Valentina V.
Yelp
...Imagine you have a soft spot for dingy, merry and colorful holes-in-the-wall with karaoke.
...Imagine then you win some money via inheritance--oh, that sweet, sweet Aunt Margie, rest in peace!
...If you don't have Aunt Margie or your family members tend to live up until they're 100-years old, then you got the extra money because you just asked for a Quick Pick as your change at the gas station's mini-mart.
...Don't dream too big. The extra money isn't that much! Well, it's enough to buy a house and make some remodeling. Happy now?
...You decide to buy an old but charming house in Ballard. After paying for it, you still have a bit of the money left to make your dream of "I want a hole-in-the-wall-in-my-house" a reality. You have an unfinished basement-dungeon underneath those 90-years old original hardwood floors. Better place? Impossible!
...You sit down and visualize how you want it. Then, magically, you're transported to the Waterwheel for ideas, beer and karaoke.
That's what the Waterwheel is about. I felt like entering into the "bar in the basement" of a good friend's house. It's a warm, friendly place where Alex the bartender, sings along some tunes while he's serving you a pint. If you ask him, he will be happy to mix a Cosmo for you (he told me he likes to be asked for a specialty drink, 'cause he doesn't have much chance to make those). Needless to say, libations here are on the cheap side of the moon!
The karaoke selection is large, large, large. From Motown and hairband Rock to Enrique Iglesias and The Hoff, you'll pretty much find the song you have been craving to sing for ages. You can even dance when someone else is singing: there's space enough to shake it to the raspy voice of a Michael Hucknall wannabee.
We had a wonderful time during the Pearl Jam Karaoke night our dear M'lady Katie hosted. Even thought not everyone sang to the tunes of the legendary band, we had fun listening to a varied selection of musical choices between those. Yelpers and non-Yelpers (Garrington, man!) kept returning for 5 more minutes of fame.
That night I discovered, after two years dating The Dude, that he LOVES karaoke and that he can do a killer impersonation of Eddie Vedder. I wish I could be a bit bolder, so I could have a "Tom Jones fervent female fan" moment...! Second place in the karaoke competition can give you an idea of my man being good (and hilarious). Fellow Yelper Heather F. and her pretty voice got the first place. Our friend Garrington came up third.
Karaoke is not the only form of entertainment available at the Waterwheel. They have a pool table. The have TVs with your favorite games on. They have plenty of great bar conversation. The incredibly sweet karaoke gentleman--very a-la-80s in his gray suit--will sing for you from time to time.
Waterwheel feels like home. In these times of general tribulations, this is one of those places where you'll successfully wash out any pains and worries.
Just ask for a pint and grab that microphone. And make sure you can reach Marvin Gaye's highest pitch! And afterward, get your butt back to your basement...good luck trying to recreate such a wonderful place!