Monthly Archives: January 2018

Our Seattle Bar Thoughts 

If I have time to kill and not on the clock at work or no intention of exercising, I normally look for a bar. This normally happens when I’m early for an appointment/meet up, waiting for my SO, waiting for a flight in the airport, taking a break from running errands, etc.  Other common occasions when we head to a bar-After a hard day at work and needing to wind down, celebrations(birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, engagements, hitting other milestones), catch up with friends/family, watch a sporting event(we don’t have cable). Let’s just say we’ve spent a lot of time in bars.  

General Observations: 

It’s hard to pinpoint an all-encompassing checklist of what makes a bar a favorite bar of ours. We try to keep a good attitude and an open mind when visiting a bar for the first time but we tend to lean towards certain types of bars. We tend to like neighborhood joints that are not so big, but not so tiny that they are always packed. These places tend to have a good mix of single men and women, couples and groups. It’s normally low key and full of regulars and a sense of community. These bars tend to be friendly, relaxed and make it easy to enjoy your stay. Some examples-Latona Pub, The Neighbor Lady (RIP), The Rabbit Hole, The Lookout, Bottlehouse, Atlantic Crossing, Café Racer(RIP), The Leary Traveler(RIP), Burgundian(RIP). 

While we are partial to the neighborhood bars, there are different bars for different occasions, but that’s for a whole separate post. There is a time and place for the high end expensive cocktail bar and for the unsophisticated cheap dive bar. The type of bar we go to depends on where we are, who we’re meeting up with and what type of mood we’re in. Below are our Seattle Bar Thoughts: 

General qualities we tend to avoid when it comes to bars: 

These aren’t deal-breakers. We always try to keep an open mind, but with so many options why bother if certain qualities are below par.   

• Meat markets and clubs-There was a place and time, when we were younger and dumber, but that time has passed. 
• Super Loud Music-Whether it’s a live band or piped in music. It’s just too loud to talk to others.
• Theme bars-Example Irish or British themed pubs, pirate themed bars, goth themed bars 
• Massive chain bars–Example-Yard House, Fox Sports Bar, Buffalo Wild Wings 
• Too hot or too cold-Door or window open in mid-Winter when it’s freezing or stifling heat due to no breeze or air conditioning. 
• Lack of maintenance/cleanliness-Dust so thick it obviously hasn’t been dusted in years, cobwebs, total lack of pride in appearance such as, taped up seats, unsafe loose carpet, peeling paint on the walls and the dreaded disgusting restrooms. 

General qualities we don’t really care about when it comes to bars: 

Fine if the bar has it, but doesn’t sway us like it might other people.  

• Happy Hour 
• Signature drinks–We know most bartenders/bars have em, but it’s not what we typically order. 
• Big sized drinks–Save those for New Orleans/Las Vegas 
• Strong pours–We just want the drinks to taste good. Although I have a few friends who frequent bars known for strong pours, because they feel like they save money not having to order as many drinks. 
• Games-video games, pinball, pool, ping pong. Darts are a nice option though. 

General qualities we do care about when it comes to bars: 

• Draft beer options-Since this is mostly what I drink, a good variety of craft breweries and a few hard-to-find exotic selections are my choice. I have to say, most bars I go to meet this requirement easily. I do feel that Toronado (RIP), Brouwers and Chucks Hop Shop really excel in this area. 
• Bartenders–(link) 
• Patrons–As mentioned above we enjoy places with laid back folks and a good variety of people(singles, both men and women, couples, groups) who are out having a good time. We don’t like places where there are regulars who think they own the joint and feel they can act and be as loud as they want and who are particularly cold to newcomers. Also over zealous sports fans who rub it in opponent fans’ faces when their team is winning or makes everybody miserable when their team is losing.
• Food options or allow food if they don’t serve food- You know when drinking, you start craving food. We’re looking for simple bar foods like burgers, fries, nachos, pizza. Nothing fancy. I love bars where if they don’t serve food, allow you to bring in food such as Teddy’s, Triple R and the various craft breweries around town. Free snacks will always earn bonus points in my book.  
• Music selection /Jukebox –As long as it’s not too loud I enjoy places that play background music. 
• Pub Trivia –Anywhere that happens to have pub trivia while we’re there, earns bonus points from us and we’re likely to participate if we have the time. We’re nerds. 
• Location-Selfishly, bonus points for being close by to where we live or accessible by public transport. Location friendly for us due to being close to us, near link light rail or Seattle Metro bus lines from our house are Fremont, Wallingford, University District, Ravenna, Roosevelt, Green Lake, Greenwood, Downtown, Cap Hill, Beacon Hill, Colombia City, South Lake Union, Pioneer Square, Belltown, South Lake Union. Unfortunately for us this limits places we can try in West Seattle, Upper Queen Anne, Magnolia, Georgetown. Although Ballard is also lacking in public transport from where we live, the high density of bars/restaurants and popularity as a meeting area makes it easier to visit multiple places at a time.   
• A nice bar( the actual bar )-If I’m by myself or we’re out as a couple, I always opt for sitting at the bar. Hatties Hat, Merchants Café and J&M have beautiful ornate old vintage bars. I also love Canon with it’s dark wood shelves against two white walls, Bath Tub Gin with shelves of rare liquors against the red brick wall, Radiator Whiskey w/crate shelves of whiskey and giant barrel on the wall, Unicorn with it’s circus themed colorful bar, Stoneburner with it’s strangely shaped wrap around bar, and The Backdoor with it’s mirrored altar-like bar.

• Interesting things to look at-posters, old pics, strange décor(like White Horse Trading Co.), I’m partial to older bars with lots of character and things to look at. For you non-Seattle folks, think McSorleys in NY, Jacob Wirth in Boston, The Brick in Spokane or Joe Jost’s in Los Angeles.  
• Overall Atmosphere – Welcoming, Comfortable, Relaxing, Not to crowded and loud, but not dead and silent.  

Related Articles:

• How We Treat Bartenders 
• Seattle Bars For All Occasions
• Best Seattle Bars for Out of Towners
• Best Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating