EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Mike Barnet

EXPLORE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS TO EAT, SHOP & ADVENTURE THAT LOCALS RECOMMEND THIS SPRING & SUMMER!

Secret Summer gives you the scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks and places to explore that Kitsap community leaders & small business owners love to experience during the sunny months. Look for new Secret Summer articles on the regular around here and start planning your Summer adventures today!

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mike barnet

Bkat Video Specialist, Musician, creator

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mike Barnet is what happens when talent, passion and love for community collide into one awesome human. Mike is a proud Central Kitsap HS grad, a talented musician, videographer and community booster who has championed projects like the Roxy Theatre, Quincy Square and Music Discovery Project. In his role as Video Specialist at Bremerton Kitsap Access Television (BKAT) Mike is uniquely positioned to know the people, places and events that make Kitsap so special!

WE CAUGHT UP WITH Mike TO GET His TAKE ON WHERE HE LOVES TO GO FOR EATS, WATERING HOLES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, PLACES TO GET OUTSIDE, AND SPOTS TO TAKE FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN.

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EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!

Mike, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?

Mike’s Favorite Local meal:

‘One of my favorite spots to eat at is Juicy J’s Burgers Smoked Burgers in Poulsbo. I’m a vegan and this place is 100% planted-based and tastes incredible. I often order their bacon cheeseburger but the spicy Firehouse Burger is awesome too.’

Mike’s Favorite Local Drink:

‘When going out for drinks, I often choose Tessio in Silverdale.  I enjoy Irish and Rye whiskey and they have a large selection of both.  They also have a killer scotch selection as well.’

Mike’s Favorite Local Brand or Business:

‘I tend to do a lot of stuff at the historic Roxy Theater in downtown Bremerton. The Roxy consistently has really cool cultural events; film festivals, cult classics, concerts, and LGBTQAI+ events…it’s such a solid place to experience events and activities that touch on a lot of different communities. I also love going to the Charleston on Callow to see local bands and touring punk and hardcore acts. It’s a solid place to go!’

Mike’s favorite place to get outside:

‘All of Kitsap is beautiful and exploring the various towns and cities is a great way to spend the day. Dickerson Falls in Bremerton is a lovely way to spend time in Kitsap nature. The trail loop, including a beautiful waterfall, is just over 2 miles long. The loop takes about an hour to complete and is simple to navigate. Get outside and check it out!’

Mike’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activity:

‘If the sun is out I like to go for a walk….even just around my neighborhood. You really get to experience just how beautiful this place is…I love to walk the Clear Creek Trails in Silverdale. When I was growing up, before the trail system was created, we would play in those woods so it’s awesome to walk the trails see the work that’s been done for the benefit of the community.’

‘When it’s raining, well that’s a great excuse to hit up some of my favorite Kitsap breweries. I’m a big fan of Rainy Daze in Poulsbo, such a great little spot! I also love Silver City and if I’m out in South Kitsap Yoked Farmhouse & Brewery is awesome. A rainy day is also a great excuse to visit the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA), it’s free and the exhibits are always cool.’

Mike’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:

‘I love getting visitors out into nature…some of my go to spots are Island Lake or Wildcat Lake. And I’d take them to go see PIA the troll on Bainbridge…there’s just something about it, it’s so fun. Then we’d go to Blackbird Bakery and have jam and toast.  I had some friends from LA out and they dug taking the ferry and hanging out on Bainbridge.  If it's a clear night and the time ing is right, I would take friends to a Bremerton First Friday.’

From mike’s Camera Roll:

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