White Center Will Soon Get a Wrestling-Themed Bar with a Ring and Everything

Ready to rumble? Several nightlife industry veterans are planning to open a wrestling-themed drinks destination called Lariat Bar in White Center later this spring, featuring vintage posters, a marquee, and a life-sized Andre the Giant decal. There will also be a small ring that will double as a stage for live music performances and commentary for pay-per-view bouts (diners can reserve it when it’s not in use).

A bar with “Smackdown”-like stage lighting is planned to be at the center of the action in the 2,200 square foot space at 9827 16th Ave SW, serving up Future Primitive beer, a cocktail menu heavy on mezcal, and plenty of non-alcoholic options. Though there won’t be a full kitchen, Lariat Bar will have concession-type food, such as nachos, hot dogs, pretzels, and chili. For those who are more into non-contact sports, there will be skeeball, darts, and pinball machines as well.

Lariat Bar was the brainchild of three bartender friends — Stephanie Burggraf, Nate Little, and Jorge Perez — who share a love of the pageantry of wrestling, as well as a nostalgia for many of the old school greats (Perez in particular describes himself as a “huge wrestling nerd”). At Capitol Hill’s Summit Public House, where they all still work, they have played some wrestling on TV for patrons, but the urge to take things up a notch was strong.

Recently, they launched a Kickstarter to help with startup costs, and have already almost doubled their initial goal of $8,000. The aim is to have Lariat Bar up and running before White Center’s big Jubilee Days festival rolls around this summer.

• Lariat Bar [Kickstarter]
• All coverage of White Center [ESEA]