The famous Alki Tavern, which closed its doors for the final time in 2013, was demolished on Tuesday Aug. 8 long after the neon sign was donated to the museum history and industry, after so many who loved it signed the wall. after people who drank and partied there came for one last look, after its owner for 38 years Gill McLynne said goodbye. The wrecking crew came in to remove it in preparation for new construction. 

SEE THE VIDEO OF THE TEARDOWN HERE

The adjacent buildings will be torn down soon and the groundwork done for the construction of a six story mixed use building. See our previous coverage here.

The new project is unique in several ways, containing a breezeway and a mix of retail, restaurant, and a design and light manufacturing center for Youngone Corp., a manufacturer of Korean sports gear and outdoor apparel. The project is expected to take roughly two years to complete.

McLynne was there to see the tear down and said, "it would have cost a fortune to rebuild it, so this is progress." He recalled the many times he and employees would climb out the back and go up on the roof to repair a leak, the 40 or more Harley Davidson riders who would show up for the regionally well known "Taco Tuesdays" and  the 38 year tradition of the chef shouting "Last call for Tacos!" and the whole bar shouting back "Fuck you!" three times in a row. 

A crowd of about 30 people witnessed the teardown, many commenting, recalling the time they took a first date there, or snuck in with fake ID, or played pool there. Some spoke of the $1 Wimpy Burgers or lamented about the loss of a dive bar in West Seattle, now seeing so much new construction.

The restaurant space proposed for the middle of the new building will have an amazing view. If it ends up being a space with beer, McLynne said he'd be happy to hoist one in honor of the old Alki Tavern. "That I will do," he said smiling.