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Fremont has quite a few bars lining its main commercial drag of North 36th Street, including a few spots for live music. Unfortunately, Fremont suffers from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome. During the week, almost any of its simple bars is a fine place to grab a quiet drink with a friend. Come Friday night, however, the neighborhood can transform into an extended frat party—so consider yourself warned.
This multi-roomed barcade is just like the kind of old-school arcade you grew up going to, minus the kids, and plus a few local craft beers on tap. The city's largest collection of vintage arcade games is set in a space that gives chaotic 1980s vibes, and has all the games from the era (and many others, too). But, in case you were curious, the cigarette machine doesn't actually work.
This interloper in the Seattle beer scene originally started two hours north, in Bellingham, but the quality IPAs allowed it to move to the big city. Another unique aspect to this taphouse: it's one of the few limited to adults, making it a nice reprieve from a busy day. Hungry drinkers can order from the menu of the seafood and sandwich specialist next door, Local Tide.
Seattle brims with breweries, but few are as welcoming a place to while away a few hours as this Fremont space. The wonderfully drinkable beers range from a rice lager to a porter, and the non-beer drinks cover an even wider swath, with sake, cider, a selection of teas, and kombuchas. A pair of ramen restaurants serve food from the back, near the back patio, and a bucket near the register has free toys for kids.
Beloved by locals, this divey English pub attracts grizzled old Brits watching soccer, hipsters looking for cheap beer and whiskey, a frat crowd that clogs up the front patio area on weekends, and know-it-alls hoping to crush the competition at the popular Thursday trivia night. Major soccer events like the World Cup bring in huge crowds.
Reggae fans—and, really, any music fans—should pay attention to the event calendar at Nectar Lounge. The club regularly hosts big-name stars of the genre, while also mixing in hip-hop, pop, rock, bluegrass, world music, and other forms. The narrow floor can be tough to navigate on crowded evenings, but the outdoor patio with views of the stage provides some relief for patrons who want to relax while they enjoy the show.
A funky modern saloon with a Western vibe that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Stampede delights the eyes with a gold-plated ceiling, antique lamps, and cowboy decor in the main bar and a more whimsical Jungle Room bedecked in tropical wallpaper and a wall-mounted T. Rex head. Locals come here for the vibe and the killer cocktails. Choose from a changing menu of creative signature drinks or the legacy menu of past favorites; you can also order dumplings.
