SEATTLE — As consistent as a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, Murphy's Pub has been a second home to its customers for 43 years.
"It is, to me, the most community oriented bar that I can think of in Seattle," said regular Scott Tupper.
Murphy's considers itself more of a community living room than a bar, located at 1928 N. 45th St. It's a place to have a pint with friends or Sunday brunch with family. Established in 1981, it was home to Seattle's first official St. Patrick's Day party.
"We've had everything from weddings to funerals, christenings and graduations," said co-owner Eamonn Davey, who is originally from Belfast. "We've been here. We've lived with our customers in the community."
Davey has owned Murphy's with Chelley Bassett for the past decade.
"I was stay-at-home mom, now I'm a bar wench," she laughs with a warm Irish smile.
The pub has survived recessions, the pandemic, but developers are the most daunting foe yet. Three days before St. Patrick's Day earlier this month, Murphy's learned the people who own the property plan to sell the entire block.
"We are a community and it will be devastating for this community if something like that were to happen," said Davey.
"I think everyone in Seattle knows that we're losing our identity. We're losing out to the corporate world," said customer Cathy Cortez. "We can't let this happen."
The Murphy's crew pleaded for a way to save the pub. The property owners were sympathetic and offered to save the bar from the wrecking ball.
The rest of the block would be torn down, but Murphy's could be saved — if it could somehow raise the money to buy the land the bar sits on. The asking price? $3.5 million.
"I kind of just thought, 'Wow, that's a lot of money. How are we going to do this?' We need help," said Bassett.
Undeterred, Murphy's management started an online fundraiser, asking for the modest amount of $3.5 million. In less than 24 hours donors contributed more than $11,000.
Davey said they don't expect to raise the full amount through donations, but that the fundraiser is intended to bring attention to the plight of the pub.
"If anyone knows someone with $3.5 million and wants to invest, we're here for you," Davey said with a smile.
Any money donated will be applied to the selling price for the investor. If a buyer can't be found, the money will be refunded. Bassett is hoping for a little luck of the Irish in finding someone willing to save this piece of Seattle history.
At this point, there is no deadline to raise the money, as a buyer for the block has not yet been identified.
"This place is a tradition," Bassett said. "It's an institution that needs to continue."