12 Best Nightlife in Seattle, Washington

A spot of Caribbean sunshine in the Northwest, Rumba stocks hundreds of rums which they offer in a half-dozen styles of daiquiri, various punches, and other assorted cocktails. Staffed by many of the best bartenders in town, this is a place for serious spirit aficionados to dig deep, but even rum rookies will feel welcome in the bright, friendly space with its turquoise bar stools and banquettes.

Cocktail nerds should reserve ahead for the immersive bar-within-a-bar, Inside Passage, where Kiki, a tentacled sea monster, greets them for drinks served in unique vessels, including a camera lens and a rice cooker.

Sit at the white tile bar—or on the patio on a sunny day—of this Italian cocktail bar and order delicious antipasti and desserts to go with expertly prepared drinks. Beer selection is limited, but Artusi has great wine options. Make it to the 5–7 pm happy hour.

Renowned local chef Renee Erickson opened an enchanting nautical-themed speakeasy inside the Amazon spheres. The immersive decor adds to the swanky feel. Aside from the luxurious setting, guests are drawn by the fancy and creative cocktails using ingredients such as fig-infused grappa. The short but sexy food menu includes a high-end version of the cream cheese-garnished Seattle dog and a caviar service.

On a quiet street removed from bustling Ballard, Essex boasts craft cocktails, a handful of which are served on tap. The rotating cocktails often include house-made ingredients or are barrel aged, and all have something of a cocktail-nerd bent. A solid wine list and local beer selections are also available, as is a selection of wood-fired dishes that come out of the pizza oven at next-door sibling shop Delancey.

The most important question here: shaken or stirred? This sophisticated bar in the Mayflower Park Hotel is famous for its martinis. Wing chairs, low tables, and lots of natural light make it easy to relax after a hectic day. The likes of Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday may be playing in the background; expect an unfussy crowd of regulars and hotel guests.

The owners call it a "Viet tree house" and the speakeasy-style cocktail bar certainly nailed its hideaway vibe. Look for Phở Bắc (the fourth location for the popular Seattle restaurant opened in 2022) and a sandwich sign pointing you to "PST," then head upstairs. Inventive cocktails at the cozy, plant-filled bar feature Vietnamese ingredients and flavors, like an egg coffee or a pickled leek martini, as well nibbles such as crab dip and a phở cup of noodles.

With its deep selection of dark liquor, low-light ambience, and black leather walls, Rob Roy is a serious-but-inviting cocktail bar. Their original concoctions change four to five times a year, and include drinks like a Saffron Sandalwood Sour. They also feature nonalcoholic cocktails for teetotalers and designated drivers. Goldfish crackers, beef jerky, and chicken meatballs are among the options on the limited food menu, which is half-off during a daily 4--6 pm happy hour that also features drink specials.

Talk about a perfect fit for Fremont. A funky modern saloon with a Western vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Stampede delights the eyes with a gold-plated ceiling, antique lamps, and cowboy decor in the main bar and a more whimsical Jungle Room bedecked in tropical wallpaper and a wall-mounted T. rex head. Locals come here for the vibe and the killer cocktails. Choose from a changing menu of creative signature drinks or the legacy menu of past favorites; you can also order dumplings.

Take a trip back in time to the golden age of cocktails before Prohibition and the speakeasies that followed it. Tavern Law is dark and tucked away, and houses a "secret" upstairs area (accessed by picking up the phone next to the old bank-vault door). The drinks are impeccably made, often with surprising ingredients.

This Admiral cocktail bar in a cozy old home leans into that living room feeling with wingback chairs, mid-century couches, and antique lighting. It's a little like drinking in your own house, if you lived in a fancy old mansion with bartenders who turn out intriguing craft cocktails. Not far from Alki, it makes a great post-beach stop if you need to wait out rush hour before heading back Downtown.

With its European-café vibe and excellent mixed drinks, the Sitting Room lures residents of both the lower and upper parts of Queen Anne. It's quite an accomplishment to get those two very different demographics to agree on anything, but this sweet, relaxed little spot has done it with its eclectic furniture, zinc bar, sexy lighting, and friendly staff.

Upstairs from Oddfellows and across from Cal Anderson Park, The Tin Table is part of the Century Ballroom, a welcoming little lounge with lots of exposed brick and a long, glossy bar. Its three-course, $45 menu is very popular and so is the Chimay that's on tap. It's also beloved for its good à la carte food, like dynamite steak frites. Try the "floozy burger" (with caramelized onion, bacon, cheese, and shoestring fries) and a creative cocktail.