The former Bamboo restaurant at 2806 Alki Ave SW closed in November. It had faced it's share of issues with law enforcement over time and that meant it was time for a change. Owner Plamen Stoyanob, still owns the restaurant lounge and chose to remake it as a sports bar called the Alki Huddle.

"When he took over Bamboo he never intended for it to stay as Bamboo," Jessica Martin, General Manager explained. "We're not a bar. We're a bar/restaurant," she said explaining that it's open to all ages.

The Alki Huddle, still under construction (including the apartments above) by STS Construction, is now open but won't have it's official grand opening until sometime in March Martin explained.

When it does open the newly remodeled space (the tiki torches and beach theme are long gone) will feature a bifolding glass window that will open floor to ceiling making the front fully open to the outdoor seating area. The existing nine flat screens will see more added and sports memorabilia will be added. Already there are a few football jerseys and for long time West Seattleites a former West Seattle High School baseball jersey from the time when they were known as the Indians, prior to the identity change to Wildcats.

Sara Ehlers, Bar Manager said, "We have a completely fresh menu, almost everything is made in house, nothing is frozen. The bread is from the Macrina Bakery baked daily and brought in."

Martin said, "We're going for the more Gastro/Pub style which is pub food but with fresh ingredients."

Chef Nick Anderson said, "This menu is upscale bar food. We're doing everything from scratch as much as we can." It's not a large menu with under 18 items total including appetizers. "That means we can keep it very fresh, " Anderson said. They will rotate a few items and will introduce a happy hour menu in the near future.

On the menu (with nothing over $14) are starters like Firecracker Prawns, Pork Sliders, Wings, and Fried Green Beans. Three salads, a house, caesar and a wedge are offered, and the larger items include the Huddle Burger, Fish Tacos, Skirt Steak, French Dip. Stuffed Portobello and something they call Competition Chicken.

It's still a full bar and Ehlers said of the beer that "We will have a local handle (meaning local brewery) rotating and seasonals of course will be in. We will have drink specials for games."

The Alki Huddle will be open from 5pm to 12am until construction is completed. Once completed the hours will change to 11am to 11pm, more likely in the summer.