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There’s an unmistakable chill in the air — and drinks menus across Seattle are flipping from spritzes to stronger stuff. Eater featured the top restaurant openings of the fall season a couple of weeks ago, but now it’s time for some notable bar and taproom previews to help warm the spirit. Here’s what’s coming soon.
Aslan Brewing Fremont
Location: 401 N 36th St, Fremont
Opening: Late September
What to know: Bellingham-based Aslan Brewing Company — known for its popular organic beers with the signature lion labels — will soon open a new taproom in bustling Fremont. Located in a new building called Cedar Speedster, the space will be more intimate than Aslan’s two Bellingham spots, with seating for 30; it will also share some barrel aged projects, seasonal beers, and one-off creations that are usually not available in the Seattle area. When it opens, there will be sandwiches from Salumi and items from a new seafood restaurant called Local Tide that will share a window with Aslan.
San Juan Seltzery
Location: 3901 First Avenue S, SoDo
Opening: Late September
What to know: While a new hard seltzer destination may produce eyerolls from those resistant to trends, there’s no denying the appeal of fizzy, non-beer alcoholic drinks these says (just look at the White Claw shortages). San Juan Seltzer, the region’s first hard seltzer company, is partnering with Ethan Stowell Restaurants to open this taproom inside the seltzer company’s SoDo production space, serving a seafood-heavy food menu (including Dungeness crab cakes, oysters, and clam chowder), plus hard seltzer cocktails. The new spot will also have a 400-square-foot heated patio with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit, TVs for watching games, and a kids’ play area.
Fair Isle Brewing
Location: 936 NW 49th St, Ballard
Opening: October
What to know: This highly anticipated farmhouse-focused brewery — which has a pretty robust Instagram game — has been planning a Ballard outpost for years. Though its hit a few delays, the new outpost should be on track to open within the next month or so. According to co-founders Andrew Pogue and Geoffrey Barker, patrons will find beers that “will include locally foraged items such as fireweed, elderberries, and mushrooms, and many will also be refermented on fruit. Fair Isle has an equity partner in respected Austin, Texas brewery Jester King, which also specializes in farmhouse-style beers.
Rupee Bar
Location: 6307 24th Ave NW, Ballard
Opening: October
What to know: Joe Sundberg, Rachel Johnson, and Patrick Thalasinos, owners of the well-regarded Wallingford seafood restaurant Manolin, have been planning a new spot in Ballard, with a menu influenced by Sri Lankan cuisine. While many details have been kept under wraps, some teaser dishes chef Elisabeth Kenyon revealed on Instagram include mutton rolls, pani puri, fried chicken, eggplant, and paratha. “All inspections and permits are checked off the list,” Sundberg tells Eater Seattle. “Chef Liz has started cooking in the space. We are getting close.”
La Dive
Location: 721 E Pike St, Capitol Hill
Opening: November
What to know: Pronounced “La Deev,” this Capitol Hill spot promises to feature plenty of frozen wine drinks. Co-owner Kate Opatz — who co-runs neighborhood favorites Montana and Nacho Barracho — will plan out a menu with frieslings (riesling and white peach vodka), frojolais (beaujolais, raspberry, and campari), and some non-frozen natural wine selections, as well as beer and spirits. The impressive La Dive team also includes Ani Custer (from the Garbage People Love Wine pop-up) behind the bar and David Gurwitz (Spinasse and Lark), who will oversee a food menu, which could include Russian zakuski.
Petite Soif
Location: 3309 Beacon Ave S, Beacon Hill
Opening: Before Thanksgiving
What to know: The owners of the popular Fremont wine bar and cafe Vif will soon open a natural wine and bottle shop in Beacon Hill, with small bites available as well. Though it won’t be an exact replica of Vif, fans of the Fremont bar’s easygoing, friendly neighborhood vibe will likely see some similarities in the new spot.
The Doctor’s Office
Location: 1631 E Olive Way, Capitol Hill
Opening: Late fall
What to know: This bar is the brainchild of an actual doctor — Matthew Powell, MD — who has teamed up nightlife expert Keith Waldbauer on the project that will focus on spirits from around the world, especially Japanese whiskey. Patrons should expect an intimate experience in the small 12-seat tasting space East Olive Way, including hot hand towels and champagne. “We want to give that feeling of walking into a good friend’s living room,” Waldbauer tells Eater Seattle. “One who just happens to have a mind-blowing spirits collection.” Charcoal grilled skewers with chicken, vegetables, and seasonal fruit will be served in a casual walk-up counter nearby.
