(WSB photos. Above, Jade Nguyen and Tony Larson)

By Tracy Record

West Seattle Blog editor

Soon to join the West Seattle bar scene: The Alley.

Jade Nguyen explains that her parents – who have operated Be’s Restaurant in The Junction for more than 30 years – wanted to open a bar.

The private room in the rear of the restaurant at 4509 California SW, which hadn’t undergone much updating over the years, seemed like the perfect space.

So it’s undergone a transformation in recent months – with Jade teaming with veteran local bar specialist Tony Larson to create a space with a “speakeasy” motif. We talked there with Jade and Tony earlier this week.

The lighting will be dim; the decor and cocktails will transport you back in time to the Prohibition-era. Even the bartenders/servers’ uniforms and chilled glassware will be intended to enhance the mood.

Tony says he is “huge on bars as a place for people to talk, to put your phone down.” The Alley will be that kind of place.

You’ll enter from the alley, one door down from California/Oregon. There might not even be signage. Probably just a light to let you know you’re in the right place. Most of the drinks will be familiar: “a decent-sized menu, about two dozen cocktails, you’ll recognize most of them.” Manhattans, for example. And Sazeracs. And some “new classics,” promises Tony, who will do some bartending in the early going too (you might know him from the launch team at Alchemy [WSB sponsor]).

Music? Jazz, says Jade, who has also been working on the decor – The Alley’s somewhat industrial-looking legacy windows will be covered by velvet drapes; a crystal chandelier catches your eye over the corner “lounge” area on one end of the bar. Other touches include an antique fireplace grate and some wall bricks that are newly installed but look like they’ve long been in place.

Food? Small bites. And before too long, you’ll be able to dine next door, as Jade says she expects to expand Be’s dinner offerings into later hours once the bar’s open – Vietnamese food, in particular (she’s working on a new menu for that).

Hours for The Alley will be 4 pm to midnight Sundays-Thursdays, 4 pm-2 am Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour 4 pm-6 pm. They expect to be open by West Seattle Summer Fest Eve (July 12th).