Most Influential: Wade Weigel & Jeff Ofelt

Weigel and Ofelt have been augmenting the city scene with hip restaurants, bars and hotels since the early ’90s

Wade Weigel and Jeff Ofelt [ Restaurant, Bar and Hotel Entrepreneurs and Tastemakers ]

Life and business partners Weigel and Ofelt have been augmenting the city scene with hip restaurants, bars and hotels since the early ’90s. Between them, the two are responsible for the Rudy’s Barbershop chain, Bimbo’s Bitchin’ Burrito Kitchen, the Cha Cha Lounge, the original Pony and the Ace Hotel (which they’ve expanded to Portland, Palm Springs and, last summer, New York City). They’ve frequently partnered with local bar maven Linda Derschang, with whom they opened the Baltic Room, Chop Suey, Rob Roy (all since sold) and King’s Hardware. While all these hot spots radiate a stylish yet comfortable vibe, punctuated by vintage pieces and artwork by locals, what’s notable is the consistency of concept—a quality Ofelt says is essential to bringing people back. “You must follow through in every detail,” he says, “design, music, lighting, staff…everything!” Weigel says the concepts evolve from thinking about his customer—who can be from any walk of life, but who is always a “cultural enthusiast.” While their next project is T.B.D. (perhaps a bar in Tacoma; maybe a bar/restaurant in Ballard), the two confess they “can’t stop.” Lucky us.