The Belmont

The Belmont. Est. 1889. , In 1885, George Sterming realized his lifelong dream. On this site he erected the building which still bears his name. The upper floor was devoted to office suites and the ground floor housed the soon to be famous Belmont Restaurant and Saloon., Sterming, a shrewd and experienced saloon keeper, catered primarily to the maritime trade, offering good food, strong whiskey and a convivial atmosphere. The patrons were an eclectic mix of sea captains, cargo brokers, adventurers and runners, gamblers and hustlers., Pandemonium and a sort of organized confusion reigned, cigar smoke clouded the air. Merchants squabbled about damaged goods. Cargo brokers negotiated rates and hustlers spread gossip., The Captains, iron fisted and cunning Yankee traders, sat quietly at their end of the massive bar and exchanged news of successes and calamities. And in the corners, newly arrived passengers thanked their individual gods for the end of an often terrifying passage., The Belmont today is Port Townsend's only remaining 1880s waterfront restaurant and saloon and has received AAA's approval and "Northwest Best Places" recognition. The office suites have become Victorian style hotel rooms with queen beds, private baths, high ceilings and brick walls.