Nearly two years after tantalizingly hanging a “COMING SOON” shingle on their chain link fence and hosting a kick-off event, Gasworks Brewing has opened for business at 2401 N Northlake Way.
After a soft launch on July 2, the waterside brewery opened their doors to the public on July 3, just in time for some fantastic weather and the annual party that descends upon Wallingford every Independence Day. While I wasn’t brave enough to battle the crowds on the Fourth, I did sit down for a hazy IPA on their landscaped terrace the following Saturday.
My initial observation is that Wallingford now has an unofficial beach club. Shirtless dudes and women in bikinis soaked up the sun while imbibing in the summer-y taplist, which is currently two pilsners, two hazy IPAs, a lager and two fruity sours. Tethered paddleboards lapped against the dock and several people floated in and out on various blow-up watercraft while music thumped mid-volume. Am I in Key West or Wallingford?
The space is nearly entirely outdoors with 20-ish picnic tables, several more smaller round ones, and a dozen or so Adirondack-style chairs. At 6:00pm on what had been a 90 degree day the trees on Wallingford’s northwest slope began to provide some welcome shade, but I imagine at midday the place was baking, even with the slight breeze coming off Lake Union, which is RIGHT THERE!
There are some umbrellas and pop-ups, and word from one of the folks pouring beers is more shelter is coming, as well as some indoor seating for the winter.
The setting is pretty bucolic, and with the pocket park next door, Westward across the little cove, and boats coming and going from Bowriders Grill, this bustling yet cozy enclave feels like no other place in Seattle.
The only downside at the moment is pedestrian access is a little wonky. The official entrance to the brewery seems to the be on the southwest side, where there is some parking. But accessing this entrance on foot means crossing and/or walking along Northlake Way on a stretch not well-suited for pedestrians. The better way to get there on foot is to descend the stairway from the Burke-Gilman Trail, cross Northlake at the marked crosswalk, and walk down the gently sloped pathway to the “back entrance” of the brewery at Waterway 17. With three very active businesses now occupying this area, hopefully there will be some civic movement toward making the whole space more walkable.
The brewery’s hours for now are “typically” Noon to 10pm, but I was encouraged to check their Instagram page for each day’s actual opening and closing times. They serve a limited food menu at the moment, with four types of cold sandwiches and three kinds of salads, as well as milkshakes, chips, and a few non-alcoholic drinks. I was told that a more expanded food menu is coming soon. Kids and dogs appear to be welcome, so bring your family, your pets, your beach vibes, and plenty of sunscreen. Shirts are optional.