A trio of Ballardites have bought Copper Gate, and plan to turn it into a bar called “Olaf’s,” which is the name of the little viking in the The Viking Tavern’s logo. The three owners, David Chilson, Pete Pigott, and Sara Moot, were all regulars of the now-closed Viking and pounced on the opportunity to start up what they hope will be the new watering hole for that part of Ballard.
Chilson says when they heard the bar was quietly for sale, they jumped at the opportunity. He says losing The Viking meant some tough changes, so they swooped in, saying it was their chance to, “save a bar for our neighborhood.” As for the name change, he recognizes that the Copper Gate has a colorful history, but thought it was time for a clean slate, while paying homage to the landmark Viking.
Chilson says he wants to squash the rumor that Olaf’s will be a sports bar (although they do plan to air Seahawk’s games during football season), and says he hopes it will be an old school-type bar, “where you can sit around, meet your friends and neighbors and have a good time.” He says they want it to have a community feel, and will keep much of the same aesthetics as Copper Gate. While they don’t expect to recreate The Viking, Chilson says Olaf’s will be, “a nod to the neighborhood bar that we all loved, and a place where you can feel comfortable.”
As for food, the kitchen will run by business partner Sara Moot, who opened up Persimmon in Fremont. Chilson says they’ll be featuring quality bar food, including sandwiches, hot dogs, and other items, all “a notch of execution above frozen patties.”
They’ll be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and hope to open by August 21, or around the third week of August. Stay tuned for another post closer to the opening.
