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    Foreign National

    4.5 (309 reviews)
    ModerateCocktail Bars

    Foreign National Photos

    FOREIGN NATIONAL ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Foreign National

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    Chophouse Old Fashioned - IG @bougiefoodieboi
    Kyle W.

    I always love an Asian inspired cocktail place! This place is a walk-in only, small Capitol Hill bar located right next to Stateside, which is a convenient location especially if you are going from downtown Seattle. Because of the walk-in only format (having to physically wait in line if the bar is full), we opted to go right at opening on Wednesday since we were a party of 3 but still strongly preferred the bar. Within 15 minutes of opening, the whole bar is filled, but given it is the weekday, the tables below were never full during our 2hrs drinking there. We tried a variety of cocktails, such as Odachi, Ruby Rosella, Little Prince, Chophouse Old Fashioned, Singapore Sling, White Fang, an off-menu aperol spritz, and one of the mocktails. Odachi was an egg white based cocktail that is quite interesting as there were savory notes (garlic soy sauce) and cucumber. As much as I like to explore these unique drinks, this one didn't hit. The Ruby Rosella and Singapore Sling were more tropical drinks, which were solid, with some herbal and floral notes. Little Prince was one of my favorites - strong, concentrated, and filled with a fruity yet smoky aftertaste, accentuated by the mint oil on top. Chophouse Old Fashioned sounded great on paper but the alcohol masked the flavors I wanted to see, such as hojicha and black pepper, and it was on the more expensive side. White Fang is a more unique Asian inspired drink with Milkis. This is one of the better bars out there, but there are many other options that will be more convenient and around similar quality if you are in a tight squeeze in time or want to go to Capitol Hill in one of the more popular weekend nights. Otherwise, for the uniqueness of a handful of drinks and reasonable prices, this is a spot to go.

    Manan D.

    Picked a random cool looking bar on Yelp as this was my first time in Seattle. Well you all were right, because this place is awesome! It has the feel of a classy speakeasy, as well as the slightly hidden entrance, but also has an awesome spinning giant disco ball by the bar. The drinks are outstanding and very creative - my favorites were a chai and whiskey drink as well as the Red Eye Reprisal which has maple and rye. I finished both way too fast. The bartenders are clearly talented and you can watch their efficient drink making. They were also very quick to take our orders and take our empty glasses away. The space inside is cozy and appropriately dark. My only small complaint would be that it got quite loud later in the night, which isn't typical for this type of speakeasy bar (or maybe it is in Seattle who knows :P). Loved this place overall and would highly recommend!

    Thaung M.

    Another amazing Seattle find! Thought the wait could be ridiculous. The bar sits only a few patrons and the vibe gives off speakeasy ambiance. REALLY great drinks and even better selection. Love that their cocktails are representative of cultures the world over just like the bar's namesake.

    Penicillin of sorts
    Asher W.

    Stopped in for a quick drink before dinner. Ended up drinking two. Really enjoyed the menu selection and the place was busy but not crowded. Sat immediately at the bar. Very kind and attentive bartenders. Will definitely be back.

    Erin H.

    5/5 cocktails - Asian inspired and you can't go wrong with any choice! 4/5 ambiance - dark and moody, but small 1/5 waiting in the small nook outside the door haha The main deterrent is waiting to get in. There isn't much room, so you are either lining up along the side walk or huddled under the 100sq ft around the door (which was unfortunately our case). That being said, the line was shorter, since most people don't enjoy standing in the rain LOL. We still had to wait 40min though with only one other couple ahead of us... If they implemented a wait list system, I'd be more likely to go back more, but it's still a good spot to check out if the line isn't too long and you are flexible on time.

    Silk Road
    Shao-Lon Y.

    Classy speakeasy bar with interesting Asian inspired cocktails. If you enjoy savory cocktails, you'll love this place. Many of the drinks here have elements of umami, saltiness, and spiciness that you won't find at many other bars. The drinks are a bit pricey and the wait to get in can sometimes take a while, but it's worth it for the experience. One drink that I like is the Silk Road. It's basically what you would get if you crossed a tiki bar with Southeast Asia. Strong rum flavored with aromatic curry and lightly sweetened by coconut milk. I usually don't enjoy savory cocktails but this one had a nice balance of sweet and salty and it was extremely unique. What I enjoy about here is that the drinks aren't just sweet, most of them have something that balances the sweetness and adds a depth of flavor. While I can't say that I've enjoyed every drink I've had here, everything is super unique and interesting!

    Fortune's Flavor
    Michelle C.

    Wow! I didn't know this place was so lauded until after coming, but its accolades it definitely deserves! I came for my birthday on a Tuesday night around 8ish and we just got a spot. After us there was a line. It's a cozy cozy cocktail bar. Dark decor. The drinks run 16-20something dollars so pretty typical for a fancy cocktail bar. We got the fortunes flavor, which was surprising fresh, and the real star of the show is the gourmet fortune cookie. It's so damn buttery. I got the Silk Road which had ginger and coconut milk and was deliciously creamy and spicy. Both had truly unique flavors! I would definitely recommend trying for a unique drink experience. We didn't have a 30 minutes wait but the experience inside would probably be worth it.

    Redeye Reprisal
    Ty J.

    This is definitely a Speak easy and was not easy for me to find lol but once found, what a little gem. It's not a big place, infact, it's quite small but that just adds to the flair and coziness. Expansive list of creative rotational and seasonal cocktails and small lite bites. I'm an Old Fashioned type of guy so I went with the Shoyuzuke Old Fashioned (my only drink of the night) and was happy with my choice. Knowledgeable servers add to the experience. If you're a fan of speak easy's than add this to your list of Seattle Delights, thank me later :) P.S Missing one star because of the size of the place..that's it, I know..I'm picky like that ‍

    Menu
    Jackie I.

    The ambiance was cute, they did a good job for such a small space. My main complaint is that although the drinks sounded creative, they were nothing special and very weak.

    Jane M.

    TLDR: Amazing speakeasy with insane wait times on weekends (im not sure how long the line is on weekdays) We stopped by Foreign National on a Saturday evening around 7:30 PM and there was a huge line of people waiting to get in there. We thought the line may get better later so went else where for dinner and came back again at 9:30 PM to see the line was pretty long on a cold night. This time we decided to hang around and were hopeful the line would move relatively quicker - but NO we were wrong. We got into the bar at 11:10 PM and were honestly not happy about the wait time. Once you walk in, the place is tiny with cozy tables. The place was loud and noisy to have conversations with your friends. We wasted no time and ordered our drinks (in fact we placed 2 rounds at once cos they were taking their last order at 11:30PM). We ordered the following drinks: Foreign National Cocktail: Crisp refreshing and floral notes. This was a delicious Quebranta based cocktail. Was a crowd favorite. Ambrosia: Delicious rum based cocktail with mild flavors of cardamom, raspberry and balsamic. Another crowd fav. Singapore Sling: Juicy boozy gin based fruity cocktail. Great if in the mood for a fruity cocktail. Refreshing. Silk Road: Coconut milk and rum based mildly spiced deliciously creamy cocktail. Knoble Steed: Rye Bourbon based cocktail tasked similar to a Manhattan. It was still good though. This place is best for a group of only 2 or 4 (maybe). They have only 1 big table that can accommodate a group of 6 so good luck getting that for your group. While we loved all our cocktails, the only reason I take a star off their rating is cos of the insane wait times. They do not take reservations and also do not take down names when you show up. So all you got to do is wait in line for some one some time to open the door for you to be seated. Nobody keeps you posted about the approx wait times. It could be 10 mins, 2 hrs or none. You never know. Maybe start reservations with a $25 deposit amount I dont know but do something to make it enticing for us to come back. Enjoyed the cocktails here but will come back on a weekday to skip the crazy lines or when they figure out their reservation system.

    Mushroom Spring Rolls
    Michael G.

    Truly one of my favorite speakeasys in Seattle. From the intimate setting and the carefully crafted cocktails makes for a great night out everytime.

    Shiitake mushroom spring rolls - so good!
    Mary R.

    Very cute, small speakeasy type cocktail bar. Absolutely loved the shiitake mushroom spring rolls and the cocktails were well crafted. Went around 7pm on a Saturday and we were just lucky enough to get seated fairly quickly (a couple large parties of 5+ people had just left). If you're look for a place for a good drink, a couple apps and a place to sit and catch up with friends before night out or even meeting someone for the first time (ie. Blind date), I would highly recommend this place. They do not take reservations so if you can't get in I'd plan for a back up. Would definitely visit this place again!

    Silk Road and Singapore Sling
    Jinny C.

    To be honest I was underwhelmed because the place is so popular and highly-praised, but I did only try one drink so take it with a grain of salt. I got the Silk Road which was a rum cocktail with coconut milk, curry, ginger, and pandan. I love all those flavors, and while they did pretty good with balancing sweet and savory, it still was too much like drinking a cold cup of curry. Tasty curry, but won't get it next time. My friend's Singapore sling was good, but she rolled her eyes at the tiki cup. It's a small and intimate speakeasy so the line out the door can get pretty crazy but if you go the first hour or so of opening there shouldn't be any waiting.

    D. Tea O

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    2 years ago

    Amazing cocktails! If you arrive and the door is locked, simply wait 5-10 min for a little space to open up. Trust me, it's worth it.

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - Foreign National

    Can they accommodate a group of 8-10 people?

    Yes! email info@statesideseattle.com or call 206-557-7273 and leave a message....

    Is there a happy hour? I can't find any official information online indicating that there is one, but one review recently mentions there being one. If so, when is it, and what does it include?

    I don't think so. There's no mention in the menu here. We came here on a Saturday as they open at 06:00PM

    The website is fairly useless. Does one make a reservation for dinner and cocktails; if so, how? I am nervous to meet a date here without some way to ensure that we can get a…

    As far as I'm aware they do not take reservations, but that leaves time for you and your date to chat and enjoy people watching if you must wait.

    View All 4 Questions

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    Deep Dive

    Deep Dive

    3.9
    (338 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Came here while visiting Washington, and this place has a unique aesthetic with creative cocktails…read moreto match. We arrived without a reservation but were seated at the bar fairly quickly. The bartender next to us was incredibly friendly and offered excellent drink recommendations. The drinks are on the pricier side, but the quality, presentation, and overall atmosphere make it worth a visit if you're in the area. The bar staff were kind, attentive, and helped make for a great experience.

    My experience at Deep Dive was unfortunately overshadowed by the service…read more I'll start with the positives because they're deserved. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. The space is elegant, unique, and lives up to the photos. I also want to recognize the manager, who was polite, professional, and kindly explained that reservations were required. I completely understand and respect that policy. Unfortunately, my interaction with the bartender before speaking with the manager was the complete opposite. As I tried to get her attention, I felt like she repeatedly looked at me with annoyance and made me feel unwelcome. Rather than simply explaining the reservation policy herself, she went to get the manager instead. She had a problem with Hispanics. She refused to engaged at all. The way I was treated left me feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed, especially as someone who was genuinely excited to visit. A beautiful venue can only go so far when the hospitality doesn't match. I would have happily accepted that reservations were required if I had simply been treated with basic kindness and respect from the start. I truly hope this was an isolated incident because the location itself is stunning, and the manager handled the situation professionally. Unfortunately, because of my interaction with the bartender I've added in the photos, I don't see myself returning. Sadly they have a Prejudice bartender.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Bar inside
    Bar inside
    Bar and counter seating

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    Bar and counter seating
    Bathtub Gin

    Bathtub Gin

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Within an expected back alley, you will find a wooden door with a small plate with the name"bathtub…read moreGin" on it. If you are lucky to find the doorway, you should knock to enter this speakeasy. This speakeasy is the gateway to a relaxing environment that has an occupancy of 39 guest. Upstairs you will find a small bar with a single table for two. In the basement you will find more tables and a back room which holds more guest. For refreshments, if you are a gin fan then this is the place to stop for a drink or two has they have a long list of gins. If you are not a gin fan, there are plenty of other drinks to wet your whistle! We had great service on a Sunday, but during holidays, especially Halloween the place gets packed. You may want to secure a reservation during peak times. Lastly be careful in the area.

    This speakeasy was a bit of a struggle to find but that's what makes it exciting. Located in an…read moreunassuming alleyway, the bar is located behind a plain wooden door. The space is very small and intimate. They have a bar located upstairs with stool seating and a few small tables downstairs. We had a party of six but luckily they were able to seat us downstairs without much of a wait. For drinks, I ordered their I'm mad, you're mad cocktail which was light and delicious. It also had cranberry bitters sprinkled on top which added a nice touch. My friend asked the bartender to surprise her with a light and fruity drink and her cocktail also tasted delicious. Overall, a great spot but would be better for small parties.

    Photos
    Speakeasy vibes are strong here
    Speakeasy vibes are strong here
    Library
    Library
    Bathtub Gin

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    Firn

    Firn

    4.1
    (53 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Lol "interesting" experience…read more I came around 1030 after work, to meet a friend I work in kitchens. I'm wearing all black. Nonslip Docs. Backpack. Probably smell lol Lobby guy was nice. He says "I'll buzz you up." I waited in the elevator for a while. After like 3-5 real minutes I walk into the lobby and text my friend. "I ain't coming. I'm not fancy enough apparently" In that time, the Clerk noticed me. Apologies Profusely. I got up. Friends were really happy. Service was very nice and accommodating. Drinks are Top Notch My friends were giving a "Live Update" about my "situation" the entire time We probably got 8ish drinks. Paid for 3 They close at 11, I left around 1230 Props to Them A+++++++++++ Customer Service Drinks and Ambiance too, but we already knew that Props to the Staff Thank You

    Amazing views! Specially at sunset. But that's where the goodness ends. The drinks don't match the…read moreambiance or elevated feel you get sitting there. They're basic bar drinks, and while they do have unique names, they're not original and just taste of cheap liquor and mixers. (Do they not squeeze their own limes?) Looking at their liquor bar, it's all bottom shelf stuff anyways, so don't expect to be wowed. It's basically a dressed up college bar, for wanna be influencers who think that paying for a 24 dollar drink gets them clout.

    Photos
    CASUAL CRUSH: mezcal, poblano, pineapple, firewater, baking spices, lime
    CASUAL CRUSH: mezcal, poblano, pineapple, firewater, baking spices, lime
    Rooftop seating
    Rooftop seating
    GHOST PILOT: overproof rum, apple brandy, absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla, bitters, grapefruit, lime

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    GHOST PILOT: overproof rum, apple brandy, absinthe, cinnamon, vanilla, bitters, grapefruit, lime

    Foreign National - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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