On or near April 15, 1934, the Blue Moon tavern opens its doors at 712 NE 45th Street near the University of Washington. Founded by Hank Reverman (1912-2009), the tavern is an instant hit with students who, under state law, have to trek one mile from campus to buy a beer.
The tavern went on to become a renowned hangout for poets, beats, radicals, artists, and writers, not to mention hangers-on of various denominations, and students. Blue Moon habitues included Theodore Roethke (1908-1963), Richard Hugo (1923-1982), Carolyn Kizer (1924-2014), Stanley Kunitz (1905-2006), and David Wagoner along with famous visitors such as Dylan Thomas (1914-1953) and Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997).
After ups and downs, including a spirited campaign to make the Blue Moon a landmark under historic preservation (which failed on March 7, 1990), the tavern remains a vibrant and convivial watering hole.
Sources:
Walt Crowley, Forever Blue Moon, The Story of Seattle's Most (In)Famous Tavern (Seattle: Blue Moon, 1992).
Note: This timeline essay was updated on October 12, 2014.
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