Bush Garden
| Bush Garden | |
|---|---|
 | |
 The restaurant's exterior, 2009 | |
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1953 |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 47°35′55″N 122°19′22″W / 47.5985°N 122.3229°W |
Bush Garden was a restaurant and karaoke bar[1] on Maynard Avenue South[2] in Seattle's Chinatown–International District, Seattle, in the U.S. state of Washington.[3][4][5][6]
History
[edit]Bush Garden opened as a Japanese restaurant in 1953.[7] It was once considered a destination dining establishment, attracting visits from celebrities and politicians as well as locals.[8]. The restaurant's telephone number was 206/682-6830 which was written as MUtual 2-6830 before the use of All-Number Calling.[9]
During the 1950s, its owners introduced tatami rooms in which diners could eat at floor level, but with a hidden pit where diners could extend their legs (a now not uncommon feature).[10] In the 1970s, the restaurant became home to perhaps the first karaoke bar in the U.S.,[10] though a similar claim was made for Maneki (another Japanese restaurant in Seattle).[11]
Bush Garden closed in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans to reopen.[12][13] However as of 2025, this has yet to happen.[14]
Reception
[edit]Thrillist says, "It may not be quite as entertaining as Busch Gardens, but this place is still pretty fun thanks to sing-a-longs that basically never stop, cheap Asian takes on bar eats, and stunningly stiff and inexpensive drinks."[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Bush Garden Review - International District - Seattle". The Infatuation. August 23, 2022. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Kugiya, Hugo. "Once-swanky Bush Garden: a symbol of a bygone era | Crosscut". crosscut.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bush Garden Restaurant (Seattle)". www.historylink.org. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Bush Garden vacated". Northwest Asian Weekly. February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Robinson, Chetanya (January 2, 2019). "Bush Garden to seek new location as site is developed for apartments". International Examiner. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Peter. "Saving the birthplace of Seattle karaoke | Crosscut". crosscut.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Cheadle, Harry (October 27, 2023). "Legendary Karaoke Bar Bush Garden Is Getting Resurrected". Eater Seattle. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Kugiya, Hugo (February 17, 2011). "Once-swanky Bush Garden: a symbol of a bygone era". Crosscut.
- ^ Official guide book, Seattle World's Fair, 1962. Seattle, WA: Seattle World's Fair - Century 21 Exposition. 1962. p. 156. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Beck, Katherine (February 3, 2022). "Bush Garden Restaurant (Seattle)". Historylink.org.
- ^ Rutledge, Bruce (January 2, 2019), "Maneki bartender Fu-chan has seen it all", North American Post
- ^ Browning, Paige (October 26, 2023). "Karaoke hotspot Bush Garden will return to Seattle". www.kuow.org. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Legendary Seattle karaoke bar is reopening in a new home". The Seattle Times. October 26, 2023. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "Home". Bush Garden Seattle. Retrieved October 30, 2025.
- ^ Kolars, Emily (October 5, 2017). "Bush Garden Restaurant". Thrillist. Archived from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2023.