Home › Forums › Open Discussion › West Seattle's Watering Holes – Your Opinion
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July 31, 2010 at 4:07 pm #595776
Jonathan SMemberGreetings,
I’m a freelance writer doing a story about some of West Seattle’s great pubs, clubs, cafes and bars.
I’m going to be discussing the following and any thoughts you might have of the place (clientele, the place’s vibe, the good beers or food they have) would be greatly appreciated! I’ve lifted a pint or two at the various spots but would like different perspectives from you all.
The places:
Beveridge Place
Alki Tavern
Skylark Cafe
Big Al’s Brewery
Elliott Bay Brewing Co
Celtic Swell
Porterhouse
Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
Jonathan S.
July 31, 2010 at 7:49 pm #700289
dawsonctParticipantThe Corner Pocket has the best atmosphere, as far as I’m concerned. I like the feel of walking down a flight of stairs to shoot some pool and have a few drinks.
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Too bad the Delridge has passed into history (not really, I like Skylark much better), but I think the Tug still offers that seedy, edgy, and rather dangerous feel that makes a night out feel somehow more authentic.
July 31, 2010 at 9:40 pm #700290
AimParticipantWriting about WS Great Watering Holes and not including the Feedback Lounge would be a HUGE mistake, I think. They have some of the best drinks in town, with an equally delicious food menu. Prohibition-era inspired cocktails, house-made liqueurs, unusual and specialty ingredients. Seriously, don’t skip it. You’ll thank me once you’ve tried a few of their beverages, if you haven’t already. The Blackberry Bruise (with fresh tarrgon,) the St. Basil, the HoneyBush, Old Man Tom, and my new favorite, the Scoff Law. And don’t miss the Bells of St Mary for dessert! Go on a Sunday after 5pm and get the ribs. Seriously, DO NOT miss the ribs.
Plus, the waitresses are SMOKIN.
August 1, 2010 at 12:02 am #700291
HelperMonkeyParticipantagreed with Aim on all counts. and if it’s an oversight because you haven’t been there, Jonathan – GO THERE NOW. Order a Honeybush. Enjoy the music and the view.
August 1, 2010 at 12:56 am #700292
kParticipantwest 5????
August 1, 2010 at 12:57 am #700293
kParticipanti love the vibe at BPP. love the dogs, people and general feeling of well being there. a favorite for beers!
August 1, 2010 at 3:19 am #700294
MooseMemberAlki Crab and Fish Co. at the water taxi dock. It has THE best seats of all Seattle. The beer and wine are not expensive and the view… it will take your breath away. They redecorated the outside (which is the major reason I LOVE this place)with great comfy outdoor seating, tables, lounges and heat lamps and soon fire pit. Very classy yet very casual. The people that work there have always been extremely nice. It is my #1 pick for LOCATION with a beverage! Did I mention the location? Not only a view but steps to the beach to top off your day or night with a walk or stumble along the waters edge. I hope they start staying open later. Until such time, my normal haunt would be Catus.
Yelp:
August 1, 2010 at 3:52 pm #700295
CarsonParticipantAlki Crab has a great view but the food sucks. I tried to feed Carson the stuff I wouldn’t eat and he just looked at me, saying why do I have to eat this?
August 1, 2010 at 4:47 pm #700296
austinMemberI had some good halibut and chips there once. Maybe your dog is sick. I wouldn’t call it a watering hole exactly though as their selection of drinks is pretty bare bones and they don’t have any taps.
I’ve been to the feedback lounge one time and was treated like “we don’t want your type in here”, I guess I’m not hip enough? Fine by me, I’m not really a mixed drinks person anyway, and I’m definitely not a wait two hours for one beer and some overpriced mac and cheese person.
I love the beveridge place but their dogs policy is pretty sorry. It’s a beautiful pub and they have the best selection of beer anywhere, but the “service dog” lipservice is insulting and the fact that they don’t actually do anything about rowdy dogs is kind of off putting. I was sitting at the bar the other night and two women, each in possession of an enormous wooly looking dog, were sitting by the front door. The enormous dogs were barking, loudly, at every single thing- each other, other dogs in the bar, people, beer, cars outside, everything. The bartenders kept shouting “No Barking” from the bar, the women ignored them, the dogs didn’t speak English. Eventually one of the bartenders asked them to go outside, but the dogowners didn’t like that suggestion so they ignored it too. The barking continued til I left. These were typical “nice”-looking women, not young or thuggish types, just disruptively self entitled.
I like to go to elliot bay brewing company when I’ve got guests with kids in tow. I’ve been refused service as early as 9 pm however, with no other explanation than “kitchen’s closed and I called last call ten minutes ago”. Last call at 8:50? Ok good luck with that, and the beer is at the bottom rung with regards to seattle area micros anyway.
I like prost (when it’s not crowded) because it’s near the house, they serve food til pretty late, have tasty beer, and they don’t dick with you.
August 1, 2010 at 5:27 pm #700297
sam-cParticipantaustin- with the renovation of the exterior (alki crab and fish), they have added taps. However I can’t remember which ones. I think we had Firehouse IPA. I do like sitting outside there; the view is nice and it is very relaxing. I do prefer Alki Crab and Fish’s halibut over Spuds, but think they’re both good.
but even with a taps, i don’t think of it as a ‘watering hole’
I do agree that West 5 should be on the list; I’ve never been to Feedback.
August 1, 2010 at 7:24 pm #700298
AimParticipantAustin, I’m neither young nor hip – in any sense of the words – and have never gotten that vibe from the Feedback, nor have I ever waited more than 20 minutes for my food. I’m sorry to hear that you did, but I’d chalk it up to a bad night. I’ve been there probably 75 times since they opened, and not once had a bad experience. They remembered me after 2 visits. Could be because I’m kind to the waitresses, and tip well. It could also be because they’re just that kind of place.
EBB closes at midnight now, but I believe they used to close around 9, so if you walked in looking for a meal right at closing, it only makes sense that they’d refuse to seat.
I agree with you about BPP. The place does nothing for me.
August 1, 2010 at 8:03 pm #700299
lazybeardParticipantSince Feedback has already been covered, I’ll say Prost! Some folks don’t like the community seating, but I don’t mind it. Great German beers and food.
August 1, 2010 at 8:36 pm #700300
DOCMemberI will second Austin and Lazybeard with a shout-out for Prost!. The beers are great, and it’s a very friendly and outgoing environment that encourages you to interact with others. Also, the Kassler Rippchen is freaking amazing, if you like German food of course.
August 2, 2010 at 4:38 am #700301
hopeyParticipantMission always feels more like a bar than a restaurant to me — and I mean that in a good way.
Don’t miss the pirate-themed Benbow Room off the alley behind the Heartland Cafe on Admiral.
And there’s always Poggie Tavern in the Junction… ;)
August 3, 2010 at 5:48 pm #700302
dtownMemberB-Place, Porterhouse, and EBB….those seem a little more ‘staged’ to be called a ‘watering hole’. If you know what I mean? Not that they aren’t great establishments, because they are!…I just mean, a great watering hole has some history, crusty tenders, and an uneven floor. :p
August 3, 2010 at 6:21 pm #700303
odrokuParticipantThe only place on that list I’ve patronized more than once is the Celtic Swell. Saturday nights is good music and Smithwick’s for me there. What more is there to say about a watering hole?
August 3, 2010 at 8:30 pm #700304
mrhinehMemberThe deck at Duke’s is great during the summers; lots of beach gazing, cars cruising, mountains, sunsets, drinks and food. Love it.
I would like to see EBB freshen up its beer selections. The BBQ pit in Admiral is also a nice alternative in the summer.
August 3, 2010 at 10:09 pm #700305
GoGoParticipantBenbow is great, love the pirate motif, but be warned! Happy hour drinks are POTENT! Which in my younger days was a good thing, but in my advanced age can be dangerous. :)
August 4, 2010 at 1:30 am #700306
JiggersMemberI like a few beers some times, but the prices at BPP is ridiculous. I’ve lived in W.S. for 15 years, and still the Maharaja gets you need to get you were you need to get..:)
August 4, 2010 at 4:53 am #700307
c@lbobMemberJonathan S,
You have a good list.
The top 6 have clientele and history to keep them going, I hope Porterhouse’s beer selection keeps them going until they straighten out their menu.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned West 5, that’s my most frequent haunt. Jo, the bar manager during the day is a great mixologist, IMHO, but the rest of the bartenders are good, too. It seems like a pretty happenin’ place at night, but it’s been decades since I’ve made the singles scene. Their BLT and Reuben sandwiches are my favorite, along with the mac n’ cheese. It is a bit pricey.
The Admiral Benbow is worth a mention in your article, too. Potent drinks, good food, nice ambiance, fish in the floor, what more could you ask for?
I will plug for the Bohemian. Erik makes great drinks, the jazz is wonderful, I like the food.
August 4, 2010 at 9:10 pm #700308
dtownMember+1 to West 5
August 4, 2010 at 10:51 pm #700309
austinMemberThe $5 bottle of pike ipa I just had at the maharaja pretty much invalidates any complaints about the pricing of BPP’s awesome craft selection.
August 7, 2010 at 9:07 am #700310
dawsonctParticipantOdroku, I agree it IS nice to sit at Alki and have a drink, but $7 for a PINT!!?? With tip, they only drew me in once.
I AM happy for you that you are in a financial situation that allows you to overlook those completely unreasonable prices.
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It does keep those of us in the lower castes away, so I’m sure the lack of class-mixing is a real relief for some.
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