Ballard’s BalMar is so Biznik
Lara and I dropped by Ballard’s newest and largest bar, the BalMar, for a cocktail this evening. And while we were sliding from bar to couch to back room in this 4,000-square-foot living room, we found ourselves saying things like “Wow, this place looks like it was designed for a Biznik event.” And I suspect it was, really, because one of the co-owners is Andrea Martin. She’s the motive force behind Space City Mixer, the hugely successful 10,000-member Seattle singles group.
The back room upstairs at the BalMar
Biznik and a singles group are different animals, of course, but one thing we certainly have in common is a thirst for public spaces where people can meet and get to know each other. And the BalMar certainly looks like a place where that can happen, in style. Most interesting to us is a large back-room area upstairs, which is surrounded by low couches. It looks like a perfect space for up to 25 people to get down to Biznik (see photo).
The only thing stopping us for now is the BalMar stereo system, which pipes loud music into that part of the bar, and can’t be independently controlled. But Dwayne, a BalMar manager, told us they’re currently working on fixing that, and sometime next month we’ll be good to go. So look for a Biznik event at the BalMar sometime very soon.
January 29th, 2006 at 4:20 pm
The BalMar really is a great place. I’ve been there a few times with friends and we were very comfortable on the couches upstairs and downstairs. I’ve enjoyed places like this in Florida and New York, but I haven’t seen anything like it in Seattle. Not only is the space great, but the drinks are strong and the cheese plate is extravagantly delicious (a big plus in my book)! I think it would be a great venue for a Biznik gathering if we could get them to turn down the sound.
January 30th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
I’ll have to check it out, it’s in my ‘hood.
January 31st, 2006 at 10:37 pm
It is getting swanky in Ballard….Balmar takes it up a notch…martini’s are sweet…Jacob