Lengedary Dive Bar the Waterwheel Lounge Is Nonetheless Right here, for Now

The rumors began in 2019 — would the Waterwheel Lounge shut? In 2022, there was one other spherical of hypothesis because the constructing the bar occupied was bought. Headlines introduced its imminent closure, however nothing occurred. Then nothing stored taking place. However the wheels have been turning behind the scenes.

Effectively, it’s lastly official: The Waterwheel Lounge is slated to shut on January 10, 2026. The plan that took kind in 2023 — to interchange the bar with a five-story condo constructing replete with a ground-floor restaurant, 16 residential models, and parking for six automobiles — has been authorised.

The property’s developer, Magedai Flats, filed plans with town to develop the lot in April 2023. Earlier this summer time, the venture was beneath administrative design evaluation, and feedback from Crown Hill residents have been accepted by July 8. However at this level, it’s all achieved and dusted. The proposal, together with renderings of what it’s imagined to appear like when it’s achieved, could be seen right here.

The Waterwheel belongs to a category of crunchy Nineteen Seventies Seattle dives that’s being shortly depleted as town redevelops itself. Constructed in 1970, the one-story constructing at 7034 fifteenth Avenue Northwest has been house to the Waterwheel Lounge since 1974. A earlier incarnation of the Waterwheel lived a couple of blocks south earlier than the whole constructing was moved up fifteenth Avenue. As we speak, it’s one of many final previous roadhouses on fifteenth, a holdout from an period when the road was one of many metropolis’s main arterial routes and was lined with comparable blue-collar consuming institutions.

Recognized for its cheerful service, its highly effective aroma of historic spilled beer, and its grotty, wood-paneled, Nineteen Seventies-rumpus-room aesthetic, the Waterwheel has leisure seven days per week — karaoke, bingo, trivia, and reside music — in addition to one of many greatest, finest patios on the town. As Seattle dive bar historian Mike Seely as soon as wrote, “Each time I’m going to the Waterwheel, I half anticipate Gregg Allman to stroll in… It appears to be like just like the kind of place the place you would possibly get your head bludgeoned on the rim of a rest room by a hulking longshoreman named Ted who’s been consuming boilermakers since dawn.” In its early days, regulars had a factor the place they might hold up bells, which may nonetheless be noticed among the many decor. It’s bought among the sketchiest restrooms in Seattle, and it’s additionally treasured as one of many few Ballard bars with a car parking zone. Though the bar hasn’t served scorching meals in years, the reminiscence of its killer fried rooster will stick with longtime Seattleites for a few years after it closes.

Meg van Huygen

Within the meantime, the Waterwheel is maintaining the social gathering going so long as it’s open, and the vibe is unbothered, moisturized, blissful, and in its lane. “So now we have a countdown proper right here for the top of the lease,” supervisor Natalie Wentworth says, as she factors to the Y2K-style digital countdown clock on the bar’s wall. “So, January 2026. It’s a very long time from now. All of the articles concerning the Waterwheel don’t handle to say that the bar’s nonetheless open and it’s not gonna occur for some time.” Occasions are scheduled for months upfront — enterprise as common.

When requested if the bar will transfer into the ground-floor retail area within the new constructing, as soon as it’s constructed, Wentworth laughs. “No. I don’t suppose it’s a monetary possibility for the Waterwheel to try this, however even when it have been… what, are we gonna transfer into some, like, fashionable area? It could be like Wayne’s World, the place they’ve the brand new theme tune, you already know? They usually construct the pretend basement in a TV studio as a substitute of being of their basement. A hundred percent we’re not gonna try this.”

This explicit tragedy feels inevitable, but it surely’s true that every one bars should die sometime, identical to all the things else. All of us get it: These transactions make for a candy retirement for house owners who could not have a lot in the best way of financial savings. However it’s costing Seattle dearly in tradition — there have been loads of bar closures in Ballard and Crown Hill currently particularly — and it’s regular to really feel unhappy concerning the ocean of phony neo-dives set to take the place of our hallowed previous taverns. RIP the Viking, the Copper Gate, Wingmasters, Golden Metropolis, Goofy’s, Crown Hill Pub, Louie’s, and now (uh, soon-ish) the Waterwheel. Ensure to cease by and drink up within the meantime, and allow us to protect and shield the Smoke Store, Hattie’s, the Sloop, the Thunderbird Tavern, Mike’s Chili Parlor, and the Lock & Keel. This metropolis wants all of the wood-paneled grottiness it may hold on to.