Right across the street from the ballpark, Hatback bar & grille and Steelheads alley add a beautiful gathering spot in Sodo
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The closing of the Pyramid Alehouse, right across the street from T-Mobile Park, created a great opportunity in Sodo. An opportunity for fans of the Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders, Reign, concert goers and more to gather and enjoy quality food and drink. The idea of “Hatback bar & grille and Steelheads alley” would be the solution to the emptiness left by Pyramid, and Mariners vice president Fred Rivera says “it’s only phase one” of what the franchise plans on creating in the Sodo area. Circling Seattle Sports on Converge hosts Bel Garcia and Charles Hamaker and photographers Mathew Bermudez, Birdzeyeviewvisuals, and Proof N the Play were all on site for the festivities.
History on the walls
Inside of Steelheads alley, there is plenty of history displayed on the walls. Immediately once you go through the doorway to enter Steelheads Alley from Hatback bar & grille, to your upper left-hand side there are numerous pieces of black baseball memorabilia, ranging from Negro Leagues history, black Mariners players throughout the years, and softball players. The plan with these walls is to have memorabilia rotate in order to continue to honor those in the history of the baseball and softball that historically have been forgotten.
Further to the right of those walls is a mural created by Damon Brown, friend of Converge media. The mural displays different figures in black baseball and softball history, beautifully displayed for all to see. At each base (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home plate) are figures with jerseys of different teams. Above the bar in Steelheads alley is a scoreboard, that will display the different beers on tap available at the current point in time. Those beers of course will come from Metier brewing, who we’ll talk about next.
Fine food and drink
There will be excellent eating and drinking options at the new establishment, including beer from local brewery Metier Brewing. The black-owned brewery will be featured at Steelheads alley as furthered commitment to embracing the black history in Seattle, not only on the baseball diamond. Metier Brewing and Steelheads alley will host plan on hosting “The Brewer series,” where people can learn more about craft beers, enjoy tasting parties and more once a schedule is set.
In addition to Metier Brewing, the food options that we got to try at the sneak peek included wood fired pizza, barbeque wings, and soft pretzels in a special mustard dipping sauce amongst others. A small sampling of the eats that will be available, marking Hatback as a great spot to come and satisfy hunger before sporting events, concerts, and other events.
The first phase in a revitalized Sodo
I spoke with Fred Rivera, executive Vice President of the Mariners, about the buildup to the new “place to be” in Sodo, as well as other plans the franchise has for the area.
Rivera says that the franchise sees lots of opportunity to bring more life and activity into the Sodo area.
The goal is to take the energy that happens inside of T-Mobile Park, and “turn the ballpark inside out,” taking that excitement and that energy to the community and events outside of the ballpark.
When I asked Rivera about the community and Fan-Fest (remember Fan-Fest?), he said that the ballclub is working on bringing the beloved event back. Due to the several events that take place at T-Mobile Park, Rivera stated that it is difficult to have the event there. BUT there are thoughts about having it offsite, with possibilities like
Hatback bar & grille and steelheads alley
The other part of the building right next to steelheads alley (the Mariners own that too) that is currently just a warehouse
A convention center
The lot that is empty, across the street from the home plate gate and to the north of “Tony T’s,” is owned by the Mariners and the franchise does have potential plans for it. Had Seattle made the Wild card last season, there was a plan in place to have a beer garden/prefunk/viewing area in that lot. The current plan is to have more development in that lot, with discussions of a hotel or housing there. None of that can take place though, until the franchise gets approval from the city as there is some processing currently taking place, that Rivera hopes to see finished this year.
The sneak peek that the Circling Seattle Sports and Converge media family got was informative, insightful, and exciting to see the potential of this space. Hatback bar & grille and Steelheads alley prove to showcase some brilliant baseball history, and foster memories for fans of Seattle sports, not just Mariners fans. The words “just phase one” in regards to the venue are thrilling, knowing that there are plans to continue to enhance the gameday experience for fans. From all of us at Circling Seattle Sports and Converge Media, we’ll see you at Hatback bar & grille and Steelheads alley!