Photos—tantalizing beer and cider photos—from Capitol Cider’s soft openings have been populating my Instagram this week. And on Thursday, the pub at 818 E Pike opened its doors to massive levels of excitement among beer geeks, cider aficionados, and gluten-free diners alike. Here’s why we’re fired up about it.

The first evening of service was a busy one; the main level of the former Fetherston Gallery is filled with wooden booths, old-timey oil portraits, dark wood, and a bar at the back of the room. There’s a calm dinner vibe up here. Head down the stairs and things take a rathskeller-like turn. There are two shuffleboard tables, plenty of high bar tables, board game, and a second bar, with the same stupendous 30-tap lineup as the bar upstairs, its contents listed on several screens around the bar. Last night taps were evenly split between local and national cider and beers like Hilliard’s Chrome Satan and Delirium Tremens. Let's not forget the deep bottle list, too. And as we mentioned before, the kitchen is entirely gluten-free (all naturally so, from fish and chips to quinoa salad).

Hours are 4 to 2; Capitol Hill Seattle blog has photos for your vicarious drinking pleasure.