Ballard Loft [0], a new sports bar at the south end of Ballard Avenue, opens officially tonight. I visited the bar for a quick drink and am pleased to report that it left no lasting impression on me whatsoever, good nor bad.
If that sounds harsh, that's not how it was intended. You see, the Loft is not themed or postmodern or anything at all, really. It has no indigenous crowd, serves no foofie drinks and has no murals on its painted cinder-block walls. It's just a meat-and-fries neighborhood sports bar with a couple of pool tables, eight greatest-hits beer taps and a raft of flat-screens tuned to ESPN.
In its way, the Loft is as much a working man's joint as the Smoke Shop [0] and the People's Pub [0], and I could easily imagine regulars from those bars wandering down to the Loft if there are more than two must-see games on TV. This is the kind of place that grows on you over time.
Anyway, I'll give the Loft a more complete review after it's been open for a couple of weeks. Tonight, the bar is extending its happy-hour pricing until closing and offering free darts, pool and shuffleboard. If you happen to get down there, let me know what kind of impression it leaves on you. I expect it'll be a good one.
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