Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
The cat's out of the bag: Ballard, in the minds of many, is the city's most
buzzing neighborhood for drinks and live bands, with plenty of variation.
New bars and restaurants seem to pop up in the space of a lunch break,
while plenty of stalwarts have weathered the recession.
NOBLE FIR
BAR
( 206-420-7425;
www.thenoblefir.com
; 5316 Ballard Ave NW; 4-11pm Mon-Wed, to 1am Thu-
Sat, noon-11pm Sun; 17)
Possibly the first bar devoted to the theme of wilderness hik-
ing, the Noble Fir is a bright, shiny new Ballard spot with an epic beer list that might
just make you want to abandon all your plans for outdoor adventure. Should your re-
solve begin to flag, head to the back corner, where there's a library of activity guides
and maps that will re-inspire you.
Bonus: Magners Irish cider on tap!
COPPER GATE
BAR
(
www.thecoppergate.com
; 6301 24th Ave NW; 5pm-midnight; 40)
Formerly one of
Seattle's worst dives, the Copper Gate in Ballard is now an upscale bar-restaurant fo-
cused on meatballs and naked ladies. A Viking longship forms the bar, with a peepshow
pastiche for a sail and a cargo of helmets and gramophones.
KING'S HARDWARE
BAR
( 206-782-0027; 5225 Ballard Ave NW; 4pm-2am Mon-Fri, noon-2am Sat & Sun; 17)
King's Hardware has a hunting-lodge-meets-Old-West-game-room feel. There's pinball
and Skee-Ball towards the rear wooden booths, and taxidermied jackalopes propped
between bottles of liquor behind the bar. The spacious hangout also has a good jukebox
and, in case you're feeling shaggy, easy access to Rudy's Barbershop (it's attached).
