♪♪
5140 Ballard Avenue Northwest
first opened for business in 1904
as the Owl Saloon, a favorite watering hole
for loggers, fishermen, and Scandinavians.
-Skol! -Skol!
-When Prohibition hit in 1920... [ Booing ]
...the Owl Saloon became the Owl Cafe.
When Prohibition got the boot... [ Cheering ]
...the Owl Cafe became a tavern once more,
and customers again bellied up, legally,
to the well-worn wooden bar.
In the 1970s and '80s, the Owl was a rocking blues joint,
featuring top talent from the Pacific Northwest.
And when the owners called it quits in the early '90s,
a young Irishman took the reins and renamed it Conor Byrne Pub.
In the ensuing decades,
Conor Byrne played a central role in Seattle's music scene,
nurturing up-and-coming talent,
presenting seasoned, sometimes famous musicians,
and introducing audiences to artists from around the globe.
In spring 2024, amidst swirling rumors of permanent closure...
[ Booing ] ...Conor Byrne shifted gears
and, with the blessing of owner Diarmuid Cullen,
began a new chapter as an employee-
and community-owned cooperative. [ Cheering ]
With strong public support,
Conor Byrne will reopen
and continue to be your friendly, well-run,
well-stocked, music-centric neighborhood pub.