Best Bars in Seattle – Beer, Wine, Cocktails & More

Currently, Seattle is one of the fastest-growing cities in America.  With companies like Amazon and Mircosoft bringing new jobs to the city every day, it’s no surprise why.  With that being said, there is certainly no shortage of places enjoy a cocktail, beer, glass of wine, or even a coffee.  As someone who spent two years living and working in Seattle, these are my favorite cocktail bars, breweries, wine bars, and coffee shops in the city.

 

If you’re visiting Seattle, don’t miss my favorite foodie spots…

• The Ultimate Guide to the Seattle Food Scene
• The Best Dessert Spots in Seattle

 

Best Breweries in Seattle

 

Fremont Brewing

Location:  Fremont

A busy, family-owned brewery, located near Gas Works Park, Fremont Brewing is one of the best places to drink in Seattle.  Here you’ll come across outdoor picnic tables line the sidewalks, adult games, kid games, and even inside seating for rainy days.  There’s always a crowd at Fremont and once you taste the beer and experience the atmosphere, you’ll see why.

 

Perihelion

Location:  Beacon Hill

In one of the most underrated neighborhoods in Seattle, Perihelion Brewery is located right next to the Link Light Rail (the Seattle train) and is a go-to spot to get out of the city to enjoy a flight of beer.  Good beer elevated bar food, and a fun indoor/outdoor atmosphere makes Perihelion one of my favorites in Seattle.  The outdoor patio has fire pits to sit around, or if you’re during the summer you can sit outside amongst the blooming sunflowers.

 

Stoup Brewing

Location:  Ballard

Ballard is one of the most fun neighborhoods to visit if you’re looking to explore the Seattle beer scene.  Here you’ll find 11 craft breweries within a one-mile radius, with Stoup being one of the best.  It’s set in a two-story, intimate space with garage doors opening out to the beer garden.  Allowing both dogs and kids, Stoup has entertainment for everyone.  Go early to get a spot near the fireplace and cozy up with a beer in hand.

 

Optimism Brewing Company

Location:  Capitol Hill

One of the most fun bars in Seattle, Optimism Brewing is set in an industrial-like setting and is perfect if you’re looking to have a laid-back night of games and beer or if you’re looking to entertain a large party.  With the ability to reserve tables in advance, Optimism often hosts large parties.  There are also food trucks in the courtyard and the option to bring your own food in.

 

Best Wine Bars in Seattle

 

Bottlehouse

Location:  Madrona

By far, one of the top bars in Seattle, Bottlehouse is in a house-like setting offering hundreds of different bottles of wines to drink and take home.  Bottlehouse also serves microbrews and different types of scrumptious small plates such as toasts and salads.  All while having created an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere that makes you want to cozy up and never leave.  Bottlehouse does not take reservations, but the wait is by far worth it.

 

Fable All Day

Location:  Beacon Hill

A quieter and intimate wine bar, Fable All Day is a hidden gem in the Beacon Hill neighborhood.  I enjoy this wine bar for drinks before dinner or for a casual night out.  Recently, Fable All Day has started to serve food throughout the day and now falls more into the “cafe” category versus strictly wine.

 

Best Cocktail Bars in Seattle

 

Bar Vacilando

Location:  Capitol Hill

Bar Vacilando has created a unique space of greenery and modern decor in an open and airy room.  While they have an expansive menu of food to eat, I think Bar Vacilando is best enjoyed by going late at night and ordering a specialty cocktail accompanied by a small plate of food.

 

Belmont

Location:  Capitol Hill

At the Belmont, you’re transported to a different time and place with their funky decor emulating London’s eccentric bar scenes.  Oriental rugs, leather sofas, and palm trees usher you in.  It’s one of the coolest bars in Seattle if you’re looking for an escape away from the city, while never leaving the city.  Aside from cocktails, Belmont also has an extensive wine list of wines from around the world.

 

Canon

Location:  Capitol Hill

Canon is an upscale cocktail bar serving specialty cocktails accompanied by small bites and entrees. While Canon is pricey, it’s a unique, one-of-a-kind bar, which makes the price well worth it.  Here you’ll be impressed by the way that drinks are concocted and served.  Whether it comes in a bathtub or on an IV pole it’s always good.

 

Corvus and Company

Location:  Capitol Hill

A hip and trendy cocktail bar in the heart of Capitol Hill, visiting Corvus and Company is a fun way to spend a Friday night.  Cozy up to the bar and watch master bartenders create unique craft cocktails right in front of you.  And while you’re at it, don’t miss a chance to order the fries.  Some of the very best in Seattle!

 

Inside Passage

Location:  Capitol Hill

Inside Passage is a hidden  rum bar in the restaurant Rumba.  Here you can choose from over 700+ rums and fun tiki drinks.  To know, it can sometimes be difficult to get into Inside Passage, but it’s still worth grabbing a drink from Rumba.  (I don’t recommend the food at either Rumba or Inside Passage).

 

Liberty

Location:  Capitol Hill

With an expansive cocktail list, Liberty is a small bar with table seating and plush couches to dive into after a long day of work.  Different than most cocktail bars, Liberty serves a limited menu of sushi to go with specialty drinks and wine.

 

mbar

Location:  South Lake Union

One of the best rooftop bars in Seattle, Mbar offers sweeping views over downtown Seattle, the Olympic Moutain Range, Queen Anne Hill, North Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union.  It has a fun flair of modern trinkets and decor lining the inside, while their outdoor patio stretches big enough to fit a large number of people.  With both a bar indoor and outdoor it’s the perfect location when it’s clear out to see all that Seattle has to offer from above.

 

Percy’s & Co.

Location:  Ballard

Not only do I like Percy’s for their lively bar and extensive cocktail menu, but Percy’s feels like a bit of an enigma in the grungy neighborhood of Ballard.  A little bit more upscale, Percy’s draws an older, fun crowd.  It’s the perfect place to go if you’re interested in staying out late at night.  I also like to get pre-dinner cocktails at Percy’s when I’m waiting for a table to open up at a popular restaurant around Ballard.

 

Rob Roy

Location:  Belltown

This cocktail bar is especially popular at Christmas time (and the time that I would recommend visiting).  Rob Roy decorates for Christmas and serves Christmas cocktails in fancy Christmas mugs.  It’s small and popular so make sure to arrive at opening time or expect to wait in line around the holidays.

 

Stampede Cocktail Club

Location:  Fremont

I wouldn’t necessarily say that Fremont is known for its thriving bar scene, but there are a few cocktail bars in the area that are rising in popularity.  Stampede Cocktail Club is one of the most unique and innovative cocktail bars in Seattle.  With an ever-changing menu, this small bar is always enticing people to come back with their new cocktail ideas and friendly waitstaff.

 

Tavern Law

Location:  Capitol Hill

Another unique cocktail bar in Seattle, Tavern Law serves high-end specialty cocktails with a speakeasy-like vibe.  It’s one of those places where you tell the bartender what you like and they craft something unique to you.  And tucked away upstairs is a true speakeasy, Needle and Thread, which is available by reservation only.

 

The Edgewater Hotel

Location:  Downtown

The four-star hotel famously known for the picture of the Beatles fishing outside of a window, The Edgewater is Seattle’s only waterfront hotel.  Complete with a fun and upscale bar, you don’t have to have a room at the hotel to visit.  Order a cocktail at the bar and head to the patio for views overlooking Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.

 

The Nest Rooftop Bar

Location:  Downtown

One of the best and most lively rooftop bars in Seattle, The Nest is located on the top of the Thompson Hotel.  The drinks are expensive and the bar gets crowded, oftentimes making long wait times to get a drink in hand.  Know that this is a place to go to enjoy the views over Elliott Bay and especially to watch the sunset.  Otherwise, make it a priority to visit The Nest during off-hours when there will be fewer people around.

 

Best Coffee Shops in Seattle

 

Anchorhead Coffee

Location:  Throughout Seattle

There are several Anchorhead Coffee shops throughout the city, each with a modern interior and a warm and inviting atmosphere.  Not only is the coffee great, but I also enjoy the pastries at Anchorhead.

 

Evoke Cafe Bar

Location:  South Lake Union

In a bare minimalistic and modern setting, Evoke is an Instagram dream.  It’s also a great spot to stop in if you’re craving pastries or because of its proximity to the lake if you’re heading to hang out around South Lake Union.

 

Storyville Coffee Pike Place

Location:  Pike Place Market

This charming coffee house overlooks the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market.  Grab a window seat that looks over the bay or cozy up by the fireplace.  Storyville is my go-to coffee shop if I need to sit down for a while and get some work done versus grabbing a cup of coffee to go.

 

Washington Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Washington

 

I firmly believe that these are the best bars and coffee shops in Seattle and I hope that you get to explore one or two!  Let me know if you have any questions about visiting Seattle or any bars that I should add to my list for the next time that I visit!

 

If you’re visiting Seattle, don’t miss…

• 10 Unique Things to Do in Seattle
• How to Have a Perfect Weekend Trip to Seattle
• The Ultimate Guide to Seattle
• Best Tours in Seattle – Top Experiences for Exploring the Emerald City

 

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