Herding Cats in Kirkland

Kirkland -- not your grandparents burb

We went to Seattle a couple of times over the past couple months and had a great time.  The most recent, was at the beginning of March.  We stayed in Redmond and not being familiar with the area, our concierge recommended Kirkland.  We were pleasantly surprised.  It was kind of like Sausalito in the Bay area.  It's just east of Seattle on Lake Washington, has a lovely boardwalk, art galleries, etc... The highlight however was an excellent house band at the Kirkland Ave. Pub. 

We approached some twenty-somethings leaving a bar and asked if they had any recommendations for good local live music.  They recommended the Kirkland Pub and said there was a great 80s cover band playing that night.  The price was quite reasonable it was a $5 cover each and that included a free drink - which were very generously poured.

The Pub is nothing to speak of, a big cavernous room.  It's two levels with a bar spanning one side of the room which overlooks the first floor and the small stage.  We joined a very friendly group of people who had I think been there for a while drinking.  They informed us that the band, the Herding Cats, played there every Thursday and Sunday night and that the drummer was phenomenal -- that he often played with touring bands when they were in Seattle.

Not being a musician, I didn't appreciate how good the drummer was till he started.  It really was spectatular -- he was like a blur.  The band was incredibly tight and played much more than 80s music.  In fact they played everything well, from classic rock, to country, to pop music.  We had a blast.  I'd love to see them the next time I'm in Seattle.  I have pictures on my camera phone, which when I figure out how to download them, will add to the blog.

Pub Crawl, well not really

Rich and I had arrived in Seattle that afternoon and hadn't had lunch yet.  We decided to head to Pike's place market area, since I know it well and it was a beautiful warm spring day.  We had a late lunch at Kell's Irish Pub in Post Alley.  The food was good, and service was friendly though a bit slow.  We then went to Pike brewery as I wanted to get a tshirt.  The following day, Rich spent with a friend of his from Seattle, finding of all things, a small German pub, which he said was very authentic.  I can't recall the name -- when I find out I'll add it to the post.

Comments

[dharmabruce]

Very nice piece! The herding cats new web site is http://www.TheHerdingCats.org/. Please note that the Herding Cats band now plays at Waldo's in Kirkland every Sunday night.

[Todd Holman]

Please note the Herding Cats now play at Wilde Rover Irish Bar in Kirkland