashed with cream it was the grossest thing I had ever tasted.
November 18, 2008 at 2:42 am #647487
CaitParticipantYen Wor will practically get alcohol poisoning status on you in two drinks. STIFF!!!
I kinda agree about the bars in this town, but I can always count on the Celtic Swell for whatever I want to drink. I love love LOVE that place. Great service, great drinks and great atmosphere.
November 18, 2008 at 7:10 pm #647488
villagegreenMemberCait – are there any specific nights of the week that are best at Celtic Swell? I’ve only been there a couple of times, but the place just didn’t feel like a true Irish bar should IMO. Kinda felt sterile and slightly meatheadish.
Frat dudes and Irish bars are nearly impossible to keep apart these days, but at least the place should feel authentic. IMO it’s next to impossible to find a good Irish bar in Seattle. I think the Owl and Thistle in Pioneer Square comes closest, but is by no means perfect.
November 18, 2008 at 8:36 pm #647489
datamuseParticipantVillagegreen, a friend of mine from Dublin was here on business a couple of years ago and during that time took a tour of as many Seattle Irish pubs as he could.
I don’t know that he found any of them especially authentic, but he does say that the St. Andrews Bar & Grill on Aurora Ave does the best Guinness pour he’s ever had, bars back home included.
I haven’t verified this for myself…YET! :D
November 19, 2008 at 12:30 am #647490
theeParticipantWith a view of pulling this rather dismal thread from the depths of actually discussing Celtic Swell, I feel compelled to note that W. Seattle has some rather top notch “beer tenders”.
thee
November 19, 2008 at 1:11 am #647491
JiggersMemberI’m not a beer drinker. I get full fast on beer. I like Martini’s mostly. It’s almost impossible to find a bartender in WS that knows how to make a good Martini filled to the rim.
November 19, 2008 at 1:28 am #647492
JenVMemberBoth Ama Ama and the Maha make the best martinis in town.
November 19, 2008 at 9:52 am #647493
wingmeMemberI thought mine were…but i love new martini-destinations. thanks for the referrals.
November 19, 2008 at 6:54 pm #647494
vincentMemberif by town you mean west seattle. then I give that a firm, maybe.
November 19, 2008 at 7:24 pm #647495
JenVMemberconsidering I rarely, if ever, leave West Seattle- yes, that is what I mean. And I stand behind it. Bogie is the best bartender in Seattle- and that includes areas over the bridge.
I only just tried Ama Ama for a martini for the first time, and they impressed me – and I am a martini snob.
There is no need to leave West Seattle. Over the bridge means add on $2.00 to each drink.
November 20, 2008 at 12:12 am #647496
vincentMemberJenV: your horribly misguided on this opinion, I could mention a list of bars that are cheaper and better quality than those you have listed. but I wish to diminish my watering holes even less than I desire to be off topic.
Consider getting out more, or in the very least new out of neighborhood experiences.
November 20, 2008 at 12:21 am #647497
JenVMembervincent, I am just fine with staying in walking distance, thanks so much. the bars I go to are filled with people I like- or at least tolerate- and I have a feeling if I went to the bars you go to that wouldn’t be the case. I am quite happy with my experiences, and don’t really need to “get out more”. I have “been out more” plenty of times, found nothing I couldn’t find over here- and so I stay. I don’t like jerks or pretentious snobs, so why would I go a bar filled with them?
oh, and it’s “you’re” horribly misguided….and how can one be misguided on one’s own opinion?
I do go to Georgetown…but I figure that nearly qualifies as West Seattle.
November 20, 2008 at 12:59 am #647498
JiggersMemberJen.. I do know of Bogie and he has already been Knighted in the Seattle Weekly as “Best Bartender” in West Seattle recently. There is no doubt that you better bring your extra liver if you drink while he pours. It will take some time for everyone to warm up to the new remodeling of the Maharaja bar because they needed to compete with other establishments. I hope it draws more single ladies in now that it has a more eclectic feel to it. But as long as Bogie’s still there on his regular shift’s, I’m not really going anywhere else. No need to in WS. I wished they had a happy hour for food though.
November 20, 2008 at 1:40 am #647499
CaitParticipantAs for the Celtic Swell… I’ve been to Ireland (spent my 21st birthday drunk as a skunk in Galway.) It reminds me of a Galway bar instead of a Dublin bar (all of which I loathed.) I think there are good times to go – it’s always good for dinner in my opinion.
I’ve always had great service there (the bartenders and waitresses all remember us after having gone there only about 5 times), the food (IMO) is great and I like their beer selection.
thee: what’s your beef with the Swell? Or are you one of those West Seattle-ites that crab about anyplace without tapestry on the walls and $12 martinis?
November 20, 2008 at 1:44 am #647500
CaitParticipantAnd, might I say, that it’s been great for just about everything. I celebrated my graduation there with about 15 people and they were happy to accommodate. I go there after dinner out for a late drink with friends, and we always have a good time (it’s quiet if you get there before 9 on weekends, and basically any weekend night.) They have decent live music too! My dad and I go there often for lunch and a beer and they never disappoint. It’s also good for just flat out gettin’ buzzed on the weekend. We swear by it, and we’re actually pretty picky about where we go. Weekend nights however devolve at times into what you find everywhere: The West Seattle High School Classes of ’02-05 getting drunk and rubbing up against each other. Not that I mind sometimes.
The only thing they’re missing: Gaelic football on the TV. If it had that, I would live there.
November 20, 2008 at 4:15 am #647501
JenVMemberJiggers – they have a plan to have happy hour bar appetizers…they will still be Indian food, but still, it’s something!
One of these days, we’re gonna figure out we’re sitting next to each other at the bar!
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