nightlife

top picks

BEST BAR

Needle and Thread

A 1920s-themed speakeasy with bartenders in costume. Enter by picking up the payphone in the bar below!

BEST AMBIENCE

Needle and Thread

The 1920s decor, intimate lighting, and excellent service make this place a winner in ambience as well

BEST HANGOUT

Capitol Cider

Always something going on here - go for trivia, live drawing nights, live bands, or just explore some new ciders

speakeasies

Knee High Stocking Company (Capitol Hill)

Sit at the bar if you can, bartenders are so skilled and fun to watch. Text ahead to make reservations

Needle and Thread (Capitol Hill)

Speakeasy within Tavern Law. 1920s decor with waiters in costume. Call head for reservations and enter by picking up the payphone in the bar below

Bathtub Gin (Belltown)

Tiny speakeasy located in a back alley. Darkly lit and intimate, excellent cocktails

bars

Still Liquor (Capitol Hill)

Quieter, hidden bar. A couple tables, good for bigger groups looking for a chill night

Unicorn (Capitol Cider)

Macklemore filmed his music video here. Quirky bar with interesting drinks, arcade games on bottom level

Linda's (Capitol Hill)

Fun, casual, divey. Check out the back outdoor patio and claim a spot near the heater

Pine Box (Capitol Hill)

A converted funeral home, you can still see the pews and hearse entrance. Huge beer selection

Rumba (Capitol Hill)

200+ rums, small, dark, loud

Capitol Cider (Capitol Hill)

Head to lower level for dozens of ciders (rhubarb, pear, peach!) and boardgames!

Barca (Capitol Hill)

The most lounge-y bar in Cap Hill. Dark, loud, crowded, and a fun stop for a Cap Hill bar crawl

Hopvine Pub (Capitol Hill)

Hosts one of the longest running open-mic nights Wednesdays at 8:30 (and where I performed in my first one!) Great crowd, excellent performers

Canon (Central District)

The largest spirits collection on the Western Hemisphere, renowned worldwide

Hideout (First Hill)

Good for sitting and talking with friends. Lots of (creepy) conversation-starting paintings on the wall

Zig Zag (Downtown)

Near Pike Place market, hip and quirky, and known to make a mean old fashioned

Clever Bottle (Belltown)

Cozy, relaxed vibe, very wooden/rustic inside. Love this place

Dueling Piano Bar (Pioneer Square)

Two piano players duke it out to audience requests all night

dance clubs

Century Ballroom (Capitol Hill)

Huge lindy hop and salsa scene

Foundation (Belltown)

EDM lovers unite here

Aston Manor (Industrial District)

Top 40 + EDM. High energy and fun crowd

Trinity (Pioneer Square)

Different rooms with different music (Top 40, EDM)

Havana (Capitol Hill)

Sketchy from outside (entrance is behind deserted building) but always busy inside. Thursdays are Soul Night!