Alcohol-Fueled Productivity
Eight spots where both drinks and wifi flow freely.
Posted by: Allecia Vermillion on Dec 23, 2011 at 07:00AM
Recently a Twitter peep requested that I round up some of the best bars for getting work done. And given our tireless commitment to service journalism, I was more than happy to comply. His wish list: wifi, good lighting, roomy tables, lunch service, and a great happy hour. My $0.02: ample power outlets.
Stellar intern Allie Oosta confirmed the wifi access details for all the fine establishments listed here. Some of them are even in neighborhoods other than Capitol Hill.
Ba Bar
Sure, it’s technically a restaurant, but Eric Banh’s newest spot checks off every item on the list (except maybe power outlets). The limitless free wifi runs from 7 to 5. Happy hour specials on both food and cocktails runs from 3 to 5 7, meaning you have a two-hour sweet spot of both happy hour prices and sweet, life-giving wireless internet.
Bottleneck Lounge
If you work best later in the day—and are comforted by background noise—you’ll appreciate this most comfortable of neighborhood bars and its constant roster of TV viewing events, parties, Nintendo throwdowns, and the like. Head for the back room and let the productivity commence. Doors open at 4 and happy hour runs from 4 to 6, offering $3.50 drafts and well drinks.
Oddfellows
A table at Oddfellows (especially one near the surprisingly plentiful outlets) is the freelancer’s equivalent to a mall parking space the day before Christmas. Get here early in the morning for a prime workspace, but stay until happy hour kicks in at 4.
Fonté
Working here always presents an ethical dilemma: coffee or wine? But the wifi is reliable, and both caffeinated and intoxicating beverages are of such quality that it’s almost a shame to waste them on work. If you go the wine route, it’s all half off from 5 to 6:30 on weekdays, and appetizers are around $3.
Liberty
The staff at this Capitol Hill drinking den describe the place as “the office for lots of people that come in practically every day.” A fair assessment considering it’s open 7am to 2am and offers both wifi and excellent cocktails in close proximity. Also, a great happy hour from 4 to 7. The menu of sushi rolls also seems like ideal fuel for getting work done, and won’t make your keyboard greasy like most bar food.
Mulleady’s
If you find yourself in Magnolia desiring both quality drinks and uninterrupted wifi, get thee to Mulleady’s. Doors open at 4 on weekdays and noon on weekends and the wifi is always available. During the daily 4-to-6 happy hour, Seattle-brewed beers are $1 off, and a sampling of plates and Northwest wines are $5 apiece.
Locol Barley and Vine
In West Seattle, you can settle in starting at 4 on weekdays and noon on weekends. As the name suggests, drinking beer and wine is a serious business here. The draft offerings are excellent, the bottle beer list enormous. I like the glass wine selection, though if you work best when accompanied by an entire bottle of wine, you’ll feel right at home. Locol has a full kitchen and a happy hour that offers $5 glass wines and $1 off drafts.
McMenamin’s Queen Anne
McMenamins pubs are a reliable bet for decent beers and a solid lunch, dinner and bar menu, though let’s face it, you’re ordering the tater tots. The space has plenty of tables and opens at 11. Happy hour is 3 to 6 ($3.25 bar pints and $2.75 Bud Light if you hate good beer), and if you’re really cranking on those TPS reports, it kicks in again at 10.
*Thanks @Kenfucious for inspiring this post
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Tags:
Oddfellows,
Ba Bar,
McMenamins,
Fonté,
The Bottleneck Lounge,
Liberty,
Mulleadys,
Locol Barley and Vine
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