The 10 Best Bars For A Great Night Out In Seattle

Home to the headquarters of both Amazon and Microsoft, and a thriving bar and restaurant scene, Seattle is a city which leaves its visitors far from sleepless. We list the best spots for a drink in this Washington city.

1. Zig Zag Cafe

Restaurant, Cafe, Cocktails, American

This Parisian-style cafe is the place to be if you’re looking for diversity, great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Zig Zag Café is located below Pike Place Market, and is a sophisticated cocktail bar featuring a chic and sleek interior as well as a charming outdoor patio. There is a wide variety of food options to choose from here, with sandwiches, salads and flavored breads to enjoy. A great spot for a boozy brunch, this establishment adds a touch of class to any meal with top-notch cocktails too.

2. Oliver's Lounge

Bar, Pub Grub, European

Oliver’s is an upmarket European-style bar that has been serving up Puget Sound’s best craft cocktails since the 1970s (try the Paradigm Shift for potent kick). As Washington state’s first daylight bar, with floor-to-ceiling pained glass windows Oliver’s Lounge provides the perfect setting for a northwest nibble with a tipple or two. The premium martinis here are sharp and spectacular, and there are a number of absinthe varieties available if diners dare. The crab cakes with paprika-parmesan fries, and the signature sandwich made of portabello mushrooms, grilled eggplant and roasted peppers are recommended.

3. Tavern Law

Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American

The Tavern Law bar of Seattle has been named one of the best cocktail bars in America by GQ Magazine. This trendy venue combines two bars in one; the top bar being named Needle and Thread and the lower section called Tavern Law, both serving skillfully crafted cocktails and classic comfort food.

4. Canon: Whiskey And Bitters Emporium

Bar, Cocktail Bar, American

The owner of Canon: Whiskey And Bitters Emporium, Jamie Boudreau, is one of the city’s best mixologists renowned for his unique and delicious flavor combinations in drinks. If you only have one drink then try the Hotel Georgia cocktail, which consists of gin, orange blossom water and housemade syrup. There are approximately 3,500 different liquors available here, and the bar recently won an accolade for being “North America’s Most Iconic Bar”; don’t miss it.

5. Quinn's Pub

Gastropub, Pub, Irish, Beer, Pub Grub, Wine, Cocktails

This two-level pub has a warm, relaxed atmosphere, and features dark wood beams and floor-to-ceiling windows, a nice setting in which to kick back with a cocktail or beer. Quinn’s is a hotspot for artists and foodies attracted to the creative and independent spirit of the place, and looking to try a wide variety of Trappist ales as well as an impressive selection of bourbons. No wonder it’s always packed to the rafters. Try the Basil Hayden spicy bourbon, peppery in flavor, a light-bodied choice mixed with honey. Top food picks to go with your drinks here include the wild boar sloppy joe and the fish and chips.

6. The Terrace Lounge

The Terrace Lounge

Located in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, The Terrace Lounge is a sophisticated piano lounge situated in the main lobby, offering an ample selection of refreshments from exotic martinis and champagnes to fruity ports here, and cocktails of every description. Food options include savory hors d’oeuvres and popcorn shrimp. Thursday through Saturday features live piano music during cocktail hour which starts at 7.00pm.

411 University St. Seattle, WA (206) 621-1700

7. Tini Bigs Lounge

Bar, Pub Grub, American

Tini Bigs Lounge is a swanky establishment calling to mind the easy sophistication of the roaring 1920s. The place is famous for its martinis, including the Feng Shui martini, the Mexi-Tini and the Flir-Tini, all of which are epic. The interior features sleek leather couches and a polished wooden bar, and there are a number of small plates to satisfy the hunger cravings of customers, such as sautéed brussel sprouts or the bruschetta.

8. Liberty

Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, Sushi, Wine, Beer

Liberty is a classic Seattle bar through-and-through, with quaint concert posters from the ’90s, no-frills furniture and a friendly atmosphere. The primary interest here lies in concocting specifically scratch cocktails, meaning that each and every cocktail is made with fresh juice when a customer orders it, not from juiced pressed earlier in the day. The wine selection here is first-rate, and diners have their pick of American bourbons, scotch, and even whiskey from India and Japan. For those who enjoy strong drinks, Creole Cocktail and an El Diablo are a must-try.

9. The Burgundian

The Burgundian

The Burgundian in Seattle is known for its extensive brew selection. The interior here is comprised of exposed brick, an engaging and modern funiture feature. The venue boasts 22 beers on tap, a large selection of whiskey and tequila as well as one of the best chicken and waffles dishes in the city. Look out for the Bavik Petrus Aged Pale ale (7.3%), aged right in the cellar of the premises.

2253 N 56th St Seattle, WA (206) 420-8943

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