Guests gather at Bush Garden’s bar on its grand re-opening. Photo by Theo Bickel.
Six years after closing, Bush Garden marked its grand re-opening on June 3 with a ribbon cutting, lion dances, taiko, a City proclamation, and of course, karaoke. Situated a few blocks from its erstwhile location at 614 Maynard Ave, the new Bush Garden features a mix of old and new. It is now housed in Uncle Bob’s Place, a low-income housing project named after the late legendary activist who was a regular at Bush Garden.
The restaurant is open every day except Thursdays. All ages are welcome until 9 p.m., and there are plans for daytime, all-ages karaoke. After 9 p.m., guests 21 and over can stay to enjoy the late night menu and karaoke.
Bush Garden owner Karen Akada takes the mic before the ribbon cutting. Photo by Theo BickelThe crowd spills into the streets surround Bush Garden. Photo by Theo BickelDeputy Mayor Brian Surratt speaks of his memories at Bush Garden and happy wishes for all of us to make new memories at the new Bush. Photo by Theo BickelA Mak Fai Kung Fu Club performer readies for performance. Photo by Theo BickelLion dancers perform at the grand opening of Bush Garden. Photo by Theo BickelKaren Akada lights the firecrackers to kick off the grand opening of Bush Garden. Photo by Theo BickelKaren Akada high-fives a Mak Fai Kung Fu Club performer. Photo by Theo BickelPhoto by Theo BickelKaren Akada with Yen Ma, owner of Gan Bei. Photo by Theo BickelMembers of Northwest Taiko perform at the grand re-opening. Photo by Theo BickelKaren Akada, herself a performer with the Northwest Taiko group takes the Bachi herself and jumps into the song. Photo by Theo BickelAt the opening, attendees sit in the seats and tables as Karen Akada shares stories of the pieces of history brought from the old Bush into the new Bush. Photo by Theo BickelThe Bush Garden crew at the grand re-opening. Photo by Theo BickelKaraoke singing with Joaquin Uy. Photo by Theo BickelA guest partakes in karaoke singing. Photo by Theo BickelBush Garden owner Karen Akada (center) sings karaoke on the restaurant and bar’s grand re-opening. Photo by Theo BickelAlex Johnson sings his heart out at karaoke. Photo by Theo BickelRevelers sing, eat, and drink to celebrate the grand opening night. Photo by Theo Bickel
Theodore Kenzo Dante Bickel is a Seattle-based photographer who has contributed to the International Examiner since 2024. He uses visual storytelling to showcase the vitality of the Chinatown-International District and contemporary Asian American communities in Seattle. He is Shin-Nikkei Japanese American. Born in Portland, Oregon, he grew up in the wilds of southwest Washington state. Theo, or “Tay-o” as his friends call him, found himself putting down roots in the C-ID shortly after arriving in Seattle in 2013. He has spent over a decade working in C-ID community non-profits in development, community engagement, civil rights advocacy, and communications. Theo was one of seven Seattle-based Asian American photographers that published the photography exhibit “Through the Eyes of a Tiger” in May 2023. The photo exhibit blended holistic, not homogenous, views of the C-ID in a critical time of regrowth and development.
