Best Bars
The Smart Drinker's Guide to Seattle
By James Ross Gardner, Jessica Voelker, and Christopher Werner
There’s new blood behind the bar at Zig Zag. Just don’t call him Murray Stenson’s apprentice.
“Oh, jeez. I learn as much from Erik as he learns from me.” That’s Murray Stenson, aka Mur the Blur, responding to the claim that he’s a mentor to yet another Seattle bartender, in this case fellow Zig Zag Café mixer Erik Hakkinen. The two pour some of the best drinks in Seattle at the Pike Place canteen—Stenson, the high priest of prodigious potations, a man most consider one of the best bartenders in America, Hakkinen a baby-faced newcomer many assume is an apprentice studying under the master.
Hogwash, says Stenson. “Erik’s very deceptive. He’s half my age. And he’s way knowledgeable.”
Hakkinen, 29, joined the staff in May 2007 after nearly a decade of slaving at downtown bars and restaurants—including a stint as a bar back at Typhoon, where he first met Stenson. He used to do what so many ambitious bartenders do in this city; he hung out at Zig Zag, whiling away the hours talking shop with Stenson and owners Ben Dougherty and Kacy Fitch. “I heard they were looking to add a new bartender,” recalls Hakkinen. “I expressed interest… and ended up being hired on.”
Though his powers are subtler than the miss-it-if-you-blink pyrotechnics of the Blur—he fittingly showed up for his shift last Halloween dressed as Clark Kent—Hakkinen is slowly becoming a legend himself, holding court among Zig Zag’s drink-nerd contingent, studious men who sit hunched over the bar filling notebooks, as if the bartender were some exotic bird whose behavior is yet to be understood.
Also, adds Stenson, “Erik brings in the girls.” Zig Zag Café, 1501 Western Ave, Ste 202, Pike Place Market, 206-625-1146; www.zigzagseattle.com
Published: May 2009
How is it possible that you did a profile of Seattle best cocktails without mentioning Spur Gastropub? David’s drinks are, by far, some of the best and most inventive in the city, and happy hour pricing is only $6 for all Spur Cocktails (they usually run from $9-$12). In my opinion, this was a very serious omission on your part.
We definitely love Nelson’s drinks. Check out this Sauced post! http://www.seattlemet.com/blogs/sauced/spur-davidnelson-0428/
We started out with a long list of bars. Spur was on it. Along the way, we eliminated establishments where we encountered issues in service, product, atmosphere, etc. Spur did not, in the end, make the cut, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some amazing qualities—cocktails chief among them.
So…any other serious omissions?
-JV
Knee High is a great hideaway in plain sight. Coming from NYC, we frequented Knee High while in Seattle recently, and felt right at home in its scene (great ppl watching and atmosphere). We loved the cocktail and food prices: average $5 drinks (my favorite was the pomegranate and pimms concoction called P&P) and $6 dishes (must have homemade chicken potpie). Everybody working there including the proprietors Jack and Michelle were always on hand to look after us, and this extra TLC made our experience that much more memorable.
From what I’ve read, Tini’s won all their awards being progressive in cocktails pre-2008 if I’m not mistaken.
By not copying recipes from the 40’s because it was hip at the Pegu Club 5 yrs ago.
“It’s not as packed as it use to be…” He said it, not me.
Hey buddy, will ya buy me a drink?
this is only a test