Us

The Zig Zag Café was born from the passionate desire to provide its patrons with an unprecedented selection of the finest spirits. Owners Kacy Fitch and Ben Dougherty , using their years of bartending experience, created ideal surroundings to their exact specifications. The result was a neighborhood bar in a downtown setting, a place where cocktails are created with the utmost integrity, and a spot in which guests can witness the artistry of the bartenders in a welcoming environment of exceptional hospitality.

Kacy and Ben worked together for years and became highly respected bartenders, leading to their involvement in the opening of the Zig Zag Café in 1998. The two were integral in the creation of Zig Zag from the beginning: creating the architectural design of the bar area, promoting the integrity of the cocktails, emphasizing the highest level of hospitality, and acting as Zig Zag's opening bartenders.

When Kacy and Ben were presented the opportunity, they became co-owners of the Zig Zag. Soon after this, they were able to hire their mentor, Murray Stenson, as their principal bartender. Bringing Murray on board was an act that Ben describes as events “coming full circle.”

Murray Stenson is a bartender who is both widely revered and universally beloved. Murray has been serving cocktails in Seattle for over thirty years, inspiring scores of cocktail aficionados and fellow bartenders along the way. After spending years at Il Bistro, Murray jumped at the opportunity to work with his good friends Kacy and Ben at the Zig Zag.

In the six years the trio has been working together at the Zig Zag, the Café has ascended to the highest levels of respect, both locally and around the globe. Accolades have flowed in, from Murray's recognition as one of America's Top 10 Bartenders, to the Zig Zag being presented with the awards for Best Drink Selection and Best Classic Cocktail Bar at Tales of the Cocktail in 2007.

Yet all the while, the focal point of Zig Zag's day-to-day existence remains its dedication to its patrons. As Ben says, “all our efforts behind the bar are used to enhance the level of hospitality we offer our customers.” This is, he explains “an offering of our respect.”

Watch Ben and Kacy on the Small Screen Network

You can see an interview with Ben and Kacy, owners of the Zig Zag Café, on Robert Hess's Small Screen Network. Robert is perhaps better known as the famous Drinkboy. Be sure to check out his site, as well as the many cocktail videos on the Small Screen Network.

Photo Credits

The beautiful black and white photos to the left were taken by the amazing Dan Crawford. The shot of Murray was used as the cover shot for the 2007 Playboy A-List. Other shots on the site were mostly taken by Jamie Boudreau. Do not underestimate the difficulty of lighting a shot of a cocktail. Jamie is very good.