10/02/07

i'm only recommending this place to a certain few of you...

by dinner_and_drinks

sometimes you're about to kiss rock bottom on the lips. the lowest low of your life is approaching a break-neck speed and your future looks (and smells) like moldy bacon... what do you do? well, have a laugh, and a drink. do it here, so no one will notice if you mess your pants and start crying. by the way they're open really early, so this last stand is available at any legal hour.

enjoy.

03/27/07

Best Local Bar

by rubyholiday

Strong drinks, great staff and has not fallen victim to the gentrification of Ballard Ave. It's perfect. This is the bar that your Grand Papa used to drink at and probably still does. Great service and friendly people - don't come here for super trendy drinks you can go to the other random Ballard Ave bars for that, come here for the atmosphere and friendly people. We are in our twenties and love it.

• Pros: Real people, good drinks, good jukebox

09/14/06

The Real Deal

by lysistrata

The Ballard Smoke shop is a legend in Ballard. It is great to see that it hasnt fallen prey to the yuppification of Ballard Avenue. So if you are hankering for the feeling of old working class Ballard - this is the bar for you. The drinks are strong, it has a great neighborhood bar feel and if you misbehave they kick you out. The jukebox aint bad to boot.

• Pros: If you are a yuppie you arent welcome here!

03/09/06

Ballard Avenue's past remains anchored at this hole-in-the-wall.

by Contributor

The Scene
The lounge features a square bar, which makes it look a bit like a dim version of "Cheers" (if everyone knows your name here, though, you likely have a problem). The layout facilitates conversation, and the assembled crowd has its share of tales to tell. While other bars on Ballard Avenue have transformed themselves to appeal to a younger crowd, the Smoke Shop still draws upon the graying fishing and working-class communities that once defined the neighborhood. A few hipsters have caught on to its charm, however, and have made it a common destination for those waiting out lousy opening acts at the Sunset or Tractor.

The Draw
It's friendly, utterly devoid of pretension, and always has an open stool or booth. Drinks are well-poured, and the aptly named Ember Room restaurant--it's no less smoky than the lounge--offers competent, if bland, diner fare.

03/11/05

god bless the smoke shop

by brazenhussy100

a quintessential blue collar dive bar with a real sense of history. drinks are not for the faint at heart and they don't call it the smoke shop for nothing, but it's charming as can be--for those that appreciate such grit.

10/20/04

Now THIS is a dive!!!

by angeles13

In fact, it's THE dive!!!! The best dive in town... bartenders and most of the clients, near retirement age, oddball jukebox, nicotine-stained ceiling, reeking of stale booze and even staler cigarettes...

no dumb mood lighting or "fake kitschy" decor, like the so-called Capitol Hill scenester "dives"

Oh, the decor is kitschy, but it's for real, done in all seriousness! Not with tongue in cheek irony, like the above mentioned phony scenester dives...

THAT's what makes a dive a dive, authenticity...

The disingenuisousness of most of the "dives" on Capitol Hill and Downtown disqualify them from true divehood... they are just trendy hipster joints trying to pass themselves off as dives

The Smoke Shop is the real Mccoy!