With endings come new beginnings. The owners of Green Lake’s former Shelter Lounge partnered with Tacoma-based Wooden City to bring their shuttered space back to life as Wooden City Tavern in May. Sporting a light makeover and a full menu revamp, the new spot has drawn buzzy attention from both nearby residents and lake-goers. Along with a variety of specialty cocktails made by hand, Wooden City offers Negronis and old fashioneds on draft. There’s also a full tavern menu from executive chef Justine Avila featuring the notorious Bigfoot Long’s hot dogs. (Geof Redd, who runs the Bigfoot Long’s pop-up, is on the team here.) 

Tucked in a corner in the Shared Roof building, Doe Bay is the latest Phinney Ridge establishment helping transform the neighborhood into an evening destination. A tasting room, wine bar and bottle shop, it’s the brand-new Seattle location for the Orcas Project, a program dedicated to showcasing small Pacific Northwest winemakers as well as local artists. Along with wines by the glass and bottles to go, this spot has a nice selection of beer, cider and sake. 

Not to be confused with Holy Mountain’s Interbay flagship location, the Phinney taproom solidified its own hotspot status once its June opening had lines around the block. (Like Doe Bay, this is inside the Shared Roof building.) The still-bustling space features custom murals and beers made just for its location (though of course the White Lodge Belgian Wit is on draft here as well). For non-beer drinkers, the taproom boasts a rotating selection of Washington wines, ciders, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ginger beer. While only light snacks are served here, the tables have QR codes that show what the numerous nearby restaurants have to offer for takeout.

One of Capitol Hill’s newest performance venues also happens to be among the coolest spots to grab a drink. Opened in May by Seattle comedians Dane Hesseldahl and Jes Anderson, Comedy/Bar offers draft beer, wine, and classic cocktails (including a number of non-alcoholic creations) in a casual, industrial-style space. For those not actively watching the scheduled standup or open mic acts, Comedy/Bar’s breezy balcony offers a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of one of Capitol Hill’s liveliest streets.

This new Capitol Hill wine bar had a head start when it opened in April, thanks to the following owners Matt Lucas and Ben Chaykin built with their Juice Club pop-ups over the past few years. The buzz has continued over the past few months, bolstering Otherworld as a hub for natural wines from small producers. The clean decor makes it easy to focus on tasting and experiencing, though small snacks are offered for those who get hungry. According to the bar staff, 95 percent of the wines offered have no additives and “nothing removed.”

This Central District bar has only been open since early August, but the friendly neighborhood chatter within has the aura of a longtime community staple. This is the casual sandwiches-and-quiche-meets-cocktails sister bar to neighboring French restaurant and wine bar L’Oursin. But this definition of “casual” includes some glamorous menu offerings, such as the Vermouth Préparé (vermouth, gin, and genziana fernanda) and the Martini Jambon (jambon-infused gin, amontillado sherry, and orange bitters). The uplifting drinks and atmosphere are accentuated by the amusing assortment of French movie posters: Batman Returns is Batman Le Défi, for those wondering.

Long gone are the days when hotel bars were unassertive spots for weary business travelers mindlessly swiping their corporate AmExes. Hilton’s Hotel 1000 is home to a new downtown magnet for upscale cocktail enthusiasts, locals and visitors alike. A luxury experience, Rosebay focuses on locally sourced, small-batch spirits (as seen in the Reserve Bijou, with Monkey 47 gin, green Chartreuse, Cocchi Dopo Teatro, and Seville orange bitters). The place is small, but the cozy booths and warm fireplace make for a memorable date-night setting. Rosebay nevertheless caters to groups as well — a lineup of “large format cocktails” offers 750 millimeters for four to six drinkers. 

West Seattle Junction is dotted with hidden gems beloved by locals, but Revelry Room has started drawing wider attention. Opened in early April by entrepreneurs Derek Moon and Tony Larson right behind Jet City Labs (the bar’s entrance is off the alley), Revelry Room is a comfy-yet-vibrant destination with weekly DJs and a respectable beer lineup. The signature cocktails are the main attraction, however. Pouring vivid shades from different corners of the rainbow, these drinks are as colorful as the bar’s ‘70s-inspired décor.