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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.
Pack your spellbook and leave your cynicism at home: this wizard-themed pub goes all in on magic and imagination. Grab a seat under a sea monster skeleton, order up an elixir or butterbee mead, and dig into tadpole in a hole, storm buffalo bourguignon, and a spitting fizzle nest for dessert. Reservations are recommended, especially for families, but the bar is reserved for walk-ins only.
Welcome to the carnival... or at least the carnival-themed bar. Walking in feels like ducking into a flamboyant, chaotic big top: striped blue walls, an elaborate bar with plenty of flashing lights, arrows overhead, and an assortment of taxidermied animal heads. The drinks stay on theme, with plenty of colors and names like "Unicorn Jizz," "Capri Sun," and "The Cereal Killer," while the food goes all-in on childhood nostalgia. Corn dogs, chicken nuggets, and meatballs masquerading as "Unicorn Balls," hold down the savory side, while desserts include funnel cake and fruity fried ice cream. Narwhal, a sibling bar in the same location, holds events throughout the week, including karaoke on Monday and drag queen bingo on Tuesday.
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