Tim’s Tavern, a cornerstone of the White Center music scene, is facing an uphill battle for its future as a series of fresh infrastructure failures adds to an already heavy burden of zoning and permitting struggles. Owner Mason Reed announced this week that the venue is now "fighting for survival" as expenses for critical repairs continue to mount.

A Cascade of New Challenges

The latest setbacks are physical and costly. Last month, during a period of heavy winds, the tavern’s iconic sign blew down "piece by piece over 4 nights". More significantly, the venue is facing a $25,000 plumbing crisis caused by a collapsed concrete pipe buried in the lot next door. Reed noted that the plumbing must be addressed as soon as possible, as the system could "block up again any moment".

These issues come at a time when the tavern is already grappling with the forced demolition of its patio. Reed is currently awaiting a demolition permit, expected within the next two weeks, to begin the process. While he hopes to rebuild the patio by next summer, he estimates that outdoor live shows likely won't return until summer 2027. This delay is a significant blow to the business, as the lack of a functional patio cost the venue nearly two-thirds of its revenue last summer.

Building on Past Struggles

These new hurdles follow a long, publicized struggle with King County that came to a head in May 2025. At that time, Tim’s Tavern was already dealing with:

• Noise Complaints: Over 100 complaints from a small group of neighbors led to intense scrutiny from the county.

• Legacy Violations: The venue was cited for landscaping, grading, and building code violations that predated Reed’s ownership.

• Costly Renovations: In an effort to be a "good neighbor," Reed spent over $100,000 to move the music stage indoors and sound-insulate the space.

Despite these efforts, the venue has faced ongoing intimidation and a "selective" enforcement process that has left the future of the outdoor space in limbo for over two years.

A Call for Community Support

In response to the mounting pressure, the tavern has launched savetims.com, a platform where supporters can choose from various tiers to help the venue stay afloat. This is in addition to a previous investment campaign aimed at covering legal compliance and permitting costs.

"If you've ever laughed here, cried here, met someone here, danced here, or played a show here... we need your help more than ever," Reed said in a recent update.

Beyond financial support, the tavern is encouraging fans to attend upcoming shows to support local artists. 

A "Save Tim’s Fest" and other community events are also being planned for the spring to help bridge the gap.

Tim’s Tavern is located at 9655 16th Ave SW in the heart of White Center. For more information on how to support the venue or to view their upcoming schedule, visit savetims.com