'Country Roads' themed-bar set to open in Ballard

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 17:01:45 -0800

A Seattle bar owner who has spent 25 years running an Australian-themed pub in Ballard is preparing to open his second – a country bar just down the street featuring live music, line dancing and karaoke.

Bradley Howe, owner of Kangaroo and Kiwi, said his new bar, Country Roads Bar, is "literally 50 steps from the door" of the pub he runs already.

"I wasn't really too keen on traveling all over the city, running back and forth," Howe said during an interview Tuesday on Good Day Seattle. "So I was right there waiting and ready to go, so just jumped on it."

The backstory

Howe opened Kangaroo and Kiwi in April 2001, describing it as a "homesickness cure" for the native Aussie. He "based it around sports and kind of food and friendship and mateship and stuff like that.

"It's a very fun bar. It's rowdy. It's loud. It's got a little bit of everything going on, but we love it," Howe said.

Howe said he expects customers to move back and forth between the two bars. The new spot, he said, is expected to appeal to the younger weekend crowd as well as others.

On opening, Howe said he wants the bar to be as authentic as possible and to feature local performers. Cowboy Genius, a local 90s county cover band will perform live on Fridays. Saturdays will have a mix of booked acts, and the bar also plans to host country karaoke. Kacy Musgraves' recent visit to Seattle, a performance which Howe attended, served as inspiration for further programming, including the introduction of Tejano Tuesdays, celebrating Texas.

Howe said he has been surprised and pleased by the response. People are asking him whether they can play, sing, DJ and dance at the bar.

"We will make sure that everybody gets a shot at coming in and playing," he said.

What's next

An opening date has not been announced. Howe said future news about the bar can be found Kangaroo and Kiwi's social media accounts.

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WA State Ferries open winter reservations; expect high demand

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:51:11 -0800

Passengers expecting to travel along Washington's ferry system this winter can begin booking reservations to stow their vehicle aboard the vessels today, Nov. 10.

Starting at 10 a.m., passengers can use the state's online ticketing system to book their tickets from Dec. 27 to March 20, 2027.

Officials anticipate a season of high demand for ferry travel this winter and will use a virtual wait room which had been used in previous years.

Ferry winter reservations now open

Some dates in February and March will not be available for Lopez and Orcas islands because of scheduled construction on the vehicle transfer span.

The span and lift systems, installed at several ferry terminals around the state, are being replaced as part of a $13 million project set to commence in early 2027.

The Lopez and Orca islands terminals, as well as the stop in Coupeville, will be closed for a single 48-hour time period for the work to be completed.

Below is a list of all the closures expected because of the planned construction.

Anacortes single slip operations, Monday-Friday, Feb. 22-26
Orcas Island 48-hour closure, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 9-10
Lopez Island 48-hour closure, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 16-17
Coupeville 48-hour closure, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 23-24

Vehicle reservations can be made on WSF's website.

Officials recommend arriving 45-60 minutes ahead of schedule if taking the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route.

Reservations through Dec. 26 are still available for booking.

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Latest & Breaking News | FOX 13 Seattle

'Country Roads' themed-bar set to open in Ballard

The backstory

What's next

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

WA State Ferries open winter reservations; expect high demand

Ferry winter reservations now open

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE