Galway Arms Is Now The Kraken; Drinking Lessons

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT—Galway Arms now wants to be known as The Kraken Bar & Lounge. The change in name happened over New Year's Eve and reflects the venue's concept change from a divey Irish bar to a lounge hosting live music and DJs. [EaterWire]

FIRST HILL—Winter means the return of Sorrento Hotel's highly popular Drinking Lessons Series, whereby every 2nd Wednesday of the month, bartenders, drink historians and distillers instruct on the preparation and history of distinct spirits and libations. The series kicks off 2/8 with Macallan scotch. [EaterWire]

BELLEVUE—Puget Sound Business Journal's Glenn Drosendahl says that Lunchbox Laboratory will open its Downtown Bellevue location on Saturday. It will be in the former Zen Asian Bistro space.

NORTHGATE—Five Guys Burgers & Fries, an East Coast burger chain is looking to hire personnel for its first Seattle location, according to this Craigslist ad. [EaterWire]

[Photo: Galway Arms/Yelp]