-
1321 Harbor Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-932-9970
From the way regulars devour the $1 tacos here, you'd think the only time they get a meal is during Taco Thursdays. But the tacos-and all else edible the Alki throws down-isn't what packs the place with bikers (as in Harley) and cyclists (as in Trek). The Alki understands that its people want to drink. And if that means pouring cheap domestics of all stripes alongside the hoptastic suds that the 30-something homeowners up the hill are clamoring for, so be it. More >>
-
2823 SW Roxbury St. Seattle, WA 98126-4148
206-935-7400
http://www.roxburylanes.com
-
6413 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98136
206-932-9906
http://www.beveridgeplacepub.com My pub is better than yours. I can get away with claiming this because my local is a great pub. When I walk in, I know that I'll get a friendly welcome from one of the hardworking staff, probably from mine host and hostess as well. I know that the beers on tap will range from house stalwarts like Manny's Pale Ale and Boundary Bay IPA to something fabulous and unique that wasn't there a couple of days ago, like a wonderfully sweet-and-sour Duchesse de Bourgogne from Belgium or a fat, malty doppelbock from Oroville's Alpine Brewing. The beers will be served by people who care about what they're doing, who will notice the lipstick stain that didn't get washed off the glass before it gets anywhere near the tap. My local's the Beveridge Place Pub -close to home and just far enough away. If your local's even half as good, consider yourself lucky. More >>
-
2722 Alki Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-932-7935
http://www.celticswell.com From the Celtic Swell's perch on Alki Beach, the lights of the city sparkle on the horizon, and glowing green and white ferries drift past; it just might be the nicest Irish pub in town. The small space boasts high-backed mahogany booths facing an elegant and expertly stocked bar, with Guinness and Smithwick's as the premier on-tap offerings. A tall Irish root beer ($7) tastes like one, but instead contains Coke, spiced rum, and Guinness. Folk and Celtic singers hold court a couple evenings a week, and opposite them on the back wall is a digital sign counting down the seconds until St. Patrick's Day. But with the Swell's good music, friends, and ale (oh, and that view!), there's something to celebrate every day. More >>
-
4302 SW Alaska St. Seattle, WA 98116
206-933-0320
http://www.cp-sport.com Watch your step - the stairs leading down to this basement billiards hall at the West Seattle Junction could use some TLC. If that signals the smell of success to you, put your quarters down and play pool with the other lounge lizards to your heart's content. The bar has some nice draft beers (Ninkasi IPA, for instance), and its dark back corner makes it a good place to escape the yuppier parts of the Junction. More >>
-
4720 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-932-8695
http://www.elliottbaybrewing.com Elliott Bay's brewing team regularly wins awards for their boutique brews that feature only organic barley. Seattle through and through, the Brewery recycles its waste oil for biodiesel, has entirely compostable to-go packaging, and buys wind-power credits to offset its energy use. You can watch the game at the bar or settle into a booth for a burgers, sandwiches, and specialties like the IPA fish and chips and fajita salad. The homemade daily soups and chili are hearty and well spiced, and the fries are great (great fries being, of course, essential to any great brewpub). More >>
-
6451 California Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98136
206-453-3259
http://www.feedbacklounge.net With framed show posters, flyers, and ticket stubs lining the walls, this rock music-themed cocktail bar is similar to the Hard Rock Cafe, except it hones in on the sounds of Seattle, with a lot of memorabilia from bands like Heart and Death Cab for Cutie. It's a big but cozy space, with sofas, skee-ball and arcade games in the back, and a deck for smokers. The lounge specializes in classic cocktails, and the late-night dinner menu is a welcome option. More >>
-
2325 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-937-8220
http://www.missionbar.com At its best, Mission, a classy, comfortable pseudo-Latin joint that caters all-too successfully to the Admiral District-dwelling yuppies of West Seattle, offers excellent food for all those who aren't fussed about culinary purity. Sometimes, you just want to eat yourself a couple of butternut squash tacos and some refried beans without worrying about the presence of lard, you know? Just brace yourself if you plan to order enchiladas: the amount of filling you'll receive depends on the chef, and there's no disappointment like the kind that comes with an under-stuffed enchilada. Mission's handcrafted stone walls inlaid with candles and wooden shelves lined with miles of top-shelf tequila are worth the trip alone. There's a nice selection of draft beers, from local microbrews to Dos Equis and great happy hour too. More >>
-
5401 California Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98136
206-937-1540
OutWest is a comfortable, unpretentious space that is far from flashy or glamorous--there's no chrome, nothing glitters. There is a relaxed neighborhood vibe and a palpable sense of community. The Rum Punch ($9) is a deceptively potent jolt of molasses/coconut/almond sweetness before the cranberry juice arrives, sharply astringent, to take the edge off. A couple of these could easily take you to the island of your choice. More >>
-
4717 California Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116
206-937-2165
It's beer-only at this unpretentious West Seattle hangout, and just 8 taps at that. But if you're looking for a relaxed pull-tab bar you'll feel right at home. The main action is at the bar, where you're likely to strike up conversation with a friendly regular trying his or her luck from the variety of games provided here. There's also darts, pool tables, and a juke box, and pepperoni sticks for $1.25 when all that gambling gives you the munchies. More >>
-
2329 California Ave. SW Seattle, WA 98116
206-932-2575
http://www.westcoastales.com The Porterhouse is a mother lode for West Coast ale, with a special focus on Washington State brews. Selections are rotating and ever-changing, with endless options from scotch ales and wheat beers to porters. With a warm, neighborhood pub vibe, go ahead and ask the bartenders all your beer-related questions, or make a night of it and ask the brewer yourself at one of their frequent Brewer's Nights. More >>
-
3407 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-420-7174
http://www.prostwestseattle.com Though smaller than its brethren, Prost West follows the same Teutonic-loft template as Chris Navarra's other German bars: walls painted burgundy, heavy wooden tables that look like they could survive a swordfight, and bar shelves stocked with hundreds of branded glasses, including some steins that offer a binge with a handle. Navarra's approach to the food is to buy the best Germanic ingredients he can-bratwurst and bockwurst from Bavarian Meat, pretzels from Morning Star Bakery, pickles from Germany-and simply to prepare them right. For those of you who like your pork pink and big, the kassler rippchen is a smoked pork chop as big as a CD case. It's the best thing on the menu, too. More >>
-
4209 S.W. Alaska St. Seattle, WA 98116
206-935-5838
http://www.rocksport.net The patrons here plan to do no more than order pitchers of whatever is on special and plates of nachos. Even regulars probably couldn't name more than two things on either the food or the drink menu. All eyes stay glued on the giant screen dominating one wall of the bar. These are sports fans so devoted, not even a short skirt and the promise of a free shot can distract. That said, the draft beer selection is quite good, but go ahead and try a cocktail - it's a full bar and they're generous on pours. Rocksport's a big place, too, so there's room for everybody. Pool tournaments, poker, and a DJ on Saturday night add to the good times. More >>
-
4458 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-420-3817
http://www.shadowlandwest.com This corner bar on California is a great place to catch live music outside of downtown or Capitol Hill. The Thursday night jazz scene and Saturday night acoustic sessions are popular with neighborhood locals and feature a variety of talent. There's a wide selection of beers, including some from West Seattle's own Elliott Bay Brewery, as well as reasonably priced cocktails. On off nights, watch a game at the bar or simply ponder the significance of the giant "Jager-Bud" trophy next to the TV. More >>
-
4210 S.W. Admiral Way Seattle, WA 98116
206-420-4718
The Shipwreck Tavern is dark and wood-paneled, with a balcony. There's an emblem on the wall: a yellow shield emblazoned with an axe, like a coat of arms. In fact, if you remove the nets stapled to the balcony and the porthole mirrors, the Shipwreck seems more like a medieval meadery than a pirate bar. But they get a pass: The jukebox is bad-ass and the beer selection damn good. Rainier tall boys are $3.50, as are domestic pints like Rolling Rock, Budweiser, or Bud Light. Fancier beers like Rogue Dead Guy, Manny's or Pilsner Urquell are only $4.50. The Shipwreck is the perfect place to have a couple beers before you go out to slay Grendel. Beowulf was, after all, a Viking. More >>
-
3803 Delridge Way S.W. Seattle, WA 98106
206-935-2111
http://www.skylarkcafe.com Off the Delridge Way exit from the West Seattle Bridge, Skylark Cafe & Club is a genuine blue-collar cafe. This garage-vibe venue kicks out the jams-with no cover-six nights a week. Thursday through Saturday features a slew of quality, soon-to-be-discovered bands (a recent Thursday showcased H Is for Hellgate and Tiger Teenagers), while Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for their award-winning karaoke. If they like what they hear, open-mike Wednesday might even get you a gig. The entertainment alone warrants a trip, but what puts Skylark over the edge is the kitchen. Its sausage-rich meatloaf is served with mashed potatoes and gravy, though the accompanying broccoli is plain, microwaved. More artful is the Real Philly Cheese Steak, which spills grilled steak, melty white American cheese, sautéed onions, peppers, and mushrooms. It's rock-star fare for a rock 'n' roll crowd. More >>
-
2216 SW Orchard St. Seattle, WA 98106
206-768-8852
http://www.tuginn.com Few bars in West Seattle capture the maritime drinking spirit better than the Tug Inn. With its nautical decor, the Tug's cozy bar - right down to the wood captain's helm gracing the back wall-is host to a steady stream of mostly middle-aged regulars who pack the place for Taco Tuesdays, karaoke on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the occasional live band on Saturdays. There's a pool room off the side of the bar and pull tabs for those who'd rather not get up. There doesn't seem to be a day of the week this neighborhood tavern off Delridge isn't hopping. More >>
-
4539 California Ave. S.W. Seattle, WA 98116
206-935-1966
http://www.westfive.com West 5 is a meeting place for West Seattle's mid-30s social set, with stools designed to enhance late-night conversations and a big table in the back that's perfect for birthday gatherings. The sloppy joe is heavy on red peppers and tastes an awful lot like a Manwich. The Reuben and the halibut sandwich are almost always right on, as is the popular mac and cheese. The meatloaf sandwiches work well, but the health-conscious can also fill up on a dinner salad. Vaguely retro decor and kitschy yellow bar stools add a nostalgic touch without going over the top. For dessert go for the chocolate souffle. More >>
