From the RoastHouse to 1000Spirits — a Legacy Reimagined
If you know Von’s 1000Spirits, you know us for handcrafted cocktails, our scratch sourdough kitchen, and that unmistakable downtown Seattle energy. But before our home at the top of Harbor Steps, we had another story to tell.
In 1980, Tim Firnstahl opened Von’s at 619 Pine Street in downtown Seattle. It didn’t take long for the bar to earn a reputation. Generously poured, budget-friendly martinis and manhattans became the draw, and guests lined up for their chance to spin the Wagering Wheel — a little mischief that earned Von’s its tongue-in-cheek nickname, the “Martini Manhattan Memorial.” It was lively, a little legendary, and unmistakably Seattle.
For more than 25 years, Von’s was a cornerstone of the downtown scene — a place where stories were told over strong drinks and familiar faces returned again and again. When it was time for the next chapter, Tim, alongside his daughter Merrisa Claridge — carrying forward a fifth-generation family tradition in hospitality — and Executive Chef Jason Amador, reimagined what Von’s could be for a new era.
In 2012, Von’s 1000Spirits opened at 1225 First Avenue. The new space honored the spirit of the original while introducing something fresh: our alchemy bar, a scratch sourdough kitchen, and a bourbon-forward program rooted in experimentation and craft. The Wagering Wheel still spins. The martinis are still famously affordable. The soul remains.
More than fourteen years later, that spirit continues to grow. Woodinville joined the family in 2023. Kirkland followed in 2026. Each location carries the same heart — the same commitment to hospitality, quality, and a little bit of magic — just with a new vibe and a new neighborhood to call home.
Thank you, Seattle, for being part of our story. Here’s to the next spin of the wheel.