Re: “Longtime Seattle dive bar Little Red Hen faces lease termination” (July 8, Business):
I cannot fathom the possibility of the Little Red Hen closing.
Since I began attending in October 2023, it has become my third place — a cornerstone of my week and a staple in my life. I look forward to line dancing every Monday, and seeing the friends and community we’ve built.
Line dancing here isn’t just a fun workout — it’s an experience. The Hen’s vibrant, welcoming energy sets it apart from any other country bar. It may be crowded, and the fans work overtime, but the electricity in the room is undeniable.
Brittanie and Kim’s lessons. Victor’s DJing. Cookie’s “HOT TO GO!” choreography. Contra songs with my friend Tia. These moments are irreplaceable.
When “RAISED LIKE THAT” plays, the crowd always sings louder during the lyric: “I was shown what is love, in this place I call home.” Every time, I think of the Hen — and how it truly has become home.
Despite whatever struggles we carry, we come together to let go, to dance and to sing about home. Its value can’t be measured, and I sincerely hope it remains for generations to come, just as it has for decades.
Kylie Baker, Seattle (the girl in the sparkly cowboy boots)
