Mon 8 Feb 2010
Darrell’s Tavern Grand Re-opening
Posted by peterga under Booze , Seattle History , Seattle Neighborhoods[2] Comments
Come up north on Saturday Feb 13th to celebrate the rebirth of a great neighborhood dive, Darrell’s Tavern at 18041 Aurora.
I’d passed by Darrell’s Tavern (just off Aurora Avenue, a bit south of Aurora Village) so many times, and never happened to find it open when it was convenient. Then when I started to make trips specifically to go there, I’d find it closed even at the most unexpected times. As I visited other area bars and chatted with the locals, I began to pick up pieces of the story of the aging, interesting owner — the CPA business upstairs (where he may or may not have lived for a while), the fleet of Lincoln Continentals in the parking lot, the Korean wife who spiced up the place for a few years, then left him, subsequently caring less and less about the bar as a going concern.
I despaired of ever being able to add Darrell’s to my Project K-Bar list of bars where I’ve had a drink. So I was delighted to be driving past one night and notice that it was actually open. And I was even more pleased to find that it had a new owner, Dan Dykman, who appreciates the character and the history of the place while simultaneously bringing some much needed upkeep and upgrades. Dan dropped a healthy sum just to fix, move, and preserve the old sign out front, and while cleaning up the classic 60s decor and neighborhood feel, he is bringing in live music, adding liquor, and making other improvements.
This Saturday Dan is having a “grand re-opening” party with live music at the bar “where your dad used to drink.” If you love great old neighborhood bars, you owe to yourself to drop by — on Saturday night if possible, or sometime not too long after that.
DarrellsTavern.com – 18041 Aurora Avenue North
About 10 years ago, I shot some “art shots” of the exterior of Darrell’s, for a friend named “Darrell” (of course!) and framed them nicely and gave them to him as a gift and now he has it hanging in his office. I’ll try to dig those up and send them to you.
A friend of mine just emailed me one of your articles from a while back. I read that one a few more. Really enjoy your blog. Thanks