Three months after the iconic Kate’s Pub shut its doors on October 31, the neighborhood staple is back to life. Donning a new look and fresh menu, The Rebel is keeping the legacy alive on 45th Street.
In January, neighbors may have noticed a new coat of bright teal paint go up over the formerly yellow storefront at 309 NE 45th Street. Soon after, Kate’s owner Kate Barrett announced in a Facebook post that Stephanie Kosmas (a former Kate’s bartender) would take over and open The Rebel on January 24.
The bar’s concept remains mostly the same, with live music, pool, darts, TVs to watch the game, dive bar bites, and plenty of booze. The menu, however, also got a makeover, now featuring tacos, cheesesteak, a fried chicken sandwich, an “un-smashed” burger and more. The bar also offers a “cheap-ass” menu filled with appetizers under $15, including fries, nuggets, a burger, and the classic Seattle dog.
The Rebel hosts trivia night on Mondays, and karaoke on Wednesdays, plus a special punk and metal karaoke on the first and third Fridays of every month. While the bar isn’t continuing Kate’s tradition of half-priced Tuesdays and Thursdays, it recently announced “Taco T-Days,” promising cheap “San Diego style crunchy tacos” and well drinks. The bar also continues Kate’s trend of hosting live bands, and even introduced a live DJ earlier in February.
For decades, this address has been the home of iconic Wallingford hangouts spots. According to Vanishing Seattle, Kate’s Pub opened in 2006, replacing O’Shea’s Easy Street Pub. In a Facebook post announcing the closure, Kate cited rising costs and ongoing post-pandemic debts as the reason for the closure.
“Rising costs, pandemic debts, and countless other factors have made it impossible to keep going,” Barrett wrote in October. “Truthfully, we probably should have closed sooner, but the deep connection to this community kept us here long past what made sense on paper. This place isn’t just a pub—it’s been a home, a gathering space, and a backdrop for so many of life’s milestones.”
In her farewell bid, Barrett urged neighbors to support local businesses to keep the dream alive.
“Please, please support your local businesses,” the post read. “Costs are crazy high, and independents need you so much more than the chains ever will. Your dollars keep our doors open.”
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According to their menu the Rebel uses beef tallow for all their fried foods, which seems like a weird business decision.