When the owners of several beloved Seattle beer institutions wanted to expand into a new part of town, they approached the design team with a vision: a beerhall-style taproom, contemporary yet distinctly Pacific Northwest in character, that captured the spirit of its light industrial neighborhood location. The result is Trailbend Taproom, a spare, materially-rich bar that feels part workshop, part living room.
At Trailbend, the ever-rotating array of 42 tap beers take center stage. At the front of the space, the taps are set in a lighted niche with a Carrara marble backsplash, which is set within a wall stained a deep charcoal color. An open kitchen features marble countertops, walnut and steel shelving, stained wood soffits, and a Wood Stone Oven. The custom steel-and-wood tap list, inspired by split-flap arrival displays often found in early 20th century train stations, further highlights the focus on craft beer. The tap list is composed of a 20-foot-long-by-7-foot-tall blackened-steel armature holding double-sided rotating plywood placards with interchangeable letters. A library-style ladder provides access to the uppermost placards.
Salvaged wood sourced from sinker logs is set into minimalist, bent and blackened steel frames and used for table tops, drink ledges, and stool seats. Together, the honey-colored wood and blackened steel yields a warm industrial aesthetic. A beer hall-inspired monolithic twelve-top table greets customers as they enter. The 11-foot-long table is made of reclaimed fir slabs that span between board-formed concrete legs. A tile- and wood-clad alcove provides cozy booth seating. Custom light fixtures, designed by the architects, illuminate the bar and communal tables.
Outside, the facade is composed of a mix of full-height windows and sliding doors, connecting the activity inside to the street. The window wall provides ample daylight and, weather permitting, can open the bar to the 30-seat sidewalk cafe.
Credits: Architectural Elements, Harriott Valentine Engineers, Kevin Scott, Turnstyle, Haris Kenjar, Western Neon, Dovetail General Contractors, Firelight Forge
Credits:
- Western Neon - Fabricator, neon signage
- Kevin Scott - Photographer
- Haris Kenjar - Photographer
- Harriott Valentine Engineers - Structural Engineer
- Firelight Forge - Fabricator, furniture and drink rail
- Dovetail General Contractors - Contractor
- Turnstyle - Graphic Designer
- Architectural Elements - Fabricator, general metalwork
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