Westlake is, well, Westlake. Westlake is a collection of people waiting to get buses/trams/trains out of Westlake and those that harass those trying to leave. Really you just want to get out of the Light Rail station and head west, probably along Pine, but I wouldn’t take time to find out – anything starting with a P will do. Soon you should see the red glow of a Public Market sign and know that you’re safe in the arms of lots of tourists (June – Sept-ish).
Old Stove in Pike Place (or, sort of around the back, facing the water) is quite a large venue that has throngs of happy tourists on a happy sunny day (July 5th – day before Labor Day) gaggling, giggling and ogling. On a rainy winter’s day (Labor day, through to, and including, July 4th), you’ll find a small gaggle of people giggling. (I think, I only ever seem to be there when it’s sunny). A large selection or beers awaits, nicely split into Light, Hoppy and Dark. In addition to ciders, it also does something called “Cocktails” – which may be the reason for those busy summer days. They do flights, which teases the question, can I select eight “Quiet Eon Imperial Stout” (14%) in the same flight?
Another large, but local brewery. Pike Brewing has a small selection of beers, and is part of Pike Place market. (I think, it’s difficult to know where Pike Place starts or ends). Pike Pub is the incarnation of their drinking and eating and having fun place. They used to make their pretzels were a sort of beer making byproduct, or that’s what I was told, so it must be true. Is that still the case? Who knows, but you could pop by and find out.
There are only a few places that make you say “Well, where the Shilshole is that?” – and Cloudburst would be that – if you were looking for their Ballard location. But in this case you’ll be asking “Where the Western Avenue is that?” and the answer is, slightly north of Pike Place. This is a small, hole in the wall – wouldn’t look out of place in Brooklyn – are the people slightly too hip? – can I get a seat? – type place. I actually quite like it. It tries to be self deprecating “…often overcrowded and smells like your grandmother’s condo.” (This is Seattle people! Grandmothers don’t live in a condo, they live in Idaho), and its retro IPA heavy beer menu has a lot to answer for, with a life raft of an oatmeal stout floating about at only 5%. Pump up the jam people.
“Why’s this on the list?” you ask yourself – yeah – me too. I’ll have to pop in and find out.