Let's do this!!!!!  Kirkland is ready to show our team the love.

There will be fans, flames, and 12th Man flag rally at Kirkland’s Marina Park, Sat. January 18, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
People formation to shape the number 12; Best dressed fan contest

 “True-blue” (and even fair-weather) Seahawk fans are invited to Kirkland’s Marina Park on Saturday, January 18, 2014, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., for a “12th Man Fan Fair.” The fan fair is in honor of the Seattle Seahawks advancing into the NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers to be held on Sunday, January 19, 2014.  Beginning at 3:30 p.m., Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen and fellow city council members will raise a “12th Man” flag to a drum roll by the Seahawks Blue Thunder.  The event will begin at the Plaza of Champions, located at Marina Park, 25 Lakeshore Plaza Drive.  Following the raising of the flag, fans are to form the number 12 on the beach for a photograph and video to be shared with media.  Fans can take their picture with Blitz, the official team mascot and with inflatable Seahawks players (a few beers and this could get interesting ;-).  The City will host a bon fire on the beach.  Come dressed in your best Seahawks fan costume to be judged by local officials.  Activities and promotional materials will be provided by Sea Hawkers Booster Club the at the Marina Park pavilion throughout the event.

Kirkland fans are encouraged to share their cheers, fan “selfies,” and pictures of where their “12th Man” flags are displayed on the City’s Explore Kirkland Facebook site: www.facebook.com/explorekirkland.

Kirkland restaurants will be offering food and beverage game-day specials and airing the game on January 19 which starts at 3:30 p.m. (PST). 

Event goers are encouraged to plan for their parking in advance.  For public parking, including the Kirkland Municipal Garage, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/parking.

Let's rally a monster crowd of fans for local star, Phillip Lomax, this Weds Aug 21st from 9:30-midnight at Lucia in Kirkland Park Place.  Phillip was a finalist on X Factor 2011 and made his mark as a young crooner wearing a fedora and singing Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon" for his audition.  I didn't watch the show, but I checked the videos and can tell he's a charmer with a contagious smile and serenading voice that you won't want to miss for his last summer performance. Joining Phillip will be Eric Robert on the keyboard and Maurice Bailey on drums. There's no cover charge, but tips are welcome. Always great food and drink at Lucia- make a night of it!

People are packing into The Lodge Sports Grille at 105 Lake St since it opened last week.  With lots of timbers, barrels, flat screen TV's, beer on tap and patrons buzzing, you can't help but to be drawn in to take a seat.  That is if you can find one, which we did-- right at the bar.  Steeeeeeeeeeeeve and I were there for date night on Thursday (I'm almost done teasing him about the eeeeee post, but not quite yet).  Joe, our super friendly bartender, looked us in the eye and asked our names and introduced himself with a handshake.  Love that.  Then he introduced us to Ryan and Nick, the men sitting beside us that became great buds to chatter with also.  We got to taste a few samples of the many beers on tap, and decided to go with a Tieton Cider, which is local and we really enjoyed- not too sweet. This place is probably a beer-drinkers dream- feel free to chime in beer drinkers....

Rabuchins always arrive hungry so we started with the steamed clams which were decent- the broth was really good -not oily or buttery. A bunch of the clamshells were empty, but maybe they escaped to the bottom of the bowl.   Little celery and pepper pieces were a nice touch in there.  I ordered the meatloaf with double veg which was pretty darn good, I would order it again.  The vegetables were super yummy- al dente green beans with some red peppers that had some sort of buttery salty deliciousness on them.  Steve had the ribs which are to be avoided- BUT here's the part I appreciate... Joe asked how they were and Steve said "they are ok."  Instead of saying "ok, great," Joe asked more questions and made sure to address Steve's slight hesitation about his (tough) ribs.  Ryan Zawisza, the General Manager, arrives within minutes with his big smile and shares his own concerns about the ribs.  Apparently it's a menu item they are considering removing from their offerings because, they agree, they just can't seem to get it right.  And he insists that they take them off our bill. 

In a nutshell- we really liked the friendly pub-like feel of The Lodge.  You can tell they know how close-knit we are in Kirkland because they are getting to know everyone and making it a priorty make us feel welcome.    These guys are doing all the right things, you should definitely go check it out if you haven't already.   Many friends have told me, "this is just what Kirkland needed."  Their hours are: M/T 11a-12a, W-F 11a-2a, Sat 8a-2a, Sun 8a-12a. 425-202-7763

You knew it wouldn't take me long to sniff out this new winery in town.  I'm like a bee to honey. 

A couple of locals, Thomas and Kristin Vogele, have been in business as Zero One Vinters for four years, but just recently decided to open a tasting room in Kirkland.  Thomas has been in the wine business for over 20 years and has also worked with Michael Mondavi. Nestled at 131 Lake Street South, just below Via Lago, the Vogeles loved the idea of being a hidden treasure in downtown Kirkland. 

Zero One has a fun clean space that Kristin decorated and which can also accommodate small private events and barrel tastings of up to 49 people.  Grab a stool and taste some wines for $5.  They have three varietals of which they are best known for their Wild Sky Cabernet and their Golden Delicious Riesling (both received 91 points). The merlot blend, fondly named "Sauce" is also definitely worth trying.  Touted for their quality and value, the price per bottle very reasonably ranges from $12-30 so we bought a few to enjoy at home too.  Venture down and say hello - the stemless Zero One glassware are giveaways for the first month.  Right now they are open 4 days a week: Thurs & Fri 1-6 and Sat & Sun 12-6.  This will change in the summer--for now you will have to drink during the day ;-).

Beach Cafe has decided to help ease the pain of the new 520 tolling.  How thoughtful of them! For $5.20 during happy hour (4-6 and 9-close) you can enjoy the following drink specials:

The Good to Go Cosmo: Rejuvenate your commute with freshly muddled Basil and Lime, Veev, Acai Superfruit Spirit, Pama Pomegranate Liqueur and Absolut Mandarin that is shaken and served up in a chilled martini glass

 Bumper to Bumper Special: Choose your favorite draft beer - from Mac & Jack’s to a rotating local IPA, there are eight options to choose from - and pair it with a Fresh Made Pretzel served with Chef Matt’s delicious Signature Cheese Sauce

Today was Steve's first day back at work and he breezed over the 520 into South Lake Union and home to Kirkland at what used to be high traffic hours.   Whether you are doing the 520, the park/ride, the 90, going around the lake or just working from home these days- you can still raise a glass and toast to the bridge from the Kirkland shoreline at Beach Cafe. Just don't drink and drive, of course.

City Council members Bob Sternoff and Penny Sweet aren't scared!
Christi looks like the happiest first time turned lifetime plunger I have ever witnessed. Can you spot her?

Speaking of shorelines, here are a few photos from the Polar Plunge on Sunday.  The water and the air were both in the 50's so it was more like a springtime dip.  Lots of takers this year, my dear fair weathered friends.  You could tell by everyone's smiles as they WALKED out of the water....no screams or running or ghastly faces of shocking electric cold.  It's still a good cleanse and a fun way to start the new year with some good luck (at least that's what I told my friend Christi to convince her to do it and she believed me). :-)

They are putting the tree up in the center of downtown today (just tweeted this photo)!  The holidays are a great time to eat, drink and be merry.  It's always fun and easy on the wallet to celebrate at a happy hour.  Steve and I got pretty looped doing the research for this post, but it's just one of those sacrifices we're willing to make.  Our meanderings brought us through the 98033- downtown core, Carillon Point, and ParkPlace.  We ventured to a few watering holes that  a couple of married old farts like ourselves wouldn't normally go to.  Like places where my shoes would stick to the floor and I'd have a flashback of a college bar.  But it's all good-there are happy hours for every type in this town so go get happy.  Here is another compilation of our happy hours by Kirkland Tourism if you are 'thirsty' for more.  

Don't forget to always have a designated driver, or have a lonely friend on standby, or call a cab.   Eastside for Hire is pretty quick 206-453-9000. And of course, these happy hours take place in the BAR, not the dining room. I kept the descriptions short/sweet/absent of my smart-aleck remarks since this post is already a mile long. You'll find a few NEW happy hours-MIlagro and Hector's are re-vamaping. Purple  just kicked theirs off a few weeks ago.  And so Purple is throwing in a $25 gift certificate for one of our readers!  How about this......be the first person to comment with the correct weight of one of their dining room chairs (you know what I'm talking bout!) to win.   There are more fun freebies in this post so keep your eyes peeled (one win per person please)...

Purple-323 ParkPlace, Daily 3-6pm  NEW!!!!

Daily Selection of Draft beers $4, selected white/red/sparkling wine $6.50/glass, $25/bottle

Snacks range from stuffed dates to mussels, pate to a crab cake slider, mini baked brie, bruschetta or a cheese flight $3-12.

Sea salt caramels are $1.50/ea. (happy hour dessert, ha love that!)

Lucia- 222 ParkPlace, Sun 5-10pm, Mon 3-6 & 8-10pm, Tues-Sat 3-6 & 9-11pm.

Draft beers $3, Stella $4, well drinks $5, red or white wine $4. 

Yummy food such as crab cake, stuffed mushrooms, caprese, calamari, carmelized pear and onion pizzetta are all $3-6.

**Prize Alert** (this is how I know if you are really reading this stuff or not): First reader to answer this question correctly in the COMMENTS section below wins a $25 gift certificate to Lucia. Yahoo!

--->Lucia has been owned by the same family for almost 24 years.  What was the name when they first opened in 1988?

Rikki Rikki- 442 ParkPlace, Mon 4-CLOSE, Tues- Sat 4-6 & 9-CLOSE, Weds & Sat: Ladies get happy hr prices in lounge 6-9.

Drink Specials for $2.95 include hot and cold sakes, Sapporo, Kirini Ichiban, wines by the glass, well liquors, and sake-tini's (the original sake-tini is a favorite of mine!).

Appetizers such as edamame, caramel ginger chicken, veggie spring rolls and tuna poke range $1.95-5.95.  Sushi rolls are $3.95- 5.95.  Even the crunchy roll and spider roll that are usually $10. Score.

Trellis- 220 Kirkland Ave, Everyday 4-6pm

 They call it "Crush Hour": 1/2 price draft beer (HUB, Manny's, Scuttlebutt Amber, others), $3 of house cocktails, $3 of all glass wine pours

1/2 price food- you can never go wrong with the creations from Chef Brian Scheehser.  Always local and fresh- expect offerings such as roasted pepper & goat cheese flatbread, snails bourgogne, green globe artichoke tots, pesto shrimp, grilled flat iron or house-cured salmon. $8-26 (before discount).

Cactus- 121 Park Lane, Mon- Fri 3-6, Sat-Sun 3-5

 Selected margaritas, mojitos, sangria, cab and chard $5-6. XX Amber Beer $3.50.

$4-6/ea: spiced caesar, grilled jalapenos, nachos, camarones, quesadillas. Nothing to do with happy hr, but if you have never eaten the Sonoran Spa chicken here you need to drop what you are doing and go get an order right now. fave.

Mi Mexico-115 Park Lane, Everyday 2-6 & 9-close

$1 off beer and margaritas, well drinks $3.50

When you buy a drink, you get $2 off any appetizer.  Some of the are super nachos, quesadillas, taquitos, camaron quesadilla. Regular prices are $5-13 before discount.

Hector's- 112 Lake St,  Mon-Fri 3-6pm & 9-close

This is a NEW Happy Hour rolling out MONDAY 11/21- look for....

Drink Specials daily.

"Chef Created Happy Hour" Specials including a pork belly salad, house made corn dogs, and sliders. $3-9 (they used to just have sliders)

Milagro Cantina- 148 Lake St, Everyday 3-6pm (entire restaurant and patio) & 9-close (bar only)

This is a  NEW happy hour program....will hopefully kick off the first week of December.

$4 drafts, $5 wines and a happy hour margarita

Several food options such as calamari, nachitos and a mexi-burger. Food offerings will range from $3-$9.  

Olive You-89 Kirkland Ave, Tues-Sat 4-7, Sun & Mon 4-close

Wells $4, Bud Lt. $2, house red or white wine $5, $3 draft pitcher of the day

Caprese, mini chicken or beef skewers, devilish prawns, ahi tuno tropika, spanikopita, clams, mussels $4-8 range.   

 Tervelli UltraLounge,  105 Lake St,  Tues-Sat 4-7pm, Sun & Mon 4- close

The drink specials and food are the same as Olive You except the featured draft beer and wines may be different.  This is a much swankier spot and you can get the deals in the bar and entire lounge (Olive You is just at the bar).

Wells $4, Bud Lt. $2, house red or white wine $5, $3 draft pitcher of the day

Caprese, mini chicken or beef skewers, devilish prawns, ahi tuno tropika, spanikopita, clams, mussels $4-8 range.

The Grape Choice, 9 Lakeshore Plaza, Weds Winemaker Tastings 5-8pm

Every Weds for $5.  Number of tastings depend on winemaker, typically 3-5. Here's the lineup: Thanksgiving bubbles (11/23), Guardian Cellars (11/30), Bartholomew Winery (12/7), Brian Carter Cellars (12/14), Fivash Cellars (12/21).

***On Wed 12/28 from 5-10pm there is a special "Grower Champagne Tasting," where you get to taste small production champagnes along with small bites and listen to live jazz. $40. RSVP required. 425-827-7551.

Vovina, 15 Lake St. S, Tues- Sat 4-6 & 10-close

Red and White wine $5, House gin or vodka martini $6, House bourbon Manhattan $7, draft beer $1 off

Caprese pizza $5, chips/tequila salsa $4, hummus/pita $6, herb fried chevre $6, tempura veggie basket $5.  Food is only offered in the afternoon happy hour (not past 10pm).

**Freebie Alert** Two  for one specialty martini at Vovina to the first reader that can tell me (in comments section) which happy hour photo has Steve in it ( Where's my Waldo??)

Amici, 7 Lakeshore Plaza, Everyday 3-6pm food/drink & 10pm-close food

$2 off all beer, $2 off well drinks, $4 wine by the glass

Variety of pizzettes $3-5, assorted stuffed olives $3, bruschetta $4, bread/cheeses $4

Each day has a happy hour special too- Tues is 2 for 1 tequila shots, Thurs pizza and a beer for $10, etc.

KPub, 21 Central Way, TBD

As of this writing, they have only been open for a few weeks.  I popped in- it looks just like 21 Central (former tenant) used to with a few more TV's around. This is NOT the same owners as the  Park Place Pub (where TGI Friday's was) or the Kirkland Avenue Pub (where Merrill Gardens is now).  Currently there are simply 12-13 bar food type selections ( egg rolls, chicken tenders, wings, calamari, etc) that are  $6.99/ea.  A menu, and thus happy hour, should be better figured out by early December.  Stay tuned!

Wilde Rover- 111 Central Way, Everyday 4-6 & 10-12

Lengthy selection of beers ($-6), wines (6-7.50) and specialty drinks and liquors ($6.50+).

Pages of happy hr offerings-no messing around here. Multiple choices of salads, chips, wings, lamb stew, pork sliders, cheese/crackers. All $2.95-5.95

Tiki Joe's Wet Bar, 106 Kirkland Ave, Fri/Sat 3-8, Sun-Thurs 5-8 

$2.50 domestics, $3.50 micros & wells

Thurs/Fri/Sat 9-11pm = Girls get 50% off

If you 'check in' at Tiki's on facebook before 11pm every day for a week, you win a free skittles shot, which I just learned is a couple of red and green skittles at the bottom of some vodka.

No food. Just skittles. :-)

Central Tavern, 124 Kirkland Ave, All Day Everyday

Life must be a party here.  They say happy hr is all day every day b/c they have the best cheapest drinks in town.

Wells $5.25 (Smirnoff, Bacardi, Capt Morgan's are all wells there), wine $5.50-10/glass, pitcher

Food- you can order pizza to be delivered or something from a neighboring restaurant if you like.  They focus on the drinks clearly.  No messin' around.  If you are starving, they have hot cashews, peanuts, and beef jerky.

Anthony's Restaurant, 135 Lake Street, Everyday-Mon-Sat 4:30-7 & 9-close, Sun 3-7 & 9-close

Drafts $3, wines $5-7, specialty cocktails $5 (margarita, cosmo, Manhattan, lemon drop, martinis)

All appetizers are $5: sliders, swimmers (salmon sliders), oyster shooters, shrimp cocktail, crab/artichoke dip, mussels, clams and hawaiian ahi nachos.

George's Place- 108 Kirkland Ave, Tues- Sat 4:30-7, Thurs- Sat 9-11

Music every Thursday and don't forget to have your pic taken with Santa at George's on 12/8! Lots of fun holiday things planned at George's so stay tuned for more...

Selected wines $6-7/glass, selected beers $4-5, cran press cocktail $6. There will be holiday drink specials too: eggnog lattes, peppermint mochas, and peppermint hot chocolates to name a few.

Pita Pete's Zas are $4.50, Everything is $4-6 w/some traditional faves: Athena's Platter, Greek Chopped Salad, Gyro Plate, Sliders, Chicken Wings, Hummus.

The Slip, 80 Kirkland Ave, "8 days a week" 3-6 pm

$2 well drinks (3-6 only)

8-close there is a specialty happy hour drink of the day (mai tai perhaps?) for about $5

Regular menu for food.

Time Out Sports Bar, 218 Central Way, Everyday 11am-8pm

Domestic drafts $2.75, domestic pitchers $8.50, well drinks $3.50

No happy hour food specials but they do offer a full menu.

The Crab Cracker- 452 Central Way, Daily 4-6pm

23oz draft beers for pint prices: $4.75 Coors Lt, $5.75 Mac & Jack, Pyramid Hef, Manny's and Inversion IPA.

More than 25 happy hr food choices! Here are some so you get the gist: clam chowder $2, fish tacos $6, steamer bucket $8, BBQ pork $5, sesame ahi $8, 1/2 dungeness crab $14, lacquered steak bites $6.

Starry Nights Catering,  11200 Kirkland Way #220, Weds and/or Thurs 3-7pm

This is a catering/kitchen facility that also offers a happy hour.

Drinks from $3+

Rotating food menu, chef's choice $2+

Wingdome- 232 Central Way, Mon-Fri 3-6pm

Well drinks $3.19.  All pitchers $2 off. 4 domestic bottles $9, 4 imports $13.  You know a happy hr means business when they package beers in 4's for ya.

All appetizers half price.  $3 bag 'o burgers. Monday you get 59 cent wings all day loooooong!

Two Twelve on Central - 212 Central Way, ALL DAY Mon, Tues-Sun 4-6 & 9-Close

Drafts and wine $4. Well drinks $3.75.

Food is $4-8 and includes cauliflower gratin, caesar salad, caprese melt, warm olives, chili chicken drumettes, spicy meatball & marinara, artisan cheese plate.

BeachHouse Grill, 6023 Lake Washington Blvd. NE, Everyday 3-7 & 9-Close, ALL DAY Monday

Draft Beer $3.50-4.50 (Bud Lt, Manny's, Stella, Men's Room Red...), $5 red/white wine, $4 cocktails (Cosmo, CA driver, Flytini, Margarita, and Jon Daly)

Lots of food choices too for $3.5-5 : seafood chowder bowl, tenderloin skewers, buffalo wings, pulled pork sliders, cajun fettuccine, chicken quesadilla, potstickers and more.Tuesday is $5 steak night, Weds 1/2 price bottles of wine, and Thursday $2 tacos.

Le Grand Bistro Americain, 2220 Carillon Pt, M-F 3-6pm

 Selected wines by the glass and  "pichets" (pitchers): $5-20. Drafts: Bud lt $3, Stella $4, cocktails: sidecar $5, zinc bar martini $6.

Fancy nibbles without fancy prices: oysters on the halfshell $1/ea, giant prawns $2.50/ea, burger or chicken sliders, half french dip, charcuterie plate, pickled veggies ($2-9) 

 Bin on the Lake, 1270 Carillon Point, Daily 4-6 & 9-close 

Select wines are 50% off during happy hr (reg priced $10-60), $1 off all draft beers, $5 cocktail- bartender's special

Bar bites 50% off: seasonal soup truffle fries, goat cheese, smoked bacon sliders, housemade potato chips, diver scallop PLT. Reg prices are $7-15.

Beach Cafe,   1270 Carillon Point,  Everyday 4-6 & 9-close

Jon Daly, Pricky Pear Rita and Sangrias $7-8. Wine and draft beer $5. Other fun beers 3.25-5.25 (hefeweizen, stout, porter, featured local breweries).

Mini beach burgers, caprese salad, nw clam chowder, wings, calamari, fries range from $3-9.

 
Woodmark Hotel, 1200 Carillon Pt., 4-6 and 9-close

Drinks are b/w $6-8, with fun seasonal favorites like a peppermintini and hot toddies!

Beet salad, grilled artichoke, organic sweet potato hummus, baby iceberg wedge, mac/cheese, clam chower, fries, chicken wings all between $4-7.

Holiday Fun!! For the month of December on Weds from 5-7pm the living room lounge at The Woodmark will be having HOHO Happy Hour.  Festive drinks, yummy plates and carolers from the Kirkland Performance Center to add to the merry-making.

That should give you all plenty to do.  Please add others that we may have missed (or are outside of the 98033). Now I'd like to have a brief moment of silence for the Third Floor Fish Cafe.  We used to love their happy hour. RIP.  I hope you all enjoy this list and reference it often.  Soooo manny drsinks and it's sosoo alte I can barely typwe anorrhtere woerd. @$#....j

 

Marcus and Jamie, co-owners of Vovina (Vo=Vodka Vina=wine) at 15 Lake Street, are getting really excited for their quickly-approaching opening day.  And so are you!  I could tell because when I was in there chatting with them on Friday night (as they unpacked boxes of wine and booze)  people kept trying to open the door every ten minutes

It's inviting for sure-I think this cozy little wine and martini bar is a welcomed addition to downtown Kirkland.  It's nestled right at the bottom of the stairs by Wilde Rover on the parking level of Marina Park.  It has a good feeling with the dark painted open-beamed ceilings, sizzling fireplace, and lots of nook seating topped with pendant lights.  There are some super cool local aged-wood tables (and bar)- check out the pic below.  Expect to find some unique drinks such as absinthe(this is the only place serving this wormwood-derived creation on the east-side), 35 different wines by the glass, 4 beers on tap, martini flights and homegrown cocktails named after employee faves such as "My Mai Tai" and "The Franklin Mint." 

In case those drinks weren't tempting enough, you'll also discover some tasty bites from 3-9 Sun- Wed and 3-10 Thurs- Sat ranging from $7-15.  There's appetizers (ahi tacos, crostini plate..), soups (butternut squash, chicken curry..) and salads (caesar, bibb wedge...)  that can  hold you over or for pre-partying.  But don't be scared to stick around for something more substantial like the Dungeness Crab Risotto, Souvlaki Chicken Skewers or Caprese Pizza. The coolest part is that they just enclosed their patio seating so soon there will be tables and heaters outside.  That will be perfect for summertime, which I am hoping and *dreaming*is right around the corner.  May thru Nov they plan to serve brunch too.  So hustle on in there this weekend!  And tell some friends to check it out too- comment back and let us know what you think. ~j

The J-Bay Bar & Grill, formerly Juanita Bay Pub on NE 120th, is open and their bar is attracting a consistent crowd already.  The parking lot looks jammed every night! The first thing they did right was that they got the s-t-i-n-k of the previous establishment out of there.  I don't know how they did it- aerators, sandblasting, fresh paint, Glade plug-ins, magic spells??  Whatever it was, it makes a huge difference to inhale some clear air when you walk in.

They have definitely up-scaled it from its previous stature.  There are lots of TV's and a big open bar area with lots of seating and plenty of tall boobily fishnet ladies to fetch you a cold brewsky or martini.  It's no wonder there's mostly dudes in there, but with the football games going in HD, it's a fair argument that could be the lure too. Sad to say it's not the food- I had some creole prawns and Steve had the roasted vegetable penne pasta - maybe the dining area is bland to match the cuisine, but they are still working the kinks out I'm sure. If I was looking for a casual local spot to have a beer (and maybe a burger would have been a better choice) and watch a game it would be a GREAT spot to hang out in the bar.

So, go try it out for yourself and let us know what you think.  Steve is already asking to go back- he may have mumbled something about the thigh-high patent boots but I can't be sure ;-).  ~j

Nothing makes me happier than a new wine bar that's going to be opening right up the street.  Ok, maybe this sunny weather is a close second.  Keith Mourer and Dave Zimmerman (co-owners, pictured left) are teaming up with Chef Tom Black, previously of the Barking Frog, to bring Kirkland some fabulous food that will be coupled with a hand-picked wine list with a local emphasis.

Keith and Dave were cool enough to let me check out their space at 11811 NE 98th in Juanita Village.  It's a great corner spot with high ceilings and a well thought out build-out plan for their 2700 sf space that you will start to see transforming very soon.  Brix, which actually means 'the measure of the sugar content of a grape', will seat 80 people max and there will also be a private dining area for up to 20 people. 

Ever since the Vine Grotto closed on Market Street, I've been missing a cozy little wine bar atmosphere (and I LOVE Purple, but always have to wait).  The north end of Kirkland may just find themselves a new hot spot!  But you'll have to hold your thirst until their August or September opening.  We'll keep you posted! ~Janis

[Here is a story from The Seattle Times written by Lisa Chiu (Seattle Time Eastside bureau). Click here to read the story on Seattle Times website.]

On a recent Kirkland weekend, a line extended outside Tiki Joe's Wetbar.

Just a block away from the Kirkland Avenue bar, couples listened to live music at the Wilde Rover Irish Pub & Restaurant. And things were just warming up at TJ's on Lake Street, a popular venue for hip-hop music.

Weekend nights in downtown Kirkland have always been known for action, with young adults frequenting the marina, taking in lakeside views by moonlight and enjoying the numerous bars and restaurants.

The crowds that descend on downtown Kirkland Thursday through Saturday nights don't bother retired couple Ena and Ira Dauberman.

The downtown residents recently took an evening stroll and said they love the vitality of the Eastside hotspot.

"We want more nightlife," Ena Dauberman joked. "We like to dance, and we love all kinds of music. There's nowhere else we'd rather be than here."

But for Debbie Lamont, that nightlife has become a nightmare.

Lamont, the 27-year owner of Bombaii Cutters, a salon on Kirkland Avenue, said she's fed up with what she sees as increasingly rowdy downtown patrons. She's had to replace the carpet outside her salon with tile because of cigarette burns and people urinating on it.

Nearby restaurant owner Pete Mangouras, who owns George's Place with his father, said they've had about seven broken windows in the past two years, four of them this year.

Before that, the restaurant, which has been in downtown for 30 years, had a total of two broken windows in its history, he said.

Kirkland police are well-versed in these divergent views of the city's downtown.

For years, they say, they've stepped up downtown patrols during the summer months. Police say their concentrated efforts have netted a significant number of driving-under-the-influence arrests.

About 35 businesses have liquor licenses in the downtown, police said. The increasing development downtown also means a larger residential concentration.

"It's an age-old dilemma," said Kirkland Lt. Rex Caldwell. "When you build condos next to restaurants and bars, you will generate complaints about those that are unhappy with noise and litter."

Caldwell insists that the downtown Kirkland bar scene is "most certainly not out of control."

But recent incidents are hard to ignore. In June, a man was shot in the leg near Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street following a knife fight near Marina Park. In 2005, nine were arrested in a brawl outside TJ's.

Police say that following these incidents they met with bar owners and discussed ways to better train their security staff and prevent overserving patrons and serving minors.

"The shooting was very unusual," said Caldwell, who added that the last time a shooting occurred in the city was about five years ago.

Data from the state's Liquor Control Board also showed that when those arrested for DUI were asked which bar they drank in last, Kirkland bars played a prominent role. Kirkland bars held five places among the top 10 cited throughout King County.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2006, of the 141 DUI arrests linked to the top 10 bars, 71 of those arrested said they last drank in Kirkland bars. No other city, including Seattle, had that many mentions.

But the data are subjective, said Susan Reams, the board's public-information officer. The numbers are tallied based on interviews of those arrested for DUIs, and alcohol can inhibit a person's ability to recall information, she said.

The data also do not take into account DUI stings Kirkland has conducted.

"What I've seen in Kirkland is aggressive enforcement work with liquor-control officers to reduce overservice," Reams said.

Kirkland police agree that their aggressive enforcement coupled with the way the city is laid out lead to these high numbers. If a drunken driver tries to get out or in, it's easy to catch them, Caldwell said.

"There are very few arterials to and from downtown. If people are intoxicated and are driving where they're going to be seen by police officers, they're likely to get stopped and arrested," he said.

But Lamont, the owner of Bombaii Cutters, said police focus too much on DUIs and not enough on business owners' concerns.

One of the biggest problems is people smoking outside bars since the statewide smoking ban went into effect last year. That means bouncers have less control of crowds, she said.

She spent $1,000 to change her carpet to tile because of the damage, she said. She also had to replace potted plants outside her store that were vandalized.

"It's the worst it's ever been," Lamont said. "It's out of control."

She hopes that the city will initiate dialogue between downtown businesses and bars. For example, Tiki Joe's bouncers always clean the sidewalk after the bar closes, she said. Not all bar owners are willing to do that, she added.

Mangouras, of George's Place, agreed that the situation has gotten worse, but said that it's hard to pinpoint who is responsible. Their windows were broken right around the closing time of bars and have so far cost more than $1,000 to replace, he said.

The first few were paid for by the owners of Tiki Joe's, Mangouras said. The rest were covered by their landlord.

At nearby Washington Federal bank on Kirkland Avenue, three windows have been broken in the past 18 months, said the bank's loan coordinator, Sharina McCraine.

Mangouras attributes the growing popularity of Kirkland to increased promotion by Kirkland bars. There are also growing numbers of Seattle visitors to Kirkland, said traffic division Sgt. Mike Ursino.

But on a recent weekend there were still many from the Eastside. They said they felt safer in Kirkland, and that it was easier to get home.

Mica Johnston, 30, and her friend Kellie Tuttle, 26, came to Kirkland from Bothell.

"I like the variety they have here," Tuttle said.

For 26-year Kirkland resident Beth Akins, the downtown area is noisy but harmless.

She remembers when it was a lot worse, during Moss Bay Days, a summer festival held in the 1970s and '80s that drew as many as 100,000 people. The festival was canceled in 1985 due to numerous arrests.

Her husband, David Akins, agreed. He said it's Kirkland's uniqueness that makes it so popular.

"We're one of the few cities that has a downtown. Most don't have a downtown where you can actually walk around and see people and listen to music."

Ryan Hitzemann is one of three bouncers at Tiki Joe's. He said he has worked in downtown Seattle, Florida and Boston, and prefers Kirkland.

"This is nothing compared to downtown Seattle. It's not at all like Pioneer Square," Hitzemann said. "I can work where I can be beaten or stabbed, but here people come and hang out and then hop in their cabs and go home. It's the easiest place I've ever had to work."

Lisa Chiu: 206-464-3347 or [email protected]

Copyright © 2006 The Seattle Times Company

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE TIMES PRINT EDITION

Call (206) 464-2121 or 1-800-542-0820, or go to

https://read.nwsource.com/subscribe/times/