Big Mario’s Seeks to Sell Northlake Tavern

Specialty pizza purveyor Big Mario’s will list the venerable Northlake Tavern for sale.

Big Mario’s purchased the 65-year-old Northlake Tavern early last year after it closed in January 2023. Big Mario’s then spent seven months on an extensive update and renovation, and reopened the Seattle institution as Big Mario’s Northlake Tavern last August.

The restaurant will close during the month of August and will reopen at the end of the month for the University of Washington’s upcoming season.

In a statement, a Big Mario’s spokesperson said only that “We have decided to list the business for sale. While we hoped the Mario’s brand would dovetail with the Northlake legacy, we feel the Northlake would do better under new stewardship, as simply the Northlake Tavern.”

Big Mario’s still operates three locations across Seattle.