This is the best bar in Seattle to get a drink, hangout, watch sports and converse with friends.

I'll keep it short and sweet because my adventures into here only consist of one time! -Great layout. There's a pool table in a really awesome little space with some tables and chairs for people to hang out around. Or you can go upstairs and play darts or a couple of arcade games. -Selection of alcohol is wonderful. -I hear they have great pizza! I can't vouch for it, but I did see the menu and they did have pizzas that had other types of sauces like pesto and barbecue (which for someone that doesn't eat traditional red sauce pizzas is AWESOME). -If you go in on a slow night it's really quiet, calm and a wonderful environment. I'm sure it's fun on a busy night too. -Bartender was super friendly and nice as well! read more

Yay! Whew.... goodbye Elite 2 and hello Hillside Bar! Great redesign as it could only go up... What a great bar space on the hill.... Like the red walls and ambience. Lots of whiskey choices and great drafts to choose! There's a pool table, darts and pinball machines. There's televsions but not quite sure what's they're showing. read more

Drinks only review: Good bar layout, there's a lot more space than it looks like on first impression. The atmosphere is more of a hangout than a bar, but luckily they serve booze too. I came in on a busy night, but the servers were quick, professional, and poured good drinks. The only thing I didn't like so much was how loud it was. Dang kids, get off my lawn! read more

I had been stopping by Hillside occasionally for a while, always enjoying myself. I am a beer and a shot kind of guy and they have plenty of both there. Service was always good and there was a good mix of friendly regulars and people from the neighborhood, like myself. Chill atmosphere and free peanuts didn't hurt either. What brought my rating up to 5 stars was their trivia night. My friends and I had been looking for a trivia night on the Hill that worked with our schedule. Hillside has one the first Wednesday of every month. We tried it a few times and LOVED it! The questions were a good mix of easy and challenging. There were 3 rounds. Some specific categories and some random. The winning team received the cash pot from the entry fees. What we really liked was that the team that came in last won a free pitcher of Olympia beer. We almost considered bombing just to get the free beer. :) The host is entertaining and fun. We have gone twice now and will definitely be back! Even if you are not into trivia, Hillside is a great place to have some cocktails with good friends and maybe even make a few new ones. read more

I came here with buddies after we'd already been to two or three other bars. I was in kind of a bad mood, but Hillside managed to turn that around. (That has actually happened twice - why am I always so crabby when I end up here?) It's a nice, big, open space. It can get a little cramped by the bar, so grab a drink and then move into one of three adjoining rooms: one, with a bunch of chairs, is suitable for relaxing and chatting; one offers a big pool table, a TV (usually playing something weird, but you can't hear it anyway), and some tall tables and chairs; and one - upstairs - has pinball, Big Buck Hunter, and dart boards. I can't speak to the drinks because I haven't had one either time I've visited, but my friends seemed happy enough. The music they play isn't my style (lots of early 2000s "Irish" punk rock, blaring and obnoxious), and there are a couple of clown pictures on the walls, but otherwise a really cool place to unwind and cheer up. read more

This bar is the best bar on the planet. Every single bartender has their own personality and makes this bar what it is. To the lady who gave this bar a 1 Star, your husband was too drunk for a drink and getting upset that you were not served at 1:30 in the #@$#ing morning while your disband is wasted.... grow up. read more

Great service and a really fun atmosphere. Went there for trivia last night. Thankfully, they have a prize for last place (a pitcher of beer) that my group was able to "win". Well worth the $3/person to play. Definitely will be back next time I find myself in the Cap Hill area read more

I'm definitely a fan of the Hillside Bar after meeting a few groups of friends here. The layout of the place was good and made it easy to navigate around even though it was quite busy. Friendly bartenders, sofas and comfy chairs, very good beer selection and a perfect location on a busy stretch of Olive Ave. make the Hillside Bar a perfect neighborhood bar. Definitely a good place to meet someone who is walking up from downtown to visit Capitol hill. read more

There was a patron at the end of the bar who yelled at the top of his lungs every few minutes, and not at the game on the TV. He was swearing and outright obnoxious. He was drunk. Other patrons left the bar because of his yelling and the bartender seemed not to care. When I asked the bartender if he would ask the guy to stop yelling, he said "No, I've been trying for a couple of years." Not sure why the bartender continued to serve someone who was so obviously intoxicated. When the patron went to leave, he hugged a fellow patron and said "I'm drunk." Wonder if the owner knows the bartender continues to serve visibly intoxicated people? read more

Friendly Bartender. There is a great Malaysian place next door, and you can bring in food. Also the bartender refused to charge me for coke which is nice. read more

Good place to chill out and I like the living room vibe with pool tables and relaxed seating. The most recent time here someone approached us wanting to draw our picture, and the time before that I remember someone showing off their photography, so I get the impression that artists like to hang out here, which I dig. I ordered a Manhattan, which tasted delicious and hung out with some friends until closing time, which I hadn't done at a bar in awhile. read more

This is my new favorite bar. It's got pool, darts, and cheap motherfucking beer. Do I really need to say anything else?

Moved to Seattle last year...and moving to a new city it always difficult. Finding a bar that is as comfortable as your favorite bars back home, is as difficult as finding new friends in Seattle via the Seattle Freeze. Came to the Hillside Bar on a busy night looking for some fine beers and a good time. I was not disappointed. This bar is a hodgepodge. Somewhere where you might find anyone, from any background, just getting together to get drunk and have a good time. You don't feel uncomfortable or out of place here, and the service is quick. Sure you're not going to find a pre-prohibition relevant cocktail list, or the best brew available in a pacific northwest, but you will find what everyone is actually looking for on a chill night out: a drink in a comfortable setting. Somewhere where you can sit back, and relax and just be yourself. read more

Great bar!!! I love this place! My local you'll hate it! Great bar, great staff, mine and Simon's favorite place to hang after much coffee. Awesome non-dive but divey-ish enough! And there's sandwiches for sale as well. Enjoy!! read more

Great addition to the neighborhood. Capitol Hill has no shortage of bars but this is the kind of bar that hasn't turned into a place to see and be seen... yet. The layout is great, allowing plenty of seating for big groups or couples. There are different areas for people who just want a drink, or a small space that feels like somebody's living rooms for board games to a big area with stools and a pool table. I haven't even mentioned the upstairs area with even more bar games such as darts! Yes, this bar has a little of something for everybody. Even though there is not kitchen, you can order pizza to be delivered or bring in outside food which is a huge boon with Kedai Makan and Dinette being only a couple of doors down. Highly recommend for an after work drink or a weekend night out! read more

Sean and the staff of the Hillside bar has done an amazing job rebooting this local bar! Bloody Mary's kick ass! Great place to play pool, darts, or just chat with the friendly bar staff. read more

I came here for the first time on a dismal weekday night, one of those inevitable outcomes of a long stressful day. Nick, one of the three awesome bartenders I've met thus far, quickly served my drink and entertained a chat about the origins of the girl punk rock band currently playing. The numerous frequently-rotating taps eased my mind as I tried a variety of new brews. The locals and randoms, too, were happy to let me join in their conversations. Needless to say, much needed unwinding that evening. Every time I came here since, I ended up having at least one good drink and interesting conversation. There's plenty of space, a comfy couch area, as well as a pool and arcades. And peanuts! Remember when that was standard at bars? Whether you're looking for a stiff drink, a good company, or just getting your mind off of things, Hillside never disappoints!. read more

A great new place to meetup with friends with friendly staff, excellent seating including a lounge area near the pool tables. Warm atmostphere on a cold Seattle day. Excellent beer, wine and spirits selection also. Enjoy! read more

This bar was amazing. $1.50 PBR/ OLY and something else from 2p - 6p. Lots of games to play and the bartenders are amazing. We also ate the pizza because it was the only food that they had. It's frozen, reheated pizza that you would expect from a place like this. Food they would get 2 stars but prices for drinks and what they have to offer easily give this place 5 stars. read more

This is a great spot for drinks with friends Very welcoming bartenders. Great beers on tap and lots a fun music. Also have pool and darts. When I was there they were hosting an event for a raffle which was great. Also, not super crowded so a perfect place for a drink and chatting with friends. read more

I came here with some grad school friends the other night. What a great bar! I love the feeling of the interior. It's very open, but also very cozy. I loved the feeling of taking over the back room with my pals. Although my memory is a bit hazy, since this was bar 2 of 3 on a pub crawl, I'm definitely looking forward to coming back and doing some more "field research." read more

Love! Love! Love this place! I can go there whenever I want and ALWAYS get a drink, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday, it doesn't matter. This is saying a lot considering the prime location on Capitol Hill. Not only that they have a jukebox, a pool table, free darts, pinball and Big Buckhunter. Also, free peanuts! Bartenders are great and the drinks are decently priced, by far my favorite place on the hill, not only all of the above, but you can also bring in your own food if you don't feel like eating their pizza. Stop in, this place is awesome! read more

Great bar smack in the middle of bar row on Olive Way! Nice staff, a pool table and also darts and pinball upstairs are enough to keep me busy, so give it a try sometime! read more

Nothing special but a great dive bar for those whoa re regulars in Capitol Hill. The environment is a little low key but it includes a pool table, dart boards, and other games to keep you entertained. Also, located next to other local bars for anyone looking to start a bar hop. Drinks are reasonably priced and the bartenders have always been friendly and helpful. This is defiantly my local bar and will be returning for several more late nights. read more

This is by far one of my favorite bars in Cap HIll. Love the pool table and darts!

Our first bar in Seattle! Prices were very reasonable and darts were free. Super relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Great place to hang out, noise level was perfect for chatting. read more

I checked this place out my last day in the city. It was chill neighborhood bar. Played some good tunes too.

Great vibe and HUGE whiskey selection. My new co-favorite hang out place on the hill. They're having a Super Bowl party with food. I'll be there. read more

I live right around the corner from this place, and I didn't really go in much when they first opened, but lately the Hillside has been growing on me big time. Great layout, relaxing atmosphere, friendly bartenders who will take the time to chat with you, and cool regulars who will strike up a conversation with a stranger. I'm a fan. read more

My new favourite neighbourhood bar.....great staff....great beer selection. Pool table....Darts....Skee-ball and jukebox. The wife and I love it!! read more

Free darts and an AWESOME happy hour with 4 dollar whiskey wells. The pour was a fat one ;)

Awesome new place! Super nice feel, sweet vintage decor, and the fact that the TVs are just for looks is a definite bonus...makes for better conversating with friends. Although I checked with the staff and they plan to show important things, like the SuperBowl. There are some good wines on hand, plenty of good tap options, and a 2-6 happy hour. Parking isn't the best but its an easy 4 block walk straight up Denny to a pay lot if you're not lucky enough to snag street parking. We'll be back. read more

Amazing happy hour prices, free peanuts, free darts, great location, jukebox to pick your music, arcade upstairs, and chill people... What more could you ask for? They accept American Express (for now). read more

nasty attitudes all around, especially the kid with the gauges, I think he might have just been tipsy when he was being rude to us but that doesn't make it any better tbh read more

"Noise level: average"? No. This would be a great bar if they turned the music down. Tegan & Sara never need to be that loud. I understand ear-shattering music at a dance club, but it just didn't make sense here. Would have stayed longer, but the loud music drove us out after one drink. read more

Advise to management: Please review safe hygienic practices with your bartenders. This usually is not a problem except one evening I noticed the bartender sneezed into his hands. Without washing or using hand gel he proceeded to prepare and serve drinks. MRSA is now commonly cultured from the nose. Then the same bartender rested his feet with the soles of his shoes on the rim of the sink containing ice for drinks. All my previous experiences have been very good at this bar, but due to these health infractions I will not be returning. read more

Great staff, great beer selection, great booze selection, free peanuts, and fun trivia night! Wish I lived closer.

This is my favorite bar to chill out and play games with friends! There's a pool table, two dart boards, pinball, and even a couple of board games. Go ahead, and give it a try! read more

Free peanuts. There was a weird homeless guy there. I don't have anything else to say.