The Saint: Tequila Without the Tila

Heaven in a shot glass.

If you could only choose one substance to live off for the rest of your life, what would you pick: chicken wings or tequila? It’s a question that’s been asked by a many a Mexican borracho throughout history, and consistently, tequila wins. Here in Seattle, folks once faced a similar question. On one of the main thoroughfares of Capitol Hill there used to be a Wing Dome. Rumor has it the place was notoriously rough on the colon. They offered a variety of sauces and recipes for chicken wings, but you practically needed to wear a diaper to survive your commute home. That’s possibly why it went out of business. Roughly nine months ago, however, Quentin Ertel and his business partners transformed the venue into a tequila haven, polished up the façade, and properly named it The Saint. Why? Well, because if you’re a true fan of agave, then this locale feels like heaven in a shot glass. They’ve got 80 brands of tequila on hand and various types of infused cocktails, all of which pack a wallop. Christian and Kacii are both friendly mixologists who know how to keep a lonely man company, and they also know how to get you drunk. I recommend trying the sangrita (not to be confused with sangria). According to Ertel, he got this homemade recipe five years ago during a trip to Mexico, and it’s a nice chaser alongside a shot of Herradura. As for the decor, the walls are lined with images of fallen matadors, there are lit candles in between most of the tequila bottles on the shelves, and there’s a mounted bull head above the bar. If you’re hungry, try the carne asada ($12), as it’s relatively cheap and filling. They’ve also got a scrumptious weekend brunch that’s reportedly a hell of a hangover cure.