User:Johnb.cart/5 Point Cafe

The 5 Point Cafe and Bar (usually just known as the "5 Point Cafe" or "the 5 Point"), is the oldest bar still in existence in the Belltown district of Seattle, Washington.

Located by Tillicum Square, It gets its name from the nearest intersection, from which streets go off in 5 different directions.

Construction
The building was originally constructed by the Webb Investment Company in 1922 for use as a dairy warehouse. At that time the area it was built upon was known as the Denny Regrade, or simply "the Regrade", named after the massive project to tear down Denny Hill and flatten out (or "regrade") the area. The building was built between two main phases of that project.

Since the 5 Point Cafe's opening in 1929, the front of the establishment has changed significantly, including changing the separate entrances for the bar side and the diner side to a single entrance.

Changes in the Business
The 5 Point Cafe was originally opened in 1929 by C. Preston Smith as a diner. With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Smith opened the space next to it as a tavern, serving beer and wine.

In 1949 Washington State began allowing restaurants to serve hard liquor and the 5 Point tavern became a full bar.

In the late '80s the space next door to the bar had also been purchased and opened as a laundromat, known as the 5 Point Laundromat. The laundromat was sold in 2009 and turned into a different type of business.

Changes in Ownership
C. Preston Smith was the original owner of the 5 Point Cafe when it opened in 1929.

In the 1950's Smith's son, Dick Smith began working at the 5 Point Cafe and eventually took over the business in 1975.

When Dick Smith passed away in 2001, his widow sold the 5 Point Cafe to new owners Vicki and Pete, but Smith's widow retained ownership of the 5 Point's sister bar, the Mecca, in the lower Queen Anne district.

Vicki Braicks is the current owner and operator of the 5 Point.

Today
The 5 Point Cafe today is known as a dimly-lit working class dive that serves very large portions of typically American food and breakfast 24 hours a day, as well as large shots and stiff drinks from 6am-2am. The clientele is ecclectic, with bikers, construction workers, business professionals, etc. with young and old alike.

As you walk in, to the right is the diner, which is open 24 hours, and allows minors during the day. To the left is the bar, which closes only between the legally-required 2am-6am, and does not allow minors.

Both the bar side and the diner side serve both food and alcohol, however they do prefer you to be ordering food if you sit on the diner side and to be ordering drinks if you sit on the bar side.