(Image: Sam’s Tavern)
Sam’s Tavern is not changing its name to Inderpaul’s Tavern.
But it does have new ownership.
Permit paperwork shows the E Pike at 11th hangout is changing hands along with the South Lake Union Sam’s.
The Bellevue Sam’s Tavern appears to be remaining under the ownership of founder James Snyder and remaining in the extended Red Robin family tree.
The owners on both side of the transaction either declined to comment on the deal or have not responded.
UPDATE: Snyder says he is negotiating a sale but that the bar has not yet been sold.
CHS reported here in 2023 on the ten year anniversary of Snyder opening the first Sam’s.
A son of the Red Robin family that launched the franchising of the chain back in 1979 and an operator of a handful of Sonic drive-ins across the state, Snyder outbid the Capitol Hill Block Party food and drink partnership that was working on creating Lost Lake at the time to take over the 11th and Pike space and buy out a struggling restaurant concept. Before Chino’s, the space had been home to another struggling food and drink joint, the Oasis Cafe.
Two years after opening Sam’s on E Pike, Snyder would partner with Neumos co-owner Mike Meckling to transform The Canterbury on 15th Ave E. In 2018, Snyder and Meckling sold off the Cant. The new owner shut down the overhauled dive bar four years later after 46 years of business. The new concept that replaced it also never took off and the 15th Ave E space remains empty.
Sam’s Tavern, meanwhile, goes way back in Snyder’s family. The original was in Eastlake where it became Sam’s Red Robin, according to the legend.
On the northwest corner of 11th and Pike, new ownership including Inderpaul Kandola of the Seattle-area Can Am Pizza chain will now be taking the Sam’s Tavern legend forward. It won’t be the only Pike/Pine longtimer to bring in new investment at the intersection. In 2018, Quinn’s was sold by its restaurateur founders Scott and Heather Staples to a group of restaurant investors. It is marking its 17th year of business in Pike/Pine this year.
Sam’s Tavern Capitol Hill is located at 1024 E Pike. Learn more at samstavernseattle.com.
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Sam’s, along with Bait Shop, are my 1A-1B for best burgers on the Hill. Sam’s absolutely has (imo) the best onion rings – battered rather than the more common panko. Wish new owner success, please don’t change too much – it’s worth a special trip south of John.
Here’s the other thing with the “Kiosks” idea.
If people want food and beverage? It’s on the phone. In short. We use our phones to get what we want. A kiosk will do nothing but take up space on public land.
Locals read this blog etc. And kiosks in the light rail are underutilised and under monetized.
Can we kill the bro vibe there next?
It’s pretty bro free during the day and early evening. Locals and workers getting lunch and a quick round.
Maybe don’t go out during the bro’ing hours if you don’t like to be bro’ed.