By Patrick Robinson

Some people are effortlessly cool. Others are surprisingly versatile.

Not the quarterback in high school cool. More the easy confident awareness kind of cool. That’s Tony Larson. Tony is a bar consultant and an expert mixologist. What that means is that people who want to build a bar, call on him to develop the way a bar is set up for maximum efficiency, what pricing to establish, and even help develop signature cocktails. He’s done it for The Phoenecia Restaurant in West Seattle and has honed the practices and menus at many more.

But now, along with his versatile partner Derek Moon (more on Derek in a moment) he is building out the Revelry Room and Aileron in the former Lika Love location in the West Seattle Junction at 4547 California Ave SW.

Revelry, as they expect it will be known is both a bar and an event space, which dovetails with Derek’s experience. He’s the owner of event space, Jet City Labs across the street and upstairs which regularly hosts parties, meetings, yoga and more. Derek brings his knowledge and taste as a D.J. and perhaps surprisingly, his deep background in computer coding which comes in handy when something requires a complex solution. He's also an expert in the digital tools applied to marketing and consults with local businesses.

Revelry, if the aims of Larson and Moon are met, will reflect their mutual love of the hospitality that bars and events represent. 

The event space out front called Aileron can hold around 40 people in a variety of configurations from an intimate concert, to an art show.  There wil also be some merchandise for purchase since it will have some gift style items on display.

The bar in back is being completely redone guided by Larson's studied hand.

He knows his stuff and pointed out that ideally (though not always practical for every drink) a cocktail should be able to be made in roughly 90 seconds. It's dependent on the order a ticket comes in of course but he has developed strategies to enable a faster product output. "We did all our bars with what are called 'cheater bottles'... Tequila/Triple Sec. Two spirit ingredients and then lime juice. So we're going to take these two shelf stable ingredients put them in one bottle together at the right proportion. So instead of me having to grab one bottle, two bottles or three bottles now I only have to get the two bottles, so that's seconds saved."

His beverage philosophy is simple. "Anywhere from a Rainier and a well whiskey to Westland single malt and a craft beer. I think that encompasses our neighborhood. We love local. We love casual and that's true almost as much of the cocktails. That's really what I'm looking forward to curating." You'll likely see many of the Greater Seattle area distilleries represented and local breweries too."We'll have like a large selection of incredibly affordable whiskey," Larson said.

But efficiency aside he is mostly excited about creating a warm welcoming space for people. "We want to throw like a little house party all the time. And create just a fun cozy space for people in West Seattle to come in and relax."

"What I think we provide is an invite and a platform to socialize. Something that we've definitely been missing since the pandemic, and I think people are hungry for it again.

So when creating a space. Being comfortable is most most important. I always say the three, probably the most three important things are going to be temperature, lighting and music. Like no one wants to be too cold or too hot. Nobody likes a super bright bar, but you also need to be able to see and everybody loves good tunes, you know. So if you can cater those to your clientele and people that come in and they can feel comfortable and cozy and kick their feet up...If you create a place where people can socialize and congregate and make memories, I think that's what's paramount."

The bar in back that was a "speakeasy" before will seat about 35 but the previously nondescript entrance on the alley will be clearly marked.

"We will have food. We will have a very small menu. We don't have a lot of room to work with. The bar wasn't built out with a proper kitchen, so we're going to serve sort of simple comfort food. But the menu is honestly still being developed. The hours that we're going to serve at a certain point in the evening, we are just going to be sort of like a nightlife venue."

Derek Moon is such a blend of talents and knowledge it's hard to keep him on one topic as he considers all the angles of any question. He's a software developer and a digital marketing expert and a DJ and an event host all in one. He loves West Seattle and Revelry represents the achievement of a long held goal.

"We want there to be these spaces in West Seattle, like this is my home. This is like where I've been since like 2016... This place really spoke to me... I've traveled all over the world and this is like the place where I'm calling home. I want a place that I want to frequent, you know, that's important to me. There are already places for everybody.  But just to be able to contribute in that regard is is huge, but now the goal is more. It's more than a profit motive, but it's a community motive. How do we make this community vibrant? There's already something special happening in West Seattle. It really has that energy and it's like what can I do to help create it? How to operate my talents and bring our skills to the table to help enhance the neighborhood."

In operating Jet City Labs he's found it a challenge to get people upstairs for events and as a pure event space it means creating cash flow is mandatory. So now his plan is "To have this kind of be a little more sustainable. You know, as far as having a bar, you know a regular bar and it kind of keeps a good revenue stream going, but it also gives us so many more possibilities in drawing a crowd."

That will mean you'll likely see pop up events at Revelry and Aileron with either local or national brands doing something special.

One thing completely unique to the business will be the "Prince themed" unisex restroom. Yes it will be purple and yes it will have a symbol on the door, the two owners confirm. Larson, who's a Prince fan even noted a funny call back from his past. On the night he turned 21, Larson, who is also a former wide receiver from his football days, was taken by a friend to the local Applebees where he had his first drink.

A Purple People Eater.

"Full Circle baby yeah, " said Larson.

The hours for Revelry/Aileron will be Sun-Thur 4pm-12am  and Fri-Sat 4pm-2am