Tim's Tavern in White Center is facing a range of challenges from ongoing noise complaints to permitting issues that could mean closure or at the very least major changes in how they present music and do business. 

PostAlley.org recently featured Tim's Tavern in an article discussing White Center's growing creative scene. The piece highlights how Tim's Tavern has become a hub for emerging musicians, offering a space for new bands to perform and develop their craft. The article also explores how rising costs in Seattle have pushed artists and venues to White Center, where they are working to build a vibrant local music community.

The PostAlley.org article explains that Tim’s (which stands for "Together In Music)  in White Center faced significant noise complaints after hosting six outdoor live shows a week. In its first year, neighbors reported around 100 complaints, prompting scrutiny from King County officials. The owner, Mason Reed, was surprised by the backlash, as the venue had operated with outdoor music for years. However, officials clarified that downtown White Center is zoned to prohibit outdoor music venues without a special permit. Tim's is located at 9655 16th Ave SW in the heart of the community.

The county’s response was slow, balancing the desire to revitalize White Center with residents' frustrations over noise disturbances. In mid-2023, Tim’s Tavern agreed to end outdoor shows at 10 PM on weekends, and by February 2025, Reed moved the stage indoors, (see our previous coverage) costing over $100,000 in renovations.

The decision sparked mixed reactions at a community meeting—music fans protested, while longtime residents applauded. Some residents argued they weren’t opposed to a thriving arts scene but found the constant outdoor performances unacceptable. Ultimately, they felt that occasional outdoor shows might have been tolerated, but Tim’s Tavern’s frequency made it a target for complaints.

Mason Reed explained their situation and announced their community investment campaign:

"There’s been a lot of conversation around the zoning enforcement case against TIM’s Tavern, and I’d like to clarify the facts, provide context, and explain why we launched the Save TIM’s campaign.

We took over this property in 2023 with the understanding that it was already a permitted live music venue, and that White Center was a blossoming arts district where outdoor programming was encouraged.  I didn’t just move my business to White Center, I also became a resident here around the same time.  (I live a few blocks from TIM’s)
Coming out of the pandemic, we believed that an existing outdoor stage in a diverse, developing business corridor was the perfect new home for TIM’s.

What started as a couple of noise complaints has now escalated into a full enforcement case (ENFR24-0051), where King County is citing landscaping, building code, and grading violations that go back many years, long before we arrived.  We did not build these features. But now we’re expected to bring everything into compliance, and we’ve received no clear path forward from the County, just a growing list of complications and costs.

When we asked why this wasn’t enforced during the 6+ years Drunky’s BBQ was the tenant,  a venue that also hosted live music and reportedly received frequent complaints, we were told: “we only look into things when we get complaints.”
That feels selective at best,  and targeted at worst.

Here’s how we have addressed complaints:
We’ve made every good-faith effort to be a responsible neighbor.

• We end outdoor music before 10 PM
• We moved most performances indoors and spent nearly $100,000 building a new indoor stage and sound-insulated space
• We’ve offered to install barriers, relocate speaker orientation, and even purchase an A/C unit for a complaining neighbor to reduce open-window impact
• We also invited neighbors back in 2023 to a mediated sit-down through Detective Brennan at the Sheriff’s office which they declined.

Instead, we’ve received harassing voicemails, staff intimidation, and were even told to our faces: “we’re going to shut you down.” 

We considered building a wall to block outdoor sound, but were told by the County that no new construction could proceed until we resolved the legacy building violations we didn’t create.  We also didn't want to invest tens of thousands building sound dampening structures while the possibility of having to remove the entire patio space was still on the table.  This has now dragged on for over two years, with no clear resolution and increasing pressure to shut the patio down completely.

The most frustrating part is that County officials have repeatedly told us “the neighborhood is upset” or “the neighborhood feels…”  using language that suggests broad community opposition. But that narrative is being shaped by a small, unelected body, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC), who do not represent the diverse and supportive White Center we know.

This is a place with many voices, and we feel the vast majority want music, community, and small businesses to thrive.  In fact, in less than 24 hours, our open letter gathered over 1,500 signatures and more are still coming in. The message is clear: NHUAC does not speak for the whole neighborhood. 

TIM’s Tavern isn’t just a bar. We’re a destination that brings people, and revenue, into White Center. Ask the small business owners on 16th they’ll tell you: our customers visit their shops, eat at their restaurants, and spend money here. 

We simply can't survive without our patio that represents more than half our service area.  If we’re forced to shut it down, or relocate,  it won’t just be a loss for TIM’s. It’ll be another vacant building in a business district that’s already endured too much.

All we’re asking for is a variance, or better yet, a modernized zoning update that reflects today’s realities  and allows small, community-rooted venues like ours to survive.

We’ve launched a Honeycomb investment campaign (not a donation drive but a chance to partner) and help support the costs of legal compliance, permitting, and survival. We’ve also started the open letter at SaveTims.com to show King County the scale of public support. 

It might feel counterintuitive, but it’s true—the more people who invest, the stronger the campaign, and the better the chance everyone gets repaid.

Here’s the key part: if we don’t hit the $60K minimum, no money changes hands. All funds are returned to investors. Your support only moves forward if we raise what we need to succeed.

We’re not here to create enemies. We’re here to protect something real and to push for a future where art, music, and community gathering still have a place in this neighborhood."