The interior of The Forbidden Pub is shown.

The interior of The Forbidden Pub is shown.

Hollywood comes to the ‘Rescue,’ renames Everett sports bar

Hollywood action struck Hewitt Avenue again.

Last week, camera crews set up shop at Ynot Sports Bar &Grub across from Xfinity Arena. It was a flashback a la Gordon Ramsay 2012, when the “Kitchen Nightmares” celebrity chef came to save the Prohibition Grille-turned-Gastropub about 10 blocks away.

This time it was tell-it-like-it-is tavern makeover man Jon Taffer to the “Bar Rescue” at the Ynot, which now sports a bright red front and a name change.

What’s up with that?

Taffer is the Ramsay of bars and nightclubs, only nicer.

Not a mister nice guy, mind you, but nicer.

In each episode of the Spike TV series, Taffer helps transform struggling bars into cash cows.

The Prohibition had belly dancing. The Ynot had goldfish racing.

Patrons would use squirt bottles to propel goldfish down plastic lanes with black checkered flags at the finish.

Not any more.

“Goldfish racing is something that has been retired,” bar co-owner Jon Ellis said. “They said there are other ways to promote a bar. I am going to hang the goldfish track on the back patio as something for people to look at and laugh at.”

Taffer’s team created a signature menu with items such as green tea vodka with Thai chili syrup, coconut rice balls and Korean barbecue bao balls.

The blue-and-green festooned sports decor mashup is gone. The crew gave it a sleek look: Dark wood tables and chairs. Red lanterns. Red walls. Accent wallpaper.

The centerpiece is the prodigious antique wooden bar. Before, it was a backdrop for swag.

“This whole bar was littered with sports,” Ellis said. “They said it should be showcased.’”

A focal point is an aquarium where fish can swim around without the pressure of racing.

The Ynot was given a new name: The Forbidden Pub.

“This gives us our own identity that this is our place,” said Ellis, who kept the name Ynot after he took over ownership 2½ years ago with his wife, Yvette Otto.

Last year’s closing of the Broadway Bridge hurt business a bit, but there were bigger issues. “I was running the bar with my heart, not my brain,” Otto said.

A 2015 dining review in The Herald noted a few flaws in the grub and service, but praised the beer and multiple TVs.

Otto said they were notified in December that “Bar Rescue” was coming. She’s excited about the pub’s start as more than a sports bar, though it still has TVs everywhere for game viewing.

“Forbidden means you’re coming in not knowing what you’re going to get,” Otto said.

It was worth the whirlwind week of hustle and mystery during the reality TV rescue.

“It was very stressful and very fun,” Ellis said. “They were very good about keeping everything secret. Anytime we got near here we had to wear a thick mask. Red is Yvette’s favorite color. They didn’t know that. When we saw it we were blown away.”

Prohibition owner Rishi Brown took Ramsay’s advice and it saved her place. Ellis plans to follow through with Taffer’s recommendations.

“Whatever he put in place, the things he did and taught us, we are going to practice ourselves because he has a proven track record,” Ellis said.

The Forbidden Pub reopened over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Ellis was gearing up for the evening karaoke crowd while Otto stayed busy waiting on customers new and old.

“Yvette flies around like a human hummingbird,” said Rob Juhasz, as he shared a bottle of wine with his wife, Debbie, at a small table by the brick wall.

The Victoria, B.C., couple stop at the pub every time they are in town. “The food is good and the owners are amazing,” Debbie said.

Kenny McIntyre, a regular from Omak, took his usual seat at the bar and tested the newfangled nachos. “I like the idea of using pulled pork. It’s awesome,” he said.

The decor also got the nod from McIntyre. “It definitely gives credence to the old motto ‘less is more.’ It’s not as cluttered looking. Very clean.”

Jody Barnes, grabbing a smoke on the back patio, recalled the good old days of goldfish racing at her favorite local haunt.

“It’s a blast to try to get the fish down to the end of the tube,” she said. “My husband and I come here all the time. We love the people.”

She had mixed feeling about the facelift. “It looks more like a dungeon, it’s too dark,” she said. “But it’s beautiful.”

As for the rename, well, it’s not for her.

“I liked Ynot. I will not call it The Forbidden. It’s always going to be the Ynot to me,” she said.

“Bar Rescue” episodes air Sundays on Spike.

Spike TV spokeswoman Shana Tepper said the Ynot was selected for various reasons.

“We thought their personal backstory was great, the location has potential and we love Seattle,” she said. “I don’t have an official air date yet but it will run in the fall.”

Can’t wait that long for a glimpse?

“Come down and check us out,” Ellis said.

The pub is at 2015 Hewitt Ave. You can’t miss it.

Andrea Brown at 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition (Provided by Nissan).
2025 Nissan Rogue has new Rock Creek edition

Enhanced outdoor capability is a boon for the more adventurous.

Futuristic Kona Limited Photo Provided By Hyundai Newsroom.
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited SUV Gets Roomier

All-Wheel Drive Option Add To All Trims

Children play and look up at a large whale figure hanging from the ceiling at the Imagine Children’s Museum (Olivia Vanni / The herald)
Fun for all ages: The best places for family adventures

From thrilling activities to relaxing outings, here’s where to make unforgettable family memories!

Everett P. Fog, 15, in front of an Everett mural along Colby Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hello, Everett! No escape when your name is same as the town

Everett P. Fog, 15, sees and hears his first name wherever he goes. His middle name is also epic.

Jared Meads takes a breath after dunking in an ice bath in his back yard while his son Fallen, 5, reads off the water temperature on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chill out: Dive into the cold plunge craze

Plungers say they get mental clarity and relief for ails in icy water in tubs, troughs and clubs.

Schack exhibit to highlight Camano Island watercolorists

“Four Decades of Friendship: John Ebner & John Ringen” will be on display Jan. 16 through Feb. 9.

XRT Trim Adds Rugged Features Designed For Light Off-Roading
Hyundai Introduces Smarter, More Capable Tucson Compact SUV For 2025

Innovative New Convenience And Safety Features Add Value

Sequoia photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
If Big Is Better, 2024 Toyota Sequoia Is Best

4WD Pro Hybrid With 3-Rows Elevates Full-Size

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser revives its roots

After a 3-year hiatus, the go-anywhere SUV returns with a more adventurous vibe.

Enjoy the wilderness in the CX-50. Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda CX-50 Adds Hybrid Capability to Turbo Options

Line-Up Receives More Robust List Of Standard Equipment

Practical And Functional bZ4X basks in sunshine. Photo provided by Toyota Newsroom.
2024 bZ4X Puts Toyota Twist On All-Electric SUV’s

Modern Styling, Tech & All-Wheel Drive Highlight

Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus Hatch Delivers Value

Plus Functionality of AWD And G-Vectoring

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.