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"At the just-opened Flatstick Pub in South Lake Union—the company’s third and largest location—I found a whimsical, chef-collaboration-driven take on the mini-golf-and-beer model with murals by omnipresent Seattle artist Henry and pizza from Ethan Stowell Restaurants; Ethan Stowell developed a menu of brick-oven pizza, entrees, salads, and bar snacks to pair with the bar’s 36 beer and cider taps. The holes are enlivened by giant statues inspired by the characters of local muralist Ryan Henry Ward (d.b.a. Henry), and the new location includes Flatstick’s proprietary “Duffleboard” (a combination of shuffleboard and mini-golf). Housed in an 11,000-square-foot former auto showroom now part of the Allen Institute, many of the building’s original elements—including the exterior facade—remain. Flatstick emphasizes craft beer from independent Washington breweries only (no corporate beer) and a focus on fun, drinking beer, and playing games; given South Lake Union’s difficulty attracting an after-work crowd, this strong combination of games, food, and art raises the question of whether Flatstick Pub will crack the code." - Megan Hill