The Lariat Lounge

Like Many New Seattle Ventures, Lariat Bar in White Center Navigates an Uncertain Future | Eater Seattle

"Leaning into a playful professional wrestling theme, a new spot in White Center had built real momentum before the pandemic: Lariat Bar raised more than double its Kickstarter goal and had nearly 80 percent of the bar’s buildout complete before plans were halted by the mid‑March COVID‑19 outbreak. The co‑owners had landed a prime location for the 2,200‑square‑foot space (which includes a cordoned‑off ring area) and invested personal savings—“We put in everything we have into the place from our personal savings,” co‑owner Jorge Perez says—so the sudden shutdown has left the project in limbo and the team nervously weighing options. They applied for an SBA loan but ran into program issues and eligibility problems for businesses that aren’t yet open; they’re also trying to anticipate complicated reopening rules (state guidance requires a sustained decline in cases, federal “phase one” says bars should stay closed, and “phase two” calls for diminished standing‑room occupancy). The owners have discussed operating with modified occupancy, closing certain sections of the space, and supplying staff with PPE, and the landlord has been understanding about rent so far. Because there’s no kitchen—only light snacks such as nachos, hot dogs, and pretzels—takeout and delivery aren’t feasible, and the team may downplay ties to the WWE in favor of supporting local groups like Without a Cause (WAC). Despite the uncertainty, Perez says they’ve already put in so much time, effort, and money that they’re not going to give up on opening eventually." - Gabe Guarente