New cocktail bar Bar Tartare coming soon to Seattle’s Pioneer Square
Oct 20, 2026, 2:00 PM
Massive crowd in Seattle's Pioneer Square during FIFA World Cup (Photo courtesy of SPD)
(Photo courtesy of SPD)
A new cocktail bar is moving into Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood.
Bar Tartare is setting up shop at 704 1st Ave. The bar will be adjacent to Cherry Street Coffee House, taking over the space formerly known as Bad Bishop.
An Instagram account with zero posts teased the new arrival as “COMING SOON.” As the name suggests, the bar will serve cocktails and small plates. Tartare commonly refers to raw beef, veal, or fish.
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Cocktail bar plans opening amid Pioneer Square closures
The planned opening comes as Pioneer Square navigates a mix of new businesses and closures following this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Thousands of visitors flooded the city during this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal performed as DJ Diesel. Pioneer Square defied its reputation as a crime hotspot, and Seattle’s original neighborhood worked to capitalize on the positive momentum.
After the World Cup crowds left, the area faced a wave of unexpected closures. Luigi’s Italian Eatery, Collins Pub, and Magic Mouse Toys all closed within days of each other. All three had been part of the community for over a decade. Bars and nightclubs operating in the area continue to express public safety concerns. In August, one person was injured, and more than 30 shots were fired after a disturbance. On Monday, a woman reported that she entered a “fake Uber” in Pioneer Square and had to jump out in Kent once she became suspicious.
As some doors close, others are opening. A New York-based cocktail bar known for its award-winning drinks opened a new location at RailSpur Alley. Death & Co picked Seattle as the next stop after expanding to Los Angeles, Denver, and Washington, D.C. The owners of Gantry Public House announced they are opening Sid’s Tavern, an upscale sports bar near Lumen Field, according to The Puget Sound Business Journal. The media outlet also reported the 116-year-old Triangle Tavern building is close to reopening after renovations.
Bar Tartare would add another new arrival to Pioneer Square’s changing bar and restaurant scene.
Contributing: Jason Sutich, Julia Dallas, My Northwest
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