The Return of the Natives

The West 5, which opened for business in 2003, is owned and operated by Dave Montoure and Dean Overton, native sons who left careers in the corporate world to return to West Seattle and open a place they felt would serve their part of town exceptionally well and “keep it local.”

In previous incarnations the West 5 location was a Gallen Kamp’s shoe store, a bowling alley (with shooting range!) and West Seattle Speedway and Hobby (with an impressive six-lane slot-car track); some of this storied history is still on display.

With the perfect location secured, the duo brought in choice fixtures and curiosities from lost and foundered West Seattle establishments such as Vann Brothers Restaurant (see the large nautical painting) and the Admiral Benbow Inn (check the choice neon out front)—all to give them a new perch and proper reverence. The glittery can’t-miss crown at the back comes from an old Seattle hotel.

Dave and Dean, and their highly select team, focus on affable service, exceptional happy hours (West Seattle’s best), choice cocktails (the Mai Tai is a neighborhood classic) and satisfying meals (the Astral Mac ’n’ Cheese is another neighborhood classic), all within a cozy setting that captures the charm of a bygone era—an era when WE5 was the telephone prefix for West Seattle calls.

Our Accolades

Best Bar in West Seattle 2012, Seattle Magazine

Best Neighborhood Bar 2010, KOMO Communities

Best Cocktails 2009, Best Happy Hour 2008, West Seattle Herald

People's Pick 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, NW Source

Featured in Seattle Magazine's Comfort Food edition, Jan 2011

See us on the Food Network's Crave with Troy Johnson in "Cheese: Milk Does Hard Time"

Ranked as Seattle's Top 5 Mac n Cheese and Bloodiest Brunch by Voracious food writer Ma'chell Duma LaVassar.  

Rated one of the best Mac n Cheese dishes in town by Seattle Weekly food writer Julien Perry on Q13. Videohere (we're at the 2:00 min mark)