Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn has announced a proposal for changing state policy to allow cities to allow extended service hours for Seattle nightlife. The plan is part of Seattle’s comprehensive Nightlife Initiative, which aims to maintain public safety and provide businesses with greater flexibility to adapt to the market demands of residents and visitors.

In a nutshell, McGinn’s plan is to stagger closing times at certain bars and clubs to ease the strain on police resources. As it is now, Seattle Police can be stretched thin at 2am when every bar & club lets out, especially in certain areas such as Belltown and Pioneer Square.

Plus, there’s only so much our local superheroes can do.

“We’ve talked to the public, we’ve talked to businesses, we’ve talked to neighbors, and this is something the community wants us to do,” said Mayor Mike McGinn

The City Council will hear the resolution in committee on July 19th and a vote to follow soon afterward. The rule change application will be submitted to the Washington State Liquor Control Board (LCB) by August 31st. The LCB then has 60 days to decide whether to initiate the rule making process, Mayor McGinn hopes to have extended service hours implemented in Seattle in 2012.

Whether or not this will affect much in Fremont remains to be seen. There are certainly areas of the city where such an initiative is more pressing, though that doesn’t mean we won’t see changes to closing times here as well.

Mayor Mike McGinn last night revealed a “Seattle Nightlife Initiative” that includes 8 major points:

1. Code compliance enforcement
2. Flexible liquor service hours
3. Noise ordinance enforcement
4. Security training requirements
5. Precinct community outreach
6. Professional development
7. Late-night transportation alternatives
8. Targeting public nuisances

The Dubliner, one of many bars in Fremont that could be affected by the mayor’s new nightlife initiative

Of these priorities, the “flexible hours” may be the most dramatic, with bars being able to stay open later than 2 a.m., with the argument that the present system “which by unintended consequence encourages overindulgence while simultaneously pushing thousands of patrons on the streets with limited resources to effectively manage the activity.” In other words, too many inebriated people at one time overwhelm law enforcement, alternative and public transportation, drive home drunk causing accidents, etc.

You can read more about it in the Seattle Times, and you can comment directly on a survey the city has put out seeking feedback about it. Or, please comment here!

After several months of watching it come together, LTD Bar + Grill (309 N. 36th St) is finally opening it’s doors to the public on Saturday.  Co-owner Brian Parks describes it as the “only ‘true’ sports bar in Fremont”. 

The menu is “high-quality pub fare”, with prices ranging from around $3.25 for a pretzel to $11.25 for steak and fries or meatloaf.  There’s also lots of comfort food staples in between, like Tator Tots, Fried Pickles, Mac & Cheese Wedges and Pigs in a Blanket (all $4.95-$5.95). 

Eleven flat screen TVs line the walls around the bar and are viewable from virtually any spot inside.  There’s also a pool table, air hockey and 12 beers on tap.  That giant iPhone looking thing hanging on the wall (above) is a digital jukebox.  Gone are the days of discreet song selections here!

LTD will be open for lunch during the week at 11:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the weekend.  Happy Hour is from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday when several food items will be 4 to 5 bucks.  On Sundays, you can catch a game on TV and enjoy the Sunday Special - a burger and beer for $6.95.

A liquor license application from “LTD Bar & Grill” is posted in the window of the empty building on 36th St., just west of Phinney Ave.

We stopped by Sinners and Saints, the new bar next door, and they said a restaurant and sports bar will be moving in there soon.

We’ll keep you updated.

The well-known Fremont bar “The Triangle” celebrated its last night Sunday.

Bartender Nate Rezac recently bought the bar and plans to reopen it later this month with a new menu and a new look. “It will be a 30s and 40s gangsta bar theme,” he told us. “9 Million in Unmarked Bills,” as the bar will be called, will feature a diverse menu, a smaller bar in the back room and drinks named after old gangsters. Rezac says he hopes to reopen on June 18th.

As for The Triangle, it closed with a bash on Sunday night, featuring prizes, karaoke and old memories.

Around 1:30 a.m. this morning, police responded to The Ballroom for a report of 30 people fighting inside and outside the club. Two women were among those in the brawl. Reports the Seattle 911 Blog:

Both women were arrested and continued to yell and scream while an officer read them their Miranda rights, according to a police report. At the North Precinct, one of the women told officers she was going to file a sexual harassment complaint and did not cooperate with officer requests to remove her jewelry.

Fremont is no stranger to club-related altercations. Back in January, shots were fired into the air near The Ballroom. And earlier this month, police were called to an assault at the nearby club, Nectar.

According to this posting on John L. Scott, the Triangle Lounge is for sale.

“Unique opportunity to purchase one of Seattle’s hottest bars!” reads the ad. “Originally established in ‘88, Triangle Lounge is a Fremont landmark.” It can be yours for $350,000. (Thanks for the tip Ryan!)