Sam's Tavern on Capitol Hill closes

Sam's Tavern is closing its original location on Capitol Hill, the bar and restaurant said in a social media post Thursday.

The business opened 13 years ago at 11th Avenue and East Pike Street, a corner that Sam's ownership considered cursed" at the time, growing the brand from there, according to the social media post.

Since opening, the business said it has "been through everything - the highs, the challenges, and countless unforgettable nights - and built something we're incredibly proud of."

Sam's Tavern on Capitol Hill will be open one last weekend "for now," the business said. "And who knows … this might not be the end."

The bar and restaurant is inviting people to come celebrate this weekend, asking that patrons "show love to the team, tip your bartenders big, and let's close this chapter the right way."

Sam's Tavern owner James Snyder said Friday afternoon that he's "incredibly grateful for the support Seattle showed us over the years and proud of what we built."

Toasting the "memories, employees, regulars, and experiences built inside those walls" in a statement to The Seattle Times, Snyder said that the decision to close was difficult. He pointed toward several factors that Snyder says have turned the Seattle food and drink scene into a difficult environment.

"Like many independent restaurants and bars, the business has faced increasing challenges over the past several years, especially following COVID," Snyder said. "Rising labor costs, food costs, insurance, operational expenses and shifting consumer behavior have made the restaurant business increasingly difficult, even for high-volume locations."

He specifically pointed toward the minimum wage and rising labor costs, saying "I personally can no longer justify opening or operating restaurants under the current structure in Seattle ... I've looked at spaces where landlords were willing to contribute significant buildout support, and even then, the numbers still don't make sense."

Snyder said his team built "one of Seattle's strongest tavern brands over the years," attributing that success to his team: "the managers, bartenders, servers, kitchen staff and everyone who helped create the energy and culture people connected with over the years."

As for a new Sam's Tavern or other ventures in the city, Snyder said "the deal would have to be extremely compelling given the current environment for him to consider operating in Seattle itself.

Sam's Tavern also has a location in South Lake Union and the chain used to have locations in Redmond and Bellevue.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comment from Sam's Tavern owner James Snyder.

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This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 9:44 AM.