Drinking Made Easy to Shoot in Seattle
The boozy travel show comes to town in August. Where should it go?
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Jul 25, 2011 at 01:22PM
29 Comments
I was impressed the first time I happened upon Drinking Made Easy, the alcohol-fueled travelogue that currently airs on HDNet. I expected it to be a show about dudes in backwards baseball caps, the kind who never outgrew their fraternity days, traveling around from city to city getting wasted on stupid drinks.
There is some of that—inveterate cable TV host Zane Lamprey is definitely in possession of the dude vibe, albeit in a sweet way—but what is remarkable about the show is the borderline-nerdy sense of curiosity with which it approaches cocktail-making, brewing, distilling, and so forth. Drinking Made Easy and Three Sheets, its international counterpart, have some truly legit moments in between the chugging and the French fry-eating contests and the general stumbling about. (I don’t have a problem with such activities, some might even say I have a proclivity for them. But I don’t love watching strangers engage in them on TV. Unless we’re talking Jersey Shore. But that’s a totally different thing. Apples and oranges.)
Anyway, it will be interesting to see what happens when Lamprey and crew come to Seattle in August to shoot an episode of the show. Last I heard locations were still being locked in—I have checked in with a rep and will let you know when there are details to share. (Also: if you have any suggestions, pop them in the comments and I’ll send them to her.)
While in town, Lamprey will be performing songs from his forthcoming album at Showbox at the Market on Saturday, August 6 from 9pm to 1am. (Tickets are available on his website). “Drinking Made Easy” shoots the following week.
Below, a taste: Drinking Made Easy visits Anchor Brewing in San Francisco.
Seattle has so many unique drinking establishments that I have ended up at one time or another. To capture what some people would call that unique Seattle vibe I would go to Linda’s in Capitol Hill, Fremont Brewery, or the Ballard favorite Kings. I also personally love going to Tavern Law and Knee High Stocking Company since they always seem to know what I would like from a flavor profile I am going for. Really in Seattle its hard to go wrong with so many options.
The Collins Pub. Best beer selection in the city and wonderful, atmospheric location at the foot of the Smith Tower and across the street from the Sinking Ship parking garage.
Seriously, Mulleadys Irish Pub in Magnolia is SO underrated it is crazy. Solid staff, that can create on the fly and know all their products be it wine, spirits, or beer.
I can’t think of a better room, a better staff, or a better selection than Rob Roy. There are tons of great bars in seattle but my friends and I have always felt that Rob Roy has it all and is just weird enough that you might see something extra special on any given night. But don’t take my word for it…ask the long list of who’s who bartenders that choose to work there between gigs.
O damn, I tried to get that joker down to Tacoma when the show first started.
Zane should visit Georgetown Brewery!! Manny, Roger and team would be perfect hosts for this show!!!
Well, I may be a bit parisan, but I’d suggest Liberty. What, with our fresh & creative cocktails, our many liqueurs/bitters/etc, our neighborhood bar feel & even our many aged cocktails – I’d love to have that dude cone by.
Send him by, ’eh?
Oh! Or, 1022 South on Tacoma. That’s one hell of a bar, for sure.
Love Zane – preferred “Three Sheets,” but “Drinking Made Easy” is still pretty entertaining.
I really like the salty, surly staff at Gallagher’s Where-U-Brew in Edmonds. Also, Diamond Knot Brewery in Mukilteo has a great nautical theme, peanut shells on the floor and a working-class crowd.
For cocktails, Needle & Thread is pretty unique…but Liberty and Rob Roy are definitely tops in the cocktail bar scene. The aged cocktails at Liberty definitely are a stand-out in the city. 1022 South is also worth the trip south the T-town.
Since WA is a huge wine producing state…I hope they make it out to wine country, Woodinville, or at least a good wine bar like The Local Vine.
They should check out Pacific Distillery of course! They can check out how our award-winning Pacifique Absinthe and Voyager Gin is made.
We’d love to have him at Rob Roy! We’ll throw a party and it will be a grand ’ol time.
Send them by Sound Spirits – Seattle’s first craft distillery since prohibition and home of Ebb+Flow Vodka and Gin!
I am with the comments above… 1022 South in t-town has some interesting offering that you just don’t see everywhere (or anywhere else for that matter).
But for beer selection you can’t miss Brouwers (sp?) in Fremont…. it is ridiculous!
Rob Roy – Liberty – Tavern Law
Trophies in Renton!
They should come to check out Trophies in Renton…great bartenders!
Zane should go to Milagro Cantina for their giant margarita called the Laguna! It is right up his alley! Would love to see him chug one of those!
Love the show, love Zane. There are some fantastic, delicious cocktails to sip at The Saint. Best Margaritas in town!
The Zig Zag Cafe behind the Pike Market — Murray Stenson – America’s top 10 bartenders!
I would recommend visting seattle’s oldest bar the central saloon in pioneer square.
Pike Brewing Company. It is an icon in the brewing industry and nobody gives an interview like Chalres Finkel. He is one of the founding fathers of the modern brewing culture.
I would love to see Zane at Zig Zag and Rob Roy in Seattle and 1022 South in Tacoma!
Come check out Skip Rock & Mac Donald Distillery’s in Snohomish. Then go have a beer at Fred’s Rivertown Ale House, last time I counted they had 181 single malts & 31 beers on tap! Of course, they also have Skip Rock Potato Vodka.
1022 South in Tacoma. Very unique, already featured in the New York Times. Try the “Hilltop New Yorker”!
Zane should definatley go to Eastlake and check out Serafina and Cicchetti on Eastlake. Serafina for their delicious infusions, Cicchetti for their unique tinctures. Both places have beautiful bars and fantastic craft cocktails.
Tavern Law, Zig Zag, Artusi
All have amazingly and lovingly crafted cocktails.
Too bad Kurrent isn’t still open…definition of craft cocktails
If Murray were still at ZigZag, I’d say go there for sure. Since he left, I have been finding myself more and more at Serafina. I love their house-made infusions, especially the orange-basil mojito. Best drink in Seattle!
I second Rachel’s comment, Serafina has amazing house made infusions. I like to bounce back between there and Cicchetti to get a full cocktail experience. Cicchetti has a ton of super exciting Medieterranean tinctures and bitters – try a rye cocktail with a date tincture! Super creative and delicious.
I’m with Alissa : ) Serafina and Cicchetti are where it’s at! The ambiance is so warm and the drinks are crafted with perfection. Added bonus: the food at both establishments is also phenomenal.