Capitol Hill: Speakeasies With a Ritual at the Door
Needle & Thread
Find this speakeasy one floor above Tavern Law, a respected Capitol Hill cocktail bar in its own right, on 12th Avenue. Walk to the back of the downstairs bar, lift the vintage telephone beside a vault door and wait for someone to answer. Upstairs there is no printed menu: tell the bartender which spirits and flavors you like, and each drink is built from scratch.
The candlelit room is small, so reserve ahead for parties of one to six, since walk-ins get in only when there is space. It is a fine fit for date nights, birthdays and out-of-town guests who want a story to tell. Tavern Law's kitchen menu is served upstairs too, so settle in and make an evening of it.
Knee High Stocking Co.
Your night at this Capitol Hill bar on East Olive Way begins with a text to reserve, followed by a ring of a lighted doorbell. Step inside to dark blue walls and candlelight that set a moody tone. Sip from the rotating cocktail list and order the spicy Knee High Tots, a well-loved snack, on the side. Check the bar's website for how to reserve.
Belltown: Alley Hideaways and Classic Pours
Bathtub Gin & Co.
Duck into an alley off Second Avenue to find this Belltown speakeasy, known for its long gin list. Grab a seat at the bar if you like watching bartenders work up close. Gin lovers will find plenty to explore here.
The Upstairs
Just around the block from Bathtub Gin, The Upstairs has the feel of an old parlor, with gilded mirrors and intimate seating. Its craft cocktails arrive finished with neatly curled citrus zests. Pair it with a Bathtub Gin stop for an easy two-bar Belltown evening.
Rob Roy
A Belltown staple on Second Avenue, Rob Roy focuses on classic cocktails from before Prohibition, mixed by bartenders driven by curiosity and local ingredients. Look for creations like a daiquiri built on Danziger Goldwasser, an anise and caraway spirit, stirred rather than shaken. Come here when you want history in the glass instead of secret doors.
Neighborhood Favorites Beyond the Speakeasy Strip
The Backdoor at Roxy's
Head to North 36th Street for a bar that skips the password but still feels tucked away, thanks to soaring ceilings, colorful murals and angel statues. Small plates come alongside the drinks, so it is a good pick when you want food. Try the Hot Charlotte, which mixes gin, St. Germain, lemon, cucumber and Tabasco for a spicy finish.
Oliver's Twist
On Greenwood Avenue North, this neighborhood haunt builds its cocktails around a Dickensian theme. Start with the house drink, Duff and Blathers, a Manhattan-style cocktail where a spicy tincture balances the sweetness of amaro. Many of the drinks here grow out of ingredients the owner makes and afternoons of team experimenting.
Herb & Bitter
Fellow Seattle bartenders praise Herb & Bitter, found on Broadway East. Order the None Ya Beezwax, created by the bar manager and topped with a foam made from real beeswax. It is a great stop if you enjoy inventive, ingredient-driven cocktails.
Zig Zag Cafe
Zig Zag Cafe on Western Avenue is the longtime standby that local bartenders name when asked where they drink. Settle into the timeless atmosphere and polished service that people admire here. It is a natural choice for a well-made classic cocktail in a storied room.
Hours, reservation rules and menus change, so check each business's own website for current details before you go.
Tips Before You Head Out
- Bring ID. Needle & Thread and Tavern Law admit guests 21 and over, and other bars will check too.
- Book the small rooms. Speakeasies seat few people, so reserve wherever the bar allows it.
- Know your tastes. At a no-menu bar, name a spirit and a flavor you like, and you will get a better drink.
- Dress is relaxed. Needle & Thread has no dress code, so leave the period costume at home.
Building a full day around your evening? Start with our list of things to do in Seattle, or spend an afternoon at the city's best-known landmarks before drinks after dark.
