March 14, 2025

Tom's Watch Bar now open at Seattle Center

Photos by Brian Miller [enlarge]

This view looks east from the second-floor terrace.

As the DJC reported last month, Tom's Watch Bar was then very close to opening at Seattle Center. The city issued a temporary certificate of occupancy last week, and Tom's announced on Wednesday that it was officially open. (Patrons were observed inside on Tuesday evening, sipping beer and cheerfully noshing away.)

The sports bar occupies the landmarked former Bressi Garage, now with a second-story addition and wraparound terrace that looks north to Climate Pledge Arena and west to Elliott Bay. The sports bar now goes by 105 Lenny Wilkens Way ; that's on the corner of First Avenue North.

The chain now lists a dozen-plus locations nationwide. Its co-CEO Brooks Schaden said in a statement, “Our concept provides the perfect complement not just to live sports, but to all entertainment experiences, creating a hub where Seattle's passionate fans can gather before, during, and after games, concerts, and events.”

Co-CEO Shannon McNiel added, “From our unique service model that delivers food hot in under eight minutes to our diverse menu featuring elevated sports bar classics, we've created an environment where fans can enjoy the game while experiencing the quality and atmosphere they deserve.”

Seattle Center still owns the building, but Oak View Group controls the property via its lease and renovation, working with Wilcox Construction and architect Generator Studio. Oak View's Josh Pell said, “Tom's Watch Bar will create an immersive, fun experience for the thousands of fans visiting our arena each year.” (Oak View Group previously renovated Climate Pledge Arena, and is about to do the same with Memorial Stadium.)

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New windows make for a much more inviting frontage.

The DJC paid a visit to Tom's yesterday evening, not long before the puck drop between the Kraken and Montreal Canadiens. People were proudly wearing those jerseys — and some from cities beyond. There were lots of kids and family groups.

Meanwhile, on TV, USC was playing Rutgers in the Big Ten championships. Tom's boasts over 100 screens; some broadcast sports, and others sport-adjacent programming like Japanese reality TV contests. (On one screen, men in brightly colored skins suits were vainly attempting to climb a staircase made of ice. Prince's fabled Super Bowl halftime show was playing on another.) Future programming also includes the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament and UFC fight nights. Look elsewhere for World Cup skiing or the Tour de France.

Tom's advertises 50-plus beers and more than 50 specialty cocktails. Its menu ranges from grilled chicken avocado salad to bar staples like wings and tater tots. The website doesn't list prices; nor did a bar menu, but a $10 Lagunitas IPA tasted just fine.

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Inside the lofty space, concrete floors, boisterous patrons, ambient music, hard-surfaced furniture and the high, trussed ceiling contribute to a loud, cacophonous room tone. In surprising number (perhaps over-staffed?), friendly greeters whisk customers to their tables; Tom's is a little more systematized than your average sports bar — one doesn't just casually wander in to find a seat. Doorways are poorly marked; you can't enter from First, and more signage is needed. Bathrooms have a communal, all-gender vibe, though with private stalls.

Owing to the slope of First Avenue, Tom's steps down one floor on its main level; then there are stairs and an elevator up to the second floor. There, the large outdoor terrace has commanding views and a nice perspective on the sun setting over the bay. When the weather warms, that'll be a popular spot to hang.

The new steel structural work — a full seismic retrofit was required, and to support the second floor — is very impressive. Once a humble garage, constructed in 1923, the building is now a welcoming, bustling space. Previously, Pottery Northwest only occupied about half the building; the rest was used by Seattle Center maintenance crews. So, for the first time, it feels available to the paying public.

The team for the 24,175-square-foot project also included LPC West, owner's rep; Latitude 48, civil engineer; Magnusson Klemencic Associates, structural engineer; Bush, Roed & Hitchings, surveyor; Ron Wright & Associates, historic preservation consultant; Cosco Fire Protection; Wrecking Ball, demolition; and Evergreen Contracting, demo and hauling.

Tom's has a second announced location in Pioneer Square, near Lumen Field. It's taking the vacant former Quality Athletics space, at 121 S. King St. Work there hasn't yet begun. The Pioneer Square Preservation Board is still evaluating that mostly cosmetic renovation plan. One Line Studio, of Colorado, is the architect there. DCI Engineers is also consulting on the job. That's expected to open this year, probably in time for football season.