Amber Den to reopen under new name – ‘Nick’s off Market’

Nick’s off Market (1556 NW 56th St), formerly known as the Amber Den, will be opening soon. The bar closed in June to undergo some changes, including a new menu, more beers on tap, and of course, a name change.

Owner Nick Simonton says he chose to give the bar a facelift based on what they learned from serving patrons for many months leading up to the remodel. “The whole time that I’ve been here, the process was to hear what the neighborhood wanted,” Simonton said. He says patrons asked for three things: a full bar, more food selections, and more comfortable seating. With that, they remodeled the inside of the bar, offering more booths and more bar seating.

The menu has greatly expanded, offering what Simonton calls, “our version of Northwest comfort food with a twist.”  Menu options include “bar snacks,” such as wasabi grilled bites with tomato basil soup, and main dishes such as “Nick’s Nitro Beef Sandwich” with Northwest beef and a variety of sauces with a choice of salad, chips or homemade apple slaw. Simonton says they’ll even have rotating dinner specials based on ingredients gathered at the Ballard Farmer’s Market.

Simonton fulfilled his promise of a full bar, and with that, they’ll be offering a number of local spirits and what he calls, “neighborhood drinks.” They’ve expanded their tap offerings from four to eight, which Simonton says will be mostly Northwest beers. Ballard-based NW Peaks Brewery will be a constant on the tap list, he says.

Nick’s off Market should be open by the end of the week. For more info, visit their Facebook page or Twitter feed.