The beloved dive bar Waterwheel Lounge (7034 15th Ave NW) is closing after its final night of service tonight, December 31.
Waterwheel is closing because the property will be turned into a new apartment complex.
The bar opened 51 years ago and has been a staple in the dive bar scene for decades. Its regular events like trivia, bingo, and karaoke fill the tiny space week after week, and it’s a haven for folks who crave a taste of old Ballard.
Earlier this year, a local filmmaker used Waterwheel for the set of Marcie’s. Director John Helde used the Waterwheel as the interior set for Ed’s Tavern, a small-town bar that becomes the center of a community’s fight against looming development.
If you want to bid Waterwheel a final goodbye, they’re open today at 3 p.m. for their send-off bash and New Year’s Eve party. Karaoke starts at 9:30 p.m.
Photo: File photo of Waterwheel Lounge