Washington’s gorgeous waterfront community, Edmonds, houses not only cozy residential areas, but also numerous unique businesses. The city’s bar scene features establishments that capitalize on the beauty of the local scenery with outdoor patios, classic pubs and dive bars, as well as places that specialize in everything from retro arcade games to brew-your-own beers to local art showcases. If you’re looking for the best bar experiences to be had in Edmonds, check out our guide to 10 of the best.
A small locally owned establishment that takes pride in its drinks and food, ChurchKey Pub is a great place to come have a pint and unwind by the fire or catch a game on game day. There, patrons can enjoy 12 beers on tap that are constantly rotated, as well as a fine selection of whiskeys and craft cocktails, in addition to great pub fare and small plates, steel tip dart boards, and a cozy fireplace. The pub is conveniently located in the heart of Edmonds, just a short walk away from the waterfront and ferry terminal. Thus, the crowd in the bar often consists of passengers waiting for the ferry in addition to locals enjoying a low key night out on the town. The bar has some large seating areas for big groups, and the interior design is simple and cozy, providing a relaxed casual atmosphere.
A small, friendly bar decorated with a 1920s vintage theme, Daphne’s Bar is known for its delicious and well-crafted drinks made from only mid-shelf and up liquors. Right next door to the theater, Daphne’s draws in people from everywhere thanks to its welcoming bartenders, cozy atmosphere, and cheerful regulars. Both bartenders, Chris and Desmond, are really great and know how to make fantastic cocktails. Patrons are especially fond of the gregarious and entertaining Desmond, who always has funny stories to tell, loves to recommend the perfect drinks, and seems to know everyone who walks in the door. Though the bar can only seat about 20 people, everyone knows that the intimate quarters make it a great place to hang out and make new friends, with a constant crowd of people joking and laughing.
Since December of 1995, Gallaghers’ Where-U-Brew has created an environment that is lighthearted and easygoing, making the brewing adventure a fun, positive, uplifting and rewarding experience in the pursuit of fabulous beer and extraordinary fine wine that you brew yourself. The Gallaghers’ Brew Crew and Mug clubbers regularly experiment with beer recipes in order to offer guests fresh new flavors and styles in addition to over 50 regular recipes. Visitors always find new and interesting beers to brew and try in the Tasting Room, with six fresh brews on tap listed every Friday and posted on Facebook. The beers at Gallaghers’ are generally full body beers bursting with flavor and bright color. They have step-by-step brewing guides as well as in-house professional brewmasters to make sure that the brewing experience is successful, and you can return two weeks later to bottle up your own brew.
A specialty beer retailer located on the Edmonds waterfront, Brigid’s Bottleshop has 18 taps with 16 beers and two ciders, as well as wine by the glass for guests to sit down and enjoy. There, visitors can grab a growler to go or a pint to sip while browsing the selection of hundreds of bottled beers or checking out the featured artwork on the walls. The bar has a great atmosphere with both traditional bar seating and a laid back couch with board games, in addition to plenty of space out on the deck to relax when the weather is nice and view the sunset. Service is always excellent, and Jack, the owner, is very knowledgeable about beer, making sure that everyone has a drink they will like. For almost all of his life, Jack was a beer drinking artist and retail worker, and the realization that he could create a fusion of all three that everyone could enjoy prompted the establishment of Brigid’s in 2015. Every month, the bar showcases new great local talent and dynamic works of art alongside its amazing selection of beers.
For years, Another Castle has been a popular spot in Edmonds for buying, selling, and trading video games, systems, and accessories, but in 2014, Another Castle Arcade opened, offering its loyal customers a full fledged retro arcade and bar, as well as later hours. It specializes in retro and new arcades and pinballs, also carrying a wide selection of classic Japanese treats for snacks, in addition to over 30 bottles and cans of beers to choose from. The owners are passionate about the history of video gaming and are actively involved in the video gaming community, carrying new releases in addition to used games, with a focus on classic systems, and regularly hosting tournaments and events to bring fellow gamers together. People of all ages love to come and hang out on weekend nights, and the older crowd are huge fans of the selection of beers to drink while playing pinball and other games. Whether you’re hanging out with friends or family, Another Castle Arcade is a crowd pleaser.
Within walking distance of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry terminal and Puget Sound Mariner and Olympic beaches, Rory’s of Edmonds Bar and Grill offers a warm, welcoming, casual dining experience and has been a local favorite for many years. The menu features Rory’s locally famous baby back ribs, half-pound burgers, fish and chips, pub-style sandwiches, soup, and a selection of fresh salads. Rory’s also offers a full service bar that includes 25 draft beers, and on Sundays, the bar offers half-price on all glass and bottled wine from open to close. Patrons love to sit out on the patio near the waterfront when the weather is nice, and when it’s cold, guests can pull up a seat by the round community table with a fire pit inside. The space is small, the music is loud, and the crowds even louder, making the bar a fun hangout spot and great location for watching Seahawks games.
Occupying two floors and a unique heated covered courtyard that opens year round, The Loft Cafe + Courtyard serves Northwest cuisine with a Mediterranean influence alongside wine, beer, and unique and classic cocktails. It has an extensive happy hour menu featuring delicious bites and exceptional drinks, as well as live music on Saturdays. In addition, every Tuesday features half price bottles of wine all night. Visitors fall in love with the large open space of the patio surrounded by beautiful natural bamboo, a wall of sparkling trees, and ambient lighting. For a more private and intimate experience, the restaurant’s quaint upstairs loft is a perfect hidden area for a romantic and quiet date.
Established in 1910, Harvey’s Lounge specializes in fast, friendly, courteous, professional service and has a huge variety and selection of pull-tabs to choose from with great prizes. Serving up fantastic cheap drinks in a friendly, fun atmosphere, the bar also has many televisions throughout in preparation for game days. Welcoming both locals and out-of-towners, Harvey’s is home to many friendly bartenders who are happy to share upcoming events and specials, as well as chat about the history of the business. Though the building is quite old, it has been well maintained, and it has pool tables, shuffleboard, a pinball game, a jukebox, and of course lots and lots of pull-tabs. They also have a great outdoor patio perfect for enjoying beautiful Seattle summers.
Filled with tons of Hawaiian-themed decor, in addition to Seahawks, Mariner, UW and other university flags, plus tons of TVs perfect for watching sports, A Very Taki Tiki Bar & Grill is a favorite local hangout among tiki bar fans, sports fans, families, and folks who love a great deal. Patrons herald the happy hour food and prices as some of the best in the area, with favorites like the teriyaki wings, street tacos, pepper burgers with bacon, and the garlic, butter, and wine steamed clams. Many love the fact that not only does the bar have a great selection of beer and cocktails, but it also has a fantastic kid-friendly outdoor patio. Overall, it’s a fun place to relax with family or friends while enjoying the exceptional service and watching a game.
Created by an avid sports fan and gamer, MVP’s was established in 2013 with the goal of combining the interests of sports and video gaming into the next generation of sports bar. With plenty of TVs, sports, fights, races, and events, in addition to private TVs and XBOX 360 gaming at every table, guests never have a dull moment. The kitchen keeps things fresh with unique specialties like beer battered bacon and world famous half-pound hamburgers. All of the meals also come with bottomless fries so nobody ever leaves hungry. Patrons also love the great prices on beer, dart boards, beer pong tournaments, juke box, trivia and karaoke nights. If you love gaming and watching sports while drinking great beers and eating fantastic food, you won’t want to miss MVP’s.
