Wednesday, December 21, 2011

New Year's Eve Burlesque is a Saturday this year!


This is it! Some would say 2012 is the last year of our current civilization...the apocalyptic year...the year of Mayan armageddon. We say whatever, let's continue to party like it's 1999 (like we have been since 1999). The best place to do that is at Skylark in West Seattle on Saturday, December 31st.

Start the evening off with a delicious dinner and/or cocktails, or just be here at 9:00pm for the burlesque and bellydancing entertainment provided by:


Miss Elaine Yes
Julia Ghoulia
Chesty LaRue
Scandal From Bohemia
Ophira
Katana
La Petite Mort
Whisper De Corvo


$10 adv / $12 door
Available at Stranger Tickets.
Includes champagne toast at midnight.


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Holiday open mic FRIDAY 12/23 (or Christmas Eve-Eve)

Since tonight is monthly bellydancing (a special Winter Solstice edition no less), Tuesday's acoustic open mic will be back next week. However! Not only can you come to Wednesday's open mic tomorrow after trivia ends at 9pm (acoustic and/or full band), we have added a second Christmas-themed open mic to Christmas Eve-Eve, also known as Friday, December 23rd.

Any and all holiday season songs welcome, secular or Christmas or Hanukkah...all fair game.

We'll have warming holiday drink specials and hearty meals available of course.

See you on Christmas Eve-Eve!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Crafts & Draughts Last-minute Holiday Shopping TOMORROW

Tomorrow, Saturday, December 17, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm:

Get your draughts and browse some crafts while being entertained by DJ Create spinning vintage soul (you didn't want more Christmas muzak, did you? us neither). 

Eleven artists/crafters will have their wares on display. See their websites here at the Facebook event.

There will also be a "Make Your Own Ornament" table and some vinyl records for dirt cheap.

Happy hour prices (as always) 3:00pm to 6:00pm, so there's a fair amount of overlap there!

See you tomorrow.


Friday, December 2, 2011

MARCO BENEVENTO comes to Skylark 12/10

This one is going to sell out, so I recommend high-tailing it to The Stranger Ticketing now to get your tickets...

Saturday
December 10
9pm
$15 adv / $17 dos

Nefarious Productions Presents:
MARCO BENEVENTO with Nefarious Jones


For an exhilarating glimpse into the future of rock piano, look no further than Marco Benevento. A melodically inventive musical adventurer who artfully employs pedals, amplifiers, circuit-bent toys and sundry effects around his acoustic piano set-up, Benevento has forged a fascinating repertoire of songs, including both wildly original compositions and renditions of those by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd and My Morning Jacket.

Benevento first came to national attention with the experimental electric rock influenced Benevento-Russo Duo for which he partnered with drummer Joe Russo. Together they brought a bracing jolt of improvisation into settings like Lollapalooza, Fuji Rock and Bonnaroo. On his own Benevento has collaborated with the likes of Matt Chamberlain, Trey Anastasio and Mark Eitzel, while also holding down keys in the bands Garage A Trois and Surprise Me Mr. Davis. Benevento’s primary focus is his trio with whom he's released three critically acclaimed solo albums that have led to a number of prestigious appearances, including Carnegie Hall, Montreal Jazz Festival and Celebrate Brooklyn. In 2009, he also partnered in The Royal Potato Family, an indie record label that features a growing catalog of groundbreaking releases.

Benevento is currently touring in support of his latest LP, 'Between The Needles & Nightfall, ' however on his upcoming West Coast run he'll also have a new limited edition 7-inch available with two previously unreleased tracks "Escape Horse" and "Fireworks."

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Introducing: Weekly Drink Specials

In addition to our Specialty Cocktails list* and 7-Days-A-Week Happy Hour**, some customers have been--rather persistently, I might add--requesting more drink specials.

God, you guys are greedy...and that's why we love you.

Behold, the new nightly specials (in effect after happy hour ends at 6:00pm):

Monday: The "Liquid Courage" Shot $6 (it is karaoke night after all)
Tuesday: House Wine $4 (enjoy with acoustic-only open mic)
Wednesday: Hot Toddies $6 (pamper your vocal cords for open mic)
Thursday/Friday/Saturday: El Jefe Hefeweizen $4 (brewed locally by Hale's Ales)
Sunday: Mimosas $4 (keep that brunch mood going all evening)

* Specialty Cocktails

  • Turbo Toddy : Chamomile-infused tequila, muddled orange, Snap ginger liqueur, honey, hot water 7.50
  • Honey Badger : Honey-infused Vanilla Stoli vodka, Absolut Orient Apple, Bulleit bourbon on the rocks  11
  • Wildcat Dark & Stormy : Captain Morgan’s spiced rum, Snap ginger liqueur, ginger ale, float of Kraken spiced rum  9.50
  • Bearskin Reynolds : Jim Beam rye whiskey, muddled cucumber, Aperol bitter orange liqueur, Drambuie  10
  • Raspberry Riviera : Lindemans framboise lambic, champagne 7.50
  • Shatner Sidecar : Hennessey cognac, Cointreau, muddled lemons, grapefruit bitters, sugar rim  10 
  • Electra Iced Tea : Earl Grey-infused Absolut Citron vodka, muddled lemons, lemonade  9 
  • Skylark Sunrise : Stoli Vanil vodka, orange and pineapple juices, float of Bacardi rum  9 


** Happy Hour is still 3pm to 6pm every day of the week. 
$4/$2 menu
$3 wells
AND
$1 off all beer and wine

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Ho Ho Homo Holiday Brunch Extravaganza! 12/10

December brings a special seasonal Morning Glory Drag Brunch, also known as the Ho Ho Homo Holiday Brunch Extravaganza. As always it will take place on the second Saturday at noon (or perhaps fashionably late).

I can't promise that Magnolia Crawford will have baked you a pie as the image suggests, but I do know she has baked up a fabulous lineup of drag queens to entertain you as you knock back a few extra brunch cocktails to prepare for weeks of extended family cohabitation.

We will have delicious and affordable brunch specials, and don't forget that purchase of two tickets to this event gets you a sweet discount ($5 off) on a mimosa carafe for the table. Yum!

Tickets available at Stranger Ticketing now.
Saturday, December 10, 12pm to 2pm 
all ages / full bar with ID

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Skylark Presents Crafts & Draughts! Coming December 17

Wow, it's been a while since I blogged. Now I have, like, 5 important blogs to blog. That's what I get for procrastinating. I'll start with Skylark's first craft fair, cleverly named by one Mr. Seazle...

The timing is perfect for last-minute gifts if you celebrate that December 25 thing. Even if you don't need any more gifts, we'll have drinks. (Did you know we have happy hour on the weekends? Right smack in the middle of this neat event? Makes holiday shopping wayyyy more fun! Just don't spill your draughts on the crafts!) 

There will be a DJ, we'll have some records for sale, as well as a Make Your Own Ornament table and a book swap (just like it sounds...bring a book, take a book).

The rundown for artists & crafters out there:
Large tables (54" x 30") are $50. 
Small rounds (30") are $25.
The event runs from 4-7pm. 
Saturday, December 17

Email Jessie to hold a table (6 are already held, so it's ON!).

Monday, October 3, 2011

Come As You Aren't! The 5th Annual Halloween Battle of The Bands 10/29

For the fifth year in a row, local rockers are going incognito for Skylark’s "Come As You Aren't" Halloween battle of the bands. This show is always free!

All fourteen acts have 3 songs each to wow the crowd and judges, as they out-rock and glam each other for possession of the coveted Golden Cowbell™. Is that Clutch Douglass or Salt 'n' Pepa? Hotels or The Misfits? Behold the supergroup formed from Stevedore and Mannequin BBQ as they channel The Supremes, and shiver as experimental duo Perish The Island entertains with selections from Goblin's soundtrack to Suspiria. Diversity and virtuosity have always set this event apart, and this year's lineup is no exception.

Set times are approximate:
8:00pm Willow & Kevin Wood as GILLIAN WELCH & DAVID RAWLINGS
8:20pm Perish The Island as GOBLIN (Suspiria soundtrack)
8:40pm Julia Massey & The Jesus Rehab as ARCADE FIRE
9:00pm Bone Cave Ballet as BJORK
9:20pm Supernauty as THE RAMONES
9:40pm To The Sea as R.E.M.
10:00pm The Mangles as HUSKER DU
10:20pm The Stevedore & Mannequin BBQ as THE SUPREMES
10:40pm Hobosexual as CREAM
11:00pm Clutch Douglass as SALT 'N' PEPA
11:20pm D.evolution.Aires as ZZ TOP
11:40pm Sweet Secrets as THE CURE
12:00am Like Lightning as THE PRETENDERS
12:10am Hotels as THE MISFITS

KEXP DJ and founding member of the Young Evils Troy Nelson, two-time Golden Cowbell winner Lori Campion, Seattle Subsonic writer Dave O'Leary, and Skylark owner-booker Jessie SK will judge the bands. 

The Golden Cowbell and runner-up prizes will be awarded shortly following the last set.

This event is free, 21+, and has always been Skylark's biggest night of the whole year. 
Saturday, October 29. 7:00pm.

Stop by for Hangover Halloween Brunch on 10/30...9am to 3pm! 

Monday 10/31 will be a karaoke Halloween party.

Second Open Mic Night, Hosted By Blvd Park, Every Tuesday!

If you've tried to get onto the open mic list and shown up at any point after 8:30pm lately, you may have been disappointed. Open mic has been popular this summer...so much so that we have added a second opportunity for you to perform!

This open mic differs from our Wednesday open mic; it will be acoustic-only, all ages for the first two hours, and hosted by Brian Ballentine and Tekla Watefield of local band Blvd Park. They are calling it the...

Artist Performance Series 
Tuesdays
All ages 7-9pm, 21+ 9-11pm

"What we aim to present is an opportunity for any and all artists/performers of all ages to showcase/rehearse/preview their art form in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Keeping an overall acoustic/mellow vibe in mind; we're calling all singer/songwriters, poets, comedians, local and touring bands, aspiring actors/actresses, puppeteers etc to bring songs, instrumentation, poetry, comedy, performance art, monologues, etc to life in an intimate, fun, welcoming, encouraging and supportive setting."



For more information: 
(916) 257-0079

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Morning Glory Drag Brunch Debut Saturday August 13

Hosted by Magnolia Crawford and featuring a selection of the city's finest drag queens (see here for the August lineup), Morning Glory will start your weekend off properly with a classy brunch and a sassy performance!

Like our love, it doesn't cost a thing.

From 12pm to 2pm every second Saturday of the month, you'll be entertained in style whether you buy VIP tickets or not. If you want to guarantee the best sightlines and seating you can reserve one of 12 tables and pre-pay a flat fee for your brunch entrees at the same time.

VIP tickets include: a guaranteed table in the main room, a cover charge for the performers, and brunch entrees for 2 people. Beverages and sides not included, although VIP ticket holders will also be given $5 off a carafe of mimosas (one carafe = a whole bottle of champagne). Yum!

Skylark's amazing brunch menu is here.

VIP tickets available here.

Attention parents! Skylark's brunch is always all ages. This will NOT be a raunchy show...there may be a few jokes for the grownups that will go over their heads (like Disney movies) but nothing inappropriate for the young 'uns. However, if you aren't ready for your children to know that some men sometimes dress in ladies' clothing for entertainment purposes, you might want to get your brunch before noon...or on Sunday instead. :)

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Zach Davidson of Vendetta Red/Sirens Sister Solo Acoustic Debut


Skylark Celebrates Five Year Anniversary on 6/3 With (Surprise!) A Five Dollar Rock Show

This year Skylark returns to the basics for its five year mark with local musician Zach Davidson, described in the Seattle Times as “a dynamic singer with terrific range, big-time stage charisma and Roger Daltrey looks.”

Davidson emerged on the scene with Vendetta Red, who were signed to Epic Records and charted at #1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. Following the band’s breakup in 2006, he formed Sirens Sister. We are thrilled to host his first solo appearance for our anniversary show. Opening act is singer/songwriter Chris Bridges.

Highlights of the past year at Skylark have been...

Electrifying! The 4th annual Come As You Aren't Halloween party rocked so hard it caused a surprise power outage during the last act.

Titillating! Sold out New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day burlesque performances, plus the introduction of monthly burlesque on last Thursdays.

Giving! Participated in Dining Out For Life, West Seattle For Japan, Taste of West Seattle, ThinkLocal! and introduced Scrabble Tournaments for local charities.

Growing! We opened Monday nights (featuring Karaoke with Kelli) and started booking singer/songwriters on Tuesdays.

Procreating! Our Kitchen Manager Tony and former bartender Tara made an adorable baby boy, Luca.

Some things never change...

Still presenting live, original local and touring bands Thursday through Sunday, and all ages shows on Sunday evenings.

Still offering bands a high-quality multitrack recording of their set for just $20.

Still providing family-friendly homemade dinner and weekend brunch, full menu until midnight every night but Sunday, and a cheap happy hour from 3 to 6 daily.

Friday, June 3. 21+ Doors are at 8pm. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets or at the door.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Radio8Ball tonight with The Young Evils, one more night only!

The Radio8Ball show with The Young Evils is tonight! We are very excited to finally see Skylark employee Mackenzie in action on the Skylark stage. Doors at 8pm, $12 cover, 21+ only.

And rather unexpectedly, it is also the last night of Radio8Ball as The Janks have cancelled their Sunday appearance. 

Since The Janks were the only act scheduled on Sunday and Radio8Ball does not function without a live musical act, we are closing early at 3:00pm on Sunday May 8 to do some spring cleaning. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Do bring mom down for Sunday Mother's Day brunch tomorrow in between 9:00am and 3:00pm! We'll have a special eggs benedict and a sweet special too. Yum.




Saturday, April 30, 2011

AwesomeOke 2011 Preliminaries on Monday, May 9

Wing-It Productions is seeking karaoke performers for its third annual Education Fundraiser, benefiting Wing-It's Education Programs for outreach and at-risk youth.

Preliminaries will take place at Skylark on Monday, May 9 at 9pm. Ten finalists will be chosen to perform in the final round of competition at the fundraiser on May 15 at 7pm.

Interested performers find full contest rules and sign up to perform here.

Solo acts, or group acts may enter. We encourage costumes, backup dancers, choreography, made up lyrics, anything that will ad to the overall performance value of the act.

Entry fees are $25 for solo acts and $40 for group acts. All fees go to support Wing-It's outreach programs with at-risk youth.

This year's winner will be awarded a performance at Key Arena for the Rat City Roller Girls in front of an audience of 6,000 people!

AwesomeOke 2011 will feature karaoke competition performances, as well as performances from the Wing-It cast, special guest musical performances and celebrity judges.

All proceeds from the AwesomeOke 2011 fundraiser will benefit Wing-It's outreach and at-risk youth programs. Wing-It currently serves 500 students a year through its At Risk Youth programs at Sanctuary Arts and the King County Juvenile Detention Facility.

AwesomeOke 2011 is brought to you by Wing-It Productions, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to enlightening, educating and entertaining audiences of all ages by producing theatrical events which explore theater by utilizing its improvisational roots.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Dining Out For Life this Thursday 4/28 (with boobies)!

Every year we are pleased to participate in Dining Out For Life. This year it happily coincides with our monthly burlesque event, Westside Burlesque Revue.

We'll be participating for dinner sales, so plan on stopping by sometime in between 6 and 9pm if you want a portion of your bill to go to Lifelong AIDS Alliance. (Just coming to burlesque? We'll have drink specials that benefit Lifelong all night long.)

Please note that burlesque entertainment starts at 9pm, so any diners wanting to see the show (or linger beyond 9pm) will need to pay the cover at that time. Or, you can buy advance tickets for the burlesque here.

Westside Burlesque Revue has a fabulous lineup this month:

the new troupe "Bellylesque"
Persephony Illiri
Boom Boom L'roux
Scandal from Bohemia
Whisper De Corvo

As always, we have Mr.Bawdy as MC and our pick-up artist is Katie Kat!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Radio8Ball Show with Andras Jones, The Young Evils, and The Janks in May

The Radio8Ball Show is a musical divination show where we answer audience questions by picking songs at random, and then interpreting the randomly chosen song as the answer to the question.

The opening night, Friday, May 6th, will feature Andras Jones as the host AND musical guest. Jones may be best known as the host of Radio8Ball or for his film credits, but he is also an accomplished songwriter who has released 8 CDs, toured extensively, and whose songs have appeared in numerous soundtracks. This will be his first public musical performance since 2003. Buy tickets now for Andras Jones.

The Saturday, May 7th show will feature local critical darlings The Young Evils. The Young Evils are Troy Nelson (guitar/vocals), Mackenzie Mercer (vocals), Cody Hurd (guitar), and Barrett Jones (bass). They have just self-released their debut album "Enchanted Chapel" which was produced by Barrett Jones (Nirvana, The Melvins, Pussy Galore). They have played several Seattle music festivals including Seattle Weekly's ReverbFest and The Capitol Hill Block Party, and most recently opened for The Vaselines for Seattle City Arts Fest. NPR recently chose their song "Get Over It" as song of the day, and Seattle blog Three Imaginary Girls just named their album "Best local debut of the 2010."
Buy tickets now for The Young Evils.

The closing night on May 8th is an all-ages affair and features the return of The Janks whose last appearance on Radio8Ball still has people reeling. The Janks formed in 2006 in Los Angeles and soon after released their debut album "Delicate Mouthfeels." Over the next three years the band would reform around founding members Zachary Zmed, (Vocals, Guitar and Keys) and Garth Herberg, (Guitar and Keys), adding Wade Ryff (Bass), Lucas Ventura (Drums), and Dylan Zmed (Vocals, Guitar, Keys & Percussion). Since 2009 the band has been touring extensively, playing to enthusiastic crowds across America, while developing their unique sound and live show into an identity that can only be labeled as their own. Buy tickets now for The Janks.

Start thinking of your question now!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Karaoke Mondays - Starting March 7th!

Karaoke Kelli is the chief of Siren Entertainment, and Skylark's new karaoke hostess! If you like singing and silly hats, you'll be making Skylark your cure for the Mondays.

Kelli brings songbooks packed with over 15,000 (!) tunes including lots of new material, the classics, and an impressive collection of showtunes. You also get a mini flashlight so you can actually look through the book in a dark bar, isn't that brilliant? Spice up your performance with the suitcase of props and costumes waiting for you on stage.

Karaoke Kelli Mondays, 9pm. 21+/no cover

NOTE: Scrabble Tournaments have been moved from Monday evenings to Saturday afternoons. Starting March 5 at 3:30pm, compete and raise money for local charities and get happy hour prices at the same time! 3:15pm sign up. All ages.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Scrabble Mondays Changing to Scrabble Saturday Afternoons in March

Tonight is the last Scrabble tournament that takes place on a Monday. Starting this Saturday, March 5, Scrabble will commence at 3:30pm on Saturdays instead.

There are three reasons for this...

1. All ages! (Skylark is all ages every day until 9pm, and until 11pm Sundays)
2. Happy hour menu! (3-6pm)
3. Mondays are for karaoke! (starting Monday, March 7, join Kelli and us at 9pm for songs aplenty)

So the schedule will look like this:

3:15pm registration
3:30pm GAME #1
4:30pm GAME #2
5:30pm GAME #3
6:30pm winners announced, prizes dispensed

Beneficiaries of your $5 entry fee are now:
1st Saturday of each month: COMMUNITY HARVEST OF SOUTHWEST SEATTLE
2nd Saturday: DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
3rd Saturday: ANIMALS FIRST
4th Seaturday: BOOKS TO PRISONERS

Knowing the way Seattleites are, I think we'll probably have a summer hiatus...but 9 months out of the year the Saturday afternoon forecast is rain so you may as well come play a board game with a warming beverage and a happy hour snack. =)

Monday, February 7, 2011

Mambo Italiano general admission tickets still available

VIP tables (with 3 course dinner) are SOLD OUT.

General admission tickets are still available for $10 and gain admission to our bar area and red room only. Tickets do not include food, beverages or guaranteed seating. Bar stools with good views and tables with limited views and no views are available on a first come/first served basis. Limited a la carte snacks available in between 7pm and 10pm.

*The show will begin at 8:15pm and end at approximately 10:00pm.

*Special late-night happy hour prices and menu start at 10pm.

Get your general admission tickets here or take your chances at the door.






Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Our menu on Tasteepic!

Tasteepic has launched their Skylark page...if you don't know Tasteepic they take photos of your menu offerings so customers can browse them easily rather than just reading descriptions. Take a look! It's enough to make you want brunch on a Wednesday...

Monday, January 24, 2011

Mambo Italiano Valentine's Dinner & Burlesque tickets are on sale now!

Squire your sweetheart down to Skylark on Monday, February 14th for a saucy, sultry evening of dinner and burlesque. Watch the glitter and glamour unfold while dining on a delicious 3-course Italian meal.

Featured performers include: Jacquelyne Hyde (performing the act she is taking to Milan!), Sailor St. Claire, Madisun Avenue, Ava Raqs, Scandal from Bohemia and Whisper de Corvo.

Doors 7:30. Show begins at 8:15 pm.

$35 per person for reserved VIP seating including $25 three course Italian dinner:

I. antipasto or caesar salad with a toast of prosecco
II. tricolore pesto lasagna or beef ragu on grilled polenta

III. affogato dessert
$10 per person for bar and limited view table seating.

Note: Regular menu not available after 7pm Valentine's Day only. Limited a la carte snacks while supplies last until 10, then late night happy hour menu and drink specials until midnight.
Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.  
Limited seating so reserve soon!

Ciao, ragazzi!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Burlesque & More Burlesque...

New Year's Eve was a blast. The performers were saucy, the crowd was jolly, and a good time was had by all. It was our first night of burlesque in well over a year and clearly the community had missed it.

Now, we are pleased to present a monthly burlesque event AND a special Valentine's Day dinner & a show event (tickets will be available soon, save the date!).

Every last Thursday of the month, starting next week on January 27, you can get your burlesque fix on the westside. Performers this month are:

Jacqueline Hyde (performing the act she is taking to Milan! Rumor has it there is a 4-foot headdress involved!)
Scandal From Bohemia
Betty Fish
Pinky Shines
Sailor St. Claire
Whisper De Corvo
and your charming host Mr. Bawdy.

Doors at 8pm. 21+/$7

The Valentine's Day event ("Mambo Italiano") will be announced in more detail as soon as we can get online ticketing up and running since seating is very limited for the VIP dinner and a show part. We are very excited to offer a three-course Italian meal with pre-paid table seating, it's going to be molto romantico!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Out with the old, in with the new...club edition

Out with 2010...

- never a cover charge on any live music show

Live music at Skylark was always free. It was an experiment.

When we opened in 2006, a survey determined that these were the most important things to Seattle show-goers: good sightlines, seating, good sound, and low/no cover charges. So, when I bought Madison's, we raised the stage a foot, built a long bench, upgraded the P.A., and designed a model that paid the bands out of restaurant sales.

This model would prove very challenging. Here's why. Average full-service restaurant profit margins are 5%. Pay performers 10% off the top and you are in the hole 5%. Now pay the sound person. Now pay the door person that the Liquor Control Board "strongly suggests" that you add to your staff, just to card people. Add an economic collapse that caused the lowest restaurant traffic in 34 years.

So why were we free for so long, even after the Blue Moon started charging? Well, we liked our model a lot. No risk for audiences! Guaranteed pay for all bands! Incentive to see lesser-known acts! Not everyone got it, but some bands did. I thought we could single-handedly increase the Seattle show-going crowd and simultaneously create a westside live music scene with this unique gesture of no cover ever.

Last May, we hosted a KEXP Hood-to-Hood Challenge showcase. It was huge! It went great! Bands that night got the biggest payout ever...and had the worst reaction to it ever. Posts appeared online about how little they were paid, and some even called for a boycott. It was surreal. Such was the risk of our 10% model. It guaranteed a little something even for low-drawing bands, but disappointed some popular bands. We usually enjoyed leveling the playing field in that way, and very few bands are in it for the cash, but that situation was a turning point.

Since we opened, we've supported indie musicians with about $120,000. I'm proud of that even if it didn't turn out to be a viable long-term business model for us.

In with 2011...

- low cover live music Friday, Saturday, Sunday (default is just $5)
- still totally free live music Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

So far, it's working out really well. The payouts to performers are trending higher overall than they would have been from our sales, and show-goers have been unfazed. (We now have an ATM, so not having cash on you isn't a problem.)

We're looking forward to bringing lots of live music to the westside in 2011 and beyond. I hope I can take this thing to the next level. I'm excited about the opportunity to approach bands that outgrew us and ask them back, and to have a sweeter offer for those "headliners" that everyone always wants to open for. I am also pleasantly rid of the feeling that we were bribing people to come "all the way to West Seattle." After 5 years, everyone has finally realized we're no further from Capitol Hill/downtown than Fremont.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

Love, Jessie

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Out with the old, in with the new...café edition

Out with 2010 in the café:

- pre-formed 1/3 lb. burgers
- pre-formed sliders, only available at Happy Hour from 3pm to 7pm 
- the usual pre-frozen fries
- "fries, tots, soup or salad?"
- decent West Coast Philly cheesesteak approximation
- only vegan Gardenburger, mac 'n' cheese, Caesar salad, hummus plate for vegetarians
- Bailey's Butterscotch French Toast special, occasionally...sells out by 11am

In for 2011 in the café:

- super tasty hand-formed 1/2 lb. burgers (juicy!)
- super tasty juicy hand-formed sliders, available all the time not just happy hour
- hand-cut fries with skins on (Wendy's totally stole our idea!)
- "fries, tots, sweet potato fries, soup or salad?"
- Full-on East Coast Philly cheesesteak with Amoroso roll from Philly! Hallelujah!
- addition of delicious Grilled Veggie Sub (on aforementioned roll) served piping hot with grilled zucchini, roasted red peppers, provolone, marinara and crispy flash-fried red onions for texture.
- Bailey's Butterscotch French Toast on the brunch menu permanently! Give it a try...you'll love it.

We'll be updating the website menu early next week but it's live now...all of it. Please give us your feedback on these new items, we always love to hear from you.

Jessie, owner
Tony, kitchen manager