3 Best Bars in Wallingford, Seattle

This small, sweet bar gives grandpa's basement vibes, if grandpa came from Eastern Europe and alternated his glass of house-infused vodka with the occasional craft cocktail. A few booths surround the live-edge, U-shaped bar, and floral wallpaper completes the feel. The small food menu features Slavic classics, including a variety of dumplings, pickles, and borscht.

Though it moved from a tiny hallway of a space to a sprawling building in 2021, this fun and funky bar keeps its small-fish spirit. Quirky art and nautically themed curiosities hang from the ceilings and wall, like a chandelier made from crab traps. House cocktails tend toward the basic side, but that keeps them affordable, and a seasonal slushie rounds out the options. The kitchen serves a selection of nice and creatively named sandwiches and hot dogs.

With its low lighting and cozy seating, SeaMonster makes the tame Wallingford neighborhood just a little bit sexier. The space is small and the stage is sandwiched between the bar and a few tables—but that just makes it all the more intimate and friendly. The bar presents high-quality local acts, mainly of the jazz, funk, and soul varieties.