The recently opened Roam Bar at 5105 Ballard Ave NW is applying for an adult cabaret license, and it’s causing a bit of controversy in the neighborhood.
Roam Bar is a woman-owned bar and restaurant that opened in October in the former Ballard Loft location. Roam Bar owner Nicole Healy told My Ballard that she’s pursuing the license to present “shows akin to burlesque” in the upstairs area of Roam. She says the downstairs of the bar will continue to be “a normal functioning bar, much like others in the area, featuring TVs showing local sports, free pool, an arcade basketball game, and a wonderful, friendly staff.”
A group of people in Ballard are raising concerns over Healy’s plans, saying it could deter people from visiting downtown Ballard. Lauri and Roger Lohrer, owners of Dock Street Properties LLC and The Hansen Building at 5101 Ballard Ave, have started a petition to gather signatures in protest.
“It would devalue Ballard Avenue as a safe and attractive place for local & greater Puget Sound residents and other visitors to spend the day or evening. Few of us want to bring our children, family & friends for an afternoon of shopping, a meal out, or to Sunday Farmers Market — in the vicinity of a strip club,” the Lohrers told My Ballard in an email.
Healy, in response to the Lohrers’ concerns, emphasized that she is “extremely mindful of age-appropriate restrictions for the type of entertainment we aim to provide.”
Healy says:
For those seeking a different experience, venturing upstairs will offer the choice to engage with the performing arts in a safe, creative environment. Here, patrons can enjoy a completely different atmosphere that celebrates artistry and expression. Performers are given the freedom to design their own costumes and choreography, presenting provocative and artistic shows akin to burlesque and other celebrated performance styles. These performances are bold and creative, but always within a supportive and professional setting.
This thoughtful approach is why the adult entertainment license is required—not for full nudity, but to comply with regulations governing such artistic and expressive performances. Our goal is to create a space that is fun, safe, and empowering for performers while offering patrons a dynamic and multifaceted experience.
Healy added that the adult entertainment will not be visible from the street, and performances would not be visible from the main bar or anywhere else downstairs. The bar will continue to be 21+, ensuring age-appropriate restrictions, and that the cabaret would align with late-night activities—not during daytime hours.
“Our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and celebratory environment for entertainers, free from stigma and judgment. The narrative painted by the petition does not accurately reflect what we’re striving to achieve. At Roam, we are committed to fostering a space where entertainers can thrive and patrons can enjoy a unique and respectful experience,” Healy wrote.
The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is reviewing Healy’s application.
Photos: Roam Bar
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