Nightlife
As you may have deduced by now, Seattle is an eclectic city that is home to preppy techies, tattooed hipsters, creative musicians, granola hippies, young families, outdoor adventurers, health nuts, urban sophisticates, and everyone in between. The nightlife scene in the city certainly reflects this; you could watch a world-class opera, catch a movie at a theater that used to be a school, dance the night away at a trendy club, watch a drag show at a gay bar, throw back a few of the Northwest’s famous craft beers at an old-fashioned pub, or hear a great band at a hole-in-the-wall club for a few bucks—you can even do several of these in the same night and neighborhood!
1. Capitol Club
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 325-2149
Address: 414 E. Pine St. (Central)
Description: The rich, warm reds of the Moroccan-inspired decor in this Capitol Hill lounge are immediately inviting. The upstairs bar is the place to be for serious drinking and socializing, and if you get there early enough for sunset, the outdoor deck provides a spectacular view. A nice mix of entertainment is offered at Capitol Club, from live flamenco or belly dancing to acoustic guitar performances and trivia nights. Thurs through Sat nights always have a DJ, and there is no cover from 10 p.m. on. The food is also good, with service until midnight.
2. Chapel
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 447-4180
Address: 1600 Melrose Ave. (Central)
Description: This intimate bar is situated in a 1920s building that was once a place for spirits of a different sort—it used to be a mortuary. Bruce Lee was laid out here before his burial in a nearby Capitol Hill cemetery. Now the space is stylish and warm, serving a full menu until 10 p.m. and a sophisticated bar menu during all open hours. The VIP balcony lounge is available for private gatherings, and various performers entertain, such as popular local DJs and hip-hop acts. The Chapel’s happy hours are cleverly named Communion and Midnight Mass.
3. Feedback Lounge
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 453-3259
Address: 6451 California Ave. SW (South)
Description: This cool, retro Alki Beach joint has been around only since 2009 but has already made a splash in West Seattle. It’s a full-service cocktail lounge with an excellent food menu and great music theme; check out the extensive collection of music memorabilia that decorates the Feedback, and don’t miss the vintage guitars on display in the Whammy Bar. The Sunndeck is a 40-foot outdoor lounge where patrons are allowed to smoke. Co-owner and bartender Matt Johnson features special Sunday Market Cocktails; each Sunday he goes to the West Seattle farmers’ market, picks two ingredients, and invents that day’s drink out of them.
4. Grey Gallery And Lounge
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 325-5209
Address: 1512 11th Ave. (Central)
Description: This fantastic Capitol Hill space features the painting, sculpture, installation, video, and performance art of local emerging artists in a unique and compelling atmosphere. Owner and artist Erik Guttridge struggled for years to get an art gallery on its feet, until he found the secret ingredient: booze. Along with the fantastic exhibited work at any given time, Grey also features lectures, theater performances, silk-screening parties, and many other events. The bar is impressively stocked and there is a nice food menu as well. Grey definitely reaches the goal that Guttridge had in mind, that of a melting pot of culture for the community.
5. Hazlewood
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 783-0478
Address: 2311 NW Market St. (North)
Description: Some of the most surprising, even outrageous alcoholic concoctions can be found at this small Ballard lounge. Case in point: the Blackbird, made with pomegranate liqueur, crème de cassis, and squid ink. Seriously. The Hazlewood may be one of the best cocktails in the city—Bushmills Irish whiskey, honey peppermint tea, and a splash of amaretto. Did I mention that it’s served with a Theo chocolate truffle and a Nat Sherman clove cigarette? Great for aromatherapy even if you don’t smoke (and the cigarettes are not allowed to be smoked inside). Downstairs is standing room only, and the upstairs loft is filled with plush sofas and a nice collection of artwork adorning the walls.
6. Juju
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 728-4053
Address: 2224 2nd Ave. (Central)
Description: This is the second incarnation of Juju, which moved from 10th Avenue in 2009. And they still don’t require a cover charge. Blown-glass flames above the bar are a wicked touch to the serious drinks served here. The music is a revolving set of live local bands and DJs, who play mostly alternative, indie, and punk sounds. Some fun spots of kitsch include the miniature koi pond and old-fashioned photo booth (even more fun after you’ve tossed back a few). The front patio area is smoker-friendly, and the garden patio out back is heated by lamps, making it accessible year-round.
7. Monkey Pub
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 523-6457
Address: 5305 Roosevelt Way NE (North)
Description: This University District spot is a revolt against trendy, hipster lounges. Monkey Pub is a bar that’s all about going back to the basics, from the jukebox with a great indie playlist to the pool and pinball tables. The scene is ultra laid-back and casual, with even the occasional live local band. Beer and simple, traditional mixed drinks are the beverages of choice here; although the bartender would certainly make an appletini, be prepared for the derisive looks. Best to stick with a vodka tonic or Bear Creek Porter.
8. Redwood
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 329-1952
Address: 514 E. Howell St. (Central)
Description: Like Monkey Pub, this is not a martini bar and the bartenders will make sure you know it. Order a beer from one of several on tap or a “real drink” made with Old Crow whiskey, then partake of the plentiful peanuts whose shells cover the floor in true dive bar fashion. Unlike Monkey Pub, plenty of skinny jeans and carefully messy beards are to be found here. Mat Brooke of indie darlings Band of Horses and currently, Grand Archives, opened Redwood in 2006, giving it definite musician cred. The place has a tongue-in-cheek kitsch lodge decor, from the spray-painted mural of a bear to the bar featuring rows of bullet casings. The jukebox is well-stocked with classic and modern rock, and the kitchen serves southern comfort food with a variety of vegetarian choices.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1416 E. Olive Way (Central)
10. Tavern Law
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 322-9734
Address: 1406 12th Ave. (Central)
Description: Tavern Law celebrates the Prohibition-era speakeasy, with its low-lighted ambience and hidden rooms. Named after the 1832 Pioneer Inn and Tavern Law that legalized drinking in Seattle saloons, this cozy Capitol Hill spot clearly enjoys the pleasure of a well-crafted cocktail. The drink menu is large; Gourmet magazine called it “encyclopedic,” and it sits on the long, curving bar awaiting your perusal. The drinks are classic, using traditional techniques such as fresh-squeezed juices and house-made syrups. The menu is full of dishes inspired by local farm ingredients.
11. Vessel
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 652-0521
Address: 1312 5th Ave. (Central)
Description: Vessel’s tagline is modern nightlife with timeless style, and that’s what they strive to deliver. Housed in the historic 1926 Skinner Building, Vessel is not dank or pitch-dark like many Seattle bars. The clean lines with white walls and subtle amber lighting provide a soothing and elegant environment in which to socialize over great cocktails. Wines are carefully chosen, and the beer list is award-winning. A specialty cocktail menu offers refreshing spins on old classics, and a small plate menu is exceptionally good—try the lamb ragu. Vessel is a classic cocktail bar, without too much attitude or hipster cred that can be so annoying.
12. W Bar
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 264-6000
Address: 1112 4th Ave. (Central)
Description: The bar at the W Hotel provides a sexy lounge scene ripped from the pages of a fashion magazine. You wouldn’t know you were in Seattle here; it could be New York or Dallas or London. Dark wood and velvet drapes create an intimate atmosphere where stylish patrons of all ages gather elegantly; you won’t see much flannel here. The W Bar is a popular place for before-dinner and after-show martinis or wine from a menu heavy with Washington and Oregon selections. A great globally inspired menu promises you won’t leave hungry.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1501 Western Ave., Suite 202 (Central)
14. Ballroom
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 634-2575
Address: 456 N. 36th St. (North)
Description: Fremont’s pool hall and lounge offers six regulation-size billiards tables, big-screen HDTVs, and an outdoor bar and fire pit. Besides the pool-playing that dominates here, DJs also spin some good music, and trivia nights are popular. A full selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks is available from three bars, and the in-house pizza oven churns out hand-tossed, New York–style 28-inch pizza pies until 1 a.m.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 1130 Broadway Ave. (Central)