Hot Hotel Bars

Seattle’s bar scene is making waves in one oft-overlooked location: right in your hotel.

Pennyroyal Courtesy Aubrie Pick / Pennyroyal

We recommend starting at the top. Perched nine floors above ground level at Thompson Hotel near Pike Place Market is The Nest (*110 Stewart St; thompsonhotels.com), frequented for its sweeping views, outdoor seating, and over-the-top boozy creations (think punch served in a copper flamingo). Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails (*1415 Fifth Ave; destinationhotels.com/frolik-seattle) at Motif Seattle offers its own sleek rooftop patio complete with ping-pong, shuffleboard tables, and craft cocktails.

For an upscale nightcap, snag a seat overlooking Elliott Bay at Six Seven (*2411 Alaskan Way; edgewaterhotel.com) in the Edgewater Hotel, where you’ll find a happy hour of house cocktails and small bites—truffle fries plus its signature mezcal cocktail Hell on Wheels is a winning match. Also near the water and with equally stunning views is Goldfinch Tavern (*99 Union St; goldfinchtavern.com) at the Four Seasons; go here for an impressive lineup of cocktails (try the eponymous mule made with Rachel’s Ginger Beer) and local wine in a refined atmosphere.

And there’s no shortage of hotel restaurants serving excellent dishes to pair with your libation of choice. Downtown, Rider (*619 Pine St; riderseattle.com) in the newly renovated Hotel Theodore offers a bounty of seafood and delivers a mean bespoke cocktail. Tom Douglas staple Lola (*2000 Fourth Ave; lolaseattle.com) in Hotel Ändra blends Pacific Northwest fare with Mediterranean flavor—the Lola Mary with jalapeño-infused vodka is a must with brunch.

For a taste of old-school Seattle, head to mahogany-paneled Fireside Room (900 Madison St; hotelsorrento.com) at Hotel Sorrento on First Hill for a nightcap amid tunes from a baby grand, or sip one of the most famous martinis in town at Oliver’s Lounge (405 Olive Way; mayflowerpark.com) in downtown’s Mayflower Park Hotel.

If it’s character you seek, neighboring Pennyroyal (2000 Second Ave; pennyroyalbar.com) in Palladian Hotel hits the mark with a lively cocktail list (including a trio of Spanish-style gin tonics) and a low-lit, elegant vibe. And The Tin Lizzie Lounge (600 Queen Anne Ave N; thetinlizzielounge.com) in Queen Anne’s MarQueen Hotel wins points for style with its speakeasy-inspired décor and playful drink menu. Order a Seattle Freeze for a mix of Broker’s gin, cold brew, and bitters.

*Visit Seattle Partner