Best bars in Seattle

14 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Wild Rose on Capitol Hill is recommended by many people, mostly as a lesbian bar and a place to dance. Several commenters praise the dancing, and a couple suggest the karaoke night, one saying it feels like a private karaoke party rather than an open mic. Several commenters treat it as a Seattle institution for lesbians, one calling it legendary. Not everyone is as keen: one commenter says they have never felt comfortable there, though they are not telling others to avoid it, and another still values it but has tired of the music and the weekend crowd.

Capitol Hill

12 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Stampede Cocktail Club in Fremont is recommended by many people, most often for its non-alcoholic menu: several commenters say it has a good selection of mocktails. One commenter says it works well for cocktails and as a first stop on a night out, and another calls it their favorite bar in the city, especially for anime and video game fans.

Fremont

11 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Seattle

Zig Zag Cafe is a cocktail bar beside Pike Place Market that many people recommend. Several commenters praise the cocktails, and a few put it among their top three picks. One commenter says the cocktail menu was recently reworked with fresh options, and another mentions its wide range of non-alcoholic spirits and wines. One commenter calls it an expensive place for a cocktail.

Pike Place Market

10 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Commenters are warm about this Fremont wine and plant bar. Some praise its hidden backyard garden, and a couple call it a hidden spot. One commenter loved a whiskey-aged canned beer, another praised the orange wine and hosted a private party there, and one enjoyed a concert. One commenter notes the drinks come in cups as well as glassware, which did not spoil the visit.

Fremont

10 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Life on Mars is recommended by many people. Several commenters praise the mocktails, and one says the non-alcoholic cocktails are as inventive as the alcoholic ones. One commenter praises the vibe, and some mention the vegan or vegetarian-friendly menu.

9 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/SeattleWA

The Sloop is an old Ballard tavern that many people recommend. Some commenters mention its oversized Rainier pours, and two suggest it as a place to sit and read with a drink. One calls it unpretentious, and another describes it as the last remaining working-class bar in the neighborhood. One commenter suggests it but notes it has only two pool tables.

Ballard

8 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

The Pony is a Capitol Hill bar that many people suggest. One commenter recommends it for a glittering night with a more modern feel and another for something offbeat, while one simply names it as a good bar on the hill.

Capitol Hill

8 people recommendvia r/SeattleWA, r/Seattle

Streamline Tavern in Lower Queen Anne is recommended by many people, and some commenters call it a dive. One commenter calls it the best bar in Seattle for going alone and sitting at the bar. Another suggests going when it opens on a weekday, and one says its Taco Thursday may be the best weeknight activity in town.

Queen Anne

7 people recommendvia r/SeattleWA, r/AskSeattle, r/Seattle

The Blue Moon Tavern is a University District landmark that many people recommend. One commenter points to it for dive-style live music, another calls it an experience worth having once, and one says it is their comfort place. One commenter who studied nearby says they loved it throughout their university years. The crowd divides opinion: one commenter finds it snobby and unfriendly though still worth seeing, and another says it will be lively but the crowd may not suit everyone.

University District

7 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Rob Roy is a Belltown cocktail bar that many people recommend. One commenter picks it for specialty cocktails, and another says it has a good non-alcoholic drink list year-round. Two commenters say they like it, and a few bring up its Christmas pop-up: one describes kitschy holiday glasses, a special cocktail menu and heavy decor, another suggests going during the holidays, and another urges people to try its holiday party.

Belltown

7 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/SeattleWA

Hattie's Hat is a bar on Ballard Ave that commenters recommend. A couple describe it as an old Ballard or old-school Seattle spot. One commenter lists it as a bar with a not-too-busy stool and decent food, and one says it always runs fun events. One commenter notes that Ballard Ave fills up toward the weekend and parking can be tough.

Ballard

6 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle, r/SeattleWA

The Cuff is a Capitol Hill gay bar known for its late dance floor. Several commenters name it as a place to dance, and one says it is the place to go after 10:30pm. One commenter suggests it for drinks after dinner, and another says plenty of lesbians go there too. One commenter describes a hot, crowded basement dance floor.

Capitol Hill

6 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Canon is a cocktail bar that several people recommend. One commenter names it their top pick and another puts it among their three favorites, and two suggest it to anyone who likes cocktails. Views on cost differ: one commenter says it is expensive but worth it, while another found it nice but felt the pricing did not match the quality. On visiting, one commenter says it takes no reservations but a weeknight walk-in should work, while another advises making a reservation.

Capitol Hill

6 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Commenters recommend Bait Shop on the north end of Broadway. One likes its overall vibe, another says it is the place to go for value, and two praise the fries.

North End of Broadway

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Commenters recommend Shorty's, a Belltown bar. One suggests it for a livelier, rowdier night out, one points to the pinball, and another to its party back room. One commenter had a fun night there recently with good vibes. One commenter misses the earlier version of the bar.

Belltown

6 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Seattle

Queen Anne Beer Hall is suggested by several commenters as a place to watch Seahawks games, and one calls it genuinely worth going to. Two commenters praise the food, one the pretzels and another the mac and cheese. One commenter expects it to be among the most crowded options on game day, so it may suit people less if they want to avoid a wait.

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Several commenters recommend Otter on the Rocks, a West Seattle bar. One calls it amazing, another fantastic, and one enthusiastically suggests it. Two mention its non-alcoholic cocktails: one says they are good, and another finds them tasty but pricey.

West Seattle

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Several commenters recommend Linda's, a Capitol Hill tavern. Two point to its happy hour, one suggests it for late nights, and one recalls going there often after work. Another simply recommends it.

Capitol Hill

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Several commenters recommend Rochambeau, a Lower Queen Anne bar. One calls it awesome, another praises its cocktails and food, and a couple see it as a fancier night out; one calls it a fun, fancy spot that will make custom mocktails on request.

Queen Anne

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

The George & Dragon is a Fremont pub that five commenters recommend, three of them as a gathering spot for Brits: one invites people to a Brit New Year's, another points to Boxing Day, and a third says it suits someone with a British background. Two others pick it for soccer: one enjoyed early-morning matches there, and another says it draws international fans for big matches and has large outdoor seating.

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Several commenters recommend Cha Cha Lounge on Capitol Hill. One calls it very fun for its kitschy decor and photo booth, and one used to love its hidden basement feel but has not been in years. Another suggests it for a loud, dancey night out, and one simply calls it great.

Capitol Hill

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Several commenters include Queer Bar among their Capitol Hill picks. One suggests it for something a little offbeat and another enthusiastically names it as a top suggestion, while the rest simply list it.

Capitol Hill

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle

The Westy is a sports bar in Roosevelt, recommended by five commenters. One calls it their favorite bar mainly for the food, naming a chicken sandwich and fried green tomatoes, and another says its happy hour menu is great. One says they have watched many big Seahawks and Mariners playoff games there and that chants get going, and another calls it a great spot.

65th St Ne

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Liberty is recommended by several commenters. Some single out the non-alcoholic drinks, one calling the mocktails delicious and another saying the virgin cocktails are good.

Capitol Hill

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Rumba is a larger cocktail bar that houses the smaller Inside Passage, and a few commenters name both. One commenter ranks its cocktails among the best in the city and lists an old fashioned, a frozen pina colada and painkillers as favorites. One says its non-alcoholic cocktails are good, and another calls the place solid, with good food. One commenter says both rooms have great menus and that the small Inside Passage room is easier to get into with a reservation.

Capitol Hill

5 people recommendvia r/Seattle

Macleod's is recommended by five commenters as a place to sit and read with a drink in Ballard. Two point to the upstairs loft or area as a good spot for reading, and one says it can feel almost like an old library when it is not busy. One says it gets busy at night and on weekends but is still a great spot.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Seattle

Joe's Bar & Grill in the Chinatown-International District, across from the light rail station, is recommended by five commenters. One suggests it for a genuinely local feel, and one likes the cheap drinks and food and warns you will likely be pulled into conversation with strangers. Two others simply say they love it or that it is the best. It is rough-edged: one commenter would only recommend it to someone wanting a very rough dive, meant fondly, and another says it is a poor place to meet dating prospects.

Chinatown International District

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/SeattleWA, r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Several commenters recommend The Cozy Nut, a Greenwood bar. One describes it as cute with a cozy feel that is typically calm, and another calls it the best of Greenwood's bars. One lists it among Greenwood's dive bars, while one calls it bougie and not a real dive.

Greenwood

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/Seattle, r/SeattleWA

Kate's Pub is recommended by five commenters. Two say the happy hour is good, one calls it a gem with a good burger, and another says it is cozy with good food. One likes it as a relaxed hangout without a very young crowd. One commenter calls it lame.

Across I 5 From The Ave

5 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/Seattle, r/AskSeattle

Buckley's is a sports bar with Belltown and Queen Anne locations, and the recommendations cover both, and this entry is the Queen Anne location, which one commenter says has a bit more neighborhood charm. Two commenters suggest it for watching games, and a couple say the food is solid or filling. Two commenters call it overpriced.

Queen Anne