Mariners and Metier Brewing introduce new game-day destination
A lot of local beer fans wondered what would become of the old Pyramid Alehouse, which for many years served as a pre-func destination for folks headed to events at T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field. Today, the Mariners are proud to introduce Hatback Bar and Grille along with its adjoined taproom, Steelheads Alley. Together, it provides the SoDo neighborhood with a new year-round spot for food and drinks.
As we reported last October, the Seattle Mariners signed a long-term lease and took over the property on 1st Avenue directly across from the ballpark. The plan to create a multi-use venue included some key partnerships. One of those partnerships was with Metier Brewing, which will operate a taproom and (eventually) a brewery at the location: Steelheads Alley.
Last night we attended a preview event at Hatback and Steelheads Alley. For those who remember the old Pyramid Alehouse, things feel at least vaguely familiar when you walk through the door. The kitchen and bathrooms are in the same place, but they moved the bar and removed the back balcony. The brewhouse is still there, but they moved it closer to the middle of the space. (More about that below.)
Hatback Bar and Grille offers a food menu featuring an assortment of elevated pub-grub: pizzas, burgers, salads, fish and chips, a Painted Hills ribeye steak, Penn Cove mussels, and more. Shareable plates include stuff like chipotle chicken nachos, Korean-style fried chicken wings, Beecher’s Cheese Curds, masa-dusted calamari, and local oysters.
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The draft beer lineup at Hatback includes 20 (I think) taps and should appease anyone’s beer appetite and beer ethos. As an MLB franchise, the Mariners do have an obligation to the league’s big corporate beer sponsors, but it is not absolute, and they’ve dedicated a lot of taps to local, independent breweries.
The new space is essentially divided into two sections: Hatback Bar and Grill to the north and Steelheads Alley to the south. While each feels distinct and has its own vibe, you can order off the Hatback menu at Steelhead Alley.
Steelheads Alley and Metier Brewing
The name is an homage to the Seattle Steelheads baseball club that played in the Negro League in 1946. One corner of the Steelheads Taproom features a whole bunch of wall-hung memorabilia, not just related to the Steelheads but also to other local BIPOC teams and players. One wall is covered by a beautiful mural by a local artist Damon Brown (@creative_lou).
There’s a separate, beer-only bar in the taproom. The beer program at Steelheads Alley is going to feature a selection of beers from Metier Brewing, which will eventually dust off the brewing equipment and put it to use. They’ll brand the house-made beers for the location; think, Steelhead Ground-Rule Double IPA.
In the meantime, Steelheads Alley will feature Metier beers brewed at the company’s facility in Woodinville. Along with that, they’ll pour other local beers. We heard names like Stoup Brewing and Lowercase Brewing mentioned at the pre-opening event. Last night they were pouring a lager and a stout from Metier Brewing at the main, Hatback bar but the Steelheads Alley bar was not up and running yet, though everything looks ready to go.
Behind the bar at Steelheads Alley, the brewery sits behind glass. Exactly how close it is to functioning is hard to say. Given the scope and schedule of the overall Hatback-Steelheads project, it’s impressive that they’ve gotten this far. We will keep an eye on things and share any developments. For now, the Hatback and Steelheads Alley are waiting for your first visit.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Open 7-Days a Week
4:00 – 10:00 P.M.
On game days, open 2 hours prior to the game or event.
Hatback Bar and Grille/Steelheads Alley
1201 1st Ave S
Seattle, WA 98134
map
