143 Best Bars in Washington, USA

As its name suggests, this establishment in a converted Bow slaughterhouse produces excellent beers and spirits—and crisp ciders, too. There are two inviting spaces for sampling these acclaimed sips, a laid-back taproom that also welcomes kids and pets, and an adult-only speakeasy that serves inspired cocktails. Outstanding thin-crust pizzas and light snacks are available in both. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

This downtown winemaker with a handsome art-filled wine bar ranks among the top vintners in this city. Stop by for a flight or a full pour—standouts include the well-balanced Tempranillo, the Bordeaux-style Merlot-forward Blend X, and the inky, food-friendly Pont Brûlé Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre. There's live music many evenings, and light appetizers are served.

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. 

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.

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.

Joining Seattle's small list of rooftop bars, Firn (pronounced fee-rn) has made a splash since its opening in the spring of 2025 on the rooftop of Populus Hotel. Taking after its name, which roughly translates to "last season's snow that is on its way to becoming glacial ice" in Swiss German, Firn's cocktail menu is inspired by seasonal flavors and revolves around a few categories of ice. This includes cold, ice-shaken cocktails and libations poured over shaved ice—essentially an adult snow cone. The forest-meets-ocean-inspired decor, relaxed atmosphere, sun-soaked roof, and draping greenery have made it a popular spot among locals and visitors alike—reservations are highly recommended.

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.

If you think all wine bars are pretentious, you haven’t been to La Dive. While snobs would be impressed by the selection of natural wines, they’d probably blanch at some of the other drink options: rosé slushies, Rainier tall boys, jello shots, and chambongs (think beer bongs, but with champagne). It’s a lively neighborhood favorite where everyone seems to be in a good mood—and if they’re not, they can order a “long day home pour,” where the bartender fills their glass to the brim.

Inspired by the concept of a London pub, co-founder Rodney Hines opened Métier with the idea of creating a community space for the Central District. The creative lineup of beers deviates from the standard hop-heavy menu at many of Seattle’s microbreweries. From the food sourced from That Brown Girl Cooks (a local catering company celebrating Black food traditions), to the art on the walls commissioned from local BIPOC artists, the brewery is true to its roots.

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.

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.

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.

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 unusual 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). It's the place to go if you want to try The Last Word, a Prohibition-era cocktail that was revived right by Zig Zag bartender, the late Murray Stenson. 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.

You can't claim to have a sophisticated nightlife scene until someone in a vest is mixing artisanal cocktails, and 1022 South is one of Tacoma's top spots for fine drinks made with unusual infusions (nettles, yerba maté), house-made liqueurs, and premium liquors with hipster cachet (Crater Lake Pepper Vodka, for example). Daily happy hour is 4 to 7 pm (and all day Sunday), and the kitchen produces nosh-worthy nibbles, from cheese plates to burgers to smoked pork shoulder and cheddar grits.

This multi-roomed barcade is just like the kind of old-school arcade you grew up going to, minus the kids, and plus a few local craft beers on tap. The city's largest collection of vintage arcade games is set in a space that gives chaotic 1980s vibes, and has all the games from the era (and many others, too). But, in case you were curious, the cigarette machine doesn't actually work.

Locals head to this hard-to-find wood-paneled bar tucked into Pike Place to sip double martinis while taking in peekaboo views of Elliott Bay or studying the scripts, handbills, and movie posters that line the walls. Alibi has long served as a space for writers and other Seattle-area creatives—and is rumored to have a lingering ghost or two. The lower level is more crowded and casual. Stop by for a drink, a small snack, or a meal (the pizza is great), and stay to listen and dance to live music.

This interloper in the Seattle beer scene originally started two hours north, in Bellingham, but the quality IPAs allowed it to move to the big city. Another unique aspect to this taphouse: it's one of the few limited to adults, making it a nice reprieve from a busy day. Hungry drinkers can order from the menu of the seafood and sandwich specialist next door, Local Tide.

The fruits of Yakima's hops and apple crops come to Seattle 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 and a rotating selection of food trucks.