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Seattle's amazing musical legacy is well-known, but there's more to the arts and nightlife scenes than live music. In fact, these days, there are far more swanky bars and inventive pubs than music venues in the city.
To put it bluntly, Seattle's a dynamite place to drink. You can sip overly ambitious and ridiculously named specialty cocktails in trendy lounges, get a lesson from an enthusiastic sommelier in a wine bar or restaurant, or swill cheap beer on the patio of a dive bar. Though some places have very specific demographics, most Seattle bars are egalitarian, drawing loyal regulars of all ages.
The music scene is still kicking—there's something going on every night of the week in nearly every genre of music. The city's dynamic theater scene is a highly regarded proving ground for Broadway, and the Seattle International Film Festival draws the finest in world cinema. The ethereal Marion Oliver McCaw Hall is a first-class venue for opera and ballet, and Benaroya Hall, with its outstanding acoustics, is an elegant premier symphony hall. Families enjoy the Children's Theatre, the Northwest Puppet Center, and the many summertime folk art and music festivals.
In addition to its bars, Downtown and Belltown in particular have notable restaurants with separate bar areas. Most restaurants have impressive bar menus, and food is often served until 11 pm, midnight, or even 1 am in some spots.
It may look like a trendy Gothic castle, but in fact this is heaven for Belgian-beer lovers. Set in a former warehouse with two floors and lots of seating (as well as an outdoor patio), Brouwer's has 64 drafts in total—though not all dedicated to Belgium's legendary suds. Also on tap: German and American/Northwest beers, as well as English, Czech, and Polish selections. Brouwer's serves food too, with several Belgian dishes among the options.
Reggae fans—and, really, any music fans—should pay attention to the event calendar at Nectar Lounge. The club regularly hosts big-name stars of the genre, while also mixing in hip-hop, pop, rock, bluegrass, world music, and other forms. The narrow floor can be tough to navigate on crowded evenings, but the outdoor patio with views of the stage provides some relief for patrons who want to relax while they enjoy the show.
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.
Beloved by locals, this divey English pub attracts grizzled old Brits watching soccer, hipsters looking for cheap beer and whiskey, a frat crowd that clogs up the front patio area on weekends, and know-it-alls hoping to crush the competition at the popular Thursday trivia night. Major soccer events like the World Cup bring in huge crowds.
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