I’ll admit, one of the things I miss most since I started working from home is checking out the best happy hour places in Seattle. After a hard day’s work, it was always a treat to unwind with friends or coworkers and enjoy some discounted drinks or light bites.
Nowadays, a good happy hour is something I seek out every now and then for a special treat. Thankfully, Seattle makes it easy since there are so many restaurants, many of which offer a range of happy hours, usually between 4-6 PM or late night after 9 PM. During this time, you can find everything from discounted glasses of wine to cocktails, light bites, and half-priced oysters.
So, to make sense of the numerous happy hour places in every neighborhood of Seattle, I’m sharing a roundup of my favorites. Each of these restaurants is perfect for relaxing and meeting up with friends to enjoy your favorite drinks at a discount!
Best Happy Hour Places in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update this list of the best happy hours in Seattle as I discover them!
Umi Sake House
website | 2230 1st Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Belltown | cuisine: sushi | happy hour times: 4-6 PM & 10 PM – close daily
I mentioned Umi on my list of best sushi in Seattle, specifically for their epic happy hour deals, which they offer both before dinner and late at night. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend this place only because it’s cheap. Their sushi is also undeniably fresh, and the service is always top-notch.
Their happy hour menu is quite long, with an array of appetizers, sashimi, small and large rolls, and sake. The late-night happy hour has a few additional menu items, probably because they need to burn through whatever didn’t sell during the day, but I’ll take a deal where I can get one!
The Walrus and the Carpenter
website | 4743 Ballard Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | cuisine: seafood | happy hour times: 4-5 PM Mon – Thurs
While I could never play favorites, I must admit The Walrus is perhaps my favorite of Renee Erickson’s restaurants. It’s one of my favorite spots in Seattle for oysters, and coincidentally, they have an entire oyster happy hour.
Now, pre-pandemic, they had a more loosey-goosey happy hour, where oysters started 50% off, then gradually increased as it approached the end of happy hour. Now it’s a simpler happy hour program with $1 off oysters and drink specials. Visit Wednesday for an extra sweet deal of $10 off each dozen oysters.
Via Tribunali
website | neighborhoods: Queen Anne and Capitol Hill | cuisine: pizza | happy hour times: 4-6 PM Tues – Thurs, 11 PM – close Fri & Sat (late night at Capitol Hill location only)
Via Tribunali was one of my favorite Seattle pizza restaurants. They specialize in Neapolitan pizza, which is thinner than your average crust,so the simple but flavorful sauce and toppings stand out. I’m a fan of their Margherita pizza, which, fortunately, is available for happy hour.
Instead of the Margherita, you could also get their marinara pie or diavola (salami) pie. They also offer a few small bites, like their antipasto plate or the mezza luna bambino, AKA a small Nutella-stuffed calzone. Of course, no happy hour is complete without drinks. In honor of their roots, discount Aperol spritzes, along with negronis and flatliners, are most popular.
Macleod’s
website | 5200 Ballard Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | cuisine: fish & chips | happy hour times: 4-6 PM daily
Macleod’s serves up some of my favorite comfort food in Seattle, namely, some of the best fish and chips in Seattle. Made with exclusively sustainably-caught fish, expertly beer-battered, and served with traditional minted mushy peas, it’s hard not to visit every day. Of course, they also have one of the best happy hours in Ballard, with fish and chips, shrimp tacos, fries, and a small selection of house cocktails.
Flintcreek Cattle Co.
website | 8421 Greenwood Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Greenwood | cuisine: New American | happy hour times: 4-5:30 PM daily
Flintcreek Cattle Co. is the sister restaurant to the popular seafood restaurant, RockCreek. They offer a more land-fare selection, with sustainably raised beef, game meats, and a small seafood and vegetarian selection.
As good as their steaks are (in fact, they’re some of the best steaks in Seattle), I think this is one of the best happy hour places in Seattle because it’s the only way to enjoy their burger. There’s only a set number, so you’ll have to come in early to snag one. If they’re all gone, I really enjoy their pork short ribs and yellowfin tuna tartare. Their happy hour drink menu features discount beer, wine, and a handful of classic cocktails.
Pro tip: Flintcreek’s sister restaurant, RockCreek, offers a killer happy hour as well. RockCreek’s also runs from 4-5:30 PM and offers discounted oysters, small bites, beer, wine, and house cocktails.
Liberty Bar
website | 517 15th Ave E (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | cuisine: sushi & cocktails | happy hour times: 12-5 PM Mon – Fri & 3-5 PM Sat & Sun
I love Liberty Bar, and not just because that’s where Dan and I had our first date. It’s one of the trendiest spots in Capitol Hill, with seriously good cocktails and sushi served in an intimate spot with a locals-only vibe.
For happy hour, their menu is short and sweet. It’s $1 off well drinks, beer, and wine, a selection of house cocktails, and a $7 rotating sushi roll. Even if the rotating roll isn’t your style, the rest of their rolls are pretty reasonably priced, and when in doubt, it’s their cocktails and cozy seating that stand out.
Le Coin
website | 4201 Fremont Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Fremont | cuisine: French | happy hour times: 4-6 PM daily
Le Coin is one of my favorite French restaurants in Seattle. They offer an extensive menu of upscale French dishes served as small plates, so you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a unique and elevated experience.
Their happy hour features a selection of house cocktails, beer, wine, and champagne by the glass. But for me, it’s their food menu that stands out. In addition to 50% off oysters, they have a massive selection of bites ranging from frites to mussels, fennel confit, grilled lamb shoulder, and even discounted caviar service.
Pro tip: Le Coin’s Ballard sister restaurant, The Garrison, has half off seafood (including $2 oysters) and $10 cocktails from 3-5 PM Thursdays through Mondays.
Fat’s Chicken and Waffles
website | 2726 E Cherry St (get directions) | neighborhood: Central District | cuisine: fried chicken | happy hour times: 2-5 PM Wed – Fri
Fat’s is one of the most popular black-owned restaurants in the Central District, with fried chicken being the star of the show. They’re already a reasonably priced restaurant, but their happy hour is even more of a steal.
Their happy hour drink menu has a few cocktails and beer specials, whereas for food they offer cheap fried chicken wings, legs, and chicken and waffles.
Radiator Whiskey
website | 94 Pike St (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | cuisine: New American | happy hour times: 4-6 PM & 10-11:30 PM Tues – Sat
As you can probably imagine, Radiator Whiskey is a haven for whiskey lovers. It’s also one of the best restaurants in Pike Place Market if you’re craving a big hunk of juicy meat. They specialize in a wide selection of well-executed cocktails and a fun food menu, served in a warm and intimate space.
Their happy hour is equally creative, with drink specials on beers, wine, and their signature Market Mule. They also offer a few small bites on happy hour, like fried pig ears, baked fontina, and fried chicken sandwiches. Unfortunately, their gravy-coated tater tots aren’t on the HH menu, which is a travesty, but also an excuse to try their full dinner menu when you can.
Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe
website | 6049 Seaview Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | cuisine: seafood | happy hour times: 5-6 PM daily (Boathouse) & 4-6 PM daily (Cafe)
Ray’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Seattle with a view. There are actually two restaurants in one. The cafe is upstairs, which is more laid back and has a deck. The Boathouse is on the main floor and has a swankier vibe. Both offer happy hours, so you can’t go wrong.
In addition to a list of alcoholic drinks, both restaurant concepts have a small seafood-driven food menu during happy hour. The Boathouse has a few more items on the menu, but for the most part both menus are identical. The majority of the dishes are under $10, so happy hour is a great time to visit.
Whatever you choose to drink is up to you, but I can’t recommend their clam chowder enough. It’s some of the best chowder I’ve had in Seattle.
Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi
website | 10400 NE 4th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Bellevue | cuisine: sushi & steak | happy hour times: 3-6 PM Mon – Fri, 4-6 PM Sat – Sun, & 9 PM – close Sun – Thurs
Few restaurants master the whole dinner-and-a-show thing, but Ascend does a beautiful job. With high-quality steaks, fresh sushi, a spectacular view, and an eye toward presentation, it’s one of the more high-end restaurants in Seattle.
Of course, with such a presentation, dining here for dinner can cost a pretty penny. Luckily, they have a thoughtful and equally curated happy hour menu featuring a long list of cocktails, draft beers, wine by the glass, and a host of sushi and steak burgers. This is one of my favorite happy hour places in Seattle because you can get those killer views during daylight and sunset.
Il Nido
website | 2717 61st Ave SW (get directions) | neighborhood: West Seattle | cuisine: Italian | happy hour times: 4-5 PM daily
Located in a refurbished home on Alki Beach, Il Nido was formerly owned by two-times James Beard-nominated Chef Mike Easton. He sold the spot several years ago, but you can still pop in to enjoy the same high-quality handmade pastas and Italian mains.
From 4-5 PM, they only run their antipasti menu, which features Italian classics like burrata, housemade focaccia, and spiced olives, to name a few. They don’t have a specified happy hour drink menu, though they do have an extensive list of glass pours and an entire menu of negronis.
Pro tip: Il Nido has a 30-day reservation booking window, and spots fill up quickly. Luckily, their bar is walk-in only and offers full dinner service if you plan on sticking around after happy hour.
Some Random Bar
website | 2604 1st Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Belltown | cuisine: gastropub | happy hour times: 4-6 PM Mon – Sat and all day Sunday
Cleverly named, Some Random Bar is a New American restaurant serving up no-frills craft cocktails and elevated pub fare. I particularly fell in love with this spot after getting their crab nachos, which came with an abundance of juicy crab meat, caramelized onion, and a vibrant cilantro pesto, easily catapulting it to my list of best nachos in Seattle.
Now, their happy hour menu doesn’t technically apply to food, only drinks, namely their cocktails, wines by the glass, and draft beer. That said, they run a Monday special all day that’s 25% off all food, so I highly suggest visiting for happy hour on Monday and taking full advantage.
Tavolata
Capitol Hill (website | get directions), Belltown (website | get directions), & Wallingford (website | get directions) | cuisine: Italian | happy hour times: 4-6 PM daily (all locations) & 9-10 PM (Wallingford only)
Ethan Stowell is known for making expertly crafted pasta, which he serves plenty of across his multiple restaurant chains, including Cortina, Staple & Fancy, and his flagship restaurant, Tavolata.
Tavolata differs from the others in that it’s more of a communal space and is very pasta-heavy. Their happy hour menu consists of apps like focaccia and bruschetta alongside pastas, meatballs, cocktails, beer, wine, and even a few mocktails.
Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge
website | 601 Queen Anne Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Queen Anne | cuisine: Creole | happy hour times: 3:30-6 PM & 10-11:30 PM daily
Good Cajun food can be hard to find in Seattle, but Toulouse really does a fantastic job. They specialize in Cajun and Creole classics served straight off Bourbon Street in a warmly lit and funky dining room.
Along with an extensive brunch, lunch, and dinner menu, they offer many of their signature dishes straight through happy hour. They have an array of salads, soups, seafood, discounted oysters, and even an early pre-fixed menu featuring three courses for ~$47pp (available from 4-6 PM Monday-Thursday). It’s no wonder CNBC has voted them one of the top ten happy hours in Seattle.
The Butcher’s Table
website | 2121 Westlake Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: South Lake Union | cuisine: steakhouse | happy hour times: 4-6 PM Mon – Fri
The Butcher’s Table is a sleek multi-story steakhouse with a grand chandelier and elaborate decor reminiscent of the strip in Vegas. And as you can imagine, it’s not one of the cheaper places to dine.
Fortunately for us, they have an exceptional happy hour menu. Beyond a few wine and cocktail discounts, the real star of the show is their food menu, featuring small bites and discounted oysters. Whatever you order, please don’t sleep on the beef fat fries and ribeye burger, AKA one of the best burgers in Seattle.
Ba Bar
website | neighborhoods: Capitol Hill, U-District, & South Lake Union | cuisine: Vietnamese | happy hour times: 1-5 PM & 9 PM – 12 AM daily (Cap Hill), 2-5 PM Mon – Fri (U-District), & 2-5 PM Mon – Sat (SLU)
Ba Bar is an upscale Vietnamese spot serving innovative and traditional Saigon street foods in a youthful setting. They’re one of the few Vietnamese spots where pho is not their primary dish, though their oxtail pho is some of the best I’ve had. Instead, the menu is diverse, with dishes highlighted from all across Vietnam.
Their happy hour food menu consists of an array of small bites like chicken wings, pork and beef meatballs, grilled lemongrass beef skewers, and grilled Asian eggplant, to name a few. They also have house cocktails, beer, and wine for a steal.
Pro tip: Ba Bar has three locations, each with their own happy hour times and menus, so double-check which one you’re aiming for before you head out.
Dreamland Bar & Diner
website | 3401 Evanston Ave N (get directions) | neighborhoods: Fremont | cuisine: American | happy hour times: 3-6 PM daily for food & drink specials, 10 PM – 12 AM drink discounts Fri & Sat
Dreamland Bar & Diner and its bar within a bar Carnelian Bay are some of the most unique restaurants in Seattle. The vibe is psychedelic with a smoking jaguar sculpture and neon lights throughout the space. It’s the place to be on the weekends, and it makes it all the more special with their happy hour deals.
Expect $1 off beers, $2 off wine, and $3 off their theatrical cocktails. There’s also an extensive food menu during happy hour, all at a discount. Don’t miss their take on Taco Bell’s Crunch Wrap.
More happy hour places in Seattle to try
Here are some more happy hour spots that have been recommended by me to try, but that I haven’t gotten to yet. I’ll officially add them to the list after I visit if they make the cut!
- Rondo – Japanese spot with HH whiskey flights and apps 2-5:30 PM daily.
- Grappa – Wine bar with bites and drink discounts 3-5 PM daily.
- Mr. West – Discounted drinks 3-6 PM daily in U-Village (M-F Downtown).
- List – Lounge with wine deals & 50% off food 4-6:30 & 9-11 PM Tues – Sat (all day Sun & Mon).
- Japonessa – Latin-sushi fusion with HH open-5:30 PM & 9 PM – close daily.
- Momiji – Sushi bar with daily raw bar, rolls, and sake specials 4-6 PM daily.
- Barolo – Italian with wine deals and 50% off food 3-6:30 & 9-11 PM daily.
- Dead Line – Cocktail bar with HH drinks and apps 3-6 PM daily.
- Von’s – Pub with a huge spirit list serving food and drink deals 3-6 PM daily (4-6 PM Woodinville).
- Donna’s – $10 pastas 4-6 PM Mon-Sat & 10 PM – 12 AM Thurs – Sat.
- La Cocina Oaxaqueña – Mexican spot with $5-$9 drinks and $7 tacos 3-5PM & 9 PM – close daily.
- Kokkaku – Japanese steakhouse with drink deals, $3-$9 snacks, and $1.75 oysters 4:30-6 PM Tues – Sat.
Other great affordable food options in Seattle
After you make it through this list of the best happy hour places in Seattle, check out my other guides to eating like royalty in the Emerald City.