One Unique Seattle Restaurant Offers Trapeze And Tarot Readings
From the beginning, dinner and entertainment have gone hand-in-hand. In the Middle Ages, nobles would gather for a hearty feast while local entertainers played music, juggled, and jested during the meal (per World History Encyclopedia). This phenomenon extended throughout the millennia, shifting from castles to theaters, where guests could watch comedy shows, plays, and even acrobatic stunts from the dinner table.
Similarly, but far more secretly, was the introduction of speakeasies in the 1920s. According to History.com, alcohol was banned from being manufactured, transported, and sold during Prohibition. However, drinking was still legal — the only problem was figuring out where, when, and how. This dilemma sparked the creation of speakeasies, or hidden spots accessible only by password, where vendors could sell booze. Inside, societal constraints suddenly disappeared. Party-goers dined on finger foods and forbidden drinks while jazz music played loudly throughout the secret clubs. People from every class congregated and danced in this communal space, elegant gowns shortened, and as if overnight, the "Roaring Twenties" era began.
While some of these bars still remain, it is the magical essence and secret nature of the speakeasy that commonly appears in restaurants today. Live entertainment, tap-dancing, parlor tricks, and aerial artists take the stage in confined restaurants and between tables. These performances, paired with the low-lit setting and fine dining ambiance, can create a romantic and enigmatic atmosphere, as in one unique Seattle establishment that offers all of the above and more.
The circus hidden behind the restaurant's unassuming pink door
Named one of the most romantic restaurants in the United States by Food & Wine, The Pink Door has entertained and provided guests with a speakeasy-themed interior, lavish menu, and equally daring performances since 1981. According to The Pink Door, when Jackie Roberts roamed the old violin shop that once occupied 1919 Post Alley, she immediately envisioned it as the intimate eatery it is today. Soon, the dramatized Seattle space became an imaginative, boudoir-esque diner, with elaborate furnishings that enhance the eccentric atmosphere. But despite the circus inside, the exterior remains unmarked and void, just like those secret bars from long ago. The only hint that signifies the hidden cabaret within is its blush-pink door.
The Pink Door cherishes and celebrates the combination of dinner and drink. Roberts — more commonly referred to as La Padrona, "owner" in Italian — crafted menu items around her childhood family dinners. From the beginning, La Padrona has sourced her ingredients from local providers, with nearly all her produce farmed nearby and in season. Dinner consists of originally curated recipes, ranging from traditional antipasto to braised rabbit legs and squid ink tonnarelli, a dish inspired by La Padrona's long-term love affair with anchovies.
La Padrona and her bar manager, Chiara Pierotti, also personally selected the wine list, with each bottle chosen for its taste, history, and essence.
It boasts far more than just Tarot Thursdays
Equally captivating is the The Pink Door's entertainment lineup. With Jackie Roberts' mission to reconstruct and enhance the dining experience, she incorporated the arts as a free-spirited and playful release for visitors. Though competition for viewers' attention may appear between the menu and performers, the two greatly complement one another.
Lively jazz instrumentalists and tap dancers perform at The Pink Door most days, with varying vocals and repertoire. On Thursdays, visitors can book a personalized reading and catch a glimpse into the future with a roaming tarot practitioner. If you're lucky enough, you can even watch a cabaret show while browsing the carefully hand-picked selection of Cabernet, amongst other wines featured at the bar. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, trapeze and aerial artists offer four close-up performances as they hang from high ceilings and between tables on ropes, hoops, and swings.
While it's always acceptable to wine and dine at everyday restaurants, Roberts' vision for a remarkable, unique eatery has created a liberating lifestyle of its own. From the French cabaret to centuries-old circus acts to metaphysical readings, The Pink Door is a staple in the field of dinner and entertainment.