Bradley Howe, who has run the Australian-themed Kangaroo & Kiwi in Ballard for 25 years, is opening a second bar just about 50 steps from his original spot — this one themed entirely around country music, line dancing and karaoke. The new bar, called Country Roads, takes over the former Shingletown Saloon space in the neighborhood and is expected to draw both longtime regulars and a younger weekend crowd.
Howe discussed the new venture during a Tuesday appearance on Good Day Seattle, according to FOX 13 Seattle. He opened Kangaroo & Kiwi in April 2001, he said, as something of a homesickness cure for Australians living far from home, and moved the bar to its current Ballard location at 2026 NW Market St. in 2012, according to myballard.com. Howe now expects customers to move freely between the two bars once Country Roads is up and running.
From Shingletown's Boots to Country Roads' Stage
The space Howe is taking over has deep country-bar roots of its own. Shingletown Saloon closed in April after 11 years in Ballard, the myballard.com report notes, with its owners citing a new lease term that made rent more expensive, rising operating costs and shifting late-night hospitality trends, per FOX 13 Seattle's earlier coverage. Shingletown's farewell celebration, a final “Shingle Saturday Night,” was held on April 25.
During its run, Shingletown offered karaoke nights, beer pong, country-music-focused DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, a rotating lineup of live country acts and line dance lessons, according to KIRO 7. Renovations at the location are planned to create more open space for line dancing, live music and other events, with the bar itself being moved toward the back of the room, the same myballard.com report states.
Line Dancing, Local Bands and Tejano Tuesdays
Country Roads will feature live music, line dancing and karaoke, Howe said per the FOX 13 Seattle interview. He wants the bar to feel as authentic as possible and plans to spotlight local performers, including Cowboy Genius, a local 1990s country cover band that is set to play live on Fridays. Saturdays will bring a mix of booked acts, while the bar also plans to host country karaoke nights.
Howe said he was inspired to add extra programming after attending Kacey Musgraves' Seattle performance, and Country Roads now plans to introduce Tejano Tuesdays celebrating Texas, per the same interview. Howe said he's been surprised and pleased by the response to the new bar so far, noting that people have already been asking whether they can play, sing, DJ or dance there. Everyone, he said, will have an opportunity to perform at the bar.
No Firm Opening Date Yet
Country Roads has not announced a firm opening date. Howe said updates on the opening will be posted to Kangaroo & Kiwi's social media accounts. The bar's own website describes itself as “a country-inspired bar built around line dancing, live music, themed nights, DJs, drinks, and good times,” according to countryroadsseattle.com, and promises “lessons and open dance nights” along with performances from local and regional artists.
Howe plans to keep Country Roads' food offerings simple, with a limited menu of bar snacks and small bites, while allowing patrons to bring in food from other restaurants, per the myballard.com report. A separate account from mrmagnolia.com indicated Country Roads was targeting an October opening, though that timeline has not been confirmed as having come to pass.
