Photo credit: Stephanie Forrer
What a shame it is to leave happy hour feeling hungry, thirsty, and disappointed. After all, its name does lend it to a certain caliber of expectation, and guests want to go home feeling, ahem, happy. So why settle for anything less? Instead of playing happy hour roulette, use our list to inspire your next after-work rendezvous. Here are the must-hit spots in Seattle’s trendy Ballard neighborhood.
Bastille Cafe & Bar | 5307 Ballard Ave NW | 206-453-5014
Happy hour: Daily, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Pop into the Parisian-inspired cafe for happy hour highlights such as chickpea fries with cauliflower romesco, the Croque Madame with garden greens, lamb burger cooked to your desired doneness, or Petite Moules Frites featuring fresh Taylor Shellfish mussels. In the way of thirst-quenchers, order your favorite classic gin, rum, or bourbon cocktail, a few rounds of $5 craft brews, or pass a wine carafe around the table.
The Gerald | 5210 Ballard Ave NW | 206-432-9280
Happy hour: Daily, 4 - 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. - close
Kick back at The Gerald for early evening or late-night happy hour and fill up on $5 appetizers, draft beer, house wines, and well drinks. Snack on savory delights such as poutine, wings, and fried cheese curds, or treat yourself with a cocktail special.
La Isla | 2320 NW Market St | 206-789-0516
Happy hour: Daily, 3 - 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Come back every day for early evening and/or late-night happy hour at the Ballard location, or check out the varying happy hour rotation on the Eastside in Redmond. The menu features island-ready fare (no matter the weather outside) including award-winning wild seafood dishes. Mix it up at happy hour with Puerto Rican bites, or find out why La Isla is known for their strong tropical cocktails.
Señor Moose | 5242 Leary Ave NW | 206-784-5568
Happy hour: Monday through Thursday, 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Bar happy hour means $5 margaritas, various well cocktails, and boozy horchata. Sop it all up with down-home central Mexican cuisine with a Seattle spin (AKA tacos, chips and housemade guacamole, and more small bites).
Shelter Lounge | 4910 Leary Ave NW | 206-829-8568
Happy hour: Daily, 4 - 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. - midnight, all day Sunday
Gather around the fire pit or cozy up in a booth as your party nibbles on classic bar fare such as poppers and tacos, or load up on avocado fries and spicy grilled cheese amped up with a healthy slathering of chipotle sauce.
Shingletown Saloon | 2016 NW Market St | 206-782-5182
Happy hour: Call for hours and see website for events and specials.
Stoneburner | 5214 Ballard Ave NW | 206-695-2051
Happy hour: Daily, 3 - 5 p.m.
From the same guys that brought us Bastille, happy hour warriors can mingle at this ground level eatery just under boutique Hotel Ballard. Rub elbows with hotel guests or make a weekend of it and book your very own room for a swanky (and delicious) stay-cation! Munch on wood-fired pizzas topped with the works (ultra-fresh local meats and veggies) and sip handcrafted cocktails, draft beer, wine, or bubbles as you people-watch on historic Ballard Avenue. Stoneburner’s open-air layout is an added treat when weather permits.
