The Three 9 Lounge will bring Polynesia to “West Seattle island”

The new Three 9 Lounge is a Polynesian style tiki bar that is now on the upper floor of the West Seattle Bowl. Island Themes in Decor, Food, and Cocktails The goal of the new spot is simple, said Jeff Swanson, General Manager, “Fun.”

Photo by Patrick Robinson

The closure of the West Seattle Bridge was reminiscent of the feeling of being on an island in West Seattle. Now, in a way, that identity is being celebrated.

The opening at the West Seattle Bowl on October 28th is the new one Three 9 lounge, a Polynesian tiki bar with food, drinks and lots of atmosphere. They are located at 4505 39th Ave SW.

General Manager Jeff Swanson stated, “The space as the High Strike Lounge was fine and we are keeping this menu but it has been underutilized so we spoke to our friend Joe Jeannot who is a restaurant advisor and who ran the restaurant at The Beer Festival the past few years suggested we move to a tiki bar and after a day or two of thinking we all said, ‘let’s do it.’

Swanson, along with beverage managers Jimmy Gersen and Joe Chero and Joe Jeannot, worked with Mike of MR Construction to develop the bamboo, grass and light design “pretty quickly,” said Swanson. The result is surprisingly cohesive and comfortable. But a tiki bar would be nothing without the right drinks. Gersen said they will have seven signature cocktails including Mai-Tai, Zombie, Jungle Bird, Pain Killer, Hemingway Daquri, Between the Sheets, Planters Punch, Shareable Bowl drinks like the Volcano Bowl and the Three 9 Grog. “These are all classic Tiki cocktails with our little twists,” said Gersen. The lead bartender at Three 9 is Damon Leichman. “He worked with me at Salty’s in the banquet department and I taught him everything he knew on duty and now he’s teaching me!”

There are no beers on tap, but a variety of bottled and canned beers will be available and local distilleries will be well represented.

The bar will also have a special type of ice cream, you have to ask them when you go.

They have a new cook just for the Three 9 named Kobi Maisel, the Pork Sliders, Lumpia, Shrimp Skewers, Beef Kabobs, Macaroni Salad, Edamame, anything Polynesian and “fun tropical kind of stuff like a pu-pu platter”, will prepare. Said Schwanson.

For now, the food from Three 9 and the food from the High Strike Grill will be kept separate, but “what is likely to happen is that some popular items will cross over.”

This isn’t the first renovation for the West Seattle Bowl, of course. In 2005 they made a big one that was named “Remodel of the Year” and in 2010, eleven years ago, they replaced the Chinese restaurant with the High Strike Grill, which quickly made a name for itself for excellent food and service.

The three 9 is so named because it is first on 39th SW and there are 39 boards in a bowling alley. and also because these are the happy hours (even if they don’t open until 4 p.m.). “It’s fun,” said Swanson, “and uses our space efficiently.”

A grand opening ceremony will take place at a later date. And a cup night, and theme evenings could also be in the future.

The new bar will employ ten full-time and part-time employees. It’s only 21+.

The Three 9 will be open seven days a week from 4am to midnight.

The lanes in the West Seattle Bowl are of course open at 1pm during the week and stay open until midnight. On weekends they open at 9am for breakfast.

If you need to be on an island, stop by and get your island vibe in the Three 9 Lounge.

General Manager Jeff Swanson has been with the West Seattle Bowl for 22 years. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Mesh-covered globes with blue light, bamboo, grass and rich wooden structures form the theme. Photo by Patrick Robinson

A tiki-themed table sits near the two-person booths in the new Three 9 Lounge at the West Seattle Bowl. The new bar opens on October 28th and serves Polynesian-style food, seven signature cocktails and shared beverage cups, all in a South Seas atmosphere.
Photo by Patrick Robinson