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Monday, January 25, 2010
Bars / Nightlife / Two-Block Radius / Photo The Unicorn Opens on Friday
Posted by Matt Hickey on Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 4:05 PM
There's been quite a bit of speculation and rumors about the Unicorn, a new bar that's been built in the space that used to house the Satellite on Pike across from Cupcake Royale. So let's set the record straight: It opens on Friday, they've hired some great bartenders, and looks just amazing. Here are some photos of the inside of the place.
More photos, including the amazing tabletop artwork, after the jump.
1
Long live the satellite! I shall never forget you!
...Oh wait that place looks really nice. What used to be in the old place again? A bunch of benches and wobbly chairs right? I can't even remember anymore.
...Oh wait that place looks really nice. What used to be in the old place again? A bunch of benches and wobbly chairs right? I can't even remember anymore.
3
its kinda nice seeing new bars opening that don't have huge flat screen televisions on the walls..... +1 for conversation, its hard enough competing with cell phones....the big TVs can kill a conversation in a second
5
Hooray for the Unicorn! I can't wait to get really drunk there and experience giddy vertigo brought on by the decor!
10
I've been walking by nearly every morning for the past couple of months since they really started working on the space and the transformation has been impressive to watch.
12
I agree with #9, it's very garish. I don't understand how people like it - is it supposed to be ironically kitsch?
Well, whatever. To each his/her own.
Well, whatever. To each his/her own.
14
This place looks like pure magic, and I don't think I've ever looked forward to any bar as much. From a design standpoint, I am just thankful and amazed that they put so much time and attention into crafting the space and hand painting everything. This will be a great addition to the hill.
15
I pine for the good old days when that space was Spags, the gay chubby men and their admirers' bar.
19
@18 it's not just a bunch of tacky deer heads on the wall, the owner Adam actually went to a lot of trouble to put together a huge collection of vintage taxidermy, there are all sorts of really fantastic pieces all over the place, very impressive, well thought out decor, if you ask me.
20
Those "deer" are Oryx and Gazelle, and Ingo's right, we have an African cape buffalo, a leopard, a bear, a zebra, a boar, a monkey and some wild cats.
21
I know their heart is in the right place but I think they are trying a little too hard to be faaabulous...it's like the old adage about always removing one accessory before leaving the house...in this case, the tatty drag queen known as Unicorn should have removed about 47 accessories...also, it's too bright...bars should be DARK, not airy.
23
Boy that place sure does look hip. I bet there will be lots of hip people there drinking hip beer and hip cocktails with all their hip friends. The decor is so ironic and kitschy, did you see those ugly yet whimsical table tops? And those wall treatments are so outrageous!!!!!!!1 man this place sure is cool, I can't wait to check in there on foursquare!
25
Some of the decor looks cool, but I have to agree the animal heads are pretty fucking tasteless.
The owner at #20 being all proud that they're not deer, they're exotic hunted animals from around the globe, is even more lame.
I'll give it a chance but it definitely has the vibe of a spot designed for tourists from Bellevue.
The owner at #20 being all proud that they're not deer, they're exotic hunted animals from around the globe, is even more lame.
I'll give it a chance but it definitely has the vibe of a spot designed for tourists from Bellevue.
27
I really don't understand the hate that comes at these new bars. This is a pretty big metropolitan city. There's basically a bar for everyone. If you want dive, hole in the wall bars go to the Buckaroo or Blue Moon. If you want fancy cocktail bars go to Tavern Law or Sun Liquor or Sambar. If you want pubs go to any of the microbreweries or Irish pubs. If you want douchey fist-pump bars go to Heaven or Trinity. If you want kitschy, colorful hipster bars go to The Cha Cha or now The Unicorn. If you don't like it, don't go there. Unless you really missed the Satellite I don't understand the grumbling. It would be one thing if there was a true monolithic trend of bars opening. That would be annoying. That's not the case. By my estimation in the last 4 years capitol hill has seen bar openings for basically all tastes and demographics. Likewise, I could understand if you lived in a shithole town and they kept opening the same style bar you hated, I would understand bitching about it. I'm a pretty opinionated person and I understand and do myself gripe about bands or movies or tv shows that I think suck, because they can permeate your own personal day to day experience which is annoying. But if there's a bar or restaurant you don't like, don't go to it. It doesn't affect you at all... I think the Unicorn looks fun...
29
27, we can care because it's our neighborhood, ya jerk. if you lived here you'd know our last two bars designed for tourists (sugar and club lagoon) didn't turn out so well for the neighborhood.
31
@19 - "Well thought out decor" that borrows from a number of staples in the city, from the looks of it. *cough**Shorty's**cough*.
That said, I hear there's supposed to be big time pinball in the basement of that space. True? Nothing will ever replace Shorty's, but I could stand for some more pinball on the Hill.
That said, I hear there's supposed to be big time pinball in the basement of that space. True? Nothing will ever replace Shorty's, but I could stand for some more pinball on the Hill.
33
This place has the possibility of being pretty cool, but damn my eyes are bleeding. I could take that level of garishness if the place were pretty dark, but going there in the daylight would make me get all seizure-y. And, oh shit, if you were hungover?
34
There's no way in fuck I could go in there and relax and hang out. It doesn't look comfortable. Pretty? Yes. Like John Waters went through a rockabilly phase? Sure. But comfortable and some place I could spend more then an hour? No.
Wait, after a second look the table art is already starting to bug me, I hate the half-assed circus themed wall art and the taxidermy looks like the owner is trying way too hard and the pieces aren't complimented by those walls in any manner, they look tiny.
The cray-crazy patterns will definitely help any puking that might occur inside these walls along. Just like the circular back rubs of a good friend or thinking you could handle a second keg stand while someone is screaming in your face and punching you in the stomach and the tube is shoved into your gag spot.
Wait, after a second look the table art is already starting to bug me, I hate the half-assed circus themed wall art and the taxidermy looks like the owner is trying way too hard and the pieces aren't complimented by those walls in any manner, they look tiny.
The cray-crazy patterns will definitely help any puking that might occur inside these walls along. Just like the circular back rubs of a good friend or thinking you could handle a second keg stand while someone is screaming in your face and punching you in the stomach and the tube is shoved into your gag spot.
35
There's no way in fuck I could go in there and relax and hang out. It doesn't look comfortable. Pretty? Yes. Like John Waters went through a rockabilly phase? Sure. But comfortable and some place I could spend more then an hour? No.
Wait, after a second look the table art is already starting to bug me, I hate the half-assed circus themed wall art and the taxidermy looks like the owner is trying way too hard and the pieces aren't complimented by those walls in any manner, they look tiny.
The cray-crazy patterns will definitely help any puking that might occur inside these walls along. Just like the circular back rubs of a good friend or thinking you could handle a second keg stand while someone is screaming in your face and punching you in the stomach and the tube is shoved into your gag spot.
Wait, after a second look the table art is already starting to bug me, I hate the half-assed circus themed wall art and the taxidermy looks like the owner is trying way too hard and the pieces aren't complimented by those walls in any manner, they look tiny.
The cray-crazy patterns will definitely help any puking that might occur inside these walls along. Just like the circular back rubs of a good friend or thinking you could handle a second keg stand while someone is screaming in your face and punching you in the stomach and the tube is shoved into your gag spot.
43
#29 I do live in the neighborhood. I don't think Unicorn is Designed for tourists at all. Club Lagoon and Sugar were total disasters but in the last 4 years, Tavern Law, The Redwood, The Lookout, Quinns, The New Cha Cha, Odd-Fellows, Presse, Smith, The Saint, Knee High Stocking, and probably some others opened. Most of these places are pretty good bars, I bet Unicorn will be the same...
49
I love it! It reminds of me Alice & Wonderland. I love the little girl fantasy tea party vibe.
Damn, some of you are so uptight and grumpy. Seattle needs MORE crazy-looking bars. Besides, if the Satellite were turned into a place like Current, you'd just be bitching about how Bellevue transplants were ruining The Hill.
This is a nice change from all the swankier, slightly sterile places that had been cropping up like Quinn, Smith, Oddfellows, Liberty, Boom, Presse, Current, Lark, that delicious but belltowny Mexican place on 12th that begins with a "B," etc...It's nice to have some more variety.
Damn, some of you are so uptight and grumpy. Seattle needs MORE crazy-looking bars. Besides, if the Satellite were turned into a place like Current, you'd just be bitching about how Bellevue transplants were ruining The Hill.
This is a nice change from all the swankier, slightly sterile places that had been cropping up like Quinn, Smith, Oddfellows, Liberty, Boom, Presse, Current, Lark, that delicious but belltowny Mexican place on 12th that begins with a "B," etc...It's nice to have some more variety.
53
@29 This place was designed for locals by locals, ya jerk. Lots of us hill kids are pretty excited for this new interesting spot, so go take your bad attitude somewhere else.
54
Something different thank God! For all of you didn't grow up on the hill suck my ballz. This place rocks. Go to Belltown or Bellevue or for that matter hell. Just Kidding.
But Hey, this place is different and adds color and life to a city that is overcast and gray for most of the year!
Don't be so one dimensional, appreciate something that is different. Capitol Hill is the most colorful part of town, not in racial makeup (Columbia City) but in artistic youth and culture.
If you truly want to be authentic in your criticisms, try giving it a chance, waiting for it to open and paying it a visit. Judging from pictures is not really that practical when your dealing with a three dimensional space. Who knows it might be more esthetically pleasing to you when your inside having a good time.
Seattle loves to hate change and new ideas, some Examples "Chop Suey's name is racist" "The EMP is an Eye Sore" " The Space Needle is bad for the Skyline" You could open a bar and offer free booze, and someone would find a reason why that sucks.
all I say is don't be hating out the gate.
But Hey, this place is different and adds color and life to a city that is overcast and gray for most of the year!
Don't be so one dimensional, appreciate something that is different. Capitol Hill is the most colorful part of town, not in racial makeup (Columbia City) but in artistic youth and culture.
If you truly want to be authentic in your criticisms, try giving it a chance, waiting for it to open and paying it a visit. Judging from pictures is not really that practical when your dealing with a three dimensional space. Who knows it might be more esthetically pleasing to you when your inside having a good time.
Seattle loves to hate change and new ideas, some Examples "Chop Suey's name is racist" "The EMP is an Eye Sore" " The Space Needle is bad for the Skyline" You could open a bar and offer free booze, and someone would find a reason why that sucks.
all I say is don't be hating out the gate.
55
Something different thank God! For all of you didn't grow up on the hill suck my ballz. This place rocks. Go to Belltown or Bellevue or for that matter hell. Just Kidding.
But Hey, this place is different and adds color and life to a city that is overcast and gray for most of the year!
Don't be so one dimensional, appreciate something that is different. Capitol Hill is the most colorful part of town, not in racial makeup (Columbia City) but in artistic youth and culture.
If you truly want to be authentic in your criticisms, try giving it a chance, waiting for it to open and paying it a visit. Judging from pictures is not really that practical when your dealing with a three dimensional space. Who knows it might be more esthetically pleasing to you when your inside having a good time.
Seattle loves to hate change and new ideas, some Examples "Chop Suey's name is racist" "The EMP is an Eye Sore" " The Space Needle is bad for the Skyline" You could open a bar and offer free booze, and someone would find a reason why that sucks.
all I say is don't be hating out the gate.
But Hey, this place is different and adds color and life to a city that is overcast and gray for most of the year!
Don't be so one dimensional, appreciate something that is different. Capitol Hill is the most colorful part of town, not in racial makeup (Columbia City) but in artistic youth and culture.
If you truly want to be authentic in your criticisms, try giving it a chance, waiting for it to open and paying it a visit. Judging from pictures is not really that practical when your dealing with a three dimensional space. Who knows it might be more esthetically pleasing to you when your inside having a good time.
Seattle loves to hate change and new ideas, some Examples "Chop Suey's name is racist" "The EMP is an Eye Sore" " The Space Needle is bad for the Skyline" You could open a bar and offer free booze, and someone would find a reason why that sucks.
all I say is don't be hating out the gate.
56
Nice job Adam! We've been waiting for your place to open for a while now. I'm sure you'll do well with it.
57
@36
Have you ever seen photos of his house? I read a great article a long while ago regarding the interior of his house and it's amazing and fun and ridiculous. Not every room of course but some of them.
Have you ever seen photos of his house? I read a great article a long while ago regarding the interior of his house and it's amazing and fun and ridiculous. Not every room of course but some of them.
58
I think those walls might just look better in person than on an LCD screen. And taxidermy, exotic or not, is a brass balls move on Capitol Hill. Nice.
59
Some one told me a friend of theirs who has worked with Adam in the past commented that " It looked Like Liberace puked all over the place". Which i think is funny as hell. I love the photos of Liberace's house i've seen. Im looking forward to it opening. I think they have been working hard, and it may not be for the visually week of heart, but, they have certainly put some work into it.
Congrats Adam and Crew......Long Live Liberace !
Congrats Adam and Crew......Long Live Liberace !
60
@54 God, thats so true. Remember the "Barrio" fandangle? Just wait til PNK opens up in Pacific Place this spring as "Seattle's first ultralounge experience." Seattle is going to shit its collective pants over something so overtly trying-to-look-nice-on-purpose.
61
I think it looks amazing Adam! It's obvious a lot of time and energy was put into making this place look nice, if you can't appreciate it for what it is, then don't go there...
62
The Unicorn looks fantastic! I've been driving by and loving the exterior. And no I don't own it #18.
65
Looks awesome brother. Your gonna kill it. Once the haters go there they will get it. Can't wait to get out there from Idaho.
66
I'm looking forward to checking it out. Give the man a break. He has spent a long time putting this together. It's not an easy task. Also, stepping up and making something different is always a good thing in my book, especially for the Hill. If you don't like it, don't go. There's tons of bars around. Personally, I'm looking forward to checking it out and pinball on the hill...seems like it's been since Hi Score since that's happened.
67
I don't know Adam from Adam but the place looks cool. Obviously we'll be there when it's dark and we're drunk so the decor will be toned and blurred a bit for those it seems to bother. I will come and love it, I'm sure. Unless the staff fucks it up somehow.
68
I like the creepy circus theme, it looks more like Shorty's than some total hipster bar, and can't believe people start condemning a new indie business before it even opens. And it's not like it could have worse customer service than the Satellite, table service for drinks their totally sucked. So what happened to the early rumors of their being an arcade in the basement full of pinball machines and vintage games? I'd love to see that happen, I sadly miss the Hi*Score on the Hill and since the Comet pulled it's pinball machines, there is no good place to play pinball near Broadway.
71
Why the animal heads? Displays of sport hunting is gross. Never mind that they're "vintage" or whatever, it doesn't matter. Animals are more than decorations.
72
Looks like the new hipster cocaine bar complete with dead animals. What's next Glen Beck appreciation night?
74
It looks interesting, though I hate all the severed heads. It's bizarre to me that in a section of town with so many vegetarians, half of the bars are full of severed animal heads. They're gross and kind of depressing. I don't want to stare at dead things all night.
75
Blah blah to all ye skeptics and opinionated sad sacks. Its a fun place, the drinks are good and the opening was a blast. If you have gripes and premeditated "wah wahs" go back to Bellevue and let the Hill stay fun!
77
Looks great, I want to go. But jesus christ, when is this nonsensical, ironic taxidermy/animal-heads-on-walls trend going to fucking die?
78
Reading these blogs gives you a good since of who lives in the city. Now, i see that Seattle is filled with a bunch of grouchy old people. Why not stay at home and watch Frasier. Seattle Night Life won't miss you.
haters stay away. more room for the cool kids.
haters stay away. more room for the cool kids.
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