Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating
First Date Bar– Feeling each other out. You want somewhere casual, but lively. You don’t want to break the bank, because if things don’t click, you’ll never see other again. Our pick: Unicorn/Narwhal. Probably one of the least pretentious, casual bars in Seattle. There’s enough room to be in the center of things at street level(Unicorn), but a huge downstairs area(Narwhal) that you can find a secluded area if need be. It has a fun atmosphere that hopefully relaxes both of you, so you can get to know each other.
Source: Yelp
Impress The Date Bar-You decided you’re interested and want to pursue the relationship. Time to impress. You want someplace with a price point a bit higher than normal to show your date they’re different from the rest. It has to be quiet, chill with some dark lighting to set the mood for romance. Our pick: Suite 410. It’s a pretty intimate setting and it’s been around long enough to not be a crowded hot spot. There’s seats at the bar, a few along the window and just a few seatings for groups along the wall and that’s it. It’s also in downtown and not really close to anything else which might be a reason it’s relatively easy to get seats. I find the cocktails here superb.
Source: Yelp
The Test Bar -You’ve now shown your date the high end bar. Those places are reserved for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and other important life events. Now take your date to a bar to see if they’ll have a fun time. Not divey, but not too fancy. Can your date have some fun? Our pick: Rhein Haus. We’ve all bowled, mini golfed, shot pool or played video games/pinball before. Bocce is a little out of the ordinary, but such a simple game to play that anybody could play it. You can find out a lot of things in these situations. Is your date game to try something new, are they competitive, how do they handle winning, defeat or trash talking? This is also a great atmosphere for your friends to meet your date for the first time since it’s a great place for groups. Then when you’re alone with your friends, get the scoop on what they think of your date.
Source: Yelp
Seal the Deal Bar-You’ve determined after dating a while this is thee one! Now it’s time to pull out the big guns and make it special. Awh, yeah, playa! You want to ask for a committed relationship or a wedding proposal even, this is the place in Seattle. Our Pick: The Smith Tower Observatory Bar. This place will cost you an arm and a leg because you pay to go up to the observatory and then you pay for the expensive drink, but you cannot beat the views, the history and the ornate Asian-inspired décor. It just feels special. At one time The Smith Tower was once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, which is funny because it’s really dwarfed now by all the more modern downtown buildings. I believe it costs $12 to go up if you’re from Washington and $19 if you’re not. Cocktails run in the $15 range. Sit down, relax, take in the view, hold your date’s hand and ask away.
Source : Yelp
Drive Off the Date Bar-This is the opposite of the Seal the Deal Bar. You’ve determined that it just ain’t gonna work out. How do you tell your date? If you take your date to this bar, they probably know what’s coming next. It’s one of those places where if you dump your date and you get a bottle broken over your head because of it, nobody will blink an eye. It’s normal here. It’s also loud enough to drown out any screaming or loud arguments Our Pick: Take your date to The 5 Point. It’s the type of bar where you don’t plan to go to, but end up there after a full night of drinking. It’s open 24 hours and although they don’t serve beer after 2:00am, I believe they start up again at 6:00am and known for morning barflies starting up early there. This bar is notable for a few things. Their signage of “We cheat tourists-n-drunks since 1929″ and “Alcoholics Serving Alcoholics since 1929” and Tom Leykis getting thrown out and assaulted outside. He required 17 stitches. They do have one cool thing in the men’s restroom though. It’s a periscope that’s set up so you can see the Space Needle while peeing. Fancy.
Source: Yelp
Also see: Seattle Coffee Places For Each Stage of Dating.
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Best Seattle Bars To Impress Out of Towners:
Of course when we have visitors to Seattle, we invariably end up at Pike Place Market at some point. Here are our suggestions for bars in the Market. One thing they all have in common is that they are off the beaten path from the crowded areas. Another thing they all have in common is that in a day and age when bars don’t have a long shelf life in Seattle, these 4 have been in existence since I moved to Seattle in the mid-90’s.
- Alibi Room-Hidden near the gum wall, this bar is an old standby for us. They have great pizzas that are a bargain during happy hour-one of the best kept secrets in Seattle in my opinion. Their bar is relatively small, but there is plenty of tables. I remember back in the day they had a DJ down stairs. If you look along the walls when you enter, they have a bunch of movie scripts if you are interested in reading while drinking. My understanding is that they used to have live performances using the scripts.
- White Horse Trading-It’s hidden in post alley. When you walk in, it’s as if you been transported to another time and place. They only serve beer and wine, but they have two signature drinks. At least these are the two drinks I recommend to visitors-Pimm’s Cup which is a concoction of wines, bitters and a lemon. The other is their own honey mead. One other unique feature is their restroom. There’s a swinging door that latches, but you’re pretty much out in the open. Make sure you latch it! The other strange thing, is that whenever I pay with catch they always give me change in 2 dollar bills. Not sure if this is just a coincidence or if this is a regular practice.
Source: Yelp
- Maximilien-This one is a bit of a cheat since it’s actually a restaurant, but if you’re craving a drink around happy hour time, this is your spot. They have a patio that has gorgeous views of Puget Sound and a relatively cheap happy hour considering it’s in the Market and the views. One of their happy hour specials is a six pack of Kronenbourg in a bucket for $20. For those of you who don’t know Kronenbourg is one of the few French breweries and was founded in 1664.
Source: Yelp
- Zig Zag Café-Is actually right outside the market. Back in 2010 it was named thee #1 Cocktail Bar in the US by GQ Magazine. The bartender at the time, Murray Stenson, has since moved on, so this title has lost a bit of its luster, but for awhile after 2010 visitors were impressed they could get a drink at the #1 Cocktail Bar.
Source: Yelp
Speakeasies-All visitors like to think they’ve been to a secret place that only locals know about. Both Knee High Stocking Club and Bathtub Gin & Co fit the bill. These two places are difficult to find if you’ve not been there before and if you’re not looking for it would just walk by and never notice they existed.
Source: Yelp
The Lookout-Located in Capitol Hill, but off the main drag of Broadway Ave or the Pike/Pine corridor. It’s located on a residential street and I don’t think too many locals even know about it unless you live in Capitol Hill. It’s a nice cozy neighborhood bar with patio views of South Lake Union and the Space Needle.
Source: Yelp
All guidebooks mention Salty’s, Palisade, and Ray’s Boathouse for seafood and views. I think a really underrated place to take visitors for drinks is Chinook’s At Salmon Bay. Located in Seattle’s Fisherman’s Terminal, it has a huge bar and big patio area and the restaurant itself is huge. They also have great seafood which is what the NW is known for. It overlooks the fishing boats, some of which were featured in The Deadliest Catch.
Source: Yelp
Next: Seattle Bars For Each Stage of Dating
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