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…from the hands of Linda Derschang (on Slog earlier and on the local TV news tonight regarding Starbucks’ latest aggressive lameness) to the hands of a couple of the hot bartenders of the Washington State Bartenders Guild, Anu Apte and Zane Harris. Both have lately tended bar at craft cocktail mecca Vessel.

They’re keeping the Rob Roy name and the retro-swank decor (“James Bond meets Hugh Hefner,” as Apte aptly put it—more on that here). Derschang says she didn’t want to sell it to just anyone and that she’s “really excited about this, because I just don’t have the time to properly take care of Rob Roy, and they’ll give it the love and attention that it needs. Plus they are both killer bartenders.”

Apte says, “We love it, I adore that spot, and I think it’s going to be great.” Agreed.

11 replies on “Rob Roy Changes Hands”

  1. Hell yeah. I for one am very happy that those two took over Rob Roy, and continuing the hard work that the previous manager put into the bar, Anu and Zane will surely improve upon the current positive trend.

  2. ZZZZZZZZZ

    God, only an alkie really cares about EVERY bar in town …. never heard of the place, and why should I give a shit?

    Oh, Stranger folks get free drinks for pumping … geez, how small town

  3. I would like to request that Linda worry more about the blase food at Smith and Oddfellows, and that the Stranger (read: Bethany) quit hyping these businesses and reporting on the minutiae of their business dealings as if she is just parroting press releases. It’s like totally super boring.

  4. @5 you are a floating turd. “Blasé” is the last word I’d use for the food at Smith. I can’t really speak to Oddfellows.

    After eating at Smith more than my own house for the past three years, I can honestly say: eat my filthy hole.

  5. overpriced hipster food, overly thought out decor, bland drinks, non-existent acoustical design, douchebag/trust fund/hipster clientale and frequently surly wait staff: what’s not to love?

    and, I’m with Catalina…WHERE is this place? I’ve never heard of it…

  6. @2: Belltown, my dear–used to be the Viceroy–apologies for being oblique.

    @3: Fixed! Thank you.

    @4: I care about every bar in town because I write the bar column. There are five years’ worth of them here. Enjoy.

    @5: Try this on for size. And you may not care, but other people do (see comments here). If you don’t like what you see, feel free to just move along.

    Good morning, everybody!

  7. Note to Anu and Zane: You’ll steal all my business away from Alibi Room if you offer a little more food.

    Not a whole lot, don’t make some fancy-schmancy menu. But a guy’s gotta eat when he drinks… maybe steal the $5 happy-hour burgers from Tini Biggs and serve those.

  8. Go Anu and Zane! This is such exciting news! Not that there was much WRONG with Rob Roy but I know you guys are gonna make it truly amazing. Cheers!

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