9/25 update: The State Liquor Control Board now says there is no issue with Tigertail’s license and the King County Recorder’s Office has no liens on record that would indicate an IRS property seizure.
The sign on the door at Tigertail restaurant and bar on 65th St. says the establishment has been temporarily closed by the Liquor Control Board. My Ballard reader Roy Hobbs sent us this photo below. The sign reads, “Sorry, we’ve been shut down by Liquor Control. Be open soon.”
Earlier this week, Chris sent us an email to say he saw another sign on the door that claimed Tigertail is having issues with the IRS. The sign disappeared a short time later. Our sister blog PhinneyWood has called the IRS, which referred them to the county auditor’s office, which then referred them to the county Recorders office, where they left a message. They also called the public records line at the State Liquor Control Board, where they were told there is a “pending issue on their license.” They also left a message for Tigertail’s owners, so stay tuned.
on the 17th there was a note on the door that read “closed for private party” but there was no party happening…
maybe someone will open a new establishment there that features some decent food. It's sad when the best food avaiable on that strip is the pizza place and the Tin Hat.
i love the food at tigertail. they use all local, organic ingredients with inventive recipes. hope they reopen soon, im jonesing for some peanut chicken skewers.
Ever eat at Molly's? Excellent nosh.
This is very strange. Tigertail is such a nice place, good food, and the bartender certainly nows what he's doing. I wonder what the 'issue' could be.
It could be anything, from not checking an ID, to not submitting a renewal form correctly, to noise complaints from neighbors, to over serving, not closing on time, to a felony on the owner's part…who knows? Liquor licenses are very subjective and it could be minor or severe. I guess we'll find out if they open back up in a few days.
Ug! I hope it's something small that can be fixed in a few days. They just started doing weekend brunch, darn it!
How's the brunch there? I'm always looking for a new spot.
It all sounds suspicious to me. First closed for private party that according to toudios did not happen, then tax issues then liquor license issues.
I haven't even had the chance to try it yet. I've been looking for a new spot too, and noticed it advertised last time I was in there. Breakfast at Baranof's is getting to be a bad habit, so I hope they open up again soon.
The brunch is good, although I've only been once. Instead of hashbrowns as the side to most dishes, they have potato pancakes, yum! The blood mary was as spicy as I like them too. I heard they owe some back taxes and will be up and running when it's sorted out, which is not near as exciting as the other rumors.
I had intended to try them, until I noticed three people exit and IMMEDIATELY light up cigarettes and stand there smoking, only 2ft from the door. I don't know if they were customers or employees, but it turned me off enough to put it on the “Do Not Patronize” list.
And it also made me not want to try The Dray.
Sherbet99 – u might be more comfortable dining in bellevue
There are no 'Smoking Sections' anymore. Every bar and restaurant I see has one or more people outside smoking. You must not ever go out.
That is annoying Shazbot, but is that reason to not patronize? ever?
As Nora pointed out, just about every bar will have someone smoking nearby. If it starts blowing towards you, just go over and ask the smoker to move. They know that the rule is 25 feet, they're just lazy smokers, but all but the smoking zealot will move.
On the plus side, has anyone else realized that Clove cigarettes are now banned from being sold? Hallelujah! The very smell of those things made me sick.
How is that different from every other bar in Ballard?
There was a similar (re Liquor Board) notice at The Acorn. Maybe liquor control has a quota like traffic cops.
Don't knock the Tin Hat. Easily my favorite spot within a several mile radius.
They certainly share the same attitude problems!
It is well established that the majority of bars along 65th are patronized by people who still enjoy a smoke now and then. Walking through a handful of people and smelling smoke for 3 seconds, then getting inside and away from the smoke ranks pretty low on my concerns in the world. Once inside, Tiger Tail's chicken satay served over coconut rice should erase any horrible memory of having to walk by the “bad” people. I hope they reopen.
If this were a temporary problem I would think we’d have heard from the owners by now especial since their notices do not appear to reflect reality.