The Bit Saloon is located in a historic building not far from the Ballard Bridge . Built in 1907, it was originally a General Mercantile.
In 1947 it became a bar, called John's Offshore Tavern, with Rainier Beer on tap.
In 1963 two beatniks bought the bar and renamed it The Bit Shagatha (British slang for whorehouse). After three years of operation, the liquor board finally caught on to the meaning of the name, and would no longer provide them with a license. So the owners truncated the name to "The Bit Tavern," still with Rainier on tap.
A few years and a few owners later, Thelma Miller sold the establishment, bought it back, sold it, bought it, and finally sold it again to Drew in August of 1999. Shortly thereafter, Drew grew the business from three beers on tap to 16, (don't worry, Rainier is still on tap), gained a liquor license and subsequently re-christened the establishment, "The Bit Saloon." It has remained a quality dive bar ever since.
Now-a-days, The Bit Saloon, the best dive bar in Seattle , features friendly bartenders (as long as you are friendly too), the best jukebox in town and OUTDOOR DRINKIN’ AND SMOKIN’!!