The Cafe
The Cafe was not only an epicenter for the community, it served as the de facto hang out of the Speakeasy Crew.
Here are some of the stories that made the Cafe such a unique place.
Hypnotizing Chickens
One day, I was walking from the Pike Place Market to our apartment in Belltown. On the way, there
Press: Coffee And A Few Bytes — Internet Cafes Serve Up New Ways To Get Wired, Blending Technology, Community And Entertainment
After months of wielding jackhammers, running cable, wrangling 2 x 4's into actual furniture and
The Whole Internet Guide and Catalog
The day my girlfriend left for school back east, a friend took me out to cheer me up. He brought me
Press: Art Of The Net — I-Music Offers Internet’s First Live Gallery Opening
Roderick and Anisa Romero of Sky Cries Mary hold the first live-streamed art gallery opening,
Tripping Out on Coffee
I worked regular shifts in the cafe for some time, which I enjoyed in the extreme. I also got to
Press: Dramatic Additions — New Performance Spaces Are Springing Up In Unlikely Places
As Seattle's Belltown neighborhood begins to be revitalized, Speakeasy's backroom theater is one of
Infamous Alleyways
I've been a bass player in a few Seattle bands over the years, and back in the day I used to have
Press: Cyberspace, Real Life Merge For A Day — Internet Users View Images From 500 Sites Around Globe
In 1996, it wasn't hard to dub your event 'the largest collaborative Internet event ever,' but even
Press: Music Creates The Mood For Silent-Movie Series
Speakeasy's backroom theater was host to not only live performances, but to a wide variety of
Press: Coffee and Quick Bytes – Asia Times
Our press coverage even went as far afield as the Asia Times.
Rolling Kegs with Humans in the Way
I loved my early days working weekend nights at the Speakeasy Cafe, behind the bar in a packed
Press: A Dose Of Culture — You’ll Find Art, Theater And More In The Heart Of The City
"People are starting to live here again. As opposed to in the past where people leave downtown to go
Press: X Marks the Spot for Low-Key Sales – Nation’s Business
The cafe was featured in a business review newspaper, focusing on the low pressure sales approach
Didgeridoo, with Jam
It was one of the most musical improvisation sessions I have participated in.
Press: Gathering ‘Round a Virtual Campfire – The Christian Science Monitor
Speakeasy was the focus of an article by the Christian Science Monitor in May 1996.
Handwritten Resumes
I asked to talk to the manager and this short, attractive, direct woman in cutoff jeans and a white
Press: Monk in the Cell – Der Spiegel
The cafe was featured in a piece by Der Spiegel in June of 1996.
Press: Smaller Films, Videos Find A Showcase At Speakeasy
One of the ways that Speakeasy connected with the arts community in Seattle was to provide a space
SST #1
At the young age of 15 I attended an alternative school by the name of Puget Sound Community School
Superfan Turned Crew
I had always been a super-fan, lived in Ballard, came to Belltown all the time, used the terminals,
Edward, Enchanted
I first met Mike and Gretchen when I was 18 and came in to the Cafe via my volunteer work with
Press: Linux Journal Interviews Mike Apgar, Speakeasy Cafe
Speakeasy was conceived around March of 1994. The main impetus was that while the Internet was
Workin’ Girls
It was the most relaxed work environment I’ve ever experienced and we always had a blast together.
Feats of Derring-Do
Belltown Killer was organized by myself and Adrienne Dailey. The participants (around 30 in the
The Final Song of Buddy Rose
Here’s my Killer saga; I was mercilessly taken out by Vain’s owner, Victoria Gentry.
Tickling the Ivories
One of my new roommates brought me down to the Speakeasy Cafe one night after Bumbershoot in early
From NetDesk to VP
I started off doing tech support in the evenings on the weekend and found I had a lot of interesting
Children Have the Right to Music
The Speakeasy Cafe had become a popular destination in the area, particularly for all-age fans of
Press: Blue law meanies ruin a business that was an institution
"The Speakeasy has been really glorious," says Gretchen Apgar. "From the beginning, we wanted to mix
JAMPAC Benefit Screening – L7: The Beauty Process
Founded by former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, JAMPAC was focused on fighting several anti-music
Press: Local Nightclub Owners: Music To Their Ears
"It ruined us," said co-owner Gretchen Apgar. "You spend two-and-a-half years building an identity,
On Loan from the Wall of Sound
I adored that we had a record exchange going with Wall of Sound records across the street.
Work Hard, Play Hard
While working at Speakeasy, I also had the privilege of performing in a play on the Speakeasy Cafe
Press: Nader for Prez!
The Speakeasy Cafe hosted a fundraiser for the Green Party presidential hopeful, Ralph Nader.
Giddy and Free
There are too many memories! There were a lot of good times, but the best times were spent in
Put it in Juakeem’s Box
At some point during my tenure as a barista, I became the curator of the cafe's music selection. It
LANsanity
Introverts from all over converged for LANsanity, a Quake 3 tournament with DJs, beer, and a $1,500
We All Pulled Together
I always loved the old building(s) we were in, but being in the 2nd Ave office during the Nisqually
Press: 21 Dog Years – Timely look inside Amazon.com
Mike Daisey's breakthrough work, 21 Dog Years, debuted in Speakeasy's Backroom theater in early 2001.
The Fire
On the evening of May 18th, 2001, one of the cornerstones of Speakeasy's ideology, community, and
As the Windows Above Us Exploded
The rising air made the steel door to the staircase rattle like someone was trying to escape. When
Feeling Less Helpless, Together
A memory that stands out is getting a phone call from a night shift tech telling me that the cafe
The Angel of Belltown
About a year after the fire, Tom and I moved to the building next door to the old Speakeasy Cafe. If