Ballard is far and away my favorite place to go with friends and spontaneously wander, and Percy's & Co. is far and away my favorite bar in Ballard. The bartenders are majorly skilled at concocting you something original if you tell them what you like, the atmosphere is beautiful, it's not too noisy, and there's a huge outdoor patio area in the back for hot days in the summer (yes, sometimes it stops raining, don't be weird about it). Afterwards, I typically find myself wandering over to Little Tin (also amazing atmosphere, and they make their own shrubs, whatever that means), Pie Bar, and, if it's late, Matador (because $5 late night nachos grandes and $3 late night margaritas, let's go!).

Read More

So, yes, I realize that when you think "drink" you're probably thinking alcohol, but no conversation about Seattle is going to be complete without a rundown of its caffeine scene, aka my epic love, my lifesblood, the substance I want included in my eulogy because everything I am, I owe to coffee. But I digress. Seattle's coffee scene is as intense as it's many dark roasts, but if you're going to start somewhere, skip the Starbucks scene and instead check out Cafe Presse, Analog, Victrola, Elm Coffee Roasters, and Caffe Vita (hint, a lot of them are in Capitol Hill). And when you go, ask every barista where else you should check out, because you could spend an eternity wandering Seattle and sampling its caffeinated wonders. I'm stopping now, I'm getting verklempt.

Read More

I found myself working in Germany for a month one September, and found myself in Munich during Oktoberfest. I can't believe I'm even saying these words, but I actually considered not going to Oktoberfest to check it out, because all the frat boy stories I'd heard about it flies completely in the face of anything resembling fun to me. I could probably write a book about how much I loved Oktoberfest, but I'll just tell you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT, and when I got back to Seattle I got incredibly excited when I found out that there was a Munich-style bierhall just blocks from my apartment. I love Queen Anne Beerhall so much. German brews and pretzels (including pretzel bread pudding, I'm sorry, I'm yours forever) and mustard aside, there's also human-size jenga, which is very important to me. 

Read More

Here's the thing: every city needs a good tiki bar. Don't ask me to explain this, but when the moment strikes and you just really need a fruity drink set on fire and served with an umbrella, you'll thank me for introducing you to Navy Strength. Also, its companion bar No Anchor (decidedly less tropical) is next door, and the duo makes for a good night out.

Read More

The first time I went to Cursed Oak was on a highly weird date, weird enough that it almost completely ruined the place for me altogether, but one crucial element of this bar stood out to me enough that it's made me come back for more again and again and again. No, it wasn't the incredibly delicious fries, the prolific use of Aperol (my weakness), the nice bartender who told me to flee when my date went to the bathroom, or the company I was with (God forbid)--it was the fact that they have a drink called the Smoking Gun where they literally use a gun to infuse your whisky with smoke in front of you. There's no date bad enough that can keep me away from smoked whisky. I'll go back to this place forever.

Read More

Before I moved to Seattle, I knew that the craft coffehouse game here was strong, but what I didn't know is that the craft brewery game here is equally impressive! It was such a pleasant surprise! It reminded me of home! It reminded me of Grand Rapids! It made me eschew my usual deadpan sarcasm and start exclaiming about it in regular conversation! My suggestion is to start at Chuck's Hop Shop (covered in the shop section of this guide, don't worry, I could never overlook Chuck's) and sample from all the local breweries before zeroing in on what you want to try, but my three faves are Cloudburst, Two Beers, and Fremont Brewing Co. 

Read More

I'll just come out and say it: I am a sucker for a speakeasy. I don't want to be the person who's into kitsch, but there's something just so dang fun about pulling a certain book off a shelf to reveal a trick bookcase, or dialing a rotary phone and whispering a password to reveal a hidden elevator. I don't even care about the quality of the drinks awaiting me at the end of the winding dark tunnel (there's always a winding dark tunnel)--make me feel like Nancy Drew and I'll spend the next three months of my life telling everyone I know to frequent your establishment. In Seattle, that speakeasy is Needle & Thread, and thankfully their drinks are actually fantastic (you tell the bartender what you like and he creates something unique just for you). Just note you need reservations in order to (get the clues to) access it.

Read More

I love a good neighborhood bar, and my Seattle neighborhood bar is White Horse Trading Co. It's down by Pike Place in Post Alley, but is just enough tucked away that it's not overrun by tourists. I also take some major decorating nods from this place because now that I'm thinking about it, my living room looks very similar to this place (aka retirement home chic) (that sounds totally unappealing) (but is cozy?) (I'm done now).

Read More