Seattle is such a wonderful place for cocktail lovers. We’re surrounded by dozens of local distilleries, crafting everything from bourbon to limnocello, and it makes for quite the rad craft cocktail scene in this city. Let’s face it though, drinking cocktails in Seattle can get pricey, and knowing where to find the best happy hour cocktail specials is critical for the thrifty spirit lover.
Happy Hour: 4PM to 7PM, Daily
Rob Roy is one of those hidden gems in Seattle that you almost don’t want to tell anyone about because this dark craft cocktail oasis is crowded enough as it is. They’ve discounted some of their cocktails as much as $5 at happy hour so you can try select craft cocktails at extremely reasonable prices. Pictured is the Monolith: Ancho Reyes, pineapple, lemon, Angostura bitters, myrrh oil and mint. Normally a $12 cocktail, get it for $8 at happy hour. Did I mention they give you free goldfish crackers at happy hour here? Just ask!
Happy Hour: 2PM to 7PM, Daily
Ah the Diller Room, a place where I have spent entirely too much time. I practically lived here the first couple years I was in Seattle and I can tell you, these guys know what they’re doing behind the bar. This is way more than a dive bar (though it’s one of my favorites); they are doing craft cocktails right here. Happy hour happens daily and you’ll enjoy $1 off wines, $2 off draft beer and you can get their Cheeky Mule Cocktail for just $8 (normally $10). A play on a Moscow Mule, this cocktail is made with house infused cherry vodka, lime and ginger beer and it is damn good.
Happy Hour: 5PM to 7PM, Monday – Friday
Zig Zag is on every list of the best cocktail bars in Seattle, but did you know they also have a bomb happy hour? I dare say it may be the most generous cocktail happy hour I’ve found. They offer a whopping $4 off all of their house drinks during happy hour and additionally offer their martinis, manhattans, and old fashioneds for just $7. Good luck finding cocktails of this caliber in an intimate, old school Seattle setting anywhere else.
Happy Hour: 5PM to 8PM, Daily
The Upstairs is a special little bar tucked away in Belltown that I fell in love with immediately the first time I entered. It’s cozy and laid back, with almost a speak-easy feel to it. The bar itself can be hard to find if you don’t know it’s there, but look for the sign on Second and follow the stairs up to what will look like an apartment. Their happy hour is fabulous and will let you try selected cocktails for just $7. Pictured are the Grapefruit Sparkler (left) and the Diablo’s Revenge (right). The Upstairs also offers $5 draft beer pints, $7 glasses of wine, $4 wells and $2 Rainiers at happy hour.
Happy Hour: 3PM to 6PM, Daily
The Back Bar at E. Smith Mercantile is somewhere I love to take out of town guests because they are always shocked there’s a bar at the back of this adorable shop. And on top of that, their cocktails never disappoint. During happy hour you can enjoy select cocktails for just $8 and they have some deliciously creative ones for you to try. Pictured is the Coco Rosey: gin, hibiscus rose tincture, lemon, coconut rose milk and honey. While I’m not usually a gin fan, this drink really got my number. I’ll be back for seconds.
Leave a Reply