Bartender Harry Eng gives last call

Over the course of nearly 50 years as bartender at the Moon Temple Restaurant in Wallingford, Harry Eng figures he has heard thousands of stories and mixed drinks for three generations of families. He's given advice, stopped fights and given rides home to plenty of folks.

His regulars think he may very well have been the longest-serving barkeep in the city.

But Saturday night Eng, 72, poured his last rounds. Officially retired since the summer, Eng put in a one-night return engagement, but now he says he's calling it quits.

"I've been coming here for 38 years, and Harry is the best part of that," said customer Dave Rainsberger. "It is the noblest thing in the world for a bartender to be able to look at your face and get you a drink before you say a word."

In his white shirt and black pants, Eng was a fixture at the lounge on North 45th Street, in one of the first Chinese restaurants in North Seattle, since he started waiting tables in 1958. He became the bartender two years later and was behind the counter six days a week year-round ever since.

Longtime customer Mary Faith Hayashi, of Mountlake Terrace, said she was charmed the first time she came in years ago.

"His heart is indescribably wonderful," she said. "He's open and accepting, and he expects the best of people. That's why people come in here. That's why people love him."

So strong were the ties between Eng and many of his customers that a bunch of them formed the Harry and Friends Association, just as an excuse to meet when the sun was out, to talk, eat and maybe do a good deed or two.

"He's an absolutely great man," said another customer, Robyn Scott. "He's legendary."

Eng, who lives on Beacon Hill with his wife, said he had been looking forward to a retirement full of travel, gardening and long walks.

But he said he is finding it harder than he expected to live without the customers he got to know so well.

"The Moon Temple was home," he said. "I was working here so long, it was just like sitting at home. The customers were my friends, like having a party at home. I very much miss them, too."

And Saturday night, as he filled in behind the bar, he was besieged with pleas to return.

"They were so surprised to see me. They were so happy," he said. "They say, 'Why don't you come back? We miss you.' "

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com