Last Exit on Brooklyn facts for kids
The Last Exit on Brooklyn was a famous coffeehouse in Seattle, Washington. It opened in 1967 thanks to Irv Cisski. This place was special because it helped start Seattle's love for coffee. It was also a popular spot for people interested in new ideas and for skilled chess players.
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A Special Place for Coffee and Games
The Last Exit on Brooklyn first opened its doors on June 30, 1967. It was located near the University of Washington campus. This coffeehouse was one of the first places in Seattle to serve espresso. They even had their own special drink called the Caffè Medici. It was a double espresso with chocolate syrup, orange peel, and whipped cream.
In the 1980s, the Last Exit was known as one of America's oldest coffeehouses. People loved it for its affordable food. It was also a place where you could listen to folk music and have interesting conversations. It was a hub for creative and free-thinking people.
A Haven for Chess Players
The Last Exit was very popular with people who loved to play games. Many amateur and professional Go and chess players gathered there. Famous players like Peter Biyiasas, Viktors Pupols, and Yasser Seirawan often visited. Seirawan once said that the Last Exit became his "home" and "family." He described it as a place where "an unlikely bunch of unusual people" came together to play.
Irv Cisski, the owner, believed that game players added "flavor" to his coffeehouse. He didn't mind if they stayed for a long time. He wanted to create a welcoming place for everyone. He called it a "haven" where students and creative people felt equal.
The Spirit of the Last Exit
A Seattle writer named Knute Berger described the Last Exit as a major landmark from the 1960s. He remembered it as a gathering place for many different kinds of people. Students, artists, musicians, and thinkers all came together there. He recalled the lively atmosphere, the music, and the many discussions. It was a place where you could truly feel the energy of a new way of thinking.
The End of an Era
Irv Cisski passed away on August 25, 1992. In 1993, the University of Washington took back the building. The Last Exit then moved to a new location. However, it eventually closed its doors for good in the year 2000. Today, the original building is used by the University of Washington's Human Resources Department.
In Popular Culture
The Last Exit on Brooklyn has been mentioned in several books. It appeared in Clark Humphrey's 2006 book of historical photos, Vanishing Seattle. Descriptions of the coffeehouse are also found in novels. These include Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (2008), The Other by David Guterson (2008), and The City Beneath the Snow: Stories by Marjorie Kowalski Cole (2012).
