Jules Maes Saloon is by some accounts the oldest bar in Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.[1][2] It opened in 1888 in the city's Georgetown neighborhood.[3][4][5] The building it occupies, "The Brick Store", at 5919 Airport Way at the corner of Nebraska, is listed as a Seattle Historic Site.[6]

History

The bar first opened in a building at 5953 Airport Way South (before it was called Airport Way, for nearby Boeing Field) under a different name.[2][7] It was purchased by Jules Gustaf Maes, a Belgian-born bartender, who eventually changed its name and moved it to the 5919 building.[2] The back room was once used as a bookie joint.[7]

The bar was owned by June Espelend for a period. John and Vanessa LeMaster, who had owned it since 2005, closed it during the coronavirus pandemic.[2][8] It was reopened by Raché Hemmelgarn in January 2021.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Best Burgers that Go Beyond the Beef". Seattle Magazine. December 6, 2011. Archived from the original on June 17, 2016. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Guarente, Gabe (July 13, 2020). "One of the Oldest Bars In Seattle Is Closing Permanently After 132 Years [UPDATED]". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  3. ^ "From Cinerama to 132-year-old Jules Maes Saloon, the 'pace of loss' in Seattle is accelerating". The Seattle Times. July 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Lalley, Heather (July 20, 2020). "Some of the country's oldest restaurants are closing permanently". Restaurant Business. Archived from the original on July 24, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  5. ^ Craighead, Callie (July 14, 2020). "Jules Maes Saloon in Georgetown to close permanently after 132 years". seattlepi.com. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "Seattle Historical Sites Search Result - Department of Neighborhoods (DON)". web6.seattle.gov. Archived from the original on July 16, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Vogel, Traci. "The Bar That Won't Go Away". The Stranger. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  8. ^ "Closing of Jules Maes Saloon". Arizona Republic. May 28, 2000. p. 87. Archived from the original on July 17, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "'Seattle's Oldest Bar' back in business in Georgetown". king5.com. January 14, 2021. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
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