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After 30 years on Broadway, The Byzantion makes way for ‘slightly mystical’ Spirit Animal

Images of the old Greek joint and a “hipster” meme graphic that currently provides the only mysterious clues to what Spirit Animal is all about. (Images: The Byzantion and Spirt Animal)

Following big changes for neighborhood institution Charlie’s, another longtime Broadway restaurant is closing its doors after decades of service to make way for a new player in Capitol Hill food and drink.

North Broadway’s The Byzantion and owner Sotiris Bekris are slated to serve the Greek restaurant’s final meals on Sunday, September 6th:

After over 30 years of owning and operating the Byzantion restaurant in Capitol Hill, Sotiris Bekris has decided to close its doors on Sept. 6th and retire from the restaurant world. Thank you to all our loyal customers who supported us throughout the Byzantion’s long and happy career. We would not have been able to do it without you!

Spirit Animal, a new cocktail bar with a mystical bent from two first-time owners, is lined up for the space after purchasing the business from Bekris. The sale was good news for the longtime Capitol Hill restaurant owner and the start of a new opportunity for two Seattle bartenders.

“It’s always burning back in the back of an aspiring young bartender’s mind to have their own place,” Paul Berryman tells CHS.

Berryman said he and business partner Izzy Guymon met while working behind the bar at Percy’s & Co. in Ballard.

They’re planning a full “tear out and rebuild” of the Byzantion space with hopes for a bohemian look and tarot card feel in the new bar that meshes with the “slightly mystical” half man, half beast spirit of Spirit Animal.

The partners have visions of an exciting north Broadway scene.

“I think this end is going to have a little bit of a renaissance,” Berryman said. “It feels more like a neighborhood than an entertainment district.”

Spirit Animal is planned to open by the start of 2016 at 601 Broadway E. You can say goodbye to The Byzantion through Sunday.

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genevieve
genevieve
8 years ago

Aw, I used to love the Byzantion – admittedly I haven’t been there in years and wondered how they stayed open. Wish there was more of a heads up, but I’ll try to swing by before they close on Sunday.

dc
dc
8 years ago

Dang. I didn’t go often but I loved their food. Not super pumped about another cocktail joint on Broadway, but I’ll give it a try.

JTContinental
JTContinental
8 years ago

I’ve heard many horror stories from past Byzantion employees about how they were treated by the owners, so I can’t say I’ll be missing this institution as much as some of the others that have gone away recently.

cook
cook
8 years ago
Reply to  JTContinental

As a cook who formerly worked there years ago, I am celebrating this closure. The kitchen was a nightmare. Complete disregard to health code and sanitation. Never saw anyone wash their hands or wear gloves. Constant cross-contamination and use of old rotting food would often end up in meals unnoticed because they were roasted and seasoned to cover it up. I would be ordered to pick around slimy black lettuce and moulding carrots to make salad. Once told to throw onions back on the line which were marinating in raw lamb and seasonings for kebabs. It was utterly disgusting and I left because I was beginning to feel complicit in the owners complete disregard to sanitary practices.

Bacca R.
Bacca R.
8 years ago

This new bar sounds really cool…nothing better than a mystical cocktail for our sophisticated crowd on N. Capitol Hill. I will bring my girl for the grand opening and get buddy Ben from Manhattan to visually improve the scene. He loves new bars. Bacca

genevieve
genevieve
8 years ago
Reply to  Bacca R.

Please tell me this is sarcastic

Jim98122x
Jim98122x
8 years ago
Reply to  genevieve

I’m pretty sure it is, but I was wondering too…. ;-)

RWK
RWK
8 years ago

Myself and several family members dined at Byzantion a few months back. The food was mediocre at best.

Do we really need yet another “cocktail bar” on Broadway? Hasn’t this fad/trend run its course yet?

zeebleoop
zeebleoop
8 years ago
Reply to  RWK

people are always going to want to drink; only how they do it changes. the whole, “do we really need,” argument is so tired. it’s not what you or i need but what the market will support.

if this place isn’t a fit with the neighborhood it will go out of business right quick.

Greek Food Man
Greek Food Man
8 years ago
Reply to  RWK

It was overpirced for the quality for sure.

cmc
cmc
8 years ago

It’s all amazon’s fault!

Jim98122x
Jim98122x
8 years ago
Reply to  cmc

And to think it seems like only just yesterday, everything was all Microsoft’s fault.

genevieve
genevieve
8 years ago
Reply to  Jim98122x

I thought it was California’s fault?

donny
8 years ago
Reply to  genevieve

It’s St. Andrea’s fault

Neube
Neube
8 years ago

Paul Berryman is the consummate Aussie bartender and tennis player. His fantastic cocktails at Percy’s & Co and his welcoming personality are sure to make Spirit Animal a huge success.

GregoryH
GregoryH
8 years ago

A little late to the comment party, but, this is a choice quote,
““I think this end is going to have a little bit of a renaissance,” Berryman said. “It feels more like a neighborhood than an entertainment district.””

Ya’ think? Um before Spirit animal’s ink was dry on the deal to purchase the business this little north broadway “neighborhood” was home to Altura, Poppy and Restaurant Marron, all critically acclaimed restaurants. Lionhead opened at the end of the summer, and of course we also have Roosters which opened earlier this year, and Bait Shop. Not to mention dilettante and Vivace. The Byzantion space is one of the last (well i guess that little space between the tattoo parlor and roosters is still empty). To make a long story short, Paul, the renaissance happened already, it wasn’t little, and you are basically the last one to the party. I look forward to seeing what becomes of Spirit Animal, and as long as it is a comfortable place to have a cocktail and a conversation (and hopefully some food!) I’ll be more than happy to drop in and stay a while. But PLEASE don’t make it too loud in there!