Dylan Priest
Bluwater Bistro.
Details
Related Content
More About
When there's only a few real weeks of summer in the city, it would be a shame to spend too much of it drinking in a dive-bar dungeon. (Sorry, Seely.) Here's our favorite spots to find a buzz en plein air:
Bluwater Bistro Because you forgot to remember that being on the water watching seaplanes take off is pretty damn cool. 1001 Fairview Ave. N., 447-0769, bluwaterbistro.com. SOUTH LAKE UNION
CactusIf you must brave the Santa Monica of Seattle on a warm summer's eve, you might as well hit one of the most opportunely sited patios in West Seattle and enjoy a flawless and fruity margarita with chips and a mound of guac. When in faux-California... 2820 Alki Ave. S.W., 933-6000, cactusrestaurants.com. WEST SEATTLE
Cafe CampagneA cobblestone alley, an accordion, people strolling with flowers and baguettes—these are a few of our favorite things to surround ourselves with while drinking Lillet on the rocks and enjoying a cheese plate. Café Campagne is a vacation state of mind. 1600 Post Alley, 728-2233, cafecampagne.com. PIKE PLACE MARKET
El Camino The super-sweet cocktail waitresses, pitch-perfect margaritas, and south-facing patio make this a pit stop for all kinds in the summer, not just the regular douche-y crowd. 607 N. 35th St., 632-7303, elcaminorestaurant.com. FREMONT
The Capitol Club From the balcony you wish you had, look down on the plodding masses as you sip some righteous house-made sangria and plot your next move, made more and more difficult with every glass. 414 E. Pine St., 325-2149, thecapitolclub.net. CAPITOL HILL
El Chupacabra Hard to say who exactly feels comfortable inside this joint, but outside seems just punk-rock enough for Phinney, and the pint-sized margaritas are dive-bar worthy. 6711 Greenwood Ave. N., 706-4889. GREENWOOD/PHINNEY
Daniel's Broiler People in Leschi know there's no finer view on the eastern shore of our fair city. And sometimes it's great to let someone else grill your steak. 200 Lake Washington Blvd., 329-4191, schwartzbros.com. LESCHI
Elliott's Oyster House Natives really need to play tourist more often, preferably here, where you can participate in a rapid-fire half hour of progressive oyster happy hour, then continue the beering on the knockout-view deck. 1201 Alaskan Way (Pier 56), 623-4340, elliottsoysterhouse.com. WATERFRONT
Feedback Lounge You'll have to brave the smoking crowd to hang on this back deck—worth it, though, for the killer music and atmosphere. 6451 California Ave. S.W., 453-3259, feedbacklounge.net. WEST SEATTLE
The George & Dragon Pub All of your favorite characters, only they're outside and sweaty. There's nary a friendlier, livelier outdoor beer garden in town. 206 N. 36th St., 545-6864, georgeanddragonpub.com. FREMONT
Kell's Avoid the Cancun-esque patio-spillage on Friday and Saturday nights if you must, but you'd be remiss not to bake with a Bass at least once this summer out in this little alley refuge. 1916 Post Alley, 728-1916, kellsirish.com/seattle. PIKE PLACE MARKET
King's Hardware Escape the din of the packed bar for the slightly less cacophonous, very large back deck. But you'll still have to use two wishes for a table. 5225 Ballard Ave. N.W., 782-0027, kingsballard.com. BALLARD
Linda's Tavern Only the fantastic movie-night selections can make this back deck more happening than it already is on any halfway-balmy night of the week. Prepare to jockey for position, but hey, you're outside and away from bus fumes. 707 E. Pine St., 325-1220. CAPITOL HILL
The Local Vine Other than being at the ass end of a wind tunnel created by the McGuire condo building, this spot packs people in for white wine and snacks at night, but second lunch is the magic hour (for sun). 2520 Second Ave., 441-6000, thelocalvine.com. BELLTOWN
Loretta's Northwesterner This friendly little sis of the 9 Pound is winter in the front, summer in the back, with a magical enclosed patio complete with its own Airstream trailer/bar. 8617 14th Ave. S., 327-9649, lorettasnorthwesterner.com. SOUTH PARK
Pacific Inn Pub Whether a pit stop from the farmers market or from the Burke-Gilman, the Pacific Inn is a tavern about cold, light beer, fish 'n' chips, and southern exposure. 3501 Stone Way N., 547-2967, catmanor.com/pacinn. WALLINGFORD
The Red Door Perched above 34th Avenue, this patio couldn't begin to accommodate the summertime hordes of Fremont partygoers looking for a time-out and al fresco nachos. 3401 Evanston Ave. N., 547-7521, reddoorseattle.com. FREMONT
Red Lion Inn Terrace When I say Red Lion, you say "Wha?" Then I say just go and experience the hidden fifth-floor terrace between Pike and Union streets, with its pigeon-eye view of downtown and the surrounds. 1415 Fifth Ave., 971-8000, redlion.rdln.com. DOWNTOWN
RosebudIf this place were a ship, it would tip aft in July. Simply appointed with wonderful greenery, the only place you can drink stronger drinks in Seattle is at your house. 719 E. Pike St., 323-6636, rosebud-restaurant.com. CAPITOL HILL
SambarWhile away the early evening secluded by foliage on the patio of the most stylish bar in the vicinity, knowing your drink will arrive eventually after the grandest of treatments. 425 N.W. Market St., 781-4883, sambarseattle.com. BALLARD
Smarty Pants White noise from the highway on-ramp stands in for the beach at this spacious, chill patio with plenty of seating for larger groups, a solid sandwich selection, and cheap après-work drafts. 6017 Airport Way S., 762-4777, smartypantsseattle.com. GEORGETOWN
