I went to Still Liquor last night, as an old co-worker and longtime Seattle bartender George Englestad works there. He reported that their opening night was extremely successful, quoting a number that leaves no doubt. Still Liquor seems less “speakeasyish,” than an off-the-beaten-path bar whose sign has not arrived yet, although I will admit that you could blink and miss that section of Minor—they’re due to have a sign in a few weeks. The surge of development in that area and the collective experience of the bar staff suggest that it could do quite well. The furniture—all made of recycled wood and/or leather—is attractive, and mixed with the concrete walls and wide-open space, lends a tasteful industrial feel to the place. The music coming over the soundsystem—a mix of classic soul, funk, and blues—was quality (Englestad says Still Liquor won’t be hosting deejay nights). The old-style cocktails are also quite good. I particularly enjoyed the Dragon’s Toe—muddled cucumber and fresh ginger mixed with Maker’s Mark and served in a highball ($7); it’s amazing what properly muddled ingredients will due to disguise the fact that you’re drinking liquor. That is all.
UPDATE: Also, it’s right next to my apartment, so that will be really good for liquor sales.
Went to Still on opening night. Sadly wasn’t so impressed. The crowd was pure Belltown and the drinks were subpar. My dark and stormy was not something I’ll be repeating. They did have an attractive collection of liquors and, if the Belltown crew retreats back to 1st Ave, then I might return and I’ll look forward to going through their whiskeys.
I’m looking forward to checking it out as it’s “close to office”, but let’s stop calling places speakeasyish if the proprietors aren’t going to the trouble of hiding the bar from plain view through sidewalk-facing windows. I mean, if they’re not going to put in the time to install a secret doorway through a fake toy store to keep us from the boozing and create a throwback to a world without penicillin or a forty hour work week, than I don’t see the point of indulging their design fantasies.
Was this pic from last night or is that bartender just wearing the same hat and shirt?
My friend and I visited last night. We were the only two there and then it got busy. We were at the Rosebud where we saw another Stranger writer sitting on the couch with his laptop.
@3 Pic is from last night.
@2 – seems to me there should be some substantial risk of arrest when drinking there, as well.
@5:
I think you’ii have to go around the corner to The Eagle for that.
Fake speakeasies are for nerdballs when they run out of star treks to watch
Markers Mark is pretty good by itself. Adding cucumber and ginger to it sounds rather weird.
It’s not important that it’s weird.
It’s important that it tastes good.
Oh, hey, they have wine tastings at the Wine Warehouse on Fremont Ave N, just north of 35th Ave N, on Thu Fri Sat from 4-7 pm. Check it out …
So you live in that general vicinity?
Where’s my boombox? I need to do something Kevin Spaceyish.
unless I’m mistaken, the Dragon’s Toe was an invention on Mr. Rob Sheldon when Liberty first opened several years ago. It’s good to see his drink making the rounds.
@1 the Dark and Stormy I had there last night was great.
@ 11. I worked with Rob Sheldon for a time. Nice dude.