A new Mexican-themed bar and restaurant in the University District isn’t making friends with its new neighbors. Within the last month, residents—many of them students—living along University Way Northeast have filed two complaints with the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) against the bar for “disorderly and lewd conduct” and “selling to an apparently intoxicated person.”
The trouble reportedly began on August 16, when the bar celebrated a soft opening with an outdoor punk show. “I live right next to the building and was kind of jarred when I heard the music—it was fucking loud for a Monday night, and it was the beginning of finals week,” says University of Washington student Jennifer Smith. “I went out to see if they’d turn it down, and there was already a crowd of neighbors crowded outside, complaining.”
“A lot of us are students, so we’re used to noise, but this was unbelievable,” says Nick Singer, a part-time student at UW. “The staff basically said, ‘If you can’t take the noise, move!'” Residents say the punk band played until 1:45 a.m.
On September 8—two days before the bar’s official opening—the WSLCB issued the establishment a verbal warning for disorderly conduct. Neighbors say things have calmed down somewhat, but relations remain tense. Singer says, “We’re their target audience, and they’re fighting with us.”
Royal Booze & Burritos management did not respond to requests for comment. 
This story has been updated since its original publication.
I remember that night. I lived about a block away from there at the time and it literally sounded like the band was playing my living room, it was that loud. They tried to bribe the people who complained with free shots, because, you know, it’s not like anyone wanted to study or sleep at 1:45 AM on a Monday night. Yeah, the U-District is loud, but that shit was beyond the pale. There’s a punk bar down the block that manages to put on shows all the time without pissing off the whole neighborhood, so I don’t know what these fucktards’ problem is.
That was the best party I’ve been to in a long time. The only downside was, the band stopped playing at midnight. And I must have missed the “lewd conduct.” Too bad.
what? A u district bar was loud? This is a suprise? I will be honest, I was one of the neighbors who walked up to check it out. The manager’s and doorguys were Really nice about all of it. But if four complaining neighbors constitutes a crowd then I think the five people who were outside complaining were a mob. I can say by having been a witness that the music stopped at midnight. In fact, in no where does it saw here that the one of the neighbors spit on one of the doormen or that cops. I have been in for a beer since its opening and I must say that the staff is really good people. Friendly and uncharacteristic of a u district bar.
That bar is amazing! As one of the customers who enjoyed the friends, family, industry, and neighbors-only private party, I can’t believe the mob of angry nerds outside didn’t come inside to join the party! The ambience is uncharacteristic of the U District, the music is a breath of fresh air, and the huge fucking patio is INCREDIBLE!
Jennifer, I would love to buy you a beer and show you how awesome this place is and how misled your entire worldview is…say Monday night around 9?
Wow, the Royal has amazing food and great staff. It wasnt doing anything bars arent suppose to do…Cienna, have you been to the Royal before? Maybe you should check out just how loud it is before you write an article slamming it this hard. The food is excellent and the beer is cold. This bar is a step in the right direction for U-District bars. I was also at the soft open and yes the music was loud but it was done by midnight. I encourage everyone to stop by and check it out before you judge from this article.
Based on this article I had to see what all the fuss was about. I just got home from the Royal and have to agree with the other gushing comments. The food was a little salty but not bad. The bar itself is outstanding, a mix between the friendliness of the JUJU and the decor of Pesos. The Patio is really cool. The staff are altogether good and kind people. Actually they are some of the nicest people I have met in a U district bar. I expected a snarled mess but instead was treated to a really good time. In fact, this place seems less of a college bar and more of a proper gathering place for those of us neighbors over the age of 30. Let the frats go to A Pizza Mart. Let those of us who call this home have this to ourselves.
Forget the Royal, send the liquor board down to Earls or Finn McCool’s. I can’t even walk down there late at night anymore. The vomit mouth drunks slobbering out of each place is horrible. Walking by Earls after 9pm is disturbing. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear about another murder behind the bar like last year. The Finn’s staff is no better, I thought there was a law against serving after 2am. I have recently seen the staff drinking on the patio as late as 4 am.
I mean really, if you are going to point blame, make it universal.
Anyhow, I have to thank THE STRANGER for peaking my interest and getting me off the couch and back into enjoying my neighborhood. Good job Royal and thanks for bringing something exciting to the upper ave. We needed it.
Wow, no comment in the article from anyone at the bar… Once again, a fine display of “journalism” Stranger, a fine display indeed…
@7 Uh, the management declined to respond to requests for a comment. It’s right there. In the article.
So I’m not Jennifier, but really – why would she want to have a beer with someone who plans to tell her “how misled your entire worldview is”? Yeah fuck you very much.
alking by Earls after 9pm is disturbing. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear about another murder behind the bar like last year. The Finn’s staff is no better, I thought there was a law against serving after 2am. love you
@7 the bar doesn’t have a phone. I showed up several times to talk to management, left my card, and only heard back after my deadline had passed. I’m writing up their response now.
Jennifer, I would love to buy you a beer and show you how awesome this place is and how misled your entire worldview is…say Monday night around 9?
So I’m not Jennifier, but really – why would she want to have a beer with someone who plans to tell her “how misled your entire worldview is”? Yeah fuck you very much.
….Whatever Jennifer
Based on all of the unsolicited, objective comments here this sounds like a reputable, community oriented establishment.
Management did reply – see “PastyGangster” and “U District 4 life” accounts. They just did it as astroturfed comments from brand-new accounts rather than official comments.
For the record, here is the flyer that someone put up in the neighborhood following the opening night wackiness:
http://imgur.com/Emi36.jpg
@Alf – Sorry Honey. I work for Trader Joe’s. I live in the U district and have for years.But I must say, I suspect Jennifer Smith works for the Royal because she is getting them all sorts of press. In fact, It was the poster (see comment 15) that got my attention. Those were all over Greek row! If she ‘REALLY’ had a problem with Noise, then why did she poster Frat Row with fliers?
I smell marketing.
Students are energetic enough and can tolerate a bit louder stuff but I think the problem was with the Monday night, it could be acceptable on Friday night when there is a pleasant weekend is waiting for you ahead and you don’t bother if you go to bed very late.