First Friday - the DTR has a party going on

The First Friday Block Party at the top of South Third continues. Notably with Liberty Cafe, Happy Delusions and DC's Bar & Grill leading the fun. This is where you go for good people, great music and some snacks and libations.

DJ Phil Anthony will be spinning at Liberty Cafe and he is always good to tune into.

Gather with the local DTR crowd to celebrate the days getting longer, the warmth of Spring budding in the air and the party that continues to rock the downtown of Renton.

Downtown Renton/South Third Street

Got plans?

Tonight you could go out and hit three of the coolest local hangs, get your entertainment groove on and have one great night out. Let's start with a relatively new Open Mike Nite program at Liberty Cafe, hosted by KT and Hoops which begins at 7 ish. I cannot believe how much incredible talent there is hiding away here in the burg. This is the third week of this happening, and it is happening.

Then, mosey on over to DC's Bar and Grill for Trivia Night at around 8pm. The buy in is a couple of bucks per person and the winning pot has not been under a $100 bucks for awhile. This attracts a fun and boisterous crowd, and there is liquor and good beers on tap to boot. Yes - it is good.

Then, you have the Karaoke and Open Mike Night at A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub. I have noticed that once KT and Hoops have finished up at Mike's Liberty Cafe, they scoot over this way. Let the fun continue and keep it all within a couple of blocks.

Localized fun at it's best.

Liberty Cafe
926 S. Third Street
(425) 235 - 1400

DC's Bar & Grill

907 S. Third Street
(425) 255-2511

A Terrible Beauty Irish Pub
201 Williams Ave. S.
in the DTR
(425) 227 - 3396

Election Night Party and other DTR stuff

Did you post your ballots today, my friends? I don't know about you, but the whole idea of going to the poll booth and casting the vote in person was always an activity that I looked forward to this time of year. The little old ladies helping out, putting a flag sticker on my lapel that said to all and sundry, "I Voted Today" and just the feel of the day, getting up and reviewing the issues at hand and making your choies. Will this really completely go by the wayside now?

Tonight, Liberty Cafe in the DTR will be hosting an Election Party with pizza and cupcakes and hopefully, YOU. Come on down and join in some good ole fashioned community fun.

Liberty Cafe
926 S. Third Street
(425) 235 - 1400

New sign, still the best lunch deal in town - $5, including tax, for a lunch at DC's Bar & Grill in the DTR. Always a special of the day plus a full contingent of yummy lunch menu items to choose from. Terrence - the new sign is rockin', my friend.

DC's Bar and Grill 907 S. Third St. Renton WA 98055 (425 255-2511

A mere dollar a zombie - these finger puppets will bring a child or childlike adult some gruesome fun. Not Halloween? There is no season limit on Zombie love. Happy Delusions has it for you.

Fun and Flair for 10 bucks - these decoupage belt buckles are way too cute and affordable not to be on your shopping list. Pick one up when you are stocking up on your Zombies.

Happy Delusions 924 S. 3rd St. (425)255-6078

DC's Bar and Grill - Comedy Night

DC's Bar & Grill gets some amazing talent in for their monthly Comedy Night. This Thursday, Oct. 15th at 8pm for a mere $5 bucks you can see Vince Valenzuela (headlining Satelite Radio, TNT "Leverage"). Also appearing with him will be Dan Moore. Now, you don't have to be a big drinker or indulger to be able to come and enjoy the show. You can nurse your coke or beer, and just come to laugh - Pete, one of the three owners of this Renton DTR hang has told me that is A-okay with him. He would just like to see people come in, have a laugh and a good time. Maybe you'll like the joint, come back in another time, try his burgers and fries. Just maybe.

And you should - because Monday through Friday the bar has their $5 lunch menu, with daily specials and the burger and fries are always just $5 from 11 til 3pm. And they are good. Handmixed and handformed, they taste like the burgers you get at a friend's BBQ grill - good friends with good eats, that is. While there today eating my yummy burger, the Morrison Brothers were also there, extolling the virtues of the burger meal. Fifth generation Rentonites, they had stories to tell and wise cracks to make. One is about to become a daddy. The DTR is a slice of life area, people, and you should venture out into it as often as you can.

DC's Bar and Grill
907 S. Third St.
Renton WA 98055
(425 255-2511

Where everyone knows your name - DC's Bar and Grill

Terrence Vaccaro, Steve Fjelstad and Pete Olive

Three partners, something akin to the Three Amigos in my eyes, owners of the bar and grill called DC's in downtown Renton, and already past their first year anniversary. When Terrence, Pete and Steve took over the establishment named after the first owners - Danielle and Casey, the first thing they turned their efforts to was improving the food items. This past week launched another new menu, with 5 new appetizers, 5 new burgers and sandwiches and new salads along with a new cocktail list in yet another refinement on the kitchen that they have been making more delectable since July of last year. Things are looking and tasting mighty good around there these days folks.

My favorite has to be the $5 Lunch Menu that DC's has Monday through Friday 11 am til 3 pm. There is quite a nice list of regular food entrees to begin with plus a special daily item (rotated seasonally) that is different each day of the week. Their hamburger, which is hand mixed and hand packed, is a big favorite with a regular Picaroon follower who can't say enough about them and the fries that come on the side. Arrive at 4 pm until 7, and you can have some really great beers at Happy Hour prices($2.50 for micro drafts) and appetizers with prices for all budgets ($2 - $5).

Every Third Thursday of the month is Comedy Night at DC's with a very modest $5 cover charge. The comedians are all well known, some even nationally, and come in pairs for a good night of laughs. To keep things interesting on the other days of the month, there are specials everyday. Microbrew Mondays and $1 PBRs and $4 Martinis in a pint glass on Fridays just to name two. This is a casual place where the bartender/owners know your name and all are welcome. There is no dress code, but as Pete says, there is an attitude enforcement. Never had a fight at the bar yet. So don't be a downtown Renton hater - the shooting at Pounders the other week is a different crowd, and even though close, a whole different neighborhood than what South Third sports. The Picaroon can stand firmly by that assessment as well. After all, this is our DTR.

If you like football and breakfast in front of the tube, you are in luck. Now open for morning meals throughout the football season, you can see any football game that is televised in the nation on the nine TV screens that DC's boasts having. It's called Sunday Ticket. Mostly egg dishes, plus some chicken fried steak and a biscuit dish, this could be a fun hang this Fall. You can also get a large Mimosa or Bloody Mary for $4. What a way to start the morn, eh guys?!

Oktoberfest started recently and though there are only 9 taps, there will always be at least a couple beers celebrating the season on ( Sam Admas Octoberfest this week for example) as well as the PBR, Manny's Pale Ale, Stella Artois, Mac & Jack's African Amber, Budlight, Alaskan Amber, Smithwicks and a seasonal ale brewed by Big Al's Brewery just for DC's that are usually on pour.

The business has grown well for these three partners who between them have at least 3 plus decades of bar service, bar management and waitstaff experience under their collective belts. They like their work, they like their beer and food and it shows. This is a place worthy getting to know. Head on in - you'll be glad that you did.

DC's Bar & Grill
907 S 3rd St
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 255-2511

Only $5 bucks for a night of laughs

Five bucks will get you in at DC's Bar & Grill tonight for some laughs and guffaws. Starting a 8pm, two comedians, Brett J and Edi Z will be entertaining you at the comedy night that happens every third Thursday over on South Third St. Holding the flyer for the event is Pete Olive, one of the owners of the establishment. Check it out. With any luck, some of the Oktoberfest beers have started making there way to the beer line-up at DC's. Yum.

PS -Go over early and have a great $5 PUB CLUB sandwich for lunch - that's turkey, ham and bacon on a long roll with tomato and mayo - all part of the DC's Monday through Friday daily five buck lunch specials. Hey - what is it with you guys and five bucks?

DC's Bar & Grill
907 S. Third Street
(425) 255 - 2511

It's all about the art and music, people

Art and music - that, along with a great drink in your one hand (caffeine or otherwise), and cupcake in the other was the exactly what last night's Block Party was primarily about. Aside from meeting the very talented etching artist, Joey Katzer at Happy Delusions and viewing the new art installation at Liberty Cafe, my favorite art presence were the chalk drawings on our South Third Street boardwalk. Anyone could drop down and join in - and surprisingly, many did, like Samantha Goetz-Granquist pictured above.

The family artwork of 4 generations turned Liberty Cafe into something that felt like a art salon of old. So many canvases were hung that the work covers nearly floor to ceiling. The ambiance created is colorful, vibrant and inspiring. The above painting is just one of many that caught my attention last night. Mark Arnold Remington, the impetus behind this family congregation of art, said that about 200 hundred people came through the door last night and he couldn't have had more fun if he tried.

Joey Katzer here with her copper plate etchings. A self professed shy and retiring individual, having a show at Happy Delusions for Joey was quite a stretch. Her work is of an incredibly high caliber and one can only hope that she will grace us with her presence more often. Check our her Flickr photostream here and marvel at her detail. Joey's work has a permanent site in Mary's store, but the full complement of her work will remain up throughout the weekend.

I thought that these mini Common Ground cupcakes with the DTR/I heart Renton buttons on them were the best idea yet in promoting our dear little main drag. Still hearing people question those "in the know" about the meaning of "DTR". How long is this gonna take? Acronyms, we Americans usually eat this stuff up! Get with the program already, Renton! If you have a DTR button, help out by wearing it proudly and giving people the "look" when they query what it means. That will teach them not to make our downtown part of their weekly rounds!

And the MUSIC - well, DC's Bar & Grill hosted DJ Nich Sullivan of the soon to open Tyrannosaurus Records for the later part of the night and he had things rockin'. DJ Phil Anthony was over at Liberty Cafe and I recommend him highly. If you happened to miss this month's event. stay tuned and catch up with the fun next time around. Why go outside the zip code when you can hang right here and have fun?

Block Party Tonight in the DTR!

What began as a few Meet the Artists nights at Happy Delusions, then grew to Liberty Cafe having First Friday events, is now a full on Block Party with the whole top block of downtown Renton's South Third Street joining in for a night of music, art and " a darn good time" tonight. I credit Mary Clymer with this groundswell of party fun, creative endeavor and the reason that tonight will be a very good time in the ole DTR. The energy and excitement of having businesses stay open late one night of the month to give Renton residents a new reason to get out and about our historic downtown has been her brainchild for sometime.

Rachel and Crystal

Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes will be serving up mini DTR cupcakes free with any drink purchase tonight. You will have to provide your own mustache, however. Music will be provided by a young local talent named Hailey (sorry if get the spelling wrong there).

Mark Remington Arnold - one of the family of artists

Liberty Cafe will have DJ Phil Anthony spinning tunes, and featuring a new art show on it's walls - the work of 4 generations of one family. Paintings from Grandma Alma Ethazelda Vickers King on down were hung just the other day and how fun to see how one generation influences the next. If we are lucky, Johnny Uysal, the other ownership half of the cafe, will be playing his congos - and he is good.

Work by Joey Katzer

Happy Delusions will be featuring local artist Joey Katzer. Joey has been a friend of owner, Mary Clymer, since grade school, always won every art competition and is ubertalented. Currently a first grade teacher in Skyway, her impressive works can be viewed here. Stop by for a little libation and a bite of something sweet and meet the artist herself.

Calico Cheesecake, Cafe Lure and the Tapestry Saloon - that great trilogy of restaurants is secretly planning something. Whatever it is - you know it will taste great!



Tyrannosaurus Records, while not yet ready to open for business, will be on hand to give us a listen and a view of what to soon expect from our first independent music store. Owner Nich will be partying with the rest of the block tonight, so come by and see where your next music hang is soon to be.

DCs Bar & Grill -which has the best $5 lunch for those on the fly and a need for a tasty something to bite into for those of you not yet in the know, will also be hosting some shenanigans tonight -

$1 BEER $4 MARTINIS

Wow! Can't beat that!! I am soooo there!

Block Party
Top of South Third Street
Tonight from 6pm - ?
BE THERE!