There’s a new bar opening this week in Ballard: Good Grief Bar opens on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 5316 Ballard Ave NW.
Good Grief is taking over the space where The Greater Good used to operate before it closed in March after two years in Ballard.
The owners behind Good Grief are Matthew Gomez, Eric Bernardo, Ramon Clark. Gomez used to work at Lock and Keel, where he met Bernardo, who has lived above Lock and Keel for over 20 years.
Clark started his career at La Isla, which burned down in the 2019 fire that also destroyed several other businesses on the corner of 24th Ave NW and NW Market St.
Gomez was unhappy in his previous job and had been daydreaming about opening a bar when he discovered that The Greater Good space was for sale. After reaching out, he learned from the broker that it was actually available for rent. He then contacted Bernardo and Clark to get the idea moving. Together, they pitched their concept for Good Grief to the landlord, and soon after, secured the space.
“We wanted a bar where everyone feels welcome and is approachable,” Gomez told My Ballard.
“The name Good Grief comes from wanting to keep a piece of Greater Good (which was the bar before us) and also, who doesn’t like The Peanuts? Just saying ‘Good Grief’ brings up positive thoughts.”
Good Grief opens to the public at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Its hours will be 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Photo: Good Grief owners Ramon Clark, Matthew Gomez, and Eric Bernardo