The Top 50 Haunts

Baseball, politics, and hosting major international events clearly aren't Seattle's strengths, but when it comes to going out and drinking, we rock! Take a drive (sober, of course!), and you'll see this city metamorphose into clusters of drunken hamlets—from the nattily dressed crowd spilling onto Belltown's streets to the frat-infested clubs of Pioneer Square, from the colorful quilt of queers and crazies on Capitol Hill to the Bud-swillin' types in Ballard—not to mention the refugees hunkered down in West Seattle watering holes or singing "You Oughta Know" at the top of their lungs at an International District karaoke joint. There's one problem, though. With so much variety conflicting with the human impulse to frequent the same place over and over until the bartender knows your social security number by heart, we Seattleites face an emotional tug-of-war each time we make a date, set up plans with friends, or simply escape the drudgery of our rain-soaked, hard-workin' lives. Should we go with what we know, or try something new? Shaking up the routine's the best way to achieve that fresh, vivacious feeling. We at the Weekly ventured out into the wilds of Seattle's nightlife and picked the 50 top spots to have a drink and a bite, check out a band or DJ, shoot some pool, or check out the action. Of course, there are dozens, maybe hundreds, more places out there, but these are the hangouts, dives, saloons, or—as we Halloween-spirited folks call 'em—haunts that we'd recommend to friends, Romans, and fellow Seattle night cats.

KEY: (disclaimer: It's damn near impossible to discern the nuances of every haunt. If you have issues with smoking, age, live music, or you're finicky about anything else, please, we implore you, call ahead!)

=Full bar =Beer, wine only =Cover =All ages =Darkness (1=lightest, 5=darkest)

=Loudness (1=lowest, 5=loudest) =Bands =DJ =Jukebox =Karaoke =No smoking

BELLTOWN

DOWNTOWN

CAPITOL HILL

QUEEN ANNE

EASTLAKE

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT/NORTHEAST

FREMONT/BALLARD

CENTRAL DISTRICT

WEST SEATTLE/SOUTHWEST/VASHON/BAINBRIDGE

BELLTOWN

Crocodile Caf鼯B>
2200 Second, 441-5611
Tue-Sun noon-2am (kitchen 8am-11pm), closed Mon
Lunch, dinner, weekend brunch
$$

On a Friday or Saturday night, few places pulsate like the Croc. A sort of rock oasis amid the Kenny G-izing of slick Belltown, this joint's hosted legendary rock shows, it continues to rate as a must-play for touring bands and local hopefuls, and the live music's only part of the appeal. (Meanwhile, many of us mutter about the inconvenient sight lines in the often packed and sweaty main room.) The backroom bar and seating area serves as one of Seattle's best see-and-be-seen arenas and hosts art shows by underground painters. The restaurant serves diner-style fare for lunch and dinner. To top things off, the weekend brunch is as casual and reliable as they come.

upshot: Rock 'n' roll all night, and come back for a tasty eggs Benedict!--R.A.M.

Cyclops
2421 First, 441-1677
Daily 5pm-10pm (restaurant), 4pm-2am (bar)
Dinner, appetizers
$$-$$$

Previously renowned for its inventive dinners and Jell-O mold-adorned exterior, Cyclops has settled into its deep-Belltown digs and emerged a vibrant neighborhood hangout. A bit glam, a bit meat-market, but there's no denying the open invitation of this expansive counter and the warmth given off by the lava lamps, candles, sparkly vinyl seats, and art-covered brick walls. "It's like two places in one," my date said, with reference to the populated bar and the almost-empty restaurant area (OK, it was a weeknight . . .). The bar thrums steadily with a thirtysomething after-work jubilance that's very Sex and the City, but it's easy to assimilate. That said, the majority of women are gorgeous, and the men (gorgeous or not) are busy salivating. It ultimately makes for a good place to have a sweet, colorful drink (the grape nehis are awfully fine) and listen to the conversations fly against the stereo's reassuring backbeats.

upshot: Pretty, mellow, and pretty mellow; a huge relief from the self-consciously hip theme park that is First Avenue.—E.B.R.

Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
2033 Sixth, 441-9729
Mon-Sat 6pm-last show ('round midnight); Sun 4:30pm-last show (times vary)
Dinner
$$

A sleek, sophisticated decor complements Dimitriou's well-heeled crowd, which includes couples from Lake City as well as Japanese students from the Hill. With a stage accommodating two shows a night, this is the place to hear some of the better blues and jazz acts that come to Seattle—we recently saw the Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra, whose tunes were sultry and tropical. The only thing missing is a dance floor; even a small one could sex things up a bit for the polite patrons. Save your flirting for the long-haired waiter David, who has eyes like Antonio Banderas, or just indulge in any of the desserts, which are thick, rich, and generous enough for two.

upshot: Nice change from the rowdier club scene; good place to feel like a grownup.—S.I.

Lava Lounge
2226 Second, 441-5660
Daily 3pm-2am
Snacks
$

Your classic spillover joint, the Lava Lounge morphs like a goddamn Power Ranger; the scene changes from night to night depending on what's shaking in the neighborhood. The constants? Comfy, lived-in booths; outside tables when the weather gods are smiling; and shuffleboard for the more adventurous. But the real charm of this joint is that it's never the same place twice. In keeping with the random element, local DJs (our fave being the Weekly's own DJ Kerri) often stop by to mix up old-school favorites and post-punk hits (there's an increasingly popular punk-rock night on Wednesdays). The Lava Lounge is a great place to be eponymous or anonymous; be yourself or hide away.