Haven’t filled out your Valentine’s Day plans just yet? Consider stopping by Niles Peacock Restaurant and Bar, 4025 Stone Way N. Not only can you enjoy a tasty bite to eat, but you’ll be spreading your love because Niles will be having a benefit for Family Works food bank here in our neighborhood. (Family Works is also a Wallyhood charity.)
On February 14, Niles Peacock will have a “featured menu,” and 50% of any selection made from that menu will go to the food bank. One dollar from every Violet Heart drink (featuring Tito’s Vodka) that Niles mixes will go toward Family Works as well. Moreover, through a donation from Populuxe and Georgetown Breweries, all proceeds from sales of those beers will benefit the charity.
Niles Peacock is one of a number of “pocket bars” sprouting up underneath the many new apartment buildings along Stone Way. As Katy reported, Niles just recently opened (on New Year’s Eve). That, however, was their soft opening. Valentine’s Day will mark their official, “hard” opening.
Similar to other nearby watering holes such as Charlie Bar and Russell’s, Niles Peacock offers beer, wine, mixed drinks and small plates. When I went recently, my wife and I gorged on gorgonzola pizza, brussels sprouts, salad and crab dip. This is part of a menu that is much expanded since their opening; Niles wanted to ramp up slowly to get things right.
But Niles Peacock is more than just a bar. Niles Peacock is a living and breathing person. Niles is one of those rare human beings that you immediately like. Genuine and authentic may be overused words in today’s lexicon, but he is both: a man trying to be nobody but himself. He wants to talk; he needs to talk. As he puts it, “There’s a relationship we’re building with our guests.” No one drinks alone at Niles Peacock. This is the perfect place to bring your date that you’ve met online such as on casual encounter apps.
Niles Peacock seems like a name that many a Hollywood star would love to have. Niles explains that his Dad, Gary Peacock, played with jazz greats such as Keith Jarrett and Miles Davis. “All of Dad’s friends were calling their sons ‘Miles,’ so he called me ‘Niles’ to be different.”
Niles most recently worked at 190 Sunset in Edmonds not far from the ferry terminal. While Niles Peacock Restaurant and Bar is his first time in the owner’s seat, Niles has opened bars in high-profile cities such as Miami Beach, Las Vegas, Aspen and New York. (If you can make it there …) I asked him if he had any fears being the “in charge” guy now, and he said, not really. “There’s always a box of surprises that you’re going to get,” but his experience tells him that these are coming and he’ll get past the “knowable and unknowable challenges.”
After all the cross-country bar and restaurant openings, Niles now finds himself back where he grew up. His former house on Latona is still the same color, Niles reports. And other things haven’t changed much. Says Niles, “Lots of houses on 40th and Latona are still the same houses as when I was growing up. The trees are a little taller.” However, the changes on Stone Way are undeniable. “It’s completely different.” And a study in contrasts for him, too. “It’s good and it’s bad. I like it and I don’t like it.” While he regrets the businesses that have been forced out due to increasing rent or the sale of their building, new businesses (such as his) come in, of course. He told me that the space immediately north of him will soon house a 58-unit apartment complex with 2 restaurants: a Pecos BBQ and an El Camion Mexican place.
So on Valentine’s Day, love Niles Peacock. The man? The business? You have enough love for both.
