A Bar Guide to Seattle’s Capitol Hill

Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is known for its counterculture past, as well as its artsy, hipster-cool present. Walkability makes the area perfect for a weekend bar crawl, as does the ever-expanding number of bars, coffee shops, breweries and restaurants that line the streets. Thirsty imbibers will find an embarrassment of riches, from Elyisian Brewing’s flagship taproom to Seattle craft cocktail staple Tavern Law.

Here are seven spots you won’t want to miss.

Von Trapp’s
Beer, brats and bocce—what’s not to love? Von Trapp’s is a woodsy beer hall with a stellar line-up of German brews and food, complete with giant steins and pretzels and brats aplenty, and bocce as far as the eyes can see.

Elysian Brewing
The iconic Seattle brewery’s flagship taproom is a local favorite. There are 16 taps and two casks pouring special seasonals, like the Spruce Almighty, and classic brews, like the Immortal IPA.

Tavern Law / Needle & Thread (pictured)
This is a must for cocktails in Seattle. Needle & Thread is the small, intimate speakeasy to Tavern Law’s larger, more bustling scene.

The Smith
This gorgeous gastropub is a great place to fuel up before, during or after the nights’ adventures. Try a cocktail on tap or one of the inventive house recipes, such as the Electric Japanese with Cognac, lime, orgeat, honey/clove shrub and ginger beer.

Liberty
A coffee shop by day, Liberty shifts its sights toward spirits once the sun sets with killer cocktails, one of the largest Japanese whisky selections in the state and sushi that will keep you coming back for more.

Montana
A fantastic not-too-divey dive bar, Montana is always full of the coolest locals, including its owner, Rachel of Rachel’s Ginger Beer.

Rumba
Rum’s the word at Rumba, the antidote to Seattle’s incessant drizzle. Try one of four types of Daiquiris, go for a tropical swizzle or punch, or sample a rum flight featuring everything from Clement VSOP to Angostura 1919.

Also worth checking out:
Barrio
Knee High Stocking Co.
The Saint
Witness