There’s a new concept called Kochendorfer’s moving into the former Fish Ladder Lounge location at 4910 Leary Ave NW.
John Kochendorfer, owner of Kochendorfer’s, brings 16 years of brewery experience to the new venture. He started brewing in 2010 and spent several years at Elysian before helping start District Brewing in Mt Vernon, where he still works as head brewer.
Kochendorfer says the new restaurant/bar will be “vaguely German,” but with some Mediterranean-inspired options, such as doner kebabs made from in-house spiced meat and wrapped up like a burrito, and eventually, falafel for a meat-free option. He says there will be eight beers on tap, including some of his own creations from District Brewing. They’ll also serve cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic options.
Kochendorfer says he wants to create an affordable space in the neighborhood.
“I know everybody’s tired of how expensive it is to go out and get something to eat,” he told My Ballard. “We’ll be cost-conscious but also focused on quality, a place you can come once a week or more and not break the bank.”
The new restaurant/bar is moving into the space previously home to both the Shelter Lounge and Fish Ladder Lounge. If you were a Fish Ladder patron, you’d find the interior of the space mostly unchanged, other than some freshly refinished bar tops and a couple of new tables, which Kochendorfer built himself.
“I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while,” Kochendorfer said. “When I came across the space, it seemed like I could maybe pull it off. It’s quite the leap for me, but I thought to myself, ‘Alright, if I don’t do it, I’ll be mad at myself forever for not trying.”
Kochendorfer says he expects to be open within the next few weeks, pending their final permit inspections.
Photo: Google Image Capture Sept. 2025