Chef Amy Beaumier and bartenders Matthew Gomez and Matt Hassler weave their love for the Wu-Tang Clan and Korean flavors into a stunning menu of cocktails and small plates. While they recommend the Teacher’s Pet (calvados, Cocchi Rosa, Braulio, crème de cacao, bitters, saline, and absinthe) or the Kimcheech & Chong (mezcal, citrus, orgeat, kimchi, and peach bitters) for first timers, the gin and chocolate bitters–touched Shame on a Negroni is a favorite among local Greenwood residents.

Backed by an impressive alcohol inventory, this pocket-sized Sunset Hill bar specializes in Prohibition-influenced cocktails with a contemporary twist. Each drink boasts a mosaic of carefully selected ingredients that coax out flavorful overtures not seen in most cocktail classics. A prime example is the Fifth is Life, a highball with Singani 63, Amaricano Bianca amaro, Giffard pamplemousse liqueur, lemon bitters and Mediterranean tonic water, garnished with fresh thyme and sliced grapefruit.

This Ballard hangout specializes in “apothecary-inspired cocktails,” which owner Jeff Ofelt says is all about herb and fruit infusions. This keeps the seasonal menu complex and fresh — an example is the Mi Esposa, lime leaf-infused mezcal with banana liqueur, coconut water, lime, and ginger. Fun fact: Percy’s is named after Percy Sankey, who ran a bar in Ballard from 1898 up through Prohibition, disguising the front as a men’s furnishings shop when the law changed.

Before opening its Capitol Hill doors in 2020, the Doctor’s Office conducted over 300 blind taste tests and gathered spirits from around the world to fine-tune the recipe for every classic cocktail on the menu. As owner Matthew “Dr. Matt” Powell puts it, “The only way to know we could honestly tell a guest, ‘This is best Negroni I’ve ever had’ was to try every combination. So that’s exactly what we did.” 

Sitting discreetly behind an unmarked door on the corner of Olive Way and Olive Place, this tiny speakeasy draws crowds thanks to its lengthy cocktail lineup and house infusions like blueberry vodka and pineapple and peppercorn mezcal. The drinks change with the seasons, and they always pair perfectly with the Filipino-style small plates. 

Life on Mars embodies Capitol Hill’s funky vibes with a food menu local vegans swear by and a litany of vinyl records for sale. But those are just bonuses to one incredible beverage menu. In lesser hands, a packed cocktail like the Friendship Bracelet (Ming River Baiju, Kiyomi Rum, Singani 63, Crème de Banane, Skinos Mastiha, fruit juice, strawberry basil and cucumber shrub) risks being gimmicky, but here it’s both memorable and delicious.

Belltown overflows with drinking options, but Bathtub Gin & Co. is a special retreat. Tucked away in the wood and brick-trimmed basement of a 1920s apartment building, finding this cozy bar is an adventure in itself. The real excitement is of course in the cocktails, crafted with a broad selection of spirits from around the globe. Gin drinks — like the Shammgod, made with Gin, Autocrat coffee milk, agave and blackstrap bitters — are where the bar truly shines.

Slinging bold cocktails with vintage-style bar tools beneath Pike Place Market, Zig Zag has earned acclaim from locals and tourists alike. Traditional tastes may prefer the Saipan Sling (bourbon, Braulio Amaro, sherry and orange cordial) while more adventurous palates may go for the Charm Offensive, a wild mix of Irish whiskey, Jamaican rum, Carpano Bianco Vermouth, Green Chartreuse and chocolate bitters. 

The near two-story-high shelves of liquor bottles behind the bartop are what draws the eye when entering, but your attention quickly shifts to the beautiful cocktails. Delectable examples include the Off the Rails (Michter’s bourbon, Rhinomato Americano and pimento dram with ginger, citrus and bitters) and the Orange is the New Black (Hennessey, dry sherry, Grand Marnier, coffee liqueur and Amaro Montenegro). There’s also a South American-influenced food menu.

Rum is the specialty spirit at this Jamaican and New Orleans-influenced bar and restaurant in Columbia City. While known for its homey soul food, just as much dedication goes into its lineup of summery cocktails. Peach Me I’m Dreaming is a refreshingly tasty introduction, crafted with plantation five-year rum, peach combier, mango, demerara, and lime.