The combination of outstanding beer and a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere have made the The Noble Fir, located on Ballard Ave, one of my favorite beer bars in the city. So, when owners Rick Weersing and Ellen Kelly mentioned that they were planning on signing a lease to open a new place in Fremont, I was definitely intrigued.

They just today finalized a lease at 3417 Evanston Ave, at the corner of 35th and Evanston in the heart of Fremont. The name of their new venture will be The Sixgill, which will be named after the shark that is native to Puget Sound waters. Anyone who knows The Noble Fir and the hiking influence there (library of hiking guides and maps, REI steel hiking cups used to hold crackers, etc…) won’t be surprised to hear that the Sixgill will similarly have an influence from outdoor water-based activities like kayaking. They will have water recreation guides and nautical charts to check out while you drink your beer. Their target opening date is slated for April 2013, if all goes well.

The Sixgill will be much bigger than The Noble Fir; almost twice the size at about 2,400 sq ft. They will have room for 30+ taps of beer, and they will also have a full kitchen and full bar. The food and booze is a new direction for Rick & Ellen, but it is a direction they are excited about. The menu will be a NW take on pub food, with nothing deep fried. A few potential menu items include cider-braised octopus with piquillo pepper bisque and smoked paprika, manilla clams with pork jowl, spring herbs, and fellel-potato broth, and a blackened cod club sandwich. The beer focus will remain on regional craft beer, and they also plan to have at least 5-6 taps dedicated to hard cider.

The space is in the new Saturn Building and features high ceilings and an abundance of natural light. There will be room for a few tables on a sidewalk patio, and they will also have access to use the parking lot for a couple of special events each year.

With the addition of The Sixgill in the same neighborhood as Brouwer’s Cafe, The Red Door, Outlander Brewery & Pub, & Fremont Brewing, Fremont continues to grow as one of the beeriest neighborhoods in Seattle.

Congrats to Rick & Ellen on their next adventure!