Post #479472 by DJ Terence Gunn on Tue, Aug 25, 2009 11:19 PM

This was the fourth annual Seattle Area Home Bar Tour, and I must say...this year's event wins for the most craziest and most rowdiest SAHBT. And THAT is really saying something! I'm still trying to get my breath back. As the sole organiser of the event I learn something each year; and mainly that is that each year is going to be a different experience that I cannot predict. However, despite any problems and shortcomings (which largely go unnoticed), each event has been a success; and this year's event was nothing short of a success. And though I am the organiser, the success of the event should be duly attributed to the attendees and, most respectively, the home bar owners themselves, without whose support the event would not be possible.

Only a dozen TC'ers from the NW (including B.C.) attended the event (out of nearly 60 attendees), but I will still post thanks to all involved.

Monkey Skull Voodoo Lounge (Pete):
Pete's Monkey Skull Voodoo Lounge ranks in my Top 3 of best Seattle Area Home Bars/Lounges (and I've been scoping these out in the Seattle area since 1996), but I would rank it, in this case, No. 1 for the general scope of the interior (the basement Lounge) and backyard space, decor and atmosphere. Pete's generosity and co-operation and attentiveness to detail is also to be commended and attributed for this ranking. This bloke isn't messin' round, TC Ohana: he knows his stuff, has done his 'homework' and done his 'combat training' in preparation; has put tremendous forethought, labour, and expense into his environment; he has tremendous imagination, integrity and scope, and knows how to execute such. He's an artist. And a damn good fellow. I'm blessed to know him, as is anybody who's been to his place.

Island Life (Lynette)
Met her in 2007, and she's been a supporter of the SAHBT since. I adore this woman and her vision; her generosity, scope, and youthfulness. Her shop is the only one like it in Seattle -- and especially at the prices she offers. Sadly, Island Life may not last much longer, due to lack of patronage and the City Of Seattle's re-construction of the multi-laned street Island Life resides upon: First Avenue, a major street for many shopkeepers.

Hollywood House Of Tiki (Anthony)
A picture-perfect setting for a 1950s Hollywood Ranch House done in a Tropical flair. Anthony's a wonderful fellow. He knows Retro aesthetics and he's done his house from top to bottom in detailed, well-placed vintage decor and Neuvo-Retro designs, in a manner that would make any Vintage-Collectible-ite envious, and any Real Estate Agent inspired. But nothing in this domestically-Retro experience is cluttered: all domestic articles are functional and diplomatically-placed, as a proper home should be.

Anthony had his home and all the furniture, etc. up for sale last year. In the end, he decided against it. I, and many people, are glad he did. I hope he is too.

The Shrunken Head Lounge
Wait a minute...that's my place.

Palapala (Barbara)
Hired as the provider of the food provisions for the first day's patrons. And boy! did she deliver! The past year's first day's food has always been good, but Barbara went well and beyond the call of duty this year! Bravo, Palapala!

Mai Tai Conspiracy (Seattle 'Band')
This is a group I created specifically for last year's SAHBT, but played again for this year's SAHBT and delivered well, peforming such songs as 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', 'Quiet Village', 'The Savage', 'A Shot In The Dark', 'Apache', 'More', 'Bali Ha'i', 'Mission: Impossible', and 'The Breeze & I'. Should the group continue, Mai Tai Conspiracy will be revamping its personnel for future performances. And hopefully for the better!

Thanks also to the Ukadelics for performing at Island Life on the second day, giving the Tourists a musical Aloha upon their entrance.

Donations: A BIG THANKS to Lynette Wylie of Island Life. Also thanks to Squid and Dawn Frasier.

The Seattle Area Home Bar Tour relies upon attendees, yes, but more importantly, home bar owners who fit the bill. And it is the home bar owners that truly make the event happen. Many past home bar owners don't wish to participate in the SAHBT again. Too much trouble, I suppose. And there seems to be a lack of interested and/or forthcoming undiscovered home bar owners, despite the event's promotion over the years.

If you live in the Seattle area and have participated in the SAHBT, and should you wish it to happen again, the future of this event relies upon Home Bar stops. I can only revisit -- and revisit I am reluctant to do, unless the home bars were absolutely staggering -- so many from past SAHBTs (once again, those who are willing, and not very many are) so I look to others to help further the cause...and the event. Know somebody with a bar and lounge in their home (doesn't have to be tropical, but rather exotic or strongly thematic, preferably reflective of the mid-20th Century) or somebody who is planning one, then please don't hesitate to contact me or have them contact me. No new home bar stops = no future SAHBTs.

That said, I regret to say the Seattle Area Home Bar Tour event may close this year; or more realistically, may go into hiatus. I did my bit for four years, and am pretty burnt out on the whole affair. I need a rest. Hopefully during this period some new home bars with interested proprietors will come my way.

One thing I absolutely DO know is that any future SAHBTs will have a capacity of no more than 35-40 people (which will make it easier on the home bar owners and myself), and that the ticket price will be raised for the first time in four years.

So until the SAHBT happens again, all the best and aloha!

[ Edited by: DJ Terence Gunn 2009-09-09 23:33 ]