Just 20 minutes east of Seattle, Kirkland is a welcoming lakefront destination for all to enjoy. Featuring one-of-a-kind retail shopping experiences, art galleries and live performances, charming boutique hotels, and an eclectic mix of restaurants serving food from all corners of the globe, this small city is one to add to your list of "places to go" in 2022. Nature abounds with expansive trails for walking, running, and cycling and some of the best views of Lake Washington and the mountains. Public art is popping up in all around town, adding colorful inspiration and flair to Kirkland's growing arts scene.

As the first U.S. city to be impacted by COVID-19 in 2020, local business owners and operators have risen to the ever-changing challenges of the pandemic, allowing Kirkland to grow and thrive in 2022.

 

Dining & Restaurant News

Kirkland Urban continues to expand with new restaurants and experiences, which are enjoyed by visitors and locals alike. This Kirkland destination offers plenty of new dining hot spots this spring:

Hanoon Opened: February 2022

The Mama Restaurant Group just opened Hanoon in Kirkland's Totem Lake, featuring modern Levantine cuisine representative of other Mama group restaurants. This exciting eatery functions as a cafe serving baked goods and lunch items during the day and elevated fast­ casual dining options in the evening. Hanoon will also have an open-fire oven, a takeout window, a patio, and seating for 120 people.

Pop! Culture Champagne Bar Opened: January 2022

Brand new to Downtown Kirkland, Pop! Culture Champagne Bar offers an indoor and outdoor space to enjoy delicious bubbly and a few bites. Pop! also offers unique and cheeky tasting clubs for dedicated wine lovers, with three tiers and in-shop perks like exclusive event invites, happy hours, advanced reservations and bottle discounts. Open Wed-Sun.

Evergreen Blendz Opened: December 2021

Evergreen Blendz is all about single origin coffee from around the world, hand-crafted and made in small batches from the award winning Dillanos Coffee Roasters. This community coffee house also serves locally sourced, organic food products, as well as options that include vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, low sugar, and low carb food items.

Coming soon! Arleana's Kirkland Opening: June 2022

The sister restaurant of Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a Columbia City restaurant serving Caribbean and southern dishes, Arleana's will emphasize Caribbean seafood dishes and aspire to carry the state's largest rum selection. Named after owner Theo's mother, the Kirkland restaurant will be the first Black-owned Caribbean and Southern cuisine restaurant in the area.

Coming soon! Serious Pie Opening: Spring 2022

Celebrated Seattle chef and James Beard award-winning restaurateur, Tom Douglas, is opening his first Eastide restaurant this spring. The much-anticipated Serious Pie, a pizzeria with a bread baker's soul, will be open soon at The Village at Totem Lake. Right next to Cinemark, dinner and a movie just got more exciting.

Coming soon! RareTea and Sugo Sushi are both opening in mid-2022; Cafe Juanita announces its reopening for spring and may have outdoor seating; Midnight Cookie Co. is open 7 days a week and sells individual cookies, cookie collections, and vegan options.

 

Other Notables

The Blend by Ste. Michelle - Live Music every Wednesday

The Blend by Ste Michelle hosts live music every Wednesday from 5-7pm. Come enjoy a rotating wine flight from some of the most renowned wineries in Washington and stock up on favorites from the shop. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from l2-7pm and Friday and Saturday from l2-8pm.

Parks and Public Art

132nd Square Park Opening: Summer 2022

The 132nd Square Park in Kirkland is getting a revamp - including a brand-new synthetic turf field, which will be lit and better equipped for play during all seasons. The park will also be getting a new playground, a new restroom and a larger parking and drop-off zone for members of all ages to explore.

Raising Environmental Awareness. Mural by Local Teen Artist Planned for Spring - Young Kirkland artist, Austin Picinich, is prepping his next project: painting a 62-foot exterior wall mural on the side of SPUD Fish & Chips in Juanita to raise awareness for salmon in Juanita Creek. Austin is partnering with Urban Artworks to host a Community Paint Day this spring, making it his mission to pair community-focused and sustainability messages with public art.

Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission Selects Mural Artist for May Underpass Project- The mural art call finalist has been selected: Devin Finley, founder of Define Arts, will be working on a public art project for installation by late May. The potential location of the mural installation site may be the NE 68th Street underpass crossing under the Cross Kirkland Corridor between 104th Avenue NE and 106th Avenue NE.

Cross Kirkland Corridor Is Getting a New Sculpture This Spring - Seattle-based public artist, Will Slough, is fabricating a giant three-dimensional frog for the Cross Kirkland Corridor, which boasts public art installations like sculpture and murals along the trail. Expected to be completed by late May, the project depicts a giant frog emerging from the wetlands, climbing over the fence to join pedestrians on the path - illustrating the ongoing relationship and responsibility we all have to protect the natural world around us.

 

Arts, Entertainment, and Events

Kirklandia Fest June 10-12

Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural Kirklandia Fest, a three-day event featuring Washington wine, Northwest cider and a tiki taco throwdown; paired with music, live entertainment, games, and street markets. Dogs are most welcome.

Kirkland Arts Center's 60th Anniversary Celebration May 14

Join the Kirkland Arts Center for a swanky cocktail party at The Lodge at St. Edwards to celebrate 60 years of art & community with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, auctions, raffles, and of course, lots of incredible art up for bid. Tickets go on sale on March 29th.

In Comfort of Chaos" Exhibition & Reception April 8

Kirkland Arts Center Gallery presents a new exhibition juried by Hanako O'Leary. In Comfort of Chaos presents works that explore ways in which artists make sense of time, space, and society, when everything around them seems to be falling apart or shifting. Stop by the opening reception on April 8 to meet the juror, Hanako O'Leary, many featured artists, and learn more about the Kirkland Arts Center.

Ryan James Fine Arts April 2

The Ryan James Fine Art center has calendared events throughout 2022. Notables include the Client & Artist Appreciation Costume Party on April 2 for Ongo Gablogian; all guests must attend in Ongo attire. April's guest artist is Amanda C. Sweet and May

Kirkland Performance Center April 28 & May 19

KPC is centrally located in the heart of Kirkland, known for its spacious, yet intimate theater space and world-class acoustics. Spring concerts include Rufus Wainwright on April 28 and Rise UP: The Music of Hamilton and Broadway. on May 19

Gunner Nordstrom Gallery Celebrates 37 Years

With a new exhibit each month including The Art of Dr. Seuss, this fine art gallery is the perfect place to pop in. Located in the heart of downtown Kirkland in the Marina District just steps away from Lake Washington and nestled among unique shops and great restaurants.

 

Spring Shopping

ShopLocalKirkland is Kirkland's "digital marketplace" for browse and buy all things locally­ made.

PCC Community Markets Opened: March 2022

PCC Community Market in Kirkland will offer local, organic, and healthy foods made from scratch. The store will also include a kitchen where PCC chefs will make salads, soups, hot entrees and side dishes fresh daily.

Walla Walla Clothing Company Opening Spring 2022

The third location will have a home at Kirkland Urban, in addition to the flagship store Walla Walla and a second location at Kennewick. Walla Walla Clothing Company has been proudly providing locals and visitors with beautiful, better-goods for over 20 years. The store specializes in Eileen Fisher and seeks to provide fashionable customers with quality goods from American-made labels including AG Jeans, Michael Stars, Mother Denim, Vince, Dolce Vita, and more.