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The People That You Meet: Krysta at Smarty Pants

Updated: Oct 20

A bartender standing behind the bar and serving a beer at Smarty Pants in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. She has pink hair and a septum ring, and she's wearing a mint green leopoard print cardigan over a t-shirt that says "Lisa Frank" with an image of a kitten. Behind her are shelves of liquor bottles, beer taps, and a chalkboard menu of beer and wine selections.
The lovely Krysta at the bar

With her colorful style and (currently) pink hair, you've probably seen Krysta Gibson behind the bar or serving creative food to diners at Smarty Pants. She's been working at the popular neighborhood restaurant and bar at 6017 Airport Way S. for four years, and managing the front-of-house action for the last two.


I sat down with her recently to learn about working in Georgetown, neighborhood favorites, and hidden talents.


You've been at Smarty Pants a long time!

I love it here. The owners are fantastic and hands-on, and the customers are great. We get a lot of regulars. It's just a really fun place to work!


Do you live here in Georgetown?

I have in the past, but now I'm just right up the hill in the South Beacon area.


What's something you love about the neighborhood?

Well, I've been working or living in Georgetown for the past decade, and what I love about it is that it's kind of like a small town within the big city. We all know each other — there's lots of familiar faces here. I also love that it's the place where all the weirdos gather in Seattle, in the most beautiful way.


Is there anything you'd improve here if you could?

We could have a grocery store down here. And I've heard friends talking about having to take the bus to do laundry as well. Maybe we could have a little place where you could get your groceries while your laundry's going. Something creative and weird, very Georgetown. Make it an art gallery too.


Krysta's idea reminded me of the legendary Sit & Spin laundromat, which was also a bar, restaurant, music venue, and coffee shop. It held down a block of 4th Avenue in Belltown from 1993 to 2003 and was a key part of Seattle's grunge history.


Where do you like to go out in Georgetown?

Honestly, I come here on my day off! I don't work brunch and the chilaquiles are so good, it's worth it to come in on my day off. I also love Star Brass Works Lounge, 5813 Airport Way S. The wings are great down there.


What's something people might not know about you?

I'm pretty crafty. I get into making jewelry and fashion. My jewelry incorporates a lot of bones, but, like, make it glitter. And I'm clearly into the Lisa Frank style, and bright colors.


Do you sell your creations anywhere?

Not right now. I mainly do it for myself or make things for people I know. I've thought about putting it out there, but no, I've never sold anything.


A photo of artwork by the artist Siege hung on the wall at Smarty Pants in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. The wall is a charcoal grey color and the artwork contains many bright colors and has automotive and motorcycle themes. The art is hung above a wooden long bench.
Artwork on the Smarty Pants walls by Siege

Anything else you'd like Gazette readers to know?

Something people may not know is that we feature local artists' work on our walls at Smarty Pants. For Art Attack we'll get a few people checking it out, but I feel like maybe a lot of people don't know we have it. I mean, there's a great local artist displayed right now, you should check it out!


After our chat I took Krysta's advice, and I agree. The current selection features local painter Siege.


Thank you so much Krysta!

Want to meet more Georgetown folks?

Check out our writer Shon't's Peeps in the Neighborhood posts:


Oh, and about that post title...


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