The vibes are cozy but lively, the beer list is stacked, and the food is suspiciously good for somewhere that could've just coasted on being a beer hall. Everything we ordered disappeared way too fast. And Molly? An absolute gem. She was on top of everything, made great recommendations, and had the perfect mix of fun and professional. Glass empty? Not for long. Question about the menu? Answered instantly. She made the whole night feel seamless. 10/10, no notes. Will absolutely be back. read more

Such a fun experience here! We were visiting from Portland and saw this in a reel and decided to check it out! The decorations are perfectly Nordic while still being modern and tasteful. We went later in the evening so it wasn't as lively but I'm sure it would have a really fun vibe filled with people. The servers were nice but maybe not the most attentive. Again, end of the night, I can understand them being tired. Now the most important part, the food, was amazing! I believe there was one guy cooking all by himself and he did a fantastic job! We got the popcorn cod as a starter which was so fun and inventive. Think crispy fried chicken bites but with fish. So yummy! For our mains, we shared a grilled skewer of pork belly with applesauce, a skewer of grilled shrimp, and a life changing grilled cheese made with goat cheese and lingonberry jam! The flavors complimented each other so well and it was just melt in your mouth perfection! I want another just writing this. We also got a flight of their meads which was lovely! The next time we come up to Seattle, we definitely want to coincide with one of their events! We just missed the cheese and pickle pairing class which would've been fun. Overall, such a unique space and restaurant idea. I wish more places were this creative. Definitely come here with a group so you can do family style. So many yummy bites to try. As for us, we were eyeing their huge pretzel with beer cheese. That'll be on our next trip. read more

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We stopped by for a snack after farmers market and is dog friendly as long as you sit outdoors. The hop water was delicious; how generous of them to provide a glass for this. And my popcorn cod is becoming a new fav appetizer. I loved how well they fried it. My dog seems to be a fan as well. Service was quick, we had to order inside. No line though. read more

Skål Beer Hall - Popcorn Cod - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Back here again after 8 months to meet friends before a comedy show. Just missed the HH by one minute which ended at 5:30 but signs in different areas said HH ended at 6. We did not get the HH prices. The skewers are tasty but still pricey for the portion in my opinion. They do have a decent selection of beers and mead. Staff always friendly. Prices are 3.5 but staff and taste of food 4 stars. read more

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This was quite the random experience for us. Our plans changed at the last minute and we jumped on Yelp to see what kind of food was around. Nordic food? Never tried. Mead? Never tried. A whole smoked sardine!? Never tried! I'm in! We got the mead flight since it's a beverage my husband and I had yet to experience. This was really fun. The 2.5oz pours were perfect for us since we had to drive home later. Each was unique in its own way and all were good. Definitely recommend trying that. We got the Jarls platter so we could sample a little bit of everything. I recommend this! Honestly everything was delicious! The smoked sardine (which was the one thing I REALLY wanted to try) was probably my least favorite *cries*. But it was still fun to try! The beat pickled eggs were okay. There wasn't much flavor there to be honest, so I wouldn't get these again. We definitely had fun. I love trying new foods and this was it. read more

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This was a fun experience exploring the Nordic food and beer scene. My favorite was the meat ball Good spot to hang out with a group of friends. I liked the experience more than the food/flavour read more

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Skal Beer Hall is such a cool and memorable Nordic/viking themed beer hall. I was trying to pass time before dinner, and no better way to do that than to get a drink at the coolest bar in Ballard! I love the Nordic decor all around. It was very clean inside (including the bathrooms), and the atmosphere is casual. The service was ok. There was plenty of seating, and they have a patio as well. I visited on a Saturday afternoon, and it was not busy. I was able to easily find a seat at the bar. There was a decent selection of Nordic and local alcohol. I ordered the Aass, the Norwegian pilsner. It was light, crisp, refreshing, and exactly what I was looking for. I wish I had room for the food because the pictures looked good. Just means I'll have to return and try the food next time! read more

Skål Beer Hall - Aass - Norwegian pilsner - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is a Scandinavian dream. From the moment you walk in, the vibe is cozy, minimalist, and effortlessly warm--like stepping into a stylish Nordic dining room on a winter evening. The food is the real star. Everything tastes incredibly fresh and thoughtfully prepared, with simple ingredients elevated by technique and balance. The fish dishes are outstanding (perfectly cooked, never overdone), and the pretzels are dangerously good. You can tell a lot of care goes into honoring traditional flavors while still keeping things approachable. Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and unpretentious--happy to explain dishes without making you feel lost. Bonus points for a well-curated drink menu that pairs beautifully with the food. If you're looking for something a little different from the usual dining options, this spot is absolutely worth it. Cozy, delicious, and memorable--I'll definitely be back. read more

Skål Beer Hall - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Visited skal on a quiet Sunday afternoon after the farmer's market had closed. Our group sat outside at a table that was pleasantly covered from the on and off drizzle. The service staff were all very friendly and helpful, but the new online ordering system still has some challenges to work through. First and foremost there are no descriptions of the food or drinks in the app, so our group found ourselves referencing the online menu in tandem. We got an assortment of snacks to share Pretzel - The pretzel was overall a little too bready and dry, but it came with beer cheese, and three types of mustards. We really were enjoying the dips quite a bit, so much so that we ordered fries to be able to eat them. Fries - Came dusted with dill and vinegar, but very light in flavor, not overpowering at all. The fries were served with curry ketchup and a mayo aioli, both of which were welcome additions to the dips we already had with the pretzel. The fries were crisp on the outside and creamy inside, honestly would order again. Mac and Cheese - This dish came in a mini cast iron, was a rather small portion and overall was a bit underwhelming. Described to be made with sharp cheddar, but could not taste any real cheese flavor, it was more akin to a nacho cheese or pure velveeta. I thought it needed salt, which should never be an issue if good cheese is used. Pick Five Small Bites: Grilled Farmer's Cheese - This was probably the most confusing of the menu items. It reads like it would be a grilled cheese sandwich, but it was was actually a hunk of cheese that had been grilled. I've also always known farmer's cheese to be somewhat of a cross between ricotta and cottage cheese (at least that is what European style farmer's cheese is like), however this was almost squeaky to the bite and seemed much more similar to haloumi. It came with an apple cardamom butter - delicious. Duck Hearts - Grilled and served with lemon. Delicious, not overcooked, were tender and tasty. Pork Belly - A great bit, plenty of salt, lightly over charred. Venison - My personal favorite, lightly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, served with a herb cream sauce The Whole Sardine - A skewered fish grilled and served with a sweet sauce. I didn't understand the sauce, but the fish was grilled to perfection. A plate of those would have been a delightful meal. read more

I'll be honest we walked in on a Sunday. Outside was packed like crazy. This place was so dead, and they had no personality. I said hello to the guy cooking when you walk in, the lady at the door. The bartender 100 feet in and nobody even acknowledged me or my beautiful wife. We then smelled natural gas and thought maybe we should get out of here. Everything is so weird. Disaster. We will be back in the summer I doubt they will be. read more

Cool first stop in Seattle! Visiting a close friend and we swung by Skål for a drink before dinner. I'm not familiar with Nordic culture but really enjoyed the extensive theming. We placed our orders at the bar counter and received everything within 20~ mins. The pretzel took the longest. GOAT CHEESE SKEWER: Don't sleep on this!!! Loved the chewy, flavorful cheese + tangy applesauce dip combo. VENISON SKEWER: Surprisingly not gamey at all. Super tender and savory, especially with the mustard (?) sauce. I actually liked mixing this with the applesauce too... PRETZEL: The biggest, fluffiest pretzel ever. Had a slight buttery flavor. Soft as a pillow. Great on its own or with the dipping sauces. More than enough for our group of 4. We split a couple meads which were delicious! I had no idea how diverse mead could be. I'd love to come back and try more :) read more

Skål Beer Hall - Cheese & venison skewers - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We loved everything we had from the beer to the food. I enjoyed my Cloudburst Simply Irresistible hazy IPA and hubby liked his Hellbent Brewing Kirby Krackle cryo-hopped IPA. We ordered the skewers with pork belly, salmon, and venison and couldn't decide which was our favorite. The chicken wings were delicious but the surprise highlight was the side of dill pickled carrots. We shared a cup of the potato soup which was thick and cheesy and almost the consistency of a dip. The warm rye bread on the side was perfect for dipping. A glass of mead was a perfect sweet ending. Service was friendly & attentive at the bar top. read more

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I've been to skal over the last few years and each time has been a great experience. The ambiance stays true to its Nordic theme and gives a cozy vibe in the colder seasons. The staff are super friendly and the food has been really good every time. Molly was our server and was very knowledgeable with her recommendations. Definitely a must-visit whenever you're in Ballard read more

First time checking this place out. The Viking themed ambiance is great. You order drinks and food at the back bar. Beer options are solid and they have a decent happy hour. I ordered the large pretzel which was probably overkill for two people. Burger and fries were average, but appreciated both items being on their HH menu. Service was friendly and prompt though they weren't super busy when we arrived about 5:30. 3.5 stars for food, 4.5 for service and ambiance. read more

Skål Beer Hall - Warm Soft Pretzel + beer cheese and beers - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We really liked this place. We will 100% be back to try more of the menu. It was such a treat to stumble upon this place after an exhausting evening of trying on a bunch of wedding dresses at nearby A&Bé Bridal. Loved the vibe of this restaurant and how it's pretty close to everything in downtown Ballard. It was more the exotic (to us) food options that we wouldn't normally cook or come across that really enticed our senses. The service was also quick and efficient, not super friendly but that's normal in Seattle. I liked the Viking-themed decor throughout, including a wall with a Celtic Tree of Life, "Viking?" weapons on the walls, and wood accents throughout the seating. The place is long, so there's a back area with bar seating and a fireplace to make it more cozy. Overall, I loved that they stayed pretty "authentic" (at least to me, since I'm not too familiar with Viking culture outside of what I hear in pop culture/media) to the Viking culture. We got lucky enough to try the HH menu this time, but ordering the Jarl's Platter covered most of the Skewers, so it's a good way to try a good chunk of the menu off the bat. You've gotta try the Norse Pølse, omg it was so good, we ordered a few because one just wasn't enough. We'll be back to try the Viking Cowboy burger, the Forager's Plate, and some of those mead cocktails! read more

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Had a great experience at Skal! The staff was awesome, super friendly and helpful. I'd heard they have a good local draft beer selection and it did not disappoint. But we tried a few cocktails and those were great too. Ended up ordering a bunch of food during the happy hour. Everything was delicious! Definitely coming back soon. read more

Emasculate vibes. Super friendly staff. Delicious food. Shoutout meadfest/viking feast.

Staff is super friendly, food was great, lovely atmosphere. I went with a group of four during the winter mead fest, and our server was lovely. She took care of us and answered our questions, she helped my friend with ordering a drink that they would like, and the vibes were great. read more

I booked half of Skal for my 50th birthday. I ordered the roast suckling pig and the Gjetost Cheesecake for me and 30+ of my friends. Adam and his team were very attentive and helpful in setting up the event and then hosting it. Because we were gathering at a Scandinavian beer hall with long tables, a huge fireplace with a carving of Odin overhead, we, of course, were all dressed up in viking kits. The feast was excellent and a good deal as far as I am concerned. Big celebrations aside, my friends and I gather here often for dinner/drinks. They have great talks there too. Highly recommend! read more

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I come here ALL the time because of the staff and how inclusive and friendly they are. The food is great, beer options ever-changing and relevant, and the vibe is immaculate. I've been in Seattle for three years and I still find this a great landing spot for anyone visiting me. Games, drag shows, live music, etc. - they cover ALL the grounds! read more

Skål Beer Hall - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Live around the neighborhood, wanted to check it out. Lots of seating for big parties, yummy food. Had the Mac and Cheese and got a piece of salmon, it was delicious. Great tap list and a Norwegian inspired cocktail menu. Jessie, Sally, Angie, and Kail are all awesome! read more

We came here after the Ballard Farmers Market. Fun playlist. Cool fantasy pub vibes. The food was quite varied with old faves and some more adventurous choices. The smoked salmon dip was particularly nice. read more

Skål Beer Hall - Smoked salmon dip and duck heart skewers - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Very cool spot for some unusual beer and food. We tried the Jarl's Platter which has duck hearts, venison, prok belly, salmon, asparagus and grilled cheese. It was a perfect accompaniment to the ciders and oyster stout we ordered. This would make a great spot for D&D campaigns! read more

Skål Beer Hall - The menu - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

What an epic visual space to walk into. From tables, steel water cups and pottery for beer, it makes you want to scream "Skål!!!" Service is two sided. If you're not sitting at the bar, you will be participating in the tavern experience. Order at the bar, wait for your drink and then take your number to your table. Food is brought to you, but water or beverage refills require a trip back to the bar. Payment, back at the bar. Service is mixed. Some seem to enjoy engaging with customers. Some not so much, but if you don't like something, they'll all always make it right. One gentleman (maybe manager/owner), really gets hospitality. Engaging, enthusiastic and goes above and beyond. Kudos. Food is good to great. The sardines are my favorite. Fatty and grilled beautifully with a sweet(ish) glaze. Try the venison, fries, mushroom and salads too. The pretzel, cucumber salad...There's nothing I've had that wasn't delicious. Get edgy on beverage. Great beers abound but mead and aquavit are equally exciting options. My only critique and wish, is more frequent and direct table interaction and service. People are engaged in conversation and eating. Come to them to ask if they'd like or want anything. Foster that tavern like atmosphere. It also stops the bottleneck at the bar to order or then close out. It encourages people to give greater gratuity for staff because they're critical to the energy and environment. read more

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We had seen Skål but had never gone in because we thought they only had "viking feasts" which seemed like a lot for us. However we gave it a go after a farmer's market when we realized both kids and dogs were allowed. We had a great time (so did the kids who had fun playing with the board game options by the restrooms). And really enjoyed a couple of beers and some appetizers and loved their skewers. We'll definitely be back. read more

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This place is super cute! It has great theming from the decor to the seating. The seating was primarily bench/booth type tables. We made a reservation and I am so glad that we did because this place was slammed on a Saturday around 5pm with every table full. The service was a bit slow but the server was helpful. We got the salmon sandwich and a pretzel. The sandwich was so good! Toasted bread and the sauce were a great touch. The cucumber salad was light and fresh. The pretzel was good but a bit too on the bready side. Overall a great meal. read more

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Our (all-ages) table of 10 had an excellent time hanging out Saturday evening (5-7:30pm)! The staff was attentive and efficient without being intrusive. We left a (credit) card at the bar and found ordering was easy: get drinks at the bar, and have food brought to the table. The food, though well prepared, was a touch heavy on the salt--par for the course for a place that serves a range of good drinks (including mocktails) I suppose. Great atmosphere for catching up with friends: the noise level and density were easy going and relaxed. read more

Excellent grilled salmon wrap and norwegian pilsner. My wife had Polse and mulled cider which were excellent as well. Friendly service and nice, rustic ambiance. Highly recommended!! read more

Skal Beer Hall is so fitting for the Ballard neighborhood, being little Scandinavia in Seattle. And this Skal Beer Hall is very much on theme to that, with its open faced toasts, pickled bites, dark wood interior and booze from northern Europe. We had a fun time here. My partner and I visited Skal Beer Hall because we were drawn by the live music playing out on the patio! We were walking around the neighborhood on a Saturday night and heard polka music in a covered patio, so knew we had to get some bites and libations here. We sat where the entertainment was and ordered a few drinks and shared a smorrebrod trio, which were three open-faced sandwiches. I had a mango raspberry cider from Sweden, which was fantastic. It tasted like a tropical juice with booze, which you can't go wrong with. The smorrebrod trio was a great way to try the food here between the two of us. Our trio consisted of the lox, the venison and the roast beef. Of the three, I liked the roast beef one the best. However, I thought the smorrebrod was A-OK. I would be inclined to try something else from here on another visit, such as the pickled herring or salmon. But the best part of Skal Beer Hall was the atmosphere. Although we sat outside on the patio and didn't experience the restaurant scene, we had a fun time, listening to the live music, especially with other patrons who got into the spirit and would clap along. Service was also good. I'd come back here again to explore more of this Scandinavian restaurant and bar. read more

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Skål is a fantastic Ballard beer hall. The atmosphere and decor is perfect for the Scandinavian theme it embraces. You order beer at the bar, and bring it back to a community table to drink and socialize. Great view of Salmon Bay through a window at the back. In regard to ordering food, there is a strange lack of urgency in getting it out to tables. Despite this, I still recommend giving it a try. Probably best if you eat beforehand. read more

So these people know how to put on an event! Went with a friend and her parents to the Mead festival. The selection of Meads were enough to make this Norwegians hear sing as if they sky's opened up and deposited the bottles in front of us. I also ordered food for us since our DD wasn't drinking at all. I was a fan of the pretzel and cheese. They loved their dishes as well. The lompe on the pølse wasn't quite right or maybe it was my mead covered tongue. I just wish that their menu as standard and the feasts they put on were not so heavily leaned into pork. I would so make my other half take me for the feasts if there was not such an emphasis on pork for the ones we see advertised. Anyway I am looking forward to another mead fest to get cozy with trying new flavors. read more

Skål Beer Hall - Mead - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Excellent Scandinavian-themed bar. Great beer selection. Awesome location. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. I didn't eat there so I cannot verify, but the food looked very tasty. read more

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Molly was a vibe n'a half! Would definitely come back for the amazing service and good vibes!!

Molly was a hilarious, charming, funny, beautiful, talented, generous, amazing server/bartender who has no flaws, and the food was the bomb diggity diggity. Nice decor. Love that it's a viking bar, wtf, what a gift. read more

New favorite spot! Came in during a busy Valentine's Day and the staff were very friendly and helpful to us as we were unfamiliar with Scandinavian cuisine, mead, and aquavit. The space had perfectly dim lighting, cool Nordic decor, and fun music. Olympics were on the tvs. I really loved the mead tasting flight, since I've never tried it before, I highly recommend doing that! read more

Wow! This place is a vibe! The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, which is helpful because they offer Scandinavian food & drinks we were unfamiliar with. The menu was well balanced with this and also traditional bar food, so there are options for the less adventurous eaters. The cocktails were fantastic, and got us to try aquavit, which was great! We will be back! read more

Skål Beer Hall is a modern Viking meadhall serving beer, mead, cocktails, and aquavit. Founded and owned by a Ballard resident of Norwegian and Swedish descent, this place combines Nordic history and tradition with a Seattle twist. Parking is a little tough in the area so you might have to park further away and walk. They offer indoor and outdoor covered seating; I recommend making reservations online. My first drink was the odin fashioned ($15) which was different from a typical old fashioned because of the aquavit base. My second drink was the lavender lady ($14) which was very tart and lavender forward. It was definitely a spring sipper as they advertise it. My third drink was the forage and frolic ($15) which was more gin-forward and tasted of a lot of botanicals. We also shared the large beer hall soft pretzel ($13) which came with a couple varieties of mustard and went well with the beer cheese ($4). They have happy hour most days of the week (weekdays until 5:30pm and 10pm-11pm Fridays and Saturdays). It was a chill place to hang out for a couple hours. The inside was more dimly lit but the outside was great on a nice day! read more

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Food was okay. The pretzel was on point with their beer sauce. A little steep on the price and the service was nothing to write home about. Place your order at the table, they bring it to you when it's ready and thats it. No checking in with you after and if you need something extra you'll have to chase down an employee. Also, no Ranch with the buffalo wings? Blue cheese instead? Who does that? The wings would have been so much better with the correct sauce. read more

Skål Beer Hall - The Big Pretzel. - Beer Bar Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food was great, drinks were great, server was friendly, and the atmosphere was amazing. I love coming here.

Since Ballard's origins are heavily steeped in Nordic countries, we walked by this restaurant while looking for a place to eat, stopped, and stared. Anyone who knows me would know I am unlikely to eat dinner at a place called a beer hall. And yet, I did. I was mildly intrigued at a Viking themed restaurant (and beer hall). I have had some good food during my travels to the Baltics, so hey, why not? It was 50-50, hits and so-close-but-not-quite. If you're a drinker, this place will earn added points. The interior is awesomely decorated with lots of things to stare at. The service is pleasantly attentive. The Food: Shrimp Skagen, $16 - 4 Stars This is legit Scandinavian style shrimp salad that is heavy on the dill. Their version is lighter on the mayo than I have had overseas, and I like that. The salmon roe is a nice PNW added touch, though I have seen it served this way, too. I wasn't fond of the crostini - very crispy tough. Hubby liked them though. Dungeness Crab Croquettes, $18 - 3 Stars Sometimes I order dishes knowing I won't be satisfied. It's only $18. How much crab can there possibly be? The answer is "not much". But the frying and the flavor is good, so yay for that. Pork Belly skewer, $5 - 2.5 Stars, Venison skewer, $6 - 5 Stars The menu called the skewers "Nordic tapas". Sure, why not? Hubby said the pork belly was too fatty and not much meat. On the flip side, the venison was divine. Very, very tender. Get this! Braised Lamb Sandwich, $17 - 3 Stars The menu description sounded great. "Our homage to Fårikål - the national dish of Norway - reinvented as a sandwich of braised lamb leg, cabbage, & pickled carrots on a rustic potato roll." Braised, possibly without much seasoning, cuz hubby said there's not much flavor besides the meat itself. Grilled Sablefish, $20 - 3.5 Stars This dish is quite close to my idea of favorite food - seafood on veggies. BUT... See the giant flakes of salt? They are indeed very salty. I saw them and removed all that I can see before eating. The fish was good, but the veggies were still salty. So close. So close... The food is more of a 3.5 rating. But I am rounding up to 4 stars because the place is charming. read more

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