“Everyone has a story.”
The words are painted on the wall at Katts Westside Stories, reflecting the bar’s underlying principles. Owners Katt Boynton and Robert Berlinski opened their West Mount Vernon bar in 2019 with the goal of providing a safe space for people from all walks of life, and encouraging customers to connect with each other — while also having a really good time.
Berlinski said, “One of my favorite stories is that a self-proclaimed Satanist and a devout Christian became best friends in this bar and started working out together once a week.”
The bar, which is decorated with an eclectic mix of disco balls, mannequins and murals, is lively most nights. Wednesdays are relatively quiet unless there’s live music scheduled, and they have started offering a senior discount dinner for those who appreciate a calmer evening out and an affordable meal.
On other nights, though, karaoke (which they call Sing Song Bing Bong) starts at 8 p.m. Parties and special events are all year round, including Halloween parties, a New Year’s Eve party, a Christmas pajama party (instead of ugly sweaters), their anniversary party in June and a spring break party. They’ve had a wrestling night, pool party, drag show and an adult prom; right now, they’re planning a drag bingo night.
If one of their customers is having a birthday and has a special request, they make it happen. This could mean a barn party with straw all over the floor, or a Mad Max Thunderdome-themed party with fake swords and climbing harnesses suspended from the ceiling.
But in addition to throwing great parties, one of Boynton’s passions is helping anyone who needs help. She looks after her houseless neighbors by passing out sleeping bags and food.
“I can’t fathom the fact that somebody is out there freezing,” she said. “That’s not okay.”
The bar keeps a supply of necessities out by the sidewalk, from cold water and sunscreen in hot weather, to blankets and coats in winter, plus items like foot powder and Orajel. If she needs help with donations, she simply asks her regulars, and money or supplies come in.
During the COVID lockdown, she said, they survived financially by selling takeout food, but survived mentally by taking food to elderly people in need. Four times a year they host a Westside cleanup where they weed and pick up garbage in the neighborhood, with help from customers and neighbors.
“It’s a community effort,” Boynton said.
Boynton does all the cooking herself, which is partly why she has limited hours. Each day has its own special: Wing Wednesday, Taco Thursday, Reubens on Friday and smashburgers on Saturday. Every once in a while, depending on her energy level, they’re open for Sunday brunch with homemade biscuits and gravy. She also doesn’t allow takeout (with very few exceptions) because she doesn’t want anyone eating food that isn’t as good as it should be because it’s cooled off.
“Katt is probably one of the most picky food people that I’ve ever met,” Berlinski said. “She doesn’t let anything come out of the kitchen unless it is up to her standards.”
“We’re in the process of expanding, so I suppose I’ll have to someday let somebody else in the kitchen,” Boynton added.
The menu changes daily depending on Boynton’s mood, but many items come up frequently. When I visited recently with friends, we didn’t notice the appetizer menu until we’d already ordered our mains — it was written on a blackboard propped up against the bar, and featured snacks like taquitos, lumpia and mozzarella sticks.
I tried the French dip ($16.95), which came with a very generous amount of lean beef and just enough cheese, served on a soft but sturdy roll and accompanied by a large bowl of jus that was rich and a little smoky, and very nice fries.
That night’s special was the Reuben ($22.95) and it was fantastic, with toasted dark rye piled thickly with very tender pastrami and plenty of sauerkraut. I usually like a slightly goopier sandwich but I would order this one again anytime.
The Skagit burger ($16.95) was also excellent, with a thick beef patty that was just a little pink in the middle, topped with fresh sweet onion, lettuce, tomato, cheddar and “goop.”
We were too full to try dessert, but I was tempted by the strawberry rhubarb crisp and the blueberry bread pudding (both $7.95) on that day’s menu. We also got to admire the poutine burrito arriving at the next table, which was easily big enough for two people — confirming that this is not a place that will send you away hungry.
Boynton and Berlinski acknowledged that their place might seem like a lot for some people: Sometimes new customers walk in, see people dancing on the tables and walk right out again. Still, the duo emphasized that they’re here for everybody.
“It’s where you get to embrace the weirdness of you,” Boynton said. “I think we’re weird. But everybody is weird a little bit; they’re just scared to show anyone else.”
“You can’t put it into words,” she added. “We can’t tell you about it; you have to come experience it.”
Katt’s Westside Stories is open 5–10 p.m. Wednesday, 5 p.m. to midnight Thursday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed Sunday–Tuesday at 100 S. Barker St., Mount Vernon. Info: kattswestsidestories.com.
Jessamyn Tuttle is a freelance writer and photographer based in the Skagit Valley.
