Cards, Cans, and Corruption: The Wild Days of Bob’s Chile Parlor

In mid-century Seattle, Bob’s Chile Parlor served up more than spicy stew—it dished out illegal poker, crooked dice games, and a steady stream of payoffs to the cops. Behind the bland storefront was a raucous underworld clubhouse packed with gamblers, bartenders-turned-showmen, and the occasional future governor sipping beer before prom. Join us as we unravel the unbelievable, true story of the bar that became ground zero for Seattle’s tolerance policy—and the wild cast of characters who called it home.

Episode Sources:

https://www.historylink.org/File/22563