Longtime, late-night downtown Seattle spot makes a comeback

Seattle business leaders welcome the news that Palace Kitchen is reopening. The longtime, late-night downtown Seattle spot has been on hiatus for three years. Its return, leaders hope, will mark a turning point in downtown’s revitalization.

Pre-pandemic, people went to Palace Kitchen for a nightcap after a concert or a late show. Owner Tom Douglas says when it reopens this week, expect some slight changes.

“We’ll be open till midnight for dinner,” Douglas said. “We’re only going to open five nights a week. At this point to see what happens.”

Douglas was the first to shut down all 12 of his restaurants during the pandemic. Like many downtown businesses they relied on tourism. These days, Douglas says, foot traffic is coming back.

James Sido, spokesperson with the Downtown Seattle Association hopes other businesses will take note. He adds that Palace Kitchen’s return will create momentum.

“That really does sort of put a marker in the ground to say, 'Hey, downtown is on the upswing,'" Sido said.

According to DSA numbers, nearly two million visitors came to downtown in February. That’s a 7% increase compared to February 2022.

Sido expects a busy summer ahead starting with cruise season that’s expected to bring in more than a million passengers to the city.

While some of Douglas’s businesses have slowly returned two years ago, he says the time wasn’t right for Palace Kitchen until they could find the right team for the reopening. Douglas says he’s excited to welcome people back.

“People really missed the socialization, they missed not having someone do their dishes, they missed meeting friends and the energy that restaurants bring to life.”