Come on, Get Happy!

With tasty treats from $1 PBRs to $5 specialty cocktails, bite-size sliders to decadent beef tartare, these restaurants have elevated happy hour to a social experience chock-full of great food, drinks and atmosphere.

 

BEST INCONSPICUOUS HAPPY HOUR
Hideout
First Hill // 1005 Boren Ave.; 206.903.8480; hideoutseattle.com
Happy Hour: 4–7 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Channeling a speakeasy-meets-art-gallery vibe, the fact that this bar—one of the best in the city—is sequestered in unlikely Pill Hill is half the appeal. The other half: perfect mood lighting augmented by ornate chandeliers and flickering candles; a rotating collection of Northwest art adorning every surface (including the CD covers in the free jukebox); an eclectic, laid-back crowd; a whimsical drink list waylaid by sophistication; and a happy hour that lets you in on the secret with $1.50 Rainiers and $3.50 wells.
Honorable mention: Alibi Room (Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St.; 206.623.3180; seattlealibi.com). Drinking in this hidden Post Alley bar gives one the feeling of being in the hull of an old boat.

 

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR SPENDING COUCH CUSHION CHANGE
Café Metropolitan
Capitol Hill // 1701 E Olive Way; 206.324.0771
HH: 5–7 p.m. and 11 p.m.–2 a.m., daily
Café Metropolitan’s vibe is Paris by night, as conveyed by a burbling fountain and street lamps. Rowdy 20-somethings on the cheap meander from pool table to plump couches near a cozy faux fire; groups work their way through pitchers beneath plastic trees. On the whole, the décor is more cheesy than chic but endearingly so. And most importantly, no one minds a little mock mahogany when they’re drinking $1 PBRs (a pitcher is just $5!) during happy hour.

 

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR HURLING YOURSELF OFF THE WAGON
Whiskey Bar
Belltown // 2000 Second Ave.; 206.443.4490
HH: 3–9 p.m., daily
How do I love thee, Whiskey Bar? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height of your murky red lighting, unceasingly rowdy crowd and raucous bartenders. I love thee freely for your hard-rockin’ jukebox—but most of all, I love thee for thy epic happy hour and thy $1.50 PBRs and $2.50 wells.
Honorable mention: Baranof (Greenwood, 8549 Greenwood Ave.; 206.782.9260). This maritime-themed dive’s marathon of a happy hour runs from 6 a.m.–7 p.m.

 

BEST FOODIE-FRIENDLY HAPPY HOUR
Union
Downtown // 1400 First Ave.; 206.838.8000; unionseattle.com
HH: 5–7 p.m. and 10 p.m.–midnight, daily
A magical alchemy of whim and seasonal ingredients changes Union’s menu daily, but perennial favorites like the beef tartare with capers, caraway crackers and cornichons are usually on hand for happy hour, when all plates are $8 (a steal for those familiar with Union’s normally pricy menu). 
Honorable Mention: Campagne (Pike Place Market, 86 Pine St.; 206.728.2800). Try the potted guinea hen with coarse salt, Dijon mustard and croustade (rillettes de canard et de porc) for $7.

 

BEST EYE-CANDY-COATED HAPPY HOUR
Vessel
Downtown // 1312 Fifth Ave.; 206.652.5222; vesselseattle.com
HH: 4–6 p.m., daily
Everyone looked up when the pretty new kid, Vessel, came flouncing into town in 2006. A year later, the jury is still out: We love the ornate ceiling but hate the neon yellow stairs. The bartenders are brilliant, but the service is snobby. The crowd is undeniably hip and pretty; the vibe insufferably contrived. But what’s not up for debate is that the drinks are some of the most sophisticated in town. While specialty cocktails such as the maple-syrup-foam-covered Vessel 75 are reserved for normal hours, Vessel does offer Monmousseau Brut champagne, Penfolds Shiraz and Stella Artois for $4. Tasty small plates like potato chips with truffle salt and a fresh codfish taco ($3–$4) let the sexy nibble sexily.
Honorable mention: Chapel (Capitol Hill, 1600 Melrose Ave.; 206.447.4180; thechapelbar.com). The eye candy at this swank spot = high-fashion Capitol Hillsters.

BEST HAPPY HOUR SLIDERS
Linda’s
Capitol Hill // 707 E Pine St.; 206.325.1220
HH: 7–9 p.m., daily
Thanks to some cosmic twist of trend and timing, the slider (“mini burger” for the uninitiated) is enjoying a special moment right now. Why a hamburger tastes better when shrunken, trisected and lined up in a neat little row is beside the point—it just does. And Linda’s, a favorite of the American Apparel-clad, has sliders down to a casual art. Maybe it’s the price ($3). Maybe it’s the act of enjoying the mini-revelations on the perfect back patio on a sunny afternoon with a pitcher of Manny’s Pale Ale ($7.50) and 67 of your closest friends. Or maybe—no, quite certainly—it’s the secret sauce.
Honorable mention: Cascadia (Belltown, 2328 First Ave.; 206.448.8884; cascadiarestaurant.com). Cascadia’s juicy sliders come in four flavors: plain, cheese, veggie and salmon.

BEST HAPPY HOUR DATE
Central Cinema
Central District // 1411 21st Ave.; 206.686.6684; central-cinema.com
HH: 9 p.m.–close, Wed., Thur. and Sun.
Impress your date at this charming hole-in-the-wall that screens old films ranging from the silly to the silent to the foreign. From the comfort of the theater’s plush couches you can order stone-oven pizza (we suggest the lavender, chevre and grape Morado), beer on tap, popcorn (topped with brewer’s yeast or curry powder) and more. During happy hour, pizza is $5 and a pitcher $10.
Honorable mention: Agua Verde Café & Paddle Club (University District, 1303 NE Boat St.; 206.545.8570; aguaverde.com). Paddle around on rented kayaks before enjoying a prickly pear margarita ($5.95) at this Mexican restaurant located on Portage Bay.

 

BEST FAUX-SPRING-BREAK HAPPY HOUR
Cactus
West Seattle // 2820 Alki Ave. SW; 206.933.6000; cactusrestaurants.com
HH: 3–5 p.m., Mon.–Sun.
Happy hour at this favorite local chain’s Alki site is best appreciated when its outsized garage doors are rolled up on a warm day. During happy hour, Southwestern- and Mexican-themed appetizers and certain small plates are knocked down to $4, including a wild mushroom and sweet potato quesadilla, the Tostadas de Tinga and yes, even the $10 Nachos. Wash it down with a delicious, albeit regular-priced house-shaken margarita or mojito, or a Dos Equis on draft.
Honorable mention: Del Rey (Belltown, 2332 First Ave.; 206.770.3228; delreyseattle.com). Enjoy Del Rey’s tacos on the cheap during its $2 Taco Tuesdays special.

BEST DRINK LIKE A FISH HAPPY HOUR
Musiquarium at The Triple Door
Downtown // 216 Union St.; 206.838.4333; thetripledoor.net
HH: 4–6 p.m., daily, 10 p.m.–midnight, Sun.–Thurs.
At the happy hour at Musiquarium—the bar beneath Wild Ginger and leading into the Triple Door theater—you can sip on a specialty cocktail while waiting for a Triple Door show to start or break the ice on a first date over a glass of wine (all happy hour drinks are $3). Experience a drastically cheaper version of the Wild Ginger menu, from salt-and-pepper squid to banana leaves filled with curry salmon ($3–$5), and decide whether or not to spring for the real thing upstairs. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the aquarium that lines the entryway.
Honorable mention: Hattie’s Hat (Ballard, 5231 Ballard Ave. NW; 206.784.0175; hattieshat.com). Look for the circular aquarium in the back.

BEST HAPPY HOUR AT WHICH TO MOAN ABOUT THE CONDO-FICATION OF SEATTLE
Cha Cha Lounge
Capitol Hill // 1013 E Pike St.; 206.329.9978; chachalounge.com
HH: 4–7 p.m., Tue.–Sat., all day Sunday and Monday
When the Cha Cha Lounge left its Pine Street spot last summer to make way for yet another condo development, its indie-minded clientele shook in their skinny jeans. But thanks to a prime new locale near hotspots Neumo’s and Havana, the hard-rocking Cha Cha is enjoying a raucous Second Coming. Good news for all because it still has one of the most generous happy hours in town: $2.50 wells ($3.75 doubles), $3.25 margaritas and $5.50 Long Islands.

BEST VEGAN-TASTIC HAPPY HOUR
Georgetown Liquor Company
Georgetown // 5501-B Airport Way S; 206.763.6764; georgetownliquorco.com
HH: 4–7 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Sopping up happy hour pints of PBR ($1.50) with a platter of roasted root vegetables ($7) might feel strange at first. But after two bites covered in goat cheese and balsamic honey,  even carnivores are converted to this Georgetown hangout, which serves exceptionally scrumptious veggie and vegan grub (during happy hour, appetizers are marked down a dollar). To keep you from feeling too healthy, don’t forget to order a cocktail ($2.50) or micro drafts ($3).
Honorable mention: Flowers (University District, 4247 University Way NE; 206.663.1903). Try this popular U-District bar’s vegetarian lunch buffet every weekday for $8 (not a happy hour, we know, but a good deal nonetheless). 

BEST SCANDIVIAN HAPPY HOUR
Copper Gate
Ballard // 6301 24th Ave. NW; 206.706.3292; thecoppergate.com
HH: 5–7 p.m., daily
Admittedly, there is not a lot of competition in this category—but that’s exactly what makes this spot just off Ballard Avenue so great. Norwegian-themed fare? Check. A Ballard-chic vibe drawing in a well-heeled crowd? Check. A healthy dose of quirk by way of vintage nudie pics on the walls? Check. Enjoy everything from Swedish meatballs with lingonberry preserves to the crowd-favorite pommes frites with curry ketchup during happy hour, when all plates are $3 off. Aquavits star on the drink menu; also tasty are the specialty cocktails like the Alsking, with vodka, curaçao, cranberry juice and house-made rhubarb bitters (specialty cocktails and aquavits are $5 during happy hour).
 

BEST HAPPY HOUR TO MAKE AN ITALIAN MAMA PROUD
Lombardi's
Ballard // 2200 NW Market St.; 206.783.0055; Issaquah // 695 NW Gilman Blvd.; 425.391.9097;  Everett // 1620 W Marine View Drive; 425.252.1886; lombardiscucina.com
HH: 3–6 p.m., 9 p.m.–close, daily (except late-night Sunday)
Like any Italian mother at her happiest hour, neighborhood bistro Lombardi’s opens its arms wide and gets the job done. A flavorful plate of spaghetti with two big meatballs goes for $3 and a steaming 8-inch margarita pizza is $4 ($5 with pepperoni and sausage). House wine, well drinks and microbrews run $3.
Honorable mention: Serafina (Eastlake, 2043 Eastlake Ave. E; 206.323.0807; serafinaseattle.com). More upscale than Lombardi’s, Serafina’s calamari is some of the best in town.

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR WINOS
Cellar 46
Mercer Island // 7650 SE 27th St. Suite 120; 206.407.3016; cellar46.com
HH: 4–5:30 p.m., daily
Mercer Island’s Cellar 46—an all-in-one retail shop, restaurant and wine bar—attracts a mellow after-work crowd. Each afternoon, all wines by the glass are marked down 25 percent, making a glass of Fleur Pinot Noir for $7.50 a steal. A few items, such as the olive tapanade and a dill and salmon dip, are reduced to $5, as is the cheesecake and the chocolates from local favorite Oh! Chocolate.

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR SEAFOOD ADDICTS
Seastar
Bellevue // 205 108th Ave. NE; 425.456.0010; seastarrestaurant.com
HH: 3:30–5:30 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
This chichi Eastside favorite shows its fun side at its raw bar, which fills up most afternoons of the week with seafood addicts sucking down succulent oysters, top-grade sushi rolls and fresh ceviche (all $1 a piece). Wash it all down with $2 domestics, $3 wine and expertly concocted martinis ($4).
Honorable mentions: Oceanaire (Downtown, 1700 Seventh Ave.; 206.267.2277; theoceanaire.com). The happiest hours at this high-end seafood spot see many menu items at half off.

BEST HAPPY HOUR FREEBIE
Morton’s Steakhouse
Downtown // 1511 Sixth Ave.; 206.223.0550; mortons.com
HH: 5–7 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Morton’s on-the-house bite-size filet mignon sandwiches—a delicate wedge of beef tucked between a sesame bun and topped with just enough house-made mustard—have long been a local happy hour secret. Eating something so delectable without paying in this dimly lit, power-suit hangout feels deliciously privileged. Plus, free food allows for liberal spending on the refined, no-nonsense drinks from the bar.
Honorable mention: Viceroy (Belltown, 2332 Second Ave.; 206.956.8423; viceroyseattle.com). Linda Derschang’s hip Belltown bar offers free goldfish crackers.

BEST HAPPY HOUR WITH A VIEW
Ray’s Cafe
Ballard // 6049 Seaview Ave. NW, 206.789.3770; rays.com
HH: 4–6 p.m. daily, 9–10:30 p.m., Sun.–Thurs., 9–11:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat. (drink specials only from 4–6 p.m.)
At Ray’s happy hour, the food is the big deal, not an afterthought. Seafood choices include Skookum Inlet manila clams steamed in beer and dill butter ($6.50), smoked salmon skewers with a honey-orange glaze ($7.95) and perfectly seared Ahi doused in lime-ginger sauce atop sesame-cucumber slaw ($5.95). For the thirsty, beer goes for $2–$4, well drinks for $3 and there’s $1 off Ray’s private wine label. And about that postcard-ready Puget Sound view…
 

BEST HAPPY HOUR WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME
Columbia City Ale House
Columbia City // 4914 Rainier Ave. S; 206.723.5123; seattlealehouses.com/Columbia
HH: 4–6 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Columbia City Alehouse serves up a friendly happy hour (i.e., bartenders know everyone’s name) during which yummy brews such as Hale’s Cream Ale are $3.50 and Guinness is $4, and high-end pub grub is marked down $1. Try the blackened salmon fillet served on warm Essential Bakery bread ($10.50) or a classic Reuben ($9.95).
Honorable mention: Hilltop Ale House (Queen Anne, 2129 Queen Anne Ave. N; 206.285.3877; seattlealehouses.com/hilltop). Columbia City Alehouse’s sister pub features some of the best fish tacos around, as well as a warm staff and a good ol’ neighborhood crowd.

BEST STICKY FINGERS HAPPY HOUR
Frontier Room
Belltown // 2203 First Ave.; 206.956.7427; frontierroom.com
HH: 3–6:30 p.m., Tue.–Fri.
The Frontier Room’s Western-themed happy hour menu doesn’t mess around: Gulf prawns wrapped in maple-smoked bacon, “Little Drummies” soaked in spicy Louisiana sauce, house-made mac and cheese, and the always-popular mini BBQ sandwiches (pulled pork, brisket or chicken) are all $3. Hold on for the ride: The fun-loving crowd gets rowdier as the night progresses.
Honorable mention: High Dive (Fremont, 513 N 36th St.; 206.632.0212; highdiveseattle.com). Skip the ribs at this BBQ joint/live music venue and go straight for the mini chicken corndogs ($5).

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR SOCCER HOOLIGANS
George & Dragon
Fremont // 206 N 36th St.; 206.545.6864; georgeanddragonpub.com
HH: 3–6 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
Anyone who knows their Arsenal from their Manchester knows this English pub is hands down the best place to watch a football (don’t call it soccer) match in the city. The surfeit of young, boisterous Anglophiles has earned the place a reputation as a great pickup scene, and to move things along, the happy hour sees $3.75 wells and 20-oz. drafts (plus a great Euro selection). Though not on happy hour, the menu—bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie—is well worth a look.

BEST HAIR-OF-THE-DOG HAPPY HOUR
The BottleNeck Lounge
HH: 4 p.m.–midnight, Sun.
Central District // 2328 Madison St.; 206.323.1098; bottlenecklounge.com
On the ever-gentrifying precipice of Madison Valley sits a pleasantly cramped bar with just a sprinkling of tables and an entire menu composed of dog-inspired cocktails, like Dog Noir: rum and a splash of bitters and 7-Up. On Fridays, try a $15 bottle of wine. On Sundays, locals straggle in to take the hair of the dog in the form of a grilled cheese and a Bloody Mary for $10.

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR QUICK AND EASY ASIAN FARE
Dragonfish
Downtown // 722 Pine St.; 206.467.7777; dragonfishcafe.com
HH: 4–6 p.m. and 10 p.m.–1 a.m., daily (3 p.m.–1 a.m., Monday)
Other sushi spots in town may be more authentic (Shiro’s), well-regarded (Nishino) and trendy (Umi Sake House), yet Dragonfish quite simply has the happiest of happy hours. Half rolls, some peppered with cilantro, cashews and mango, go for $1.95, while small plates—including Hichimi squid, orange beef satay and sesame/soy-marinated tuna with sticky rice and wonton chips—range from $2.95 to $3.95. Drink options are equally reasonable, with sake, draft beers (Kirin to Mac & Jack’s) and specialty cocktails, like a lemongrass lime rickey, for $2.95. The after-work/pre-Paramount crowd has figured this one out, and the place gets packed early, but the mood is light and the service fast. 
Honorable mention: Blue C Sushi (Fremont, 3411 Fremont Ave. N; 206.633.3411; bluecsushi.com). Quick and easy at this local chain’s Fremont spot = assembly-line-delivered sushi.

 

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR BELTING YOUR HEART OUT
Little Red Hen
Green Lake // 7115 Woodlawn Ave. NE; 206.522.1168; littleredhen.com
HH: 9 a.m.–noon (yes, really!) and 4–7 p.m., Mon.–Fri.; Karaoke happy hour, 8:30–9:30 p.m., Wed.
With live country music nearly every night, this down-home spot attracts a fun-loving, foot-stomping crowd. And there is no better time to get in on the fun then during Wednesday night karaoke, when $2 wells and $2 PBR drafts give you liquid courage for belting out Hank Williams tunes.
Honorable mention: The Twilight Exit (Central District, 2051 E Madison St.; 206.324.7462). This is a “pour heavy, charge light” kind of spot, which means you’ll deaden your nerves for your version of “Paradise City.”

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR NRA MEMBERS
Ed’s Kort Haus
Phinney Ridge // 6732 Greenwood Ave. N; 206.782.3575
HH: 4–6:30 p.m., Sun.–Fri.
From its exotic burgers (antelope, reindeer, kangaroo, oh my! as well as vegetarian options) to its Big Buck Hunter Pro video arcade game (an extremely addictive hunting game), this well-loved Phinney Ridge dive attracts Charlton Heston sympathizers who guzzle down pints ($2 domestic, $2.75 micro) and pitchers (domestic $6, micro $9) during happy hour.

BEST SHAKEN NOT STIRRED HAPPY HOUR
Marcus’ Martini Heaven
Pioneer Square // 88 Yesler Way; 206.624.3323; marcusmartiniheaven.com
HH: 4–7 p.m., daily
This chic subterranean lounge is a P-Square favorite and lives up to its name by serving truly heavenly martinis like our fave, the Lady’s Man (Courvoisier with a lemon twist). Over the course of the evening, a relaxed after-work crowd melds into a lively 20-something pick-up scene (swerving toward full-on meat market come the weekends). Aiding in the mating is the daily happy hour that takes $1 off beer and well drinks, $2 off food and offers $3.75 well martinis.
Honorable mention: Tini Bigs Lounge (Queen Anne, 100 Denny Way; 206.284.0931; tinibigs.com). Try the Burning Man-tini with chocolate liqueur and chile pepper vodka ($11).

 

BEST UNHAPPY HAPPY HOUR
Mecca Café
Queen Anne // 526 Queen Anne Ave. N; 206.285.9728
HH: 3–7 p.m., Mon.–Fri.
In the narrow corridor that passes for this circa-1929 café’s bar, thieves, scoundrels, liars, professional drinkers, hipsters, hucksters and everyone in between fight for elbow space while ornery bartenders dole out Millers ($1) and microbrews ($1 off) during happy hour. Strains from one of the best jukeboxes in town—order a Lou Reed song with your whiskey—are just audible over the din. Next door, the café portion of this true Seattle dive serves up faultless diner food 24/7 (try the cheese steak, it’ll change your life), allowing the crowd to fuel up via thick-cut bacon and biscuits and gravy before going back for another round.

BEST HAPPY HOUR FOR DARK AND STORMY NIGHTS
Wilde Rover
Kirkland // 111 Central Way; 425.822.8940; wilderover.com
HH: 4–6 p.m., 10 p.m.–midnight, daily
Cure your postholiday blues at this cozy Irish pub in downtown Kirkland, where the Guinness Lamb Stew—tender hunks of braised lamb, carrots, parsnips and potatoes in a rosemary and Guinness sauce—is $4.95 during happy hour. The inviting fireplace, warm service and top-notch view of Lake Washington help the healing as well.