Flatstick Pub, South Lake Union
Flatstick Pub's expansive South Lake Union location features a restaurant, bar, mini-golf arena, and private party spaces with modern design elements such as white oak planes and custom steel details, offering a refined atmosphere and diverse seating options, despite facing construction challenges due to its location within the Allen Institute for Brain Science.
Flatstick Pub’s third and largest location encompasses 11,000 square feet within the historic façade of the former William O. McKay Ford and Pacific Lincoln Mercury auto showrooms in the South Lake Union neighborhood. The remodeled space includes a restaurant and bar, private party spaces including a room with a dedicated bar, a mini-golf arena and areas for proprietary games.
The interior features white oak horizontal planes, custom steel elements, and a modern selection of light fixtures within the concrete building shell, creating an elevated, refined atmosphere. Custom steel room dividers segment the expansive space into comfortable gathering areas while maintaining an open layout. Various seating options cater to guests’ preferences for dining and game-playing, from small and large booths, bar seating, and both seated and standing tables. The bar offers over 30 locally-brewed beers and ciders from custom Washington-shaped steel taps, while the restaurant serves pizza and pub fare from a local chef. A neon-lit “Bar” sign hangs from a custom-designed steel structure denoting the counter that calls out to visitors as soon as they walk in the front door.
The construction within the historic space, now a part of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, faced its own set of challenges. In addition to reconstruction within the space itself and restrictions to the shell of the building, the construction schedule and machinery were limited due to any potential vibrations that could disrupt sensitive science experiments happening on the floors above.
As a strong supporter of local makers, Flatstick carries this philosophy beyond the use of local food and brews and incorporates local artistry through the works that adorn the walls, golf room and even the floor. Artist Ryan Ward, aka “Henry,” has created three-dimensional sculptures for the golf course, visible from outside through large windows. Ellen Picken’s geometric mural enlivens the dining area while Kyler Martz’s seaworthy mural adorns the Whale Room, a private party space at the front with a wall of windows. The Back 9, the party space behind the golf roof, features a private bar, wraparound booth, and wilderness-inspired mural by Zach Rockstad.
