7 Best Bars in The Olympic Peninsula and Washington Coast, Washington

With a covered deck overlooking an 80-acre orchard just south of Port Townsend, this festive contemporary cider garden has developed a national reputation for its handcrafted ciders, with bold flavor combinations like apple-and-habanero and crabapple-blueberry. Live music, poetry readings, and other performances are offered many afternoons and early evenings, and the kitchen serves creative gastropub fare.

Some of the finest craft beers in western Washington are poured at this inviting taproom with a gas fireplace and comfy seating. Notable options include the refreshing Yellow Booth Kolsch and the roasty Leadbetter Red Scottish Ale, which will warm your soul on a stormy winter evening.

It's a short walk from the dune trails and beach to this terrific, welcoming, craft-beer bar with a comfy interior, but the greatest draw is the 9,000-square-foot beer garden that is dog-friendly, has plenty of picnic tables, and even has a large enclosed seating area that comes in handy during the winter months or on rainy summer days. There are nearly 20 well-chosen drafts on tap, and light pub fare is served.

A gathering place for ardent beer enthusiasts, Pourhouse features a dozen rotating taps, 200 bottles and cans of beer and hard cider, and wines by the glass. The waterfront beer garden offers sweeping views of Port Townsend Bay and the nearby harbor. Some snacks—like charcuterie or cheese plates—are served, and you can bring your own takeout. Most Friday and Saturday nights in summer, there's live music outside.

Polished logs serve as bar stools in this tiny and rustic taproom, located in the back corner of a small, nondescript business plaza, its sign promising "cold beer and warm nuts to go." Elk Head produces a good range of flavorful beers, including hoppy West Coast–style IPAs.

Boatyard workers and beer enthusiasts congregate at this casual but highly popular (and pet-welcoming) Boat Haven brewery to enjoy a pint. There's an outdoor beer garden during warmer months, and live bands often perform; food trucks sometimes appear as well. Regular brews include the English-style Bitter End IPA, lightly smoky Peeping Peater Scotch Ale, and crisply refreshing Yoda's Green Tea Gold.

This easygoing spot with just a touch of urbane swankiness is in the center of Seabrook. Stop by after an afternoon at the beach to savor one of a dozen wines (mostly from Oregon and Washington) and a few shareable bites, maybe a charcuterie board or a flatbread topped with bacon jam, mozzarella, pear, and balsamic.