As Satellite crashes, a Unicorn comes to town

Like Cheers, it was a place where everybody knew your name. Satellite Lounge, a neighborhood bar frequented by many Seattle University students was shut down Sept. 14 because it had become monetarily insolvent. Located on 11th Avenue and East Pike Street, Satellite Lounge was known as one of the oldest bars on Capitol Hill and had close ties with the Seattle U community, and it will now be replaced with a circus- and French-themed bar.

Because business was so slow, the owner of Satellite was unable to make payments on time for several months.

"Satellite was definitely a bar for regulars, even with its really great location on the hill," said Mat Lohr, senior journalism major, who was an ongoing visitor at the bar. "The bartenders were the best part. They were all so nice, and the atmosphere was really great."

Satellite, though a favorite haunt among the Seattle U crowd, wasn't as competitive as the rest of the night life that was available on Pike Street.

"The bar never really had a huge crowd—even on the weekend," Lohr said.

The lack of activity seemed to be the trigger that caused Satellite's downfall.

"Satellite never seemed to evolve as the other bars," said Alex Kasper, Seattle U alumnus. "There seemed to be a catch-22 to the atmosphere; people never went inside because there was never anybody in the bar."

According to Steven Holman of Holman Real Estate, the Satellite Lounge was evicted because the owner was not paying bills on time.

Satellite had intended on throwing a goodbye party—consisting of balloons and free drinks on the house—but five days before the party's intended date, its employees were evicted.

The Satellite Lounge is owned by Holman Real Estate, who according to the Capitol Hill Seattle blog could not afford to keep them any longer in business—even to throw a going away party. The company eventually asked them to leave early, days before the agreed date of eviction.

A replacement bar is in the works to occupy the 7,500 square feet. The keys were handed over to first-time bar owner Adam Heimstadt and two other partners. Heimstadt intends to replace it with a themed bar called The Unicorn. Heimstadt was not available for comment.

Satellite's connection with Seattle U is unparalleled by any other bar on Capitol Hill. Not only did it used to hang up alumnus Sam Pierce's drawings on the walls, but it held a close-knit connection with many of the seniors on campus and the community.

"I used to frequent the Satellite bar a lot," said Christina Yuen, senior strategic communications major. "It is sad that it's been shut down. I was looking forward to the closing celebrations."

Carolyn can be reached at chuynh@su-spectator.com.