05/30/08

Roomy and cheap food and drinks

by StellaDa

High ceilings and four separate rooms make the Canterbury one of the largest establishments in the area. It is one of the few places where I feel comfortable going alone and where I know that I will not be harassed.

The prices are great for the beverages and the food. Try the new school and old school shots! I think the new school shot contains Chambord.

The food is surprisingly good for bar fare and reasonably priced.

The foosball table attracts the occasional techies. There is also a shuffleboard table and multiple pool tables.

The walls, floors and ceilings could use a steam cleaning. Maybe two or three cleanings.

The WiFi is so slow as to be unusable, probably because it is being used by the neighbors as compensation for being located near a bar.

Last week, I returned for the first time in over 17 months. There were multiple dogs and one cat in the place.

I had stayed away since I saw one of the regulars assault two guys in short succession one night at the end of 2006. The same regular was there when I returned at the end of May 2008. He assaulted a woman at the bar, right in front of the same bartender that witnessed the two assaults in 2006.

It is a great place, but I may not go back for another 17 months.

• Pros: Roomy cheap and cheap
• Cons: smells bad

04/12/08

Dive bars in Seattle have rules for ordering drinks? Really?

by OldRabbitClub

The Canterbury used to be a great place to go. It's a dive bar. It used to have mellow bartenders, strong drinks, two great pinball machines and no attitude. Typically empty in the afternoons. After moving to New York I returned to Seattle for a visit and looked forward to a round of pinball at the Canterbury. Decor remained the same, but what had changed unfortunately was the attitude of the bartenders and the vibe of the place. Now, rather than a relaxed bar they have rules for queueing up to order drinks -- even when there is no one at the bar. They won't speak to you if you come in and walk up to the bar. They point to the end of the bar where you are supposed to "queue up" before they will speak to you about an order. And then, if you want to use a credit card they have a minimum charge of $10. Give me a break -- we're not in Soho and this is not a hot spot. Get over yourselves. Won't be returning. Oh yeah, they're also down to only one pinball machine. Pathetic.

05/04/07

Most comfortable dive bar

by minnesotan_1981

I used to live right down the street, I used to go here at least every other week. Always good dive bar fun. I was so comfortable there, I really miss it. yeah, sometimes the wait staff is a bit tight-lipped, but that's a dive bar in seattle for you. I never really took offense. They aren't snotty, just kinda quiet. Their food is suprisingling good! Even the big chef salad is great. I love the chicken wings and the quesadillas. This bar has lots of old-guy regulars, but that doesn't mean exclusive at all. They usually sit at the bar anyway - the rest of us go watch the game or play pool. It's great because this bar is ready for whatever in the mood for. The sit-down restaurant to the left, bar in the middle, and pool and games and tv in the back. Perfect!