Photo: David Newman

What’s New

Story Suggestions and Travel Guidelines for Seattle and Washington State

2024

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) Brings Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks

The interactive exhibit Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks opens at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) on May 25. The LEGO exhibit celebrates the science of architecture and the creativity of design by showcasing 20 of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers built with LEGO bricks. From the Empire State Building to the towering Burj Khalifa, the exhibition spotlights an array of LEGO structures designed by Australian LEGO designer Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught. Visitors can create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’ from over 200,000 loose LEGO bricks in hands-on construction areas. Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks will run through September 2024. 

Media Contact: Wendy Mallow, [email protected] 

Mutual Arts Collective’s Gallery and Multi-Use Event Space Opens at Pike Place Market

Mutual Arts Collective (MAC), founded by Ashley McCready with her husband Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and her business partner Chris Adams, opens on the top floor of Corner Market Building at Pike Place Market on March 15. The new event space and art gallery is committed to showing and selling work by artists who are impacted by structural inequities and systemic barriers. Mutual Art Collective’s opening gallery exhibit, Unpacking Homelessness, is a retrospective featuring the work of seven artists who portray their lived experiences of being unsheltered at some point in their lives. The MAC aims to celebrate community creators, remove barriers to showing and selling art, and support local nonprofits that increase access to the arts. The event space can be booked for private events.  

Media Contact: Nicole Vandenberg, [email protected]  

The Museum of Flight Opens New Space Station Exhibit

On June 8, The Museum of Flight premiers Home Beyond Earth, an immersive exhibition that goes to the heart of the human experience of living in space. With a focus on space stations past, present, and future, Home Beyond Earth features over fifty artifacts, models, space-flow objects and uniforms. Digital tokens allow visitors to make their own journey through the exhibit and personalize their imagined life in the space station of their choice. The exhibit’s digital projections and interactive elements help visitors enjoy both the dreams and realities of living and working in space. Home Beyond Earth will run through early 2025. 

Media Contact: Ted Huetter, [email protected] 

Seattle Museum Month Returns February 2024

For the entire month of February, visitors to the Emerald City can receive half-price admission to the region’s top museums as part of Seattle Museum Month. Each pass is good for 50% off admission for up to four guests, with no limit to the number of museums guests can visit. To snag a pass, visitors can book a room at a participating hotel in Seattle (over 60 hotels participate) from February 1 through February 29. seattlemuseummonth.com

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected] 

SIFF Cinema Downtown Reopens for Business

The former Seattle Cinerama Theater is the fourth Seattle venue to be operated by the nonprofit, opening under SIFF’s leadership after a four-year closure. Now owned and operated by SIFF and called SIFF Cinema Downtown, it reopened for business on December 14, 2023. SIFF Cinema Downtown will feature blockbuster studio films, specialty festivals and events, and first-run arthouse cinema, plus reserved seating selection with concessions including the venue’s beloved chocolate popcorn and support from multiple local Washington vendors.

Media Contact: Madison Zimmerman, [email protected]

Seattle Opera Announces 2024/25 Season

Five mainstage operas and a year-round schedule of additional performances, events, and classes offer countless ways for audiences to immerse themselves in opera’s unique and powerful musical storytelling. With a slate packed with blockbusters, international stars, and important new stories, the upcoming season at Seattle Opera promises riveting, enriching experiences across the spectrum of opera. Performances include Pagliacci (August 2024), Jubilee (October 2024), Les Troyens in Concert (January 2025), The Magic Flute (February – March 2025), and more.

Media Contact: Joshua Gailey, [email protected]

Nordic Museum Presents Søren Solkær: Sort Sol

The National Nordic Museum proudly presents Søren Solkær: Sort Sol, featuring over 50 photographs and video art by internationally celebrated Danish photographer, Søren Solkær. Sort Sol is the first exhibition of this series in a US museum. In Sort Sol, the renowned photographer of musicians such as Paul McCartney, Amy Winehouse, and The White Stripes turns his lens to music-makers of a different sort: starlings that flock in mesmerizing formations known as murmurations. The Danish term “sort sol” refers to these formations, the forms of which temporarily obscure the sun. The exhibition is open through March 10, 2024

Media Contact: Andrea Millikan, [email protected]

Seattle Art Museum Announced Upcoming Exhibitions  

“Calder: In Motion, The Shirley Family Collection” is the first comprehensive public display of 48 seminal works from every decade of American artist Alexander Calder’s career. The multi-year program was established with the goal of expanding knowledge, appreciation, and access to these critical works. The exhibition runs November 8, 2023 – August 4, 2024.Elizabeth Malaska: All Be Your Mirror”, the solo exhibition of the winner of the 2022 Betty Bowen Award, honors a Northwest artist for their original, exceptional, and compelling work. The exhibition runs from November 17, 2023 June 16, 2024. “Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map”, which runs February 29–May 12, 2024, explores five decades of work by the groundbreaking Indigenous artist. The major retrospective brings together over 130 of Smith’s paintings, prints, drawings, and sculptures in the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s 50-year career. This fall, an exhibition co-organized by the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Seattle Art Museum presents the work of American artist Joyce Scott, including sculpture, prints, performance footage, and more. The Seattle Art Museum’s summer exhibition, “Poke in the Eye: Art of the West Coast Counterculture”, explores diverse movements of Seattle and Bay Area artists from the 1960s to the present. Other highlights includeYirrkala: Art from Australia’s Top End”, featuring works by Australian Aboriginal artists from the collection of Margaret Levi and Robert Kaplan; the solo show for Bethany Collins, the winner of the 2023 Gwendolyn Knight and Jacob Lawrence Prize; and the second exhibition centered on Alexander Calder following the 2023 debut of the Shirley Family Collection at SAM.  

The Seattle Asian Art Museum presents “Anida Yoeu Ali: Hybrid Skin, Mythical Presence”, exploring two celebrated performance-based artworks by the Tacoma-based international artist. The colorful, sculptural garments of The Buddhist Bug and The Red Chador series will be on view, along with sculpture, video, photography, and installation art capturing performances of the two works at site-specific locations around the world. The exhibition runs from January 18–July 7, 2024.

Media Contact: Rachel Eggers, [email protected]

Frye Art Museum Announces Winter/Spring 2024 Exhibitions 

During the first half of 2024, the Frye Art Museum presents six new exhibitions that further our goal to connect the global to the local, opening with solo presentations Wrecked and Righteous from Jessica Jackson Hutchins and Subterranean Ceremonies from Sky Hopinka, both artists of international renown with deep ties to the Pacific Northwest. The Boren Banner Series public art initiative continues with a suite of new works by Samantha Wall centered on a serpent-woman figure. In later spring, the museum presents the survey Stephanie Syjuco: After/Images, featuring a new installation based on the artist’s research in Seattle’s Filipino-American community. Seattle artist Mary Ann Peters receives her first solo museum exhibition, which brings together for the first time the ten abstract drawings of the series this trembling turf, including one from the Frye’s collection. And the museum expands an informal series of exhibitions exploring intergenerational artistic dialogues with Twilight Child: Antonia Kuo and Martin Wong – two queer diasporic Chinese artists born more than forty years apart. Developed in close collaboration with Kuo, the exhibition features Wong’s rarely exhibited biomorphic clay sculptures from the 1960s and ‘70s, alongside selected paintings and archival materials from across his career. fryemuseum.org 

Media Contact: [email protected]  

The Henry Art Gallery Debuts Hank Willis Thomas’s LOVERULES

This groundbreaking exhibition brings together nearly 100 works by well-known artist and activist Hank Willis Thomas. Through photography, print, sculpture, neon, and mixed media, LOVERULES explores the impact of corporate branding; the construction of gender, race, and race relations; stereotypes and exploitation; and the struggle for liberty and equality. In his art, Thomas invites us to see and challenge systems of inequality and to explore important contemporary questions: What is the role of art for civic life? How does visual culture create narratives that shape our notion of who counts in society? LOVERULES will travel to other museum venues in the U.S. after its debut at the Henry Art Gallery – located on the University of Washington’s beautiful campus. A public opening celebration will take place on February 23, 2024, and run February 24 through July 21, 2024.

Media Contact: Tanja Baumann, [email protected]

Museum of Illusions Set to Open in Downtown Seattle in 2024

The Museum of Illusions – a new interactive museum known for their unique approach to “edutainment” – is set to take over the former Ben Bridge space in downtown Seattle’s historic Skinner Building. The museum is designed to captivate your senses, challenge your perceptions, and ignite your imagination. With mind-bending exhibits and interactive installations, you will embark on a journey of wonder and discovery. The museum is set to open in 2024.  

Media Contact: [email protected]  

Seattle Celebrates 50 Years of Pride

In 2024, Seattle will celebrate its 50th annual pride month with this year’s theme, ‘Community Voice.’ As one of the country’s largest free Pride festivals, visitors can expect a month filled with events, parades, and festivals including the Seattle Pride Parade and Seattle Pride in the Park.

Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) Presents New Exhibits and Displays

Pulling Together: A Brief History of Rowing in Seattle (Nov. 2023 – April 2024): In celebration of the hotly anticipated premiere of “The Boys in the Boat” film directed by George Clooney, explore a selection of rare artifacts and photographs related to the 1936 Olympic gold medal-winning rowing team from the University of Washington. Learn more about the team, the legacy of the Pococks, the University of Washington men’s and women’s rowing programs, and the history of rowing in Seattle. Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science (Oct. 7, 2023 – March 3, 2024): Explore the rich tapestry of Indigenous knowledge and its intersection with scientific advancements. Through interactive displays, immersive experiences, and videos, guests will embark on a journey that celebrates the enduring wisdom of Indigenous cultures while highlighting their contribution to scientific inquiry. Guests will learn how Indigenous knowledge impacts our daily lives and contributes to the growing movement toward sustainability and the reclamation of age-old practices.

Media Contact: Wendy Malloy, [email protected]

Teatro ZinZanni Launches New Residency at Lotte Hotel Seattle

Experience a new residency from Seattle’s beloved Teatro ZinZanni, a legendary theatrical cirque experience, at Lotte Hotel Seattle, a premiere luxury hotel in downtown Seattle. This one-of-a-kind run of performances brings together two iconic Seattle brands during Teatro ZinZanni’s 25th anniversary year, promising an opulent, world-class extravaganza in the breathtaking setting of the hotel’s largest venue, the Grand Ballroom in The Sanctuary. The Teatro ZinZanni dinner and show experience runs October 122023 through March 31, 2024. zinzanni.com/seattle

Media Contact: Katherine Boury, (206) 250-0744, [email protected]

Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King

Acclaimed Danish artist Thomas Dambo created an ambitious public art project titled Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King. The publicly accessible sculptures are located around the Pacific Northwest with five in the Seattle area. Each whimsical troll sculpture is part of an underlying environmental story. The project celebrates the human experience of art by amplifying the connections of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Scandinavian traditions. Unveiled in fall 2023, the trolls will be accessible for three years.  

Media Contact: Line Larsen, [email protected]

Northwest Native Canoe Center to Open Carving House

The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation is developing a Carving House on South Lake Union to revitalize and educate people about Pacific Northwest canoe culture. According to the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s website, “for thousands of years, the Coast Salish people were stewards of the land and water. The waterways were the highways between all. This led to a vibrant and extensive canoe culture for the first peoples of this land. The Carving House will provide insight into distinctive varieties of Native American culture and be a place where Native carvers are safe, and the public is welcome. The facility will provide space for an ongoing Native American canoe carving program, and storage for canoes. Docents will also explain the Northwest Native American skills and beliefs used over generations in building canoes.” Construction for the project will begin in early 2024.

Media Contact: Zain Aldahlaki, [email protected]

Seattle-Focused City of Literature Map and Guide Now Available

Seattle was named a UNESCO World City of Literature in 2017, a coveted and competitive designation that is part of the global Creative Cities Network. Seattle is one of 42 such cities in 32 countries and one of only three Cities of Literature in North America. In spring 2023, the City of Literature organization published a new map and guide to explore Seattle’s literary locations. seattlecityoflit.org/seattle-literary-map-home 

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

sdukwalbixw Gift Shop and Visitor Center Opens at Snoqualmie Falls

The Snoqualmie Tribe and Salish Lodge & Spa have partnered on sdukwalbixw, a new gift shop and visitor center, located just steps from the majestic Snoqualmie Falls. The new space provides an immersive education of the Snoqualmie Tribe and their connection to the surrounding ancestral land to the nearly 2.5 million annual visitors to Snoqualmie Falls and Salish Lodge. A main focal point is an informational installation featuring a timeline wall and a miniature theater that shares the story of the Tribe’s history and origin. The space is also decorated with artwork and photographs that celebrate the Tribe’s ancestral land, history, culture, and people. Additionally, delicious locally made treats and Snoqualmie Creamery ice cream by the scoop are available for purchase – do not miss the Damn Fine Cherry Pie ice cream, a nod to the popular cult classic Twin Peaks, which features Snoqualmie Falls. salishlodge.com/area/snoqualmie-falls-gift-shop-and-visitor-center 

Media Contact: Joleen Zanuzoski, [email protected]   

Catch a Broadway Show at The Paramount

Seattle’s theater scene is one of the most renowned in the U.S. In 2024, travelers can catch productions such as Beetlejuice, Disney’s Aladdin, Girl From the North Country, Company, Peter Pan, Funny Girl, Wicked, and Back to the Future. In 2025, Broadway at The Paramount will welcome Kimberly Akimbo, Hamilton, Life of Pi, Six, Riverdance, Mamma Mia!, and & Juliet. seattle.broadway.com

Media Contact: Rachel Liuzzi, [email protected]

The 5th Avenue Theater Announces 2024 Programming

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of America’s leading musical theater companies. In 2024, travelers can check out shows like Something’s Afoot (March 1-24, 2024), Spring Awakening (June 7-30, 2024), and Clue (July 9-21, 2024).

Media Contact: Ann Reynolds, [email protected]

Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience

Created by Visit Seattle in partnership with Chihuly Garden and Glass, the annual Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience is the premier glass festival spanning four days across dozens of locations throughout the greater Seattle region. During Refract, glass art enthusiasts and newcomers will enjoy artist parties, exclusive open studio tours, special gallery exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and intimate glassblowing demonstrations not offered at any other time. The festival returns October 17-20, 2024.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Arts & Music Festival is Officially Back

Following a successful return and 50th anniversary celebration in 2023, the beloved Bumbershoot has re-emerged as a Seattle-celebratory arts & music festival. Music lovers are already eager for the Labor Day weekend festival’s 2024 return

Media Contact: Jessica Puchli, [email protected]

New Glass Art Guide to Seattle and the Puget Sound Region

According to a study by the Glass Art Society of America, the Pacific Northwest is the leading regional hub for glass art in the United States. This free guide, newly updated in 2023, helps visitors discover the museums, galleries, education programs, and master artists working in glass art in all of its forms. This was published in June 2023.

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

HOTELS

RailSpur Announces 2024 Opening of Seattle’s First Carbon-Positive Hotel

Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood is getting a new hotel in 2024: Hotel Westland. Located in RailSpur, a sustainable micro-district that includes three historic warehouse buildings, the hotel will include 120 guestrooms and suites, signature indoor and outdoor restaurant on activated “Railspur” alley, as well as a rooftop bar. Hotel Westland is anticipated to be one of the most sustainable hotel openings in the U.S and only the second hotel in the country to be “carbon positive.”   

Media Contact: Caroline Orlowitz, (617) 957-6154, [email protected]

Fairmont Olympic Hotel celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle recently underwent $25 million worth of renovations, just in time to celebrate its 100th year anniversary in 2024. This staple of the Emerald City, first opened in December of 1924, has revamped its social spaces including a re-design of its lobby, bar, restaurant, and meeting spaces under the vision of Spanish design studio Lázaro Rosa-Violán (LRV). New restaurant, American brasserie The George, is known for its standout lavish design and locally sourced dishes.

Media Contact: Jen Sorlie, [email protected]

The Nineteenth: Topgolf Swing Suite and Rosebay Cocktail Bar Opens in Hotel 1000

Downtown Seattle’s first Topgolf Swing Suite opens as part of a multimillion-dollar renovation at Hotel 1000. The hotel’s Topgolf suite, called The Nineteenth, is a virtual golf experience opened alongside a new cocktail bar called Rosebay, both of which debuted in August 2023. Rosebay focuses on craft cocktails as well as local beer and wine while incorporating handmade furniture and fixtures meant to reflect Seattle’s history.

Media Contact: Lisa Willis, 617-968-2979, [email protected] 

Astra Hotel Seattle Opened a New Stylish Space-Themed Hotel in South Lake Union

This 265-room hotel is part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio and is centrally located in the South Lake Union neighborhood, steps away from the Amazon campus, Seattle Center, the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, and Climate Pledge Arena. The property features a tech-forward interior design along with 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space, ground-level dining, a coffee bar, and the Altitude Sky Lounge, a glitzy new rooftop bar offering charcuterie plates, a deck area, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views the Seattle skyline. For rates, availability and reservations, please call 206-693-6000 or visit AstraHotelSeattle.com. The Astra Hotel is owned and operated by the San Franciscobased Stanford Hotels Corporation.  

Media Contact: Joleen Zanuzoski, [email protected] 

Level Seattle – South Lake Union  

Opened in June 2022, Level Seattle promises an unrivaled hospitality experience in the heart of the South Lake Union neighborhood. Enjoy the comforts of home with spacious studio, one and two bedroom luxury suites boasting full kitchens, convenient in-suite laundry and spacious living areas. Along with the convenience of 24-hour guest services and onsite parking, enjoy access to over 70,000 square feet of impressive lifestyle amenities, including three pools, indoor basketball court and climbing wall, karaoke and game rooms, co-workspaces, and indoor-outdoor entertaining areas. For those after an elevated experience, the property’s collection of sky home and penthouse accommodations feature spacious floorplans, carefully curated finishings, and sweeping views of the Seattle skyline. Available for nightly and extended stays, Level Seattle – South Lake Union delivers a new way to experience the city. stayinglevel.com/destinations/seattle/south-lake-union

Media Contact: Kate Francois, [email protected]   

citizenM Brings Second Location to Vibrant Pioneer Square

Located in Seattle’s historic district of Pioneer Square, this newly opened 232-key hotel consists of nine floors and over 82,000 gross square feet. The enclosure is a brick and glass façade to match the context of the historic neighborhood. A local artist created a large mosaic art installation on the new hotel. The mosaic incorporates aspects of the city’s and Pioneer Square’s history, bringing the look of Indigenous beadwork and storytelling to a large scale with over 5,000 6×6-inch porcelain tiles. citizenm.com/hotels/united-states/seattle/seattle-pioneer-square-hotel 

Media Contact: [email protected] 

The Arctic Club Hotel Returns to Third Ave

Now owned by The Oxford Collection, the historic Arctic Club Hotel is open once again. A perfect blend of historic architecture, thoughtful details, and modern luxuries, the hotel offers a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of downtown Seattle. Built in 1916, the 10-story, 120-room landmark has been beautifully restored with a nod to a heritage rooted in exploration and adventure and a past richly associated with the Klondike Gold Rush. Known for its exquisite architecture, featuring terra cotta walrus head sculptures adorning the exterior and the famous Northern Lights Dome Room with its majestic stained-glass ceiling, the Arctic Club Hotel has been a history-maker from the get-go.

Media Contact: Rebecca Zook, [email protected] 

FOOD & BEVERAGE

New Vietnamese Restaurant Ramie is Opening in Capitol Hill

Trinh and Thai Nguyen, the sibling chefs behind the restaurant Ba Sa on Bainbridge Island, will open their new Vietnamese restaurant Ramie this spring in Capitol Hill. Inspired by the Nguyens’ recent trip to Vietnam, Ramie will showcase nhau culture, a Vietnamese tradition of gathering with friends and family to feast for no particular reason. Ramie will serve contemporary Vietnamese food that incorporates simple, old-school cooking techniques, as well as offer a robust cocktail program. The sibling duo is excited to provide sterling hospitality in a welcoming space complete with a bar, mezzanine, and seasonal patio.  

Media Contact: Kirsten Graham, [email protected] 

HOUSE of EVE Opens in the Heart of South Lake Union

New from Mikayla Benedict, the founder of Evoke Cafe Bar,  HOUSE of EVE opened on December 31, 2023 in the bustling heart of South Lake Union. The woman-owned restaurant offers a sultry garden escape: a blend of bold masculine lines, feminine softness, and is an homage to strong women. At the bar, McKenzie Nelson leads a team devoted to elevating libations, including a variety of Evoke coffee-based cocktails that reflect the brand’s roots. Displaying his own talents for the first time, Executive Chef Jerard Macalma debuts a menu that blends the familiarity of home with offerings from some of Washington’s finest local purveyors. Guests can enjoy brunch, happy hour, and dinner service Tuesday through Sunday.

Media Contact: Hannah Swan, [email protected]   

Former Canlis Executive Sous Chef Launches Atoma Restaurant in Wallingford

Atoma which means invisible, is a contemporary, New American restaurant located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. Led by former Canlis Executive Sous Chef Johnny Courtney, the Atoma team has undertaken meticulous planning and renovations to reflect Atoma’s innovative vision while paying homage to the rich history that resonates within its walls as the former home of the beloved Tilth restaurant. Atoma celebrates the diverse and global influences of their team’s culinary background, with a mission to provide a space that fosters and inspires creativity and drawing on our experiences, childhood, and travels, the restaurant aims to invoke a sense of nostalgia and thoughtfulness throughout your dining experience. 

Media Contact: Sarah Courtney, [email protected]  

Tom Douglas’s Neb Wine Bar Opens in Downtown Seattle

Seattle’s Tom Douglas & Co. opened Neb in November 2023, in the tiny alcove space snuggled on Virginia Street in downtown Seattle. Leaning into over forty years of visits to Alba, Barbaresco, Barolo and Tuscany, the region has been an obsession of Chef Tom Douglas and his wife and business partner, Jackie Cross. The intimate space offers rustic, northwest Italian plates, incredible wine and a celebration of aperitivo.

Media Contact: Holly Robinson, 206-945-2330, [email protected]  

Voodoo Doughnut is Opening its First Seattle Location

The popular Portland-based doughnut chain Voodoo Doughnut is making plans for its first Seattle location, which would be its second location in Washington. The soon-to-be doughnut shop will be located at 1201 Pine St., on the corner of Pine Street and Minor Avenue on Capitol Hill. It will be located in close proximity to the Starbucks Roastery and is on the backside of the Melrose Market building. At this time there is no estimated opening date. 

Media Contact: Sara Heise, [email protected]

Reuben’s Brews Welcomes Seattle to Its New Fremont Ave Taproom

Fremont Ave Taproom, Reuben’s Brews’ new taproom in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, officially opened on October 21. The new taproom creates a welcoming environment where friends and families can gather to enjoy exceptional craft beer, featuring 24 taps including favorites, limited releases, hard seltzer, cider, and non-alcoholic hop water. The new taproom offers cozy, café-style indoor seating, a covered patio, to-go store with merch and beer, and limited car and bicycle parking on site.

Media Contact: Ben Keene, [email protected]

Phinney Ridge Welcomes New Restaurant from Renee Erickson

Lioness, a new restaurant from famed James Beard award-winning chef Renee Erickson, opened in late January 2024. The new space, located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood, will focus on shared plates and Italian wine.

Media Contact: Alexa Dallas, [email protected]

New Distillery Opens in Ballard

The highly anticipated Wildwood Spirits Co. Ballard distillery and tasting room is now open. Wildwood employs a “farm to distillery” model, sourcing 90% of the produce used for distilling — from winter wheat and corn to apple and Douglas fir — from Washington state. The resulting spirits are inspired by a chef and a sommelier’s passion, combined with the pragmatism of science. The co-owners, Erik Liedholm, head distiller and sommelier, and Seattle steak legend John Howie, bring a unique and distinctive perspective to the industry.  

Media Contact: Althea Conyers Achem, [email protected]

Taste Washington Returns in March 2024

Taste Washington will return to Seattle in March 2024. The nation’s largest single-region wine and food festival made a triumphant return in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, bringing more than 14,000 attendees to eight signature events hosted throughout the city. In 2024, Taste Washington events will be scheduled across the region during the month of March. The Grand Tasting, the flagship event of Taste Washington, returns to Lumen Field Event Center Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. tastewashington.org 

Media Contact: Averyl D. Mooney, [email protected]

Frye Art Museum and MariPili Tapas Bar Opens New Café Partnership

The Frye Art Museum café reopened on November 8 as MariPili at Café Frieda. Frye Executive Director Jamilee Lacy and MariPili’s Chef Grayson Corrales have collaborated on an exciting new concept that will offer Frye patrons and Seattle diners an elevated and unique yet accessible culinary experience within the museum’s visually refreshed café space. In addition to a full espresso bar, the café will serve Estrella Galicia beer, Washington and Spanish wines by the glass, and pitchers of sangria. The menu, including both gluten-free and vegan options, focuses on small plates and lunchtime staples such as sandwiches and salads, but reimagined through MariPili’s distinctive flavors. fryemuseum.org/maripili-cafe-frieda

Media Contact: [email protected]

Darkalino’s and Hometeam Opens in Seattle’s Pioneer Square Neighborhood

Entrepreneur and Seattle native Marcus Lalario has launched a new gathering place featuring a café, bar, and retail shop in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. Hometeam has taken over Pioneer Square’s London Plane restaurant and the gallery next door. The Seattle-centric, mixed-use shop offers an innovative, communal space ideal for working, taking a meeting, hanging out with a great cup of coffee, or meeting friends after work for a bite and a drink. It is a confluence of house streetwear under the Hometeam brand, counter-service Italian food (powered by Mezzanotte), a special Hometeam roasted coffee from Anchorhead Coffee, and a full bar. darkalinos.com and hometeamsea.com 

Media Contact: Lissa Gruman, 425-445-5332, [email protected]

Heavy Restaurant Group Launches Livbud Café & Bar

Opened in late May 2023 by Heavy Restaurant Group (HRG), Livbud’s menu focuses on incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients into its coffee, smoothies, cocktails, taps, and natural wine as well as its plantforward and pescatarian offerings. The menu is comprised of mostly plants, fungi, and fish, all of which are free from refined sugars, additives, chemicals, and processed foods. This new adventure for HRG features a large community table and an open kitchen concept, allowing guests to connect with each other and the chefs. The goal is to inspire balance with a menu and relaxed environment that encourages healthy living and positive energy. livbudcafe.com 

Media Contact: Rosie Welty, 206-838-3852, [email protected]

The Fonté Bar Opens in Downtown Seattle

The Fonté Coffee Roaster, a local, independent roaster founded in 1992, opened a new café bar, The Fonté Bar, in the expansive lobby of the new 58-story Rainier Square in downtown Seattle. The bar offers Seattle a new central gathering area which includes a lively cafe by day and a downtown craft cocktail bar experience by night. The coffee and cocktail space is an energetic gathering spot as the hub for 189 high-end apartment homes, more than 1.5 million square feet of office space, diverse retail offerings, and ample parking. Its location adds a welcome choice to an active downtown epicenter of hotels, popular restaurants, and corporate workspace. thefontebar.com

Media Contact: Kate Neidigh, [email protected]

Tom Douglas’s Palace Kitchen Reopens Downtown

Tom Douglas, one of Seattle’s most prominent restauranteurs, announced the reopening of his Palace Kitchen in downtown Seattle as of April 2023. Palace Kitchen originally shuttered in 2020 but returns with its key menu offerings such as its Palace Burger Royale, goat cheese fondue, wood-grilled chicken, and Piedmont-style ravioli roast pork. Currently, the restaurant will operate Wednesday through Sunday with food available until midnight and cocktails until 1 a.m. Douglas hopes to open seven days a week in the future. palacekitchen.com 

Media Contact: Amy Richardson, [email protected] 

Rough & Tumble Becomes Seattle’s First Women’s Sports Focused Bar (Second in the World)

Newly opened Rough & Tumble is giving fans of women’s sports an inclusive place to gather and watch their favorite teams. Inspired by one of the earliest women’s soccer teams – the Dick, Kerr Ladies FC (the “Rough Girls”) who played hard for what they believed in – Rough & Tumble carries the flag for female athletes. The Ballard spot stands for equality in sports in play, in pay, in everything. roughandtumblepub.com 

Media contact: [email protected]  

Chihuly Garden and Glass Debuts “The Bar at Chihuly”

Opened in early 2023, The Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass features creative cocktails alongside delicious bites and plates in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Capturing the essence of the Pacific Northwest, The Bar sources local ingredients, offers seasonal menus, and partners with regional beer, wine, and spirit artisans. The Bar is the only place in the world to see over 25 of Dale Chihuly’s personal collections, which are on display throughout the space. The centerpiece of The Bar is an illuminated installation of 36 signature Chihuly Drawings, creating a uniquely art-centric dining experience. chihulygardenandglass.com/bar 

Media Contact: Mary Catherine Frantz, [email protected]

Alder & Ash Restaurant Opens in Downtown Seattle

The new flagship restaurant developed and operated by acclaimed hospitality group Apicii opened in late May 2023Alder & Ash occupies a newly renovated space at 7th Ave and Union Street in downtown at the Sheraton Grand Seattle. The Pacific Northwest brasserie is modern and airywith a menu that features New American fare showcasing seasonal Pacific Northwest products and producers. Alder & Ash boasts a convivial bar and lounge with expertly mixed craft cocktails, locally brewed beers, and a thoughtful selection of wines from the Pacific Northwest. alderandashsea.com 

Media Contact: Kirsten Graham, 206.890.3435, [email protected] 

Seattle Favorite Rider Restaurant Now Reopened Downtown

Rider, downtown Seattle’s beloved restaurant and bar, reopened May 2, 2023 following its 2020 closure. Known for celebrating the bounties of the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound, the revamped menu at Rider places special emphasis on locally procured and sustainably sourced seafood. Rider’s updated menu celebrates two of the region’s most defining characteristics: the ocean and the forest. Its woodfire grill is central to the dining experience but is balanced by an extensive raw bar. riderseattle.com

Media Contact: Jenna Bush, 212-284-9936, [email protected]

Kilig, A New Filipino Concept From Chef Melissa Miranda, Opens in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District

The owner and chef at popular restaurant Musang opens another Filipino concept in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID). Called “Kilig”, a tagalog word meaning “elation”, this new spot hones in on just a few dishes like pancit and bulalo in a casual, cozy space perfect for a quick lunch. The location offers 30 seats and doubles as an evening event location for community shows, pop-ups, and more. kiligseattle.com

Media Contact: Cory O’Born, [email protected]

Hatback Bar & Grille and Brewpub Steelheads Alley Now Open

This new sports bar across from T-Mobile Park offers the classic combo of burgers and beers, with the upgrade of craft brews from Métier Brewing Company. The complex, which can hold 350 fans, opens two hours before every Mariners, Seahawks, and Sounders home game and stays open at least an hour after those games end. hatback.com and steelheadsalley.com 

Media Contact: Bailey Turner, (206) 661-6371, [email protected] 

Kitchen & Market Brings First Store and Chef-Driven Meal Inspiration to Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has added a new chef-driven culinary grocery concept, Kitchen & Market, to its world-renowned location. Kitchen & Market, which launched as a meal-kit delivery service, brings customers a revolutionary grocery concept, seeking not only to offer carefully crafted house brand products, but to inspire all levels of home cooks to new culinary heights. With chef-curated recipes available on the store’s recipe wall, delicious meal kits, live cooking demonstrations by Seattle chefs, and their own brand of groceries, Kitchen & Market is poised to provide a simple yet delicious answer to everyone’s least favorite question: “What’s for Dinner?” kitchenandmarket.com   

Media Contact: Lisa Willis, 617-968-2979, [email protected] 

Intentionalist Supports Small Businesses and Diverse Local Communities

Visit Seattle and Intentionalist have partnered to further amplify and support small businesses and diverse local communities in the Seattle region, a goal which intersects with the missions of both organizations. Intentionalist is an online directory and marketplace that makes it easy to find and support local small businesses and the diverse people behind them through everyday decisions about where they eat, drink, and shop. Their directory includes more than 3,000 local restaurants, bars, gyms, shops, and more owned by women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, families, and differently abled people. As one of the first points of welcome a visitor receives in the Emerald City, Visit Seattle is uniquely positioned to encourage visitors to explore different areas of the city than they might otherwise experience, highlighting the cultural diversity and vibrancy of Seattle’s neighborhoods. Intentionalist.com  

Media Contact: Kauilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected] 

Washington State Wine Commission Announces Sustainable WA, the first statewide certified sustainability program 

Sustainable WA is the first certified program specifically for Washington vineyards. Growers who choose to participate commit to sustainable viticultural practices and are audited by a third-party to ensure operations meet established standards. Sustainable WA is rooted in an educational sustainability program, Vinewise® and Winerywise™, which was created over two decades ago and intentionally scalable for certification. The program was propelled forward in recent years by an industry group made up of 40+ vintners and growers from across the state. To learn more, visit washingtonwine.org. 

Media Contact: Heather Bradshaw, [email protected]  

Cora Pizza & Plates Opens in Capitol Hill

Having opened its doors in February 2023, Cora Pizza & Plates is a new Italian eatery helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef John Sundstrom (Lark) alongside Kelly Ronan and JM Enos. The menu reflects Sundstrom’s ethos of showcasing seasonal, locally grown produce, and quality products to create a selection of starters, pizza, pasta, vegetables, and sweets. The room boasts light gray walls adorned with custom prints based on vintage tomato labels giving the light and airy space a welcoming and casual vibe. Seating for 48 is available at a mix of dark wood booths and banquets with navy blue tabletops and high wood tables that can be pushed together to accommodate large parties. coraseattle.com 

Media Contact: Kirsten Graham, [email protected] 

New Cocktail Lounge Revelry Room Highlights Black-Owned Spirits

With an entrance located in an alley behind 4547 California Avenue SW in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction, new cocktail lounge Revelry Room opened in early April 2023. Owned by neighborhood entrepreneurs Derek Moon and Tony Larson, the lounge features vinyl record-themed décor, a DJ space, and a drinks menu that highlights Black-owned spirits, wine, and beer offerings. jetcitylabs.com/revelry

Media Contact: [email protected] 

CRUISE

Port of Seattle Completes Record-Setting 2023 Cruise Season

The 2023 cruise season ended in October 2023, having hosted 291 cruises with a record 1,778,193 revenue passengers. Passengers are counted both embarking and disembarking, meaning over 907,572 individual passengers visited over a six-month season that began April 15, 2023.

The Port of Seattle continues to aim to be the greenest and most energy-efficient port in North America. In 2022, the Port of Seattle — alongside Alaskan and Canadian port communities, cruise industry partners, and environmental experts — launched a collaborative effort to explore the feasibility of a fully decarbonized maritime green corridor. The concept of shipping Green Corridors came out of Conference of Parties (COP) 26 meetings in Glasgow. The first-ever cruise Green Corridor is aimed at accelerating maritime decarbonization through the deployment of low and zero greenhouse gas emission solutions between Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington. The Port also plans to convert Pier 66 to electric power. Once complete, all Port of Seattle cruise terminals will be plug-in ready. The shore power connection at Pier 66 is estimated to reduce annual emissions by 2,700 metrics tons of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions when complete.

Media Contact: Kathy Roeder, [email protected] 

SPORTS

Climate Pledge Arena Welcomes an Incredible Lineup of Artists and Sporting Events

Climate Pledge Arena, the world’s first net-zero carbon arena, will host critically acclaimed musical artists in the coming months including acts such as Madonna (Feb, 17-18, 2024), Playboi Carti (Feb. 28, 2024), Tim McGraw (March 29, 2024), and Luis Miguel (April 4, 2024). Climate Pledge Arena is also the home to Seattle sports teams like the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. climatepledgearena.com 

Media Contact: De’Aira Anderson, (206)-270-7911, [email protected]  

OL Reign Unveils Official Name and Brand Transformation

In time for the 2024 season, Seattle’s female soccer team is returning to the roots of the club’s original name, Seattle Reign FC. The club’s iconic crest from its inaugural season in 2013 has been reimagined for a new era as well, showcasing a queen emblem in the revitalized crest that embodies the exponential growth in professional women’s sports. The queen is featured with refreshed color tones of Seattle Reign Blackened Blue and Seattle Reign Blue – two colors that pay tribute to the original colors of Seattle Reign FC, while taking root in the deep colors of the Seattle environment the team calls home.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Seattle to Host 2026 FIFA World Cup at Lumen Field

Seattle’s Lumen Field will welcome soccer teams from across the globe in 2026 when it hosts several matches for the FIFA World Cup tournament. The city is already home to a passionate contingent of soccer fans who cheer for their hometown’s Seattle Sounders and Seattle Reign FC. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to be co-hosted by three nations (The U.S., Canada, and Mexico) and will also be the first to feature an expanded field of 48 international teams playing in 60 matches across the North American continent. sea2026.com 

Media Contact: Kauilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected]

Victory Hall Debuts in Seattle’s Sodo Neighborhood

Opened on the Mariners’ 2023 Opening Day (March 30), Victory Hall is part of The Boxyard complex located in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood just steps from T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field. The space transforms into an indoor beer garden during Mariners, Sounders, and Seahawks game days, as well as concerts in Sodo. The event space hosts a variety of public events throughout the year, including concerts, watch-parties, and community celebrations. The Boxyard is also home to Hatback Bar & Grille; microbrewery and taproom Steelheads Alley; as well as a forthcoming baseball and softball training facility. To learn more, visit mariners.com/victoryhall. 

Media Contact: Kirsten Graham, 206.890.3435, [email protected] 

TRANSIT 

Amtrak Resumes Cascades Service Between Seattle and Vancouver, BC

Previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amtrak has reinstated its Cascades line service between Seattle and Vancouver, BC. Amtrak Cascades runs along the water from British Columbia, through river and mountain vistas in Washington and Oregon, offering customers views of some of the country’s most spectacular natural attractions. As of October 2023, there are two daily trains in each direction between Seattle and Vancouver with additional bus routes. Be sure to consult Amtrak’s website for updated schedules. amtrakcascades.com

Seattle’s Light Rail System Expands

Sound Transit’s Link light rail serves the three largest urban centers in the state of Washington – downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University District – bypassing some of the region’s most congested traffic. The new Northgate, Roosevelt and U District Link light rail stations opened October 2, 2021. The new extension offers riders reliable, traffic-free trips of only 14 minutes between Northgate and downtown Seattle. In addition to the elevated station at Northgate, trains stop at new underground stations serving Seattle’s U District and Roosevelt neighborhoods. Of the 4.3-mile extension, all but 0.8 miles of elevated track at Northgate are located underground. Sound Transit doubled the length of Tacoma Link as part of the extension up to Hilltop, which opened in 2023. In April 2024, Sound Transit will open the East Link Starter Line which connects South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Center. This line is scheduled to be connected to Seattle in 2025. Further extensions are planned for downtown Redmond, Lynnwood, and Federal Way. Learn more about the expansions and projected timelines here. https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion 

Media Contact: Bruce Gray, Sound Transit, (206) 398-5069, [email protected]

CONVENTION NEWS

The Seattle Convention Center Opens The Summit Building

The Seattle Convention Center’s newest addition, The Summit, is now open and welcoming groups. Summit adds approximately 250,000 square feet of exhibition space, 160,000 square feet of meeting room space, including a 60,000-square-foot ballroom. Summit occupies a pinnacle design position in the next evolution of convention centers rooted in the urban core context and supported by a vertically organized flow. The stacked configuration maximizes the efficiency of the urban site, effectively bringing interior and exterior spaces together. Skylights bringing daylight deep into the event spaces, the layering of soft and hard landscape elements, and expansive views of the city in all directions enhance the urban nature of the facility. Air handling units are equipped with economizer functionality, meaning they can run at 100 percent outside air, not recycled air, under moderate temperature conditions. Storm water treatment in outdoor planting areas will feature innovative sustainable strategies. The design pays homage to Seattle with The Hillclimb: The Pine Street façade features a suspended stair and escalator system that provides event attendee access from street level to the ballroom level on top. The Hillclimb is an iconic design element authentic to the Pacific Northwest made of wood with seating elements for guests. It enlivens the convention experience while providing respite from activities. Learn more at visitseattle.org/meeting-professionals/convention-center/summit-overview 

Media Contact: Jared Dionne, (206) 461-5807, [email protected] 

AIR TRAVEL

Delta Selects SEA Airport for Launch of First-Ever U.S. to Taiwan Direct Route

Beginning June 6, 2024, Delta will offer daily nonstop service from SEA Airport to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei. This route will mark the first time Delta has flown to Taiwan since 2017. Delta will also serve Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai with non-stop service from Seattle.

Lufthansa to Add Service to Munich at SEA Airport

German carrier Lufthansa will expand its service to Seattle in spring 2024 with the addition of a nonstop route from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Munich in May. The flight will operate daily through the fall, then go to three times a week during the winter months. The flight is the 13th new international route SEA Airport has added since 2020, including new service to tropical locales like the Bahamas and Tahiti. The service to Munich comes in addition to Lufthansa’s direct flights to Frankfurt. 

Media contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Alaska Airlines to Add Service to the Bahamas from SEA Airport

Travelers can now to fly to the Bahamas straight from Seattle with the addition of a new seasonal route by Alaska Airlines from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Flights to the Bahamas capital city of Nassau will depart three times a week from December 15 through April 10. news.alaskaair.com

Media contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

The Centurion Lounge is Now Open at SEA Airport

The Centurion Lounge, just opened by Amex, is a chic new place to hang out between flights. At 14,000 square feet, this new space has an impressive bar, a Seattle skyline mural made out of coffee beans, and of course a full-service coffee bar serving brews from local favorite Caffe Umbria. Local chef Kristi Brown has also put together a “Seattle Soul” menu that highlights local, seasonal ingredients. To enter the lounge, travelers must have one of the following cards: the Amex Centurion Card, Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, Corporate Platinum Card, or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card or Reserve Business Card.

Media contact: Yasamin Haghshenas [email protected]

Port of Seattle Acquires Indigenous Art for International Arrivals Facility

The Port of Seattle Commission recently approved a $475,000 effort to acquire Indigenous Art of the Pacific Northwest region to display in the new International Arrivals Facility (IAF) at SEA Airport. The idea, initially proposed by a set of high school interns, represents ongoing efforts in the Port’s goal to diversify and grow its art collection. The brand-new IAF opened in Spring 2022. PortSeattle.org 

Media Contact: Perry Cooper, [email protected]

Air Tahiti Nui Adds Non-Stop Service Between Seattle and Paris

As of June 12, 2023, Air Tahiti Nui offers non-stop, roundtrip service between SEA Airport and Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG). This extension of service comes after the airline’s recent introduction of non-stop service between SEA Airport and Tahiti International Airport (PPT) in 2022. Airfares include one free checked bag, complimentary in-flight entertainment, a choice of meals and alcoholic beverages, and a pillow and blanket at every seat at no additional cost. airtahitinui.com/us-en 

Media Contact: Perry Cooper,[email protected]

ONGOING DEVELOPMENTS

New Music Venue from Live Nation Opening 2024

Live Nation will open a new music venue in Seattle’s Denny Triangle. Part of the new WB1200 Development, the new space will serve as a gateway to downtown. This mixed-use project occupies an entire city block and is comprised of two 47-story residential adjoining towers resting on a threestory commercial podium. The podium is cleaved by a three-story high structural glass galleria that provides a pedestrian connection through the block and offers an active replacement of the vacated alley. 

Media Contact: Nicolette Williams, [email protected] 

Seattle Waterfront Redevelopment Targeting 2025 Completion

Seattle continues to improve its already impressive downtown walkability and attractions with its ongoing Waterfront redevelopment project. The project includes the relocation of the Alaskan Way viaduct underground in favor of a scenic bayside promenade featuring shops, bike lanes, and the Washington State Ferries terminal. Residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy direct pathways from downtown and Pike Place Market to the Waterfront promenade. Waterfront improvements are on track to open as completed with all projects scheduled for completion by 2025.  

Media Contact: Kau’ilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected]

Seattle Aquarium To Open New Ocean Pavilion in Summer 2024

Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion – anticipated to open in Summer 2024 – will focus on tropical species from the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific. In tandem with the ongoing Waterfront redevelopment, the Ocean Pavilion will connect Pike Place Market with the Waterfront promenade via publicly accessible observation decks, stairways, and an oculus window that allows passersby to observe sea life from below. With a next-generation sustainable design, the Ocean Pavilion is set to become a national model for regenerative construction standards in climate impact, energy, and water use. The Ocean Pavilion is the first step in the transformation of the beloved Seattle Aquarium. The Ocean Pavilion will enable people of all abilities and backgrounds to discover new corners of our one-world ocean. Visitors will be able to witness the exquisite biodiversity of a reef ecosystem in the Coral Triangle – coming face-to-face with sharks, rays, schooling fish, mangroves, seagrasses and nearly 30 species of coral.

Media Contact: Tim Kuniholm, [email protected] 

Lake Union Piers Renovation Under Way 

Situated in the bustling neighborhood of South Lake Union, Lake Union Piers is a renewal project creating new spaces for dining and retail, lakeview terraces, a lakeside promenade, plenty of outdoor seating, and more. Visitors can expect as much as 8,000 square feet of dedicated outdoor dining space, 5,700 square feet of flexible outdoor events space, gorgeous native landscaping, and improved public seating areas. With the Museum of History and Industry, Center for Wooden Boats, and Lake Union Park nearby, Lake Union Piers will further amplify the cultural offerings available in South Lake Union. 

Media Contact: Kau’ilani Robinson, (206) 461-5839, [email protected] 

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