Seattle has the deepest American whiskey list in the country (Canon), the city where Murray Stenson rediscovered the Last Word, and a bar scene that quietly competes with anywhere on the West Coast. The 10 below show why Seattle deserves a separate cocktail trip.
Part of our 50 Best Cocktail Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best cocktail bars in Seattle
01 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Whisky temple · Counter
Jamie Boudreau's room. The deepest American whiskey list in the country (4,000+ bottles).
Order: A flight of bourbons + a Sazerac
02 · Seattle
Belltown
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Speakeasy · Belltown
Belltown cocktail bar. Long bar, classics-driven menu, no gimmicks.
Order: A Rob Roy, made the long way
03 · Seattle
Pike Place
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Pike Place classic
Below the Pike Place Market. Murray Stenson rediscovered the Last Word here. Classics-driven institution.
Order: A Last Word
04 · Seattle
Pioneer Square
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Pioneer Square · Long bar
Pioneer Square cocktail bar. Long bar, neighbourhood feel, drinks that take themselves seriously without being precious.
Order: Bartender's choice
05 · Seattle
Belltown
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Tropical · Tiki-leaning
Anu Apte's tropical-leaning sister to Rob Roy. The rum list is one of the West Coast's deepest.
Order: A Mai Tai with their reserve rum
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06 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Speakeasy · Vault
Through a vault door. Capitol Hill cocktail bar with Prohibition-era theatricality but serious technique.
Order: A spec from their cellar-aged collection
07 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Asian-inspired cocktails
Capitol Hill bar with Asian-inspired cocktails and a small Cantonese kitchen.
Order: A drink built around shochu or sake
08 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Reservation-only · Tasting
Twelve-seat reservation-only Capitol Hill bar. Tasting-format cocktail experience.
Order: The full evening tasting
09 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Sake + cocktails
Capitol Hill bar with one of the city's deepest sake programs. Hybrid format that works.
Order: A sake flight + a Japanese-spirit cocktail
10 · Seattle
Capitol Hill
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Southern-influenced
Capitol Hill Southern-influenced cocktail bar. Tennessee whiskey-led drinks, Southern small plates, the most Nashville-feeling room in Seattle.
Order: A julep + their fried chicken
More Seattle cocktail barsThe full Seattle cocktail-bar index by neighbourhood.
See the full list
Why Seattle cocktailing matters
Seattle bartenders take craft very seriously without taking themselves seriously. Canon and Rob Roy are the technical bookends. Zig Zag Cafe is the historical room (the Last Word was rediscovered here). The 10 above are essential. Most peak between 9 and 11 PM.
