I love living in Beacon Hill. My wife and I have been living in the northern part of the neighborhood since 2007 and enjoy the quiet community, the location, the diversity, and the people. Our house is about a mile from the core business strip of N. Beacon Hill and the Light Rail station, and we’re also easy walking distance to the International District and Safeco/Qwest Fields. We have one of the most beautiful views in the city nearby at Dr. Jose Rizal Park, and the neighborhood is a great place for walks and bicycling.

There are some fantastic businesses in the neighborhood, including Victrola, The Station, Delite Bakery, El Quetzal, Inay’s, Baja Bistro, Golden Daisy, Kusina Filipina, and recent additions Bar Del Corso and Travelers Thali House. But, the main thing the neighborhood is missing (from many people’s perspective at least) is a good bar. Bar Del Corso is the only place that has a selection of craft beer, and while they do feature some solid beers (Two Beers Evo IPA & Rogue Shakespeare Stout last night!) they only rotate 2 or 3 taps and the place is so popular that it isn’t a great place just to just go grab beers and relax. So, when I heard the news that the owners of The Redwood in Capitol Hill were working on opening a new place called The Oak in N. Beacon Hill, I was ecstatic.

It’s been a while since I have been in the Redwood, but I recall it being a place with very good food and a solid lineup of beers (I recall sampling the Big Al Smoked Porter for the first time there). It’s the type of place I could sit down to have a few beers with friends, watch the Mariners and be a happy man. The Oak plans to bring that same formula to Beacon Hill, with an emphasis on “local-sourced, organic American comfort foods and local breweries.” The new place would have a family friendly area open until 10pm, as well as a 21+ bar area.

Doesn’t that sound like a great addition to the neighborhood? Most people think so. But, apparently some locals do not. The Beacon Hill Blog reported earlier today that the Liquor Control Board received 14 protest letters but only 5 letters of support for the business. The owners now must respond by March 26 with a statement outlining why The Oak should still be approved for the liquor license. More importantly for anyone reading that cares enough, letters from the community will be considered as well.

Rather than talk about how ridiculous I think the situation is, and how people fear change too much, I’ll just encourage anyone who is interested in expressing their feelings about The Oak to send a letter to:

Washington State Liquor Control Board
Licensing and Regulation
P.O. Box 43098
Olympia, WA 98504-309

Make sure to reference this information in your letter:

Referencing The Oak
License #408904
3019 Beacon Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98144-5853

I think a business like The Oak would thrive in Beacon Hill, and I know that I’ll surely support it. I can see myself diverting my commute home from the more direct #36 bus that would drop me off at my place and instead taking the Light Rail up there, where I can grab a post-work beer just down the street. I do not think the bar would create significant issues for the neighborhood, be it noise, violence, or any other concerns listed here.