Capitol Hill: Seattle's Densest Bar Scene
Capitol Hill fits more serious cocktail rooms into a few blocks than anywhere else in town. Make it your base for an evening that flows easily from one bar to the next.
Canon
Step into Jamie Boudreau's small, award-winning bar and you are surrounded by a spirits collection of more than 3,500 labels, often described as the largest in the western hemisphere. Look for the seasonal Truffle Old Fashioned, made with cognac infused with black truffles, which tends to show up around November and stay into March, though timing can change. Seats are scarce, so book ahead instead of hoping to walk in, especially on weekends. Save room, too, because the food menu is a draw of its own.
Tavern Law
Tavern Law shapes its drinks list around a rotating theme, so the menu keeps evolving. Head upstairs to Needle & Thread, a speakeasy that takes reservations and skips the printed menu, leaving you and the bartender to work out your drink together. Downstairs, settle in for hearty comfort food at a bar that is well worth your time even when the upstairs room is full.
Inside Passage
Look up at the giant tentacles hanging over the bar at this underwater-themed tiki spot on Capitol Hill. The menu blends tropical classics with fresh spins on them. Order the Four Boys, a tribute to the Filipino bartenders who helped create tiki drinks, and watch its mix of rum, mango, rice milk and ube arrive in a rice cooker crowned with a lumpia.
Liberty Bar
Bring your group to Liberty Bar for strong cocktails and something to eat, since the bar also runs a sushi menu. The list is long, and the bartenders are known for inventing drinks on request. For a taste of the creamy, adventurous style, try the Ube Therman with ube, coconut cream and lava salt.
Downtown, Belltown and Pioneer Square
These central neighborhoods are an easy pick if you are staying near the waterfront or the market. Pair several of these bars with an afternoon at nearby Seattle landmarks such as Pike Place Market.
Zig Zag Cafe
Climb the Pike Street Hillclimb behind Pike Place Market to find Zig Zag, the bar closely tied to the Last Word. Bartender Murray Stenson revived that 1920s mix of gin, chartreuse, maraschino and lime here in the early 2000s, and it spread from Seattle to bars across the country. Stenson has since moved on, but this is still the place to go when you want a properly made version.
Rob Roy
Settle onto a tufted-leather barstool among gilded picture frames at this Belltown bar devoted to timeless drinks. Rob Roy has earned a James Beard nomination for outstanding bar. If you love the classics, start with the Japanese Highball, and if you are feeling curious, try the rum-based Gunpowder Punch, made with a small amount of actual gunpowder.
Bad Bishop
Bold wallpaper, exposed brick and stacks of vinyl set a friendly mood at this Pioneer Square bar, and the cocktails are just as playful as the room. Ask for the Blind Swine, the drink people talk about, a savory blend of vodka and pepper brine finished with a chorizo-wrapped pepper.
South Lake Union, Fremont and Ballard
Head north or toward the lake and you will be rewarded with themed rooms and relaxed neighborhood favorites.
Phocific Standard Time
Sisters Yenvy and Quynh Pham run this South Lake Union bar as part of their family's group of Vietnamese restaurants, and the drinks draw on Vietnamese flavors. Sip the Trà Atiso, an artichoke tea with pandan leaf and Cynar, or the Khoa Was Here, which pairs Jameson with a shot of pho broth.
Carnelian Bay
Technically, Carnelian Bay is the heated, covered patio at Dreamland in Fremont, but once inside you are in an immersive science fiction world. The covered setup makes it a smart choice when the weather turns wet. Try the Banana Sutra, which combines chai-infused aquavit with pineapple, banana, apricot and bitters.
Percy's & Co
Relax amid easygoing Southern decor at this Ballard bar, where herb-forward cocktails come in a Prohibition-era style alongside comfort food to match. Gather here for birthdays, drinks with coworkers or a casual date. Keep an eye out for the Cilantro Gimlet, a favorite when it appears, made with cilantro-infused gin, Lillet blanc, lime and cucumber, and know that alcohol-free options are available too.
Tips for Planning Your Night
- Reserve where you can. Canon and Needle & Thread both fill up, so book before you head out.
- Group by neighborhood. Capitol Hill alone can carry an evening with Canon, Tavern Law, Inside Passage and Liberty Bar.
- Ask about seasonal drinks. Signature cocktails rotate, so check what is pouring before you set your heart on one.
- Pair it with daytime plans. Our list of things to do in Seattle can fill the hours before your first round.
Menus, hours and reservation policies change, so check each business's own website for current details before you go.
