During my first trip to Seattle, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to explore the best speakeasies in the Emerald City. Having written about secret bars in Austin and San Diego, I was excited to see what Seattle had to offer.
My girlfriend, Kel, whose business trip brought us to the Pacific Northwest, joined me at most of the speakeasy bars on this list. Keep reading if you want a speakeasy vibe with exceptional cocktails. Seattle has some of the most extraordinary spaces I've seen.
Seattle Speakeasies
1. Needle & Thread
We'll begin our intoxicating journey at Tavern Law restaurant on the southern edge of the Capitol Hill district. Here, you can access the Needle & Thread speakeasy.
Tavern Law takes its name from the "Pioneer Inn and Tavern Law" that the U.S. Congress passed in 1832. This law allowed inns and saloons to sell alcohol to customers regardless of whether they rented a room for the night.
The interior looks like a cross between a law library and a casino, with many bookcases and a roulette wheel hanging over the bar.
We sat at a table opposite a bank vault door by Norris Safe & Lock Co., the entrance to Needle & Thread. I wanted to spend time at Tavern Law, so we arrived for their happy hour before our reservation at the speakeasy.
Happy Hour at Tavern Law
It was a good thing, too, because Tavern Law serves fantastic cocktails and food. I ordered a Scarlet Decline with vodka and pomegranate liqueur; Kel got the Bitter & Jaded gin drink.
For dinner, we shared cheddar and corn cracklins with serrano pepper fondue and a Tavern Burger with onion jam, provolone, and a generous portion of pork belly. A slender salted chocolate chip cookie further impressed me.
After dinner and our Tavern Law bill paid, I was full, so I picked up the rotary phone and spoke the secret words our server had given me.
The door to Needle & Thread, hidden in plain sight, opened, and we were led upstairs to an intimate space and one of Seattle's best-kept secrets. A Prohibition-era copy of the Chicago Daily Tribune set the mood under the glass top of a wooden coffee table.
We sat at the bar, where the bartender inquired about our preferences. Needle & Thread has no menu; the bartender tailors craft drinks to each guest.
I shared my preferences (citrus, sweet, vodka, gin), and he produced a mixed drink garnished with a lemon slice and rosemary that hit all the right notes. Kel and I chatted with each other and the bartender for about an hour on a relatively quiet night. If we'd had more people with us, I would've enjoyed sitting around the coffee table or in some of the comfy-looking chairs in the room.
How to visit: You can reserve seats at Needle & Thread up to seven days in advance. Tell the host(ess) at Tavern Law you've got a reservation, and you'll receive a password. Pick up the black phone by the bank vault door and state your name and password at the assigned time. If you get it right, the door will open. 1406 12th Ave, Seattle, tavernlaw.com
2. Bathtub Gin & Co.
In my pre-trip research, Bathtub Gin & Co. in the Belltown neighborhood near Pike Place Market often appeared as one of the best speakeasies in Seattle.
This small, split-level cocktail lounge is accessed through a nondescript wooden door in an alley. A silver sign on the brick wall and a crystal chandelier visible through the window let you know you're in the right place.
Bathtub Gin opened in 2009 in the old boiler room of a former hotel. Seating is limited, and reservations aren't accepted, so unless you arrive when they open, take what you can get.
We walked up a short flight of stairs to cushioned stools at a tiny bar in this cozy hideaway. I counted four small tables and one baby bathtub on the lower level.
The menu featured many appealing drinks. I tried The Great Arrival with light rum and celery bitters, described as "light, refreshing, with herbaceous citrus," but I didn't like it.
The bartender kindly offered me something else, and I went with Diamond Hands. The combination of gin, kumquat, grapefruit liqueurs, lemon, and prosecco suited me better.
Meanwhile, Kel thoroughly enjoyed To The Moon with fortified rosé wine, rhubarb liqueur, sage honey, prosecco, and hibiscus flowers. 2205 2nd Ave #310, Seattle, bathtubginseattle.com
3. Inside Passage
On the same block as the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, back in Capitol Hill, is Rumba, a Caribbean bar featuring more than 200 rums. It was 8 p.m. on a Sunday, and the place was popping.
I couldn't get a reservation for Inside Passage, a separate establishment within Rumba. It would be a one-hour wait for Inside Passage, the winner of Eater's 2021 award for most innovative theme bar.
Since it was our last night in Seattle, we ordered a few rum drinks. When two seats opened up, our server let us know, and we paid our bill and entered Inside Passage. The nautical-themed Seattle speakeasy offers an immersive tropical experience, complete with a sea monster named Kiki, whose 18-foot tentacles sprawl across the space.
We were seated at the end of the bar, where I took in the innovative cocktails while watching them being prepared. I chose the namesake Inside Passage with a mix of Jamaican, Guyanese, and Bajan rums, served in a ship pulled down by Kiki the sea monster. Other signature drinks include the One-Eyed Willie ("Goonies never say die!") served in a smoking skull and The Amazombie 2.0 (a poke at Amazon.com)
How to visit: Make a reservation up to three weeks before; otherwise, walk-ins are welcome. Go to Rumba and either confirm your reservation with the host(ess) or inquire about availability for Inside Passage. If seating isn't immediately available, you'll be added to the waitlist. 1108 Pike St, Seattle, insidepassageseattle.com
4. Deep Dive
The Spheres is part of Amazon's corporate headquarters in Seattle. It includes office space and 40,000 plants from around the world. Although it's a unique building, in keeping with this story's theme, I'll focus on the exquisite speakeasy within.
Opened in 2018 at the base of the Amazon Spheres, Deep Dive is essentially an art installation by Curtis Steiner, featuring a cocktail bar. The local Seattle artist curated most of the intriguing items on display in collaboration with a friend and restaurant owner, Renee Erickson of The Walrus and The Carpenter.
Inside the Bar
Upon entering, one of the first things I noticed was a taxidermied squirrel displayed in a glass case at the bar.
A similar glass case next to the seats Kel and I chose at the bar featured a bottle of Hibiki 21 Years, a rare Japanese whiskey that costs $180 per serving. Before looking at the menu, I took a quick peek at the back room, which was meticulously set up and simply gorgeous.
A glass chandelier designed by Steiner, in collaboration with local artist John Hogan, evoked works of art at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum.
Once my curiosity had calmed down, I returned to the bar and perused the cocktail menu. I settled on a Cosmo Fizz with vodka, cranberry shrub, lime, orange, cardamom, rose cider, and egg white.
The complex yet delicate drink, crafted by expert bartenders, was delightful and refreshing. Deep Dive is easily one of Seattle's best speakeasy bars, and I'll be happy to return the next time I'm there.
How to visit: Reservations are available via OpenTable on Sundays; otherwise, arrive when it opens to ensure a seat. 620 Lenora St, Seattle, deepdiveseattle.com
5. Smith Tower Observatory Bar
The Smith Tower Observatory Bar is on the 35th floor of the historic Smith Tower skyscraper on Second Avenue in downtown Seattle. It offers spectacular 360-degree views. On a chilly, blue-sky afternoon, I approached Seattle's oldest skyscraper, which opened more than 100 years ago on July 4, 1914.
It was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and remained the tallest building on the West Coast until the Space Needle opened in 1962. $19 covers access to the Observatory and bar, which includes exhibits on the building's history, a ride in the original Otis elevators, and scenic views from the top.
Roy Olmstead, one of the Pacific Northwest's most successful bootleggers during Prohibition, operated a radio station with his wife from the Smith Tower.
Top of the Tower
On the 35th floor, you'll exit the elevator into The Chinese Room, adorned with an incredible wooden ceiling. A host showed me to a cushioned stool facing south toward T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners. But I didn't sit long.
Before ordering my drink, I walked around the outdoor observation deck. Signs act as a guide to notable buildings and geographical features.
Once I'd made my way around the deck, I returned to my seat and ordered a Pink Elephant cocktail with orange-infused Wheatley Vodka. It was crisp and refreshing.
Signature cocktails run from $12 to $16, which isn't bad if you stay awhile. Otherwise, admission, a quick drink, and a tip can total $40 or more, making it one of Seattle's pricier bars.
Fans of the Old Fashioned have nine to choose from, three of which are barrel-aged and available as a $30 flight. Barrel-aged cocktails, including a negroni, mai tai, and paper plane, are also available.
How to visit: Check in for the Observatory two doors down from the main lobby, and you must pay admission. A self-guided tour leads to an elevator that takes you to the Observatory and bar. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in this Seattle speakeasy, so arrive early to secure a spot. The Observatory is open from 3 p.m. on Wednesday to Sunday. 506 2nd Ave #35, Seattle, smithtower.com
6. BackDoor
Update: The BackDoor closed permanently sometime around September 2024.
The BackDoor is a speakeasy bar behind Roxy's Diner and Norm's Eatery in Fremont. Kel and I liked the decor, which included painted murals on the walls, chandeliers, and repurposed windows hanging from the ceiling. One cozy corner, pictured above, had cushy seating, fluffy pillows, and many mirrors.
I ordered the Purple Flamingo, described as "a tropical trip on a winter's night." The tall, fruity cocktail was made with Wheatley Vodka and black currant puree, along with other ingredients. In addition to a rotating list of seasonal signature drinks, you can order classic cocktails and locally produced wine, beer, and cider.
Kel visited this next speakeasy alone, and she describes it in her own words.
7. The Alley
Nestled in a nook off California Avenue's alley, this West Seattle speakeasy is easy to miss. Black walls, chandeliers, and a well-stocked bar create a cozy atmosphere. The drink menu furthers the Prohibition-era vibe with Bee's Knees, Sidecars, and Hemingway Daiquiris.
The Art Deco menu also features other eras, including the Golden Age (1860-1919), Repeal (1934-1960), Dark Ages (1970-1995), and the Renaissance (1996-Present). The bartenders on duty offer classics like Old Fashioneds and Sazeracs, as well as original creations. My friend Angie chose a Tequila Sunrise, topped with a cherry, tequila, orange, and grenadine.
A neighboring table's drink, Naked & Famous (mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, lime), looked tempting, but I opted for the Jungle Bird. The bartender happily subbed my rum for gin in the Dark Ages-era cocktail, which included Campari, demerara, pineapple, and a slice of lime.
Our strong, smooth drinks paid homage to libations made in dark corners long ago. The speakeasy, which opened in summer 2018, offers small bites nightly and jazz on Sundays.
How to visit: Enter through the back of the building, off the California Avenue alley. The speakeasy is behind the Bonjour Vietnam restaurant, facing a parking lot near SW Oregon Street. Look for the small nook, located just beyond the glass doors with metal bars. If no one directs you to the secret opening, face the metal lockers and open the third door from the bottom right. Pull the door handle to open the lockers. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Alley is open from 5 p.m. to Midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. 4509 California Ave SW, Seattle, thealleyws.com
Speakeasies I Didn't Get To
It was challenging to fit the first six speakeasies on this list into a long weekend in Seattle. I didn't get to a few places, which I will have to wait for next time.
More noteworthy speakeasies in Seattle:
- Knee High Stocking Co. - Craft cocktails and Filipino-American comfort food by reservation only, Thursday to Saturday. Anthony Bourdain featured it on one of his TV shows.
- Tin Lizzie Lounge - Prohibition-style speakeasy with an antique bar in the MarQueen Hotel.
- The Diller Room - Dating back to 1890, this speakeasy is in the lobby of the former Diller Hotel. During Prohibition, a Chinese laundry operated on the ground floor, a front for continuing to sell alcohol.
