Along the brick-paved streets of Ballard’s Historic District, just down the street from Tractor Tavern and Sunset Tavern, lies the neighborhood’s oldest bar and only community-owned music venue: Conor Byrne Pub Cooperative. Through its focus on uplifting local artists, enthusiastic longtime staff members and supportive environment, Conor Byrne has become a staple of Seattle’s music scene. 

The pub was first opened in 1904 as the Owl Saloon and remained under that name until it was renamed in 1993. Like much of Ballard’s historic district, the building has maintained its original charm: brick and masonry make up the walls under the warm glow of hanging lamps. The performance space is otherworldly, featuring a large hanging chandelier, streetlamps on each side of the stage and a dark wood piano bolted to the floor surrounded by vintage rugs.

The stage is set up for live music of all kinds, with quality sound equipment and plenty of extra cables hanging on the walls, which is sensible for a venue with music events nightly. Bluegrass, jazz and honky tonk dance nights kick off each week, followed by evenings and matinees of hip-hop, rock, punk and a variety of live acts that showcase primarily local musicians. Their open mic Sundays led to the formation of many bands ranging from The Head and The Heart to Sister Wife Sex Strike, and is how many of the co-op’s members first got involved. 

When the pub threatened to close in March of 2024, employees and community members launched a successful fundraising campaign that allowed the pub to be reformed into a co-operative made up of employees and donors, and gain a fiscal sponsorship from Seattle-based nonprofit Shunpike. Between volunteer time, donations and media coverage, Conor Byrne was able to return with a new business model, now nearly 1000 members strong, all of whom can vote on major decisions for the pub. 

“The whole city just stepped up to make sure that it stayed.” Austin Dean, the pub’s bartender of ten years, said.“The news station did stuff on it, like Stranger, KEXP, everyone just stepped up to save Conor Byrne. But that is just a testament to what this place is and what it has been the whole time… very community-based, very open door, no assholes, you know what I mean?” 

Dean is one of many longtime employees at the pub. President of the co-op, Adria Dukich, has worked as a bartender in the pub for 15 years, while Mike Rutherford has been the venue’s audio engineer for nearly 20 years.

Both Dean and fellow bartender Brian Beillie first became involved through Sunday night open mics, with Beillie performing as the last act on Sunday evenings when he’s working. Upon moving to Seattle, Beillie was drawn to the pub’s no-booing policy and consistent support of local music. A self-described “swiss army knife,” Beillie embraces the collaborative and varied duties that are encouraged through the co-op model. 

“If you need some help or you need something covered or you need to go somewhere, people will step up. If you need support with something, they’ll support you.” Beillie said. “They never made me feel bad about it.”

Beillie recently collaborated with Dean to make a non-alcoholic cocktail menu that is just as exciting as the boozy one, with options from Irish coffee to vodka lemonade. The bar also offers a wide selection of local beer. But alcohol is far from the only ingestible delight at Conor Byrne; on a barstool near the entrance rests a “Snackle Box,” a hand-labeled red tackle box full of shimmering packages of bubblegum, chocolate and potato chips. Doorman Javis Johns has become known not only for greeting patrons with a warm smile and fist bump, but also for bringing snacks to share. He was delighted to receive the “Snackle Box” as a gift from Dean and another bartender. 

“It moved me to tears.” Johns, the self-proclaimed “Snackmaster,” said.  “Indulge, please, indulge!” 

Saturday, Sept. 20, at the pub was an acoustic-focused concert put together by Polimana, a folk group from Humboldt County, California and featuring local artists. Darby Grey kicked off the evening with contemplative acoustic folk country tunes to make even the toughest cowboy stare wistfully at his own beer glass reflection. Seattle-based folk-gaze singer-songwriter Elliot Austin followed with her hard-hitting lyricism, silvery vocals, and tasteful mixture of strumming and fingerpicking. Riley Chapman, half of folk-punk duo Somehow We’re Fine, accompanied Austin with dreamy guitar tones on an electronic bow.

“[Elliot] is the kind of person who can just pick up any instrument and know how to do it.” Chapman said. “She has so much technical skill.”

All the artists who played that evening stood up and watched the other acts at attention, swaying along to the music. Austin and Chapman described feeling both intimidated and encouraged by the talented musicians who play at the pub’s open mic. 

“It raises the bar, but it doesn’t feel like it smothers the people who, like, aren’t, quote unquote, there or don’t feel like they’re there.” Austin said. “It’s simultaneously supportive while really trying to raise people up.”

Since its restructuring, Conor Byrne has shown that Seattle and its community are committed to supporting local music and creating a shared space for it. The pub will surely continue to be a touchstone of the Seattle music scene for years to come.