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    Screwdriver Bar

    4.2 (93 reviews)
    ModerateBars
    Open 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Screwdriver Bar Photos

    Business Info

    SCREWDRIVER BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Hipster
    Casual

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    Denise S.

    This underground bar is a Seattle classic. Grungy, fun, laid back, and lots of memorabilia everywhere. It's a great spot to hang out and the bartenders are always fun and friendly. I feel like it's a level above "dive bar" and I have no problem keeping this spot on repeat. Even the Red Hot Chili Peppers stopped into this spot for drinks after their concert in Seattle a few years ago. Great place!

    jell-o shots $5
    Abby E.

    Super fun dive bar experience, underground, gives college/throwback vibes. Great $5 jell-o shots, reasonably priced drinks and lots of bar tables/space to dance and interact with friends. Bartender service was also great and largely clean bathrooms compared to what you'd expect from a dive bar. Was recommended to us by a bartender at another spot and it didn't disappoint. Would definitely come back!

    Stephanie C.

    Obsessed with this bar. So much character and great ambiance which created a trendy and inviting atmosphere. The drinks were enjoyable, with a solid selection of well-crafted flavors, no beer on tap though. The décor was immaculate: None of the furniture matched. Vinyl everywhere. Iconic pictures- ROCK & ROLL and just cool vibes all over. Loud and awesome music: The DJ was great. He played some "groovy" tunes, from the 60-80's. Mind you I love this type of music and listen all the time, but I probably knew like 15% of the songs which made me feel like HE knew so much HE was just showing off! Every single track was good, so good!!! We were lucky to sit by the bar as the place was incredibly packed. On a side note, people here dressed so cool! Maybe because the DJ had 60-80's music and people who knew in advance decided to dress up? Or this is the vibe some guys and gals just went for- truly liked it!

    Interior
    Diana C.

    I really wanted to like this spot and was pretty excited by the decor. It was really a cool concept with classic rock and retro decor. But the bathrooms and tables were pretty dirty and messy, with the booths being ripped to shreds. I get it's a dive bar but that was a bit off putting. I also didn't feel the drinks were worth the price tag - $16 isn't unreasonable for the area but the quality was not on par with most other bars in the area. The cocktails sounded like they should have been tasty and I liked everything in what I ordered but sadly it tasted pretty underwhelming and unbalanced. I had the Mr. Pharmacist and my partner tried the Big Jesus and neither of us liked our drinks. My partner also tried the mint espresso martini slushie and he liked that a bit better, but 1/3 drinks being ok is a disappointment. I think they were probably rushing or understaffed because the line was pretty long to order each time (15 min or so), so maybe it was an off night. Honestly we realized that we were the only ones in the whole bar not having beer or shots, and that we were the only ones who had stayed for more than one drink, so I don't think we were the only ones who felt that way. Not our vibe I guess. I don't plan to return unfortunately. Probably a good spot for a quick drink if you're just looking for the ambiance or having a beer before a show, but I'd steer clear of the cocktails.

    a bar with neon lights
    Casey K.

    100% dive bar with the best rock n' roll decor. There is so much to see at this bar with the decor all over the walls and ceilings too. Every part is covered! Screwdriver Bar is located in a basement in Belltown in Seattle. Chris and Dave provide the best service and will share rock n' roll history with you while you enjoy a drink and the atmosphere. This is a gem of a spot and I highly recommend visiting when in Seattle!

    Nikita S.

    Recommend "Mix n Match" cocktail It's a good place if you wanna go to a pub with less crowd where you can actually talk to each other. The painting and graffiti on the walls was very artistic and a nice touch! In my opinion, very underrated pub

    Bingo!
    Brooke B.

    Hidden gem with some amazing cocktails! And every other Tuesday...Bingo! If you're looking for a vintagey music dive bar, this is your joint. If you're into amaro and other interesting liqueurs, also a great spot. The bartender let us play around and taste a few different things to create a couple fun cocktails. We'll be back!

    Inside bar
    Patrick s.

    Came up to Seattle for The stones concert and than played tourist. We were told to check this place out and I'm glad we did. It was still pretty early in the day so it was not all that busy. I imagine later in the evening this place gets pretty rocking. Reasonable price for drinks and cool bar tender. This made our experience in Seattle just that much better. If you can go check it out you should.

    Bubblegum and mezcal
    Suz M.

    This place was so much fun! The drinks were delicious and the rock n roll theme was a blast! Loved the decor and ambiance of the bar as well. Highly recommend for any rock n roll / dive bar enthusiasts

    Erica L.

    Such an underrated dive bar! The vibes, music, decor, and drinks were all superb! Right when I walked in, I loved the environment. There was a DJ playing vinyl records. It was very lively, and there was so much to look at. I tried a few different drinks, and these were my top two: La Piñata: The most amazing cocktail I have ever tasted. Everything about this was just perfect! I'd order this several times, if I could. Welcome to the Jungle: A very refreshing drink with great flavor.

    Vinyl record ceiling
    Madi O.

    We stopped in for Halloween and loved the vibe of this place! The bartender was fantastic and so nice, the other people in the bar were very friendly, and the drinks were very good! My husband was impressed by their whiskey sours and I enjoyed the espresso martini slushies they had ready to pour. Fun!

    Brain Jones or Peter Noonan?
    Phil G.

    I have passed this place hundreds of times, noting the crowds outside on the sidewalk. The bar didn't seem special and the crowd appeared very young. Last Friday night while strolling my hood, I decided to check out the inside, never realizing the bar was located in a basement. Holy crapola, who knew a bar named The Screwdriver is a shrine to the Rock Music scene off the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. MoPop Be Damned! I was mesmerized by the posters, photos, art work, album covers etc,. It was fantastical and a pilgrimage for a person my age. Issac, a young man doing the bartending, was patient with all my reminiscing, as I grabbed my cocktail walking around the mostly empty space. How did I miss this bar for 16 months? Well, it was closed for most of the pandemic except for their outside seating. Yes, it was a bit warm, but who cared when I'm having a cocktail in a museum depicting the golden age of rock music. I am still wowed by my experience and sent my photos around the world to everyone I know. The Screwdriver Bar may need a different name, but it is a "must" for locals and tourists alike.

    Inside

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    25 days ago

    Amazing spot for a dive bar and a cool experience. Customer service was off the charts and is a place I'll keep visiting. Highly recommend!

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    3 years ago

    Super cool basement bar, amazing memorabilia, really cool bar staff. Quiet early in the day

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Screwdriver Bar

    Review Highlights - Screwdriver Bar

    This, plus the dark lights, make it feel like the sexiest basement full of the sexiest hipster people possible.

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    Shorty's

    Shorty's

    3.9
    (717 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    This is it, the emperor of Seattle dive bars. Inimitable. Sui generis. My favorite place to hang…read moreout in downtown Seattle when bad decisions and fun are on my agenda. Time without number I've found myself here, be that first dates, my birthday, or New Year's Eve, and it always feels like home. If home were a clown/carnival themed acid trip of a pinball arcade bar, that is. And what's not to love about that? The bar tenders here are cool and friendly people who pour drinks with a heavy hand, and understand the mission: get the patrons who want to be drunk, drunk. The first few times I visited, I felt a leeriness about ordering food. But once I got over myself, I kinda fell in love with the menu, and I've probably eaten everything on it (including the clam chowder). Their hot dogs are wonders to behold, utter symphonies for the senses, and I refuse to visit Shorty's without getting one. Best dog in Seattle? Why yes. I think so. To paraphrase one reviewer: "Take your date here. If she doesn't like it, she's lame and you shouldn't waste your time with her anyways." Shorty's is the bomb.

    The male bartender was extremely rude. As soon as we walked in, he aggressively asked for our IDs…read more Then, while my cousins and I were looking through the food menu, he barely gave us a chance to read it before saying, "I'll take whoever is ready to make my life easier." That's not something paying customers want to hear. I ended up ordering a drink for myself while the guys were looking at the menu because they were doing a food hop, and us girls were doing a bar hop. During that time, the bartender came back to our table at least four times within about five minutes. Instead of being attentive, it felt pushy and aggressive, especially since they were still deciding what they wanted. I've been here a few times before, but after this experience, this will definitely be my last visit.

    Photos
    Tables are made from pinball machines
    Tables are made from pinball machines
    Spicy Pepperand Cheese Hot Dog, topo Chico seltzers
    Spicy Pepperand Cheese Hot Dog, topo Chico seltzers
    Slushi and beer pint

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    Slushi and beer pint
    Manzoku Izakaya

    Manzoku Izakaya

    3.9
    (54 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Manzoku Izakaya offers a budget-friendly AYCE option for yakitori that is hard to find anywhere…read moreelse in the downtown Seattle area. There is a caveat though, which is that they only have select items in the AYCE menu. The ambiance of the place was inviting enough for us to give them a try! There is a 90 minute window for AYCE, and you can order a maximum of 3 items per person every 15 minutes. All orders have to be made from an app on your phone so make sure you have a fully charged device! When we logged in the app, it was confusing to manage at first so we worked with the server to put our orders in. She had to put in our orders for us a couple of times and then we figured out how to work the system after that. To do the math for those reading the review and maximize the number of items you can order with the 90 minute window, you can potentially order up to 18 sets of skewers per person. Each set of skewer has two sticks. My hubby and I missed a few items from our order but we were getting full after my 10th skewer and his 15th skewer so it did not matter too much! The AYCE menu also has options to order zaru soba, corn cheese, and takoyaki! Presentation is great but I wish the flavor matched the visuals. The standout skewers for us were the boruta pork and the wagyu beef tongue. I was really hoping that the yakitori would be crispier and had more of a smokey flavor but I really can't complain too much for the price point. The food is solid but not like a wow, I have to come back here again! We only saw one server for the busiest part of the night, serving 8 tables all at once. She made sure that our glasses were never empty and she treated us warmly. Wile the decor and the general atmosphere are pleasant, the quality of the food would not merit another visit for me.

    Good service. Friendly staff…read more Portions are small. It's meant for you to get multiple plates of skewers but the rice bowls are also pretty small. Prices are a little much for the amount of food you get. Super chill and relaxing atmosphere. Good for hanging out and catching up with friends. Street parking only. Clean bathrooms.

    Photos
    Host and bar area
    Host and bar area
    Manzoku Izakaya
    Manzoku Izakaya

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    Hatch Cantina

    Hatch Cantina

    4.3
    (405 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Full bar

    This has been bookmarked for a while and the only regret I have is that I didn't get here sooner…read more This food is terrific, the vibe is hilarious, the servers are downright fantastic. Andrew (our server) introduced us to his sidekick, who was in training. Love that personal, hands on approach for a mew team member, and Sidekick did a great job in monitoring our table and replenishing water. Have to stop here and express my appreciation for Andrew and how he took the time to explain the philosophy and genuine team vibe of the restaurant. Oftentimes when a restaurant adds a flat 20% gratuity, you get the feeling this is not passed on to the servers. Not so here. He explained that it's shared among the servers, bar, and other staff, with only a bit retained by management, but even that finds its way into their wages. Terrific work environment and happy to see it. It definitely shows in the level of service. But we're here to eat. Didn't take a picture, but one of my dining companions ordered the burrito with red chili sauce and it was very good. Just the right amount of heat in the sauce. The Cantina celebrates Taco Tuesday, so I took advantage of this. You get the opportunity to try 5 different street tacos for the low price of $15. For another $4 you order it fully loaded which is a steal (guac, pickled onions, lettuce, giardano, crema, and another lovely sauce). Each of the tacos were really delicious and packed full of flavor. I especially enjoyed the cauliflower and the beef. Was surprised how much I liked the popcorn chicken - still juicy and not greasy in the least. Andrew treated us to a round of the hatch green chili. I was delighted because it was a dish I wanted to try. He described it perfectly: a little kick, but you can't stop eating it. He was right. A bowl of this in the winter with their cornbread (which I'm confident will be delicious) will preempt a winter cold. The sauces on the table are not to be ignored either. The green chili sauce was fruity with a little heat, the scorpion chili brings the heat, but their homemade chili oil is phenomenal. I could put this on everything. In short, the Cantina delivers. Excellent food, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun staff, and a cool vibe. I'll bet the cocktails will also be good. Definitely adding to the regular rotation!

    Food and presentation is meh. The neighborhood is absolutely…read moredreadful, and they tack on an automatic 20% "service charge" with or without good service giving you no choice to decide whether or not the service warrants the charge. I own an e-commerce company, just like Amazon, and could you imagine your Amazon order having a 20% "service charge" to help offset labor costs. This is becoming a trend and I'm avoiding eateries that do this.

    Photos
    Happy hour
    Happy hour
    Hatch Cantina
    Interior (4/8/23)

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    Interior (4/8/23)
    The Whisky Bar

    The Whisky Bar

    3.8
    (648 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    This review is for the west Seattle location. I have been a few times, and this place seeems to…read morealways get better. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and readily available at your service. The added lounge areas are comfortable and a welcomed seating switch. Don't be confused thinking it's only whiskey served, based on the name,. It has a fully stocked bar for whatever cocktail you desire, The staple dish is the wings and come in a wide variety of flavors and spice levels. If acrossee the bridge and in west Seattle, this place is a solid choice for a meal... or a drink,

    I never see anyone in this place. Come Friday or Saturday night...hardly anyone in here when other…read moreplaces nearby are buzzing. While I don't know why people don't go, I do know why I don't. The last time I was there I was being actively ignored by multiple barkeepers acting super busy, walking up and down and polishing glasses or similar fillers on a non-busy night... Until I got up and walked out slowly to Provisions, a bar right across the street, to get a drink. With this attitude toward service, I'm sure none of them realized what kind of business walked out the door in that moment, given I live within walking distance, happen to like a good whiskey, and believe in tipping handsomely for good service. But I get it...surely they saw me and likely filter for a different type of clientele. It's just that even over the years I've been passing by it hasn't worked. But each to their own; never been back.

    Photos
    The Whisky Bar
    Giant Pretzel
    Giant Pretzel
    Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned
    Some Random Bar

    Some Random Bar

    4.5
    (1.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Wow, this review is 8 years old! I want to share my experience with Some Random Bar…read more In 2017, my mom and I visited Seattle for me to look at apartments and interview for jobs. We came here to eat because it was near our hotel. I was OBSESSED with the crab nachos. 2 months later, I moved out here all on my own. Now, 8 years later, I live nearby. Whenever someone is visiting, we come here. Whenever I run into a stranger visiting, i say they have to come here. My friends know if i'm celebrating anything, "are you getting crab nachos?!" It's become a part of my personality at this point. I have so much respect for the owners, the way they run their business and their honesty online. No one I've brought here has had a bad thing to say regardless of what they ordered. My go to is: Pull apart bread, crab nachos (with their hot sauce!! which, btw can i buy that by the bottle.. cause YUM) + whatever drink is calling my name (they rotate, but if you can get the pina colada you won't regret it). tldr; you'll regret NOT coming here.

    Went here recently for a random happy hour after work, had not been to this place in a couple of…read moreyears. I remembered that their drinks and bourbon selection/pricing used to be incredible. As with all things lately, prices have gone up on some of their rarer pours. The standard basic cocktails though were still reasonable and decently priced for the location. The atmosphere is great and service was pretty quick. The outdoor patio is still there which was a nice addition from 2019/2020 era. Some of their bourbons are still reasonably priced. Their food is pretty good. Would recommend the tacos, the burger, and carne asada. The nachos were not particularly for me, and also seemed to come out cold. Seemed to have cheese sauce instead of actual cheese. It was a cold day however. This place is mainly great for happy hour after work, but will come back and try dinner another time. Staff is great though. Really quaint and awesome spot to post up. good food, good service, good drinks, good selection, and still better pricing than most bars with what they have to offer. Will be going back again sooner. cheers

    Photos
    Grilled shrimp club and machaca nachos
    Grilled shrimp club and machaca nachos
    Warm Garlic Pull Apart - mmmmmm!!! I want this again!
    Warm Garlic Pull Apart - mmmmmm!!! I want this again!
    S.T.F.U. - I didn't name it, don't shoot the messenger.

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    S.T.F.U. - I didn't name it, don't shoot the messenger.

    Screwdriver Bar - bars - Updated July 2026

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