Seattle bars, restaurants that closed in December

The last month of 2020 hit Seattle bars and restaurants hard as statewide COVID-19 restrictions that banned indoor dining stretched into a second month.

While many had comfortably shifted to operating at a reduced capacity indoors early on in the fall, the new rules — which Gov. Jay Inslee extended into January this week — forced tired restaurateurs to once again pivot to takeout and outdoor seating, even as the days got rainier and temperatures dropped.

But even as over 80 restaurants permanently closed in 2020, there were a few bright notes in the food scene: several restaurants that closed earlier in the year have since reopened, including the vegan-haven Georgetown Liquor Company.

Other restaurants temporarily shut their doors amid the restrictions with plans to reopen sometime in 2021. Here's a list of closures and reopenings that occurred in December.

TEMPORARY: Endolyne Joe's

This West Seattle spot for all manners of brunch fare and comfort food suspended service after the holidays with the hopes of reopening in the new year.

"We tried to make a go of the curbside/delivery services that we have been offering for the last several months, but we are at a point that we need to preserve enough capital to re-open when this nightmare is at least close to over," wrote the owners in a Facebook post. "We will be opening our doors back up when we are able to seat our tables again."

PERMANENT: Alfi's Food and Deli

The small bodega on Minor Avenue might not have seemed like much, but this Denny Triangle spot had survived 22 years in the fast-changing neighborhood. Many construction workers stopped by Alfi's for a quick and affordable lunch.

The owners closed the store and deli permanently on Dec. 13 after their lease renewal was denied.

According to Vanishing Seattle, the space is set to become a 7-11.

PERMANENT: Feierabend

The after-work hub for beer and brats in South Lake Union closed on Dec. 23 after 14 years. With the neighborhood currently empty of tech workers as many continue to telecommute, the Bavarian brewpub decided not to renew their lease.

"Thank you for the years of support and great memories," wrote owner Chris Navarra in a farewell message.

Navarra's other German pubs, Prost, remain open in Phinney Ridge and West Seattle.

PERMANENT: Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

South Park's family-owned Mexican restaurant quietly closed last month after 28 years in business.

The colorful restaurant served hearty plates of steaming enchiladas, carne asada and camarones al la diabla at affordable prices despite rising rent in the neighborhood.

PERMANENT: Lecosho

After ten years of serving up seasonal, Pacific Northwest-inspired dishes from the Harbor Steps, popular happy-hour spot Lecosho permanently closed its doors at the end of December.

"What has really set us apart from most establishments in this city, is the genuine affection extant between our family and yours," wrote the owners in an Instagram post. "Without this, we would have been just one more restaurant bowing down under the weight of these impossibly difficult times."

PERMANENT: Orange King

This U-District spot for easy bites like burgers and teriyaki closed quietly at the end of the month after 45 years. Hearty dishes like kimchi fried rice, yakisoba and spicy cold noodles had been favorites among generations of University of Washington students and staff alike.

"It had been our happiness to serve you and share warm hearts with you," wrote the owners in a note posted to the window.

PERMANENT: Populuxe Brewing

Ballard's Populuxe Brewing closed before the holidays after eight years in the neighborhood, becoming one of the first breweries in Seattle to close as a result of the pandemic.

"We’ve pivoted from takeout to outdoor service to indoor service back to outdoor service all while trying to balance concerns for the health and safety of our staff and customers," wrote the owners in a social media post announcing the closure. "We’ve advocated at a local and federal level for financial help for small business grabbing the ear of every lawmaker we could get reach. We asked our landlord to listen to reason and work with us to modify our rent so we could survive to no avail. We filled out every grant and loan application available to us. But it was not enough and unfortunately, we have run out of options and time."

The nano-brewery grew a community in the neighborhood and even rose to critical acclaim among the state's beer lovers, winning Small Brewery of the Year at the 2018 Washington Beer Awards.

PERMANENT: The Wandering Goose

The Capitol Hill mainstay for southern brunch fare and pastries permanently closed after eight years in business. The bustling spot on 15th Avenue E. was sure to always have a line out the door on weekends.

"After eight years in Seattle and over one million biscuits baked, we want to take this moment to thank all of our extended Goose family and our amazing supportive community," wrote the owners in a farewell Instagram post. "The precarious economics of running a restaurant are no match for a global pandemic. We hope you continue to take this challenging time to support your existing, local independent restaurants."

But if you're really missing made-from-scratch biscuits and hospitality, their sister restaurant and hotel Tokeland remains operating for coastal retreats.

REOPENING: Georgetown Liquor Company

It wasn't all bad news in 2020: this longtime vegan-punk spot favorite actually reopened under new management of Highline's Alan Threewit, who was a longtime patron of the restaurant.

The reinvention of GLC keeps many of the classic menu items along with offering vegan sandwiches like French dip and pulled pork as well as infused cocktails from their new sister bar.

REOPENING: Pogacha Restaurant and Bar

This Eastern Mediterranean staple reopened at their new Mercer Island outpost last month much to the delight of residents.

The Croatian-inspired restaurant is now serving up favorites like mushroom ravioli, lamb shank and fresh-baked flatbread pizza from their new home and are even offering delivery to island residents.

REOPENING:  Seatown Market & Fishfry

Downtown dwellers have something to cheer about in the new year: Tom Douglas's Seatown Market & Fishfry has officially reopened at Pike Place for all manners of salmon burgers and clam chowder.