More than a century ago, the area around 601 Northshore Drive was the terminus of the Lake Line streetcar. But as of March 1, this address is home to Lakeline, a coffee/cocktail joint poised to become a social hub for Bellingham’s Silver Beach neighborhood.
Such a space is a welcome addition to the area: Prior to Lakeline, Silver Beach lacked a go-to spot for coffee dates and happy hour drinks. Owners Dayna Penney and Adam Nelson — both of whom live in the neighborhood — are happy to help fill that void.
“Even in the last couple of days, I’ve met so many neighbors that I would have never had the opportunity to meet,” Penney said. “[They] come in and talk about how great it is to have someplace to go now, to just be able to walk to either get a cup of coffee or in the evening, or come in and get a cocktail with your friends.”
Daytime customers can enjoy espresso drinks, tea, pastries and breakfast foods. But once the sun sets, large windows let in a golden hour glow, and the whole space transforms into a chic cocktail bar, with seating for about 25.
Lakeline’s menu is simple yet elegant, featuring a selection of small bites, sandwiches and happy-hour nibbles. Between the tinned fish, burrata and charcuterie, many dishes would feel right at home at a summer picnic. The food menu also features local purveyors including Pure Bliss Desserts, Mount Bakery and Water Tank Bakery.
“It’s a really small space, and so we’re trying to be able to produce something very nice and not overwhelm ourselves,” said Penney.
Lakeline keeps the drink menu local with Hammerhead coffee and espresso, Flying Bird Botanicals tea, plus beer and cider from local breweries. Their cocktails are simple yet sophisticated, and drinks like the French Blonde — featuring gin, Lillet, grapefruit juice and St-Germaine — are well-balanced and chic without being fussy.
As far as decor goes, Nelson said the atmosphere could be described as mid-century modern, with plenty of nods to neighborhood history. The focal point is a backlit, larger-than-life steel cutout of a diving woman — Lakeline’s logo — made by Nelson himself.
Patrons will also spot references to White City Amusement Park, which was located along Northshore Drive more than a century ago.
“We have a picture right up on the wall showing the date of it,” said Penney. “There was a merry-go-round, a ferris wheel and a bear pit … This area had a lot of stuff going on, so we were kind of inspired by that.”
I’m excited to hang out here in the summer months, but even in the last days of PNW winter, Lakeline’s beachy ambiance tempts you to linger. The space is ideal for coffee catch-ups or after-work drinks with friends, especially given its walking distance from Silver Beach. I can envision myself here after a long day at Lake Whatcom, cocktail in hand, slightly sunburned but ultimately carefree.
Nelson and Penney also know the value of Lakeline’s location: “When this idea presented itself, we actually looked at a lot of other places — and we came back to the idea that we didn’t want to do it anywhere else,” Nelson said. “We wanted to be a neighborhood spot.” If opening week reception is any indication, Lakeline is right on track.
Lakeline is located at 601 Northshore Drive, Suite 104 in Bellingham. Business hours are Wednesday–Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Info: lakelinebellingham.com.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
