The Best Craft Cocktail Bars in Seattle, Washington
Forget dive bars; chic restaurants and bars have been stepping up their game, implementing cocktail programs that highlight handcrafted syrups and tinctures, fresh herbs, and unique spirits amongst the remarkable talent of the bartenders who make them. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or are a cocktail snob, check out Seattle’s nine best spots for craft cocktails that are downright revolutionizing the drinking experience.
1. Canon
Canon
Canon is one of the most respected cocktail bars in all of Seattle. Distinguished by its bottle-lined walls and retro ambiance reminiscent of the Roaring 1920s, Canon provides spirit enthusiasts with over 3,500 labels to choose from, including rare and vintage finds. Whiskey drinker? Here, you’ll find a star-studded selection, along with chilled green Chartreuse on tap. Plus, the cocktail list is lengthy, from innovative spins on the classics (think ‘pimmp’s cup’ with strawberry and grappa) to barrel-aged, house-carbonated, and punch bowl-style cocktails meant for sharing.
2. Needle & Thread
Needle & Thread
Needle & Thread is Seattle’s ode to a bygone era – inspired by traditional Prohibition craft, this speakeasy (hidden behind a bank vault door in Tavern Law) fuses sophistication with the dark, seedy, blind pigs of the past, fit with leather couches and sparkling chandeliers. With the art of mixing at the forefront, Needle & Thread’s bartenders live and die by perfectly crafted cocktails, created and made by those with a passion for the history and roots of American cocktail culture. On the menu, you’ll find a long list of manhattans, sours, mules, sweet, salty, and even unusual umami-based drinks, providing plenty of selections for any palate. Pro tip: this spot requires a reservation, but you may be able to sweet-talk your way in through Tavern Law.
Needle & Thread, 1406 12th Ave, Seattle, WA, USA, +1 206 325 0133
3. Rumba
Cocktail Bar, Cocktails
5. Liberty
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Cocktails, Sushi, Wine, Beer
6. Rob Roy
Rob Roy
Rob Roy, brainchild of Anu Elford, is cranking out top-notch and unusually innovative cocktails – like the saffron sandalwood sour and gunpowder punch (yes, it’s made with real gunpowder) – inside a dark and cozy space. The atmosphere is casual, drawing in characters from all areas of the city, and sometimes morphs into a somewhat clubby vibe; but it makes for the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail (or three) well into the wee hours.
7. Zig Zag Café
Restaurant, Cafe, Cocktails, American
8. Essex
Essex
Essex is craft-cocktail-making at its finest. Brought to you by famed wood-fired pizza joint, Delancey, Essex is the product of owner Brandon Pettit’s past experiments creating house-made bitters and liqueurs at his pizzeria next door. A small but quaint space, Essex takes special care in crafting some of the best cocktails in Seattle; from sparkling cocktails on tap to Pettit’s house-made Fernet, Essex leaves nothing to be desired. Plus, the menu is always changing, so Pettit keeps things interesting for returning customers (which you’ll be after just one visit).
9. Percy's and Co.
Restaurant, South American
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