142 Best Nightlife in Washington, USA

You can't claim to have a sophisticated nightlife scene until someone in a vest is mixing artisanal cocktails, and 1022 South is Tacoma's top spot for fine drinks made with unusual infusions (nettles, yerba maté), house-made liqueurs and colas, and premium liquors with hipster cachet (Portland's Aviation gin, for example). Daily happy hour is 4 to 7 pm, and the kitchen produces nosh-worthy nibbles, from cheese plates to burgers.

This beloved craft brewery and its spacious taproom occupy the Historic Heidelberg Brewery building in downtown Tacoma, a short walk up the hill from the museum district and next to the city's University of Washington campus. It's an appealing place to sample such popular ales as the crisp Axis Brut IPA and the slightly tart, tangerine-infused Life Jacket Citrus IPA. On-site Canteen restaurant serves tasty gastropub fare. A second location is in Gig Harbor, where the brewery originated.

Sexy and contemporary, this cocktail bar in the Alma arts space is a snazzy spot for mingling and people-watching, whether at the buzzy bar or in a plush upholstered armchair. In addition to skillfully mixed, creative drinks, there are tempting food options, from duck liver–mousse toast to steamed mussels with garlic, bacon, and lemon herb butter. The venue frequently hosts live music performances and other events.

One of the most esteemed of Bellingham's many highly regarded craft breweries, Aslan occupies a sleek downtown building with soaring glass walls, an open floor plan, and plenty of sidewalk seating. The brewmasters here specialize in flavorful, small-batch beers, like faintly ginger-accented Irie Eyes Red Ale and a rich, chocolaty dark lager called Cascadian. Part of the fun here is the bar food, including a rather decadent waffle-fry poutine, Korean barbecued tofu, and spicy banh mi bowls.

Known for producing acclaimed, organic Bluewater Vodka, Halcyon Gin, Wintersun Aquavit, and several flavored liqueurs, this industrial-chic operation on the Port Gardner waterfront also houses a trendy bar and bistro with well-prepared Pacific Northwestern fare. Stop by for a tasting or a cocktail (try one of the house infusions).

Known for its setting inside a fabulous 1920s roadside building shaped like a coffee pot, Bob's is one of the city's most enduring landmarks—and it's a pretty fun dive bar for karaoke and cheap drinks. Fun facts: Indie singer Neko Case used to be a bartender here, and parts of the screwball comedy movie I Love You to Death were filmed inside.

Grab a seat at the long copper bar or one of the café tables in this art-filled downtown lounge with tall brick walls and a well-curated list of mostly Washington wines. Pizza and well-prepared gastropub fare is served, and the reliably good house wines are a great deal. 

First-timers to this contemporary taproom on a lofty ridge 12 miles west of Yakima are usually as wowed by the mesmerizing mountain vistas as they are the lovingly crafted beers. The husband-and-wife proprietors are admitted hops admirers, and the IPA-forward beer selection reflects this penchant. On warm days have a seat on the family- and pet-friendly lawn and patio—there's often live music, and pub fare is served. 

With a covered deck overlooking an 80-acre orchard just south of Port Townsend, this festive contemporary cider garden has developed a national reputation for its handcrafted ciders, with bold flavor combinations like apple-and-habanero and crabapple-blueberry. Live music, poetry readings, and other performances are offered many afternoons and early evenings, and the kitchen serves creative gastropub fare.

This hip little downtown wine bar with live music every Friday showcases Gård Vintners' superb Columbia Valley and Walla Walla wines. Although it's open for tastings, most folks stop in for a glass or two and a bite to eat—there's a short list of tasty nibbles, including a fantastic warm molten chocolate lava cake. Rhône wines—including a well-balanced Reserve Syrah and a bright, unfiltered Viognier—are the main focus.

In an area full of bars with themes, styles, and hooks, La Dive stand outs as simply an excellent and fun bar for absorbing the neighborhood vibes. A long, L-shaped bar opens the room for conversation, while the booths allow for small gatherings. The sidewalk tables in front are prime people-watching spots and give the feel of a popular Parisian bistro. The drinks menu focuses on natural wine, with a few classic cocktails, plus their signature alcoholic slushies. As the evening goes on, more customers turn to the Cham-bong to slurp their sparkling wine. Thankfully, a strong food menu, with late-night options, keeps things from getting too wild. Look for upscale bar snacks with a slight Eastern European tinge, as in the dumplings section.

Some of the finest craft beers in western Washington are poured at this inviting taproom with a gas fireplace and comfy seating. Notable options include the refreshing Yellow Booth Kolsch and the roasty Leadbetter Red Scottish Ale, which will warm your soul on a stormy winter evening.

It's a short walk from the dune trails and beach to this terrific, welcoming, craft-beer bar with a comfy interior, but the greatest draw is the 9,000-square-foot beer garden that is dog-friendly, has plenty of picnic tables, and even has a large enclosed seating area that comes in handy during the winter months or on rainy summer days. There are nearly 20 well-chosen drafts on tap, and light pub fare is served.

With picnic tables and firepits outside and a gas fireplace surrounded by wooden chairs and benches in the rustic-industrial interior, this upbeat craft brewer is a comfy place to sip rich Butter Peak Porter or hoppy Tree Line IPA any time of year. The taproom occupies a smartly restored 1930s mercantile store, and the kitchen serves tasty guacamole, poblano-chicken tacos, and a few other Mexican-influenced snacks.

Painted canoe paddles line the walls of this speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar situated amid the tasting rooms in downtown's Wine Cellar building. Grab a seat at the bar or in one of the cozy booths and enjoy a well-prepared craft cocktail and maybe a snack or two from the small, Spanish-inspired menu. It's closed Monday through Wednesday.

A gathering place for ardent beer enthusiasts, Pourhouse features a dozen rotating taps, 200 bottles and cans of beer and hard cider, and wines by the glass. The waterfront beer garden offers sweeping views of Port Townsend Bay and the nearby harbor. Some snacks—like charcuterie or cheese plates—are served, and you can bring your own takeout. Most Friday and Saturday nights in summer, there's live music outside.

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.

With tall windows overlooking the Vancouver Waterfront, this convivial small-batch brewery is known for its well-crafted beers, including blackberry-blueberry tart ales, hazy triple IPAs, and oatmeal stouts. The kitchen serves thick-crust Detroit-style pizza with lots of interesting toppings, and there's live music some evenings.

Stoup is a great starting point for exploring Ballard's excellent craft-beer scene. A good-size tap room and patio area are family-friendly, and a rotating roster of food trucks feeds beer enthusiasts as they sip staples like the Citra IPA and Mosaic Pale Ale, as well as new and experimental brews.

This quirky hole-in-the-wall bar with a speakeasy vibe has developed a cult following for its sophisticated, well-made craft cocktails—many infused with house-made bitters and local herbs and berries—and interesting wines. On this quiet, early-to-bed island, it's a nice late-night option. Light tapas are served, too.

The heart and soul of Seattle's music scene since 1991 has hosted the likes of the Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, and Mudhoney, along with countless other bands. There's a reason Rolling Stone once called The Crocodile one of the best small clubs in America. Even now, in new, much larger digs (the main room has a 750-person capacity) not far from the original, The Croc retains its old-school Seattle vibe.

This old-school downtown pub with a modern vibe and first-rate beer and food was opened by a trio of Western Washington University graduates who also happen to be talented beer makers (they own Menace Brewing). As you might guess, this laid-back spot with a conversation-friendly decibel level has a great list of rotating taps, featuring craft beers from throughout the Northwest. The locally driven food is tasty, too, from fried chicken and waffles during the popular weekend brunches to late-night pork-belly tacos and fish-and-chips.

Arguably the most accomplished artisan beer maker in the Lower Valley, Varietal produces an extensive roster of both traditional and experimental brews—including a chocolatey English brown ale and a variety of hop-forward brews featuring different varieties of Yakima-grown hops. Enjoy your sipping at the counter, or head to the back to play some old-school arcade games. Food trucks are on hand most days. 

This unfussy brewpub on the northwest side of downtown has a pet-friendly patio and taproom with lumberjack-inspired decor (the owner is a former logger). It's one of the top craft brewers in the region, known especially for its refreshing blackberry wheat ale and heady Riggin Slinger Red Ale. 

A mixed crowd of mostly locals hunts out this unique spot at Pike Place Market's Street Hill Climb (walk past the Gum Wall to find a nearly hidden stairwell leading down to the piers). In addition to pouring a perfect martini, Zig Zag features a revolving cast of memorable cocktails and a Mediterranean-inspired food menu with plenty of tasty bites. A small patio is the place to be on a summery happy-hour evening. Zig Zag is friendly—retro without being obnoxiously ironic—and very Seattle, with the occasional live music show to boot.

Well-dressed locals head to this hard-to-find wood-paneled bar to sip double martinis while taking in peekaboo views of Elliott Bay or studying the scripts, handbills, and movie posters that line the walls. The lower level is more crowded and casual. Stop by for a drink or a meal (the pizza is great), and stay to listen and dance to live music. Happy hour—daily from 11:30 am to 6 pm—is quiet and a good respite from the Market.

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.

A large window lets guests sneak a peek at the brewing operation while they sample these well-crafted ales and lagers. The rich Crema Stout, with its chocolate and coffee tones, is a standout—it's also used in a Stout float on the dessert menu. The kitchen turns out decent pizza, burgers, wings, sandwiches, and the like.

The fruits of Yakima's hops and apple crops come to the westside at this sprawling joint facility. One of the state's best breweries brings its vertically integrated beers to the space shared with a creative-minded cidery. Together, they offer 32 drinks on tap, a rotating selection of food trucks, and plenty of seating of various sorts at the kid- and dog-friendly, indoor and gravel-lined outdoor space.