Best Bars
The Smart Drinker's Guide to Seattle
By James Ross Gardner, Jessica Voelker, and Christopher Werner
The Best Drinks Menu in Town
And by that we mean actual menu, as in the physical 16-page menu Vessel keeps at its tables. The lounge itself is a sort of shrine to 1862’s The Bar-Tender’s Guide author Jerry Thomas, for whom it held a party this past Presidents Day. The menu, meanwhile, traces the history of American cocktails (“The Sazerac dates back to 1838 and is credited with being the first American cocktail”). So you can order a Morning Glory (“At the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, Thomas was earning $100 a week, more than the Vice President of the United States”) and sip it while poring over the stories behind each drink. And if that isn’t enough time to boost your cocktail comprehension, just ask. The bar will gladly print you a copy. Vessel, 1312 Fifth Ave, Downtown, 206-652-0521; www.vesselseattle.com
We Still Love the Lava Lounge (and You Should, Too)
It’s been around forever. It’s a little bit too dark, and a lot too dingy. So why is the Lava Lounge still your best bet for a night out in Belltown?
The Crowd: In a city where neighborhood lines are drawn like EU territories, the Lava overflows with a confluence of Seattle cultures. Queeny fashionmongers mingle with girls in American Eagle; nerds hunkered over computers sit alongside gruff old-timers in biker jackets. There’s lamé ladies and Polo preps right next to scruffy (and sketchy) old men. People-watchers, behold your paradise.
The DJs: Whether your flavor’s Hall and Oates, Motown, or Millenium Hip-Hop Party (you know, that 1999 compilation with Dre, Tone-Loc, and Grandmaster Flash), thanks to the always-reliable playlists, every night you’re here, you’re bumpin’.
The Tiki Kitsch: The Gilligan’s Island pinball machine is just the beginning. Nowhere else in Seattle will you find the tiki aesthetic so expertly and enticingly executed. Many a Hawaiian garage sale must have been raided to stock this 14-year-old treasure chest. Lava Lounge, 2226 Second Ave, Belltown, 206-441-5660; www.mamas.com/lavalounge.htm
Published: May 2009
How is it possible that you did a profile of Seattle best cocktails without mentioning Spur Gastropub? David’s drinks are, by far, some of the best and most inventive in the city, and happy hour pricing is only $6 for all Spur Cocktails (they usually run from $9-$12). In my opinion, this was a very serious omission on your part.
We definitely love Nelson’s drinks. Check out this Sauced post! http://www.seattlemet.com/blogs/sauced/spur-davidnelson-0428/
We started out with a long list of bars. Spur was on it. Along the way, we eliminated establishments where we encountered issues in service, product, atmosphere, etc. Spur did not, in the end, make the cut, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some amazing qualities—cocktails chief among them.
So…any other serious omissions?
-JV
Knee High is a great hideaway in plain sight. Coming from NYC, we frequented Knee High while in Seattle recently, and felt right at home in its scene (great ppl watching and atmosphere). We loved the cocktail and food prices: average $5 drinks (my favorite was the pomegranate and pimms concoction called P&P) and $6 dishes (must have homemade chicken potpie). Everybody working there including the proprietors Jack and Michelle were always on hand to look after us, and this extra TLC made our experience that much more memorable.
From what I’ve read, Tini’s won all their awards being progressive in cocktails pre-2008 if I’m not mistaken.
By not copying recipes from the 40’s because it was hip at the Pegu Club 5 yrs ago.
“It’s not as packed as it use to be…” He said it, not me.
Hey buddy, will ya buy me a drink?
this is only a test