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The Best Places to Grab a Drink in Seattle

A photo of Red logo
by Alana Al-Hatlani
Updated June 16, 2022
Like the dazzling Emerald City itself, Seattle’s bar scene is a lot of things at once: it is a craft beer haven, teems with celebrated grunge dives, and boasts wine lists featuring the best of Washington’s locally produced bottles. No matter your drink of choice, there is a speakeasy, wine bar, or brewery for whatever strikes your fancy. Find your next drink at one of these innovative bars focused on craft, quality, and, of course, good times.
A photo of Deep Dive restaurant
4.8
4.8 (326)
$31 to $50
Cocktail Bar
Lake Union / Eastlake
About the restaurant

This nautical speakeasy from James Beard Award-winning chef Renee Erickson is hidden under the spherical Amazon headquarters. Inside, you’ll find an underwater grotto decorated with maritime antiques serving botanical cocktails inspired by the renowned Spheres, which house a variety of plants. The food menu offers sea-centric bites, from caviar to Spanish anchovies, but its star is the overhauled Seattle dog—a hot dog with cream cheese. The bar has a sophisticated feel, with a swankier dress code than what’s typically seen in casual Seattle—but that only adds to the sublime getaway feels.


Top review
SeanVIP
Dined on Dec 14, 2024
Drinks were great, atmosphere fantastic , service a little dry
A photo of Whiskey by John Howie restaurant
4.8
4.8 (123)
$31 to $50
Cocktail Bar
Bellevue
About the restaurant

Set next to his eponymous steak house, this destination by storied Seattle chef John Howie is devoted to all things whiskey. Whether you’re looking to learn about the liquor or you’re a connoisseur on a quest for international and rare types, this bar boasts a prolific collection, thoughtfully selected by in-house curator Tim Lodahl. Dark wood finishes and leather booths lend an intimate feel. Pair your whiskey with hearty, meat-forward dishes such as wagyu steak nachos and flatbreads stacked with brisket.


Top review
Angela
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
We are usally very pleased. Last night however my food took do long to come that my table guests had already finished their meals before mine arrived. We were comped a couple of drinks for the trouble. But this is just something that should be asdressed as its not the first time its happened to us. Otherwise the food was wonderful as always.
A photo of Kro Bar restaurant
4.9
4.9 (607)
$31 to $50
Dining Bar
Bothell
About the restaurant

Classic cocktails fill the extensive menu at this under-the-radar spot just north of Seattle. House specialities, such as the Curtain Call, a drink made with a popcorn-washed bourbon, are mixed into the menu. The atmosphere at Kro Bar is intimate and stylish, with plenty of hat tips to its past life as a hardware store: there are 16-foot tin ceilings and carefully restored original wood floors. Fortunately, the vibe remains unpretentious—despite chef Dan Yule’s impressive pedigree, which includes stints at Canlis and Crush.


Top review
Tiffany
Dined 1 day ago
Krobar feels like a speak easy in NY. Great service. Great drinks. Great atmosphere.
A photo of Ben Paris restaurant
4.3
4.3 (1157)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Located in The State Hotel downtown, this bar and restaurant offers playful but expertly crafted cocktails. Named for a historic Seattle entrepreneur, it’s a spot known for drinks such as the Seattle sour, made with apples, and a pine-infused old-fashioned. Swing by during happy hour for a chef’s tasting menu, featuring inventive Pacific Northwestern plates fueled with bounty from the Pike Place Market—at $50 per person with beverage pairings, it’s an irresistible deal.


Top review
Perry
Dined 1 day ago
Our cocktails were delicious, our dinner was great and the service was excellent.
A photo of Purple Cafe and Wine Bar - Seattle restaurant
4.6
4.6 (5397)
$31 to $50
American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Purple is an oenophile’s dream. The wine menu reads like a novel, each page offering local favorites and rare vintages; many bottles are on prominent display inside the spiral wine tower in the center of the dining room. The bar bends around it, creating the ideal setting for a post-work happy hour or a drop-in after a downtown shopping trip. Choose from a menu of comfort food classics, from burgers to truffle mac n’ cheese, which get the gourmet treatment—and taste even better with the perfect glass of wine to go with.


Top review
JackiVIP
Dined today
Lovely dinner - fantastic food and fantastic service!
A photo of Single Shot restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1302)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

This overlooked gem in residential Capitol Hill is both a stellar kitchen and saloon. Expect detail-oriented cocktails accompanied by chef Aleksander Kubicki’s delicious menu of seasonally rotating fare. The marble bar is the perfect perch for a nightcap, where seasoned bartenders—many are transplants from the city’s other great bars—churn out reimagined classics, such as the Summit Avenue Sour, an irresistible blend of bourbon, chartreuse-maple, lemon, and bitters.


Top review
Todd
Dined 1 day ago
Everything was fabulous as always. The owner Rory is wonderful. We’ve been going on a regular basis for about ten years👍
A photo of Artusi (21 and over) restaurant
4.6
4.6 (78)
$31 to $50
Italian
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

As the sibling to the acclaimed restaurant Spinasse, this aperitivo bar brings a sliver of Italian drinking culture to the heart of Capitol Hill. From Aperol spritzes to negronis, excellently curated wine lists, and even Italian beer, there is something for everyone— even the hungry. Food consists of antipasti and small bites, but a few of the famous pastas—half portions are available, too—from next door can be ordered.


Top review
Robert
Dined on Dec 15, 2024
Incredible food and drinks in a casual atmosphere. What a great find.
A photo of McMenamins Elks Temple restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1759)
$30 and under
American
Tacoma
About the restaurant

Elks Temple, the newest addition to the McMenamins family, calls itself a pub, but its dazzling stained glass windows and chandeliers hint at a grander existence. Housed in a historic Renaissance Revival building dating back to 1916, the bar features large windows with expansive views of Commencement Bay. The crowd-pleasing spot, with a killer brunch, is also a late-night hangout, courtesy of its gourmet burgers and house craft brews. The multi-level venue also hosts a variety of events in its Spanish Ballroom, from live music to comedy.


Top review
Sherrill
Dined 5 days ago
Nice experience and not busy during the weekday. The drink was well done.
A photo of Herb & Bitter Public House restaurant
4.5
4.5 (371)
$30 and under
Gastro Pub
Capitol Hill / First Hill
About the restaurant

This quaint spot, on the north end of Capitol Hill, has cranked out some of the best cocktails in town for years. The comprehensive spirits program is centered around Italian amari and is enhanced by a Mediterranean-influenced menu, with both smaller snacks and entrees, such as the baked lamb ribs and fried gnocchi. Enjoy it all in a conservatory, featuring a retractable glass roof, occupying a 1,000-square-foot patio lined with string lights.


Top review
Selims
Dined on Dec 1, 2024
Excellent food, great drinks. They have seasonal menus. I had the pumpkin puree gnocchi it was excellent. I had a manhattan (perfection) and a whiskey drink Nick recommended, which was also great. Strongly recommended!
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