BalMar-Where Ballard Meets Market

by Esther Shin

At the intersection of Ballard Avenue and N.W. Market Street is trendy bar BalMar - hence the name due to its location. One is wary of using "trendy" when describing Ballard, as the neighborhood is known for its classic character and charm. But this bar is different - think the old meets new.

On any given night you'll find an eclectic mix of people. BalMar has the stylish feel of a downtown bar, but the cozy feeling of a Ballard bar. You don't have to wear heels and a mini-skirt to get in, but if you prefer to get a little dressed up you wouldn't feel out of place.

With a background in event planning, Ballard resident Andrea Martin envisioned a place where people could get a cocktail and enjoy good company. "We wanted a place for conversation, a place where people could come with friends, go on a date, meet for a special occasion and have a quality cocktail," says Martin.

Co-owner Steve Mako grew up in Ballard. His father owned the business space before it was BalMar. In fact the space began as a department store, and then Steve's father ran an office machine store for more than thirty years. Steve spent a lot of time in this building.

As a general contractor and skilled in construction work, Mako wanted to use the original materials to renovate the space.

This 4,000 sq. ft. space features two floors. The structure maintains a lot of the old Ballard charm, but has a chic, modern feel.

On the bottom level, the walls display huge, bold paintings from rotating local artists for the monthly Artwalk. The paintings accentuate the deep red hues and exposed brick wall of BalMar. In the evening the dim lights create a warm, rich, romantic ambience. There are high tables and chairs, a spacious lounge area with leather couches and ottomans. Live D.J. music Thursday through Sunday lends itself to a trendy, slightly club feel.

The second floor has its own bar area and two pool tables. It has the same d/cor as the bottom level, but it feels like a separate bar in and of itself. It is more casual and entertaining. In other words, take a date to the upper level, ease the tension by playing a game of pool then casually transition to the bottom, grab a couple cocktails, and begin intimate conversation.

Like any chic bar, BalMar is often packed during the weekends, especially when the space is reserved for a private party. "We do a lot of private parties," Martin proudly exclaims. The second story of BalMar holds up to 100 people, and the back room fills about thirty. "Company parties, engagement parties, bachelorette parties, we've even had two weddings!"

As far as drinks go, everything on the cocktail menu looks tasty. Bartender Joe Zara makes a good Bloody Mary, which includes a bacon strip - breakfast in a glass - but he says the most popular cocktail is the Guilty Conscience, made of cucumber, oranges, vodka, lime juice, ginger simple syrup and ginger ale.

BalMar offers an extensive food menu. It's not your typical bar menu, so you won't go hungry and have to munch on tortilla chips and salsa for dinner. The dinner menu offers sharable options: starters such as fries, cheese plate, crispy calamari, various salads, and entrees including grilled lamb sliders and rosemary scallops. The Happy Hour menu offers selections from the dinner menu for a reasonable price.

If you're looking for some old Ballard charm, but new Ballard chic; a romantic night for two or a casual hang out, meet your friends on the corner of two streets in the heart of Ballard, where the old and the new converge.

What:

BalMar

Where:

5449 Ballard Ave. N.W.

www.thebalmar.com

297-0500

When:

Hours 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. daily

Happy Hour 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. daily