I like the dog-themed menu and drinks here - it's a pleasant and humorous quirk. The bar is small but comfortable, and the drinks are quite tasty. It's also right down the street from my home, so I'm here a lot lately. Great place to get out with friends, still able to walk there & get home safely, have a nice drink or three, and a grilled-cheese sandwich! read more

It's Tom Waits night at the Bottleneck, every Monday at 8pm. My friend and I ordered the Hummas platter and the Panini caprese. The Panini had one problem. It was so good I wanted more. Our bartender was pleasant and a local celebrity. He was very attentive and social but just the right amount, I was still able to converse and talk about the latest with my friend. The atmosphere was spot on for style class and a touch of rough around the edges to make it welcoming in a subtle rock star way. I enjoyed the lamps that looked like microphone disco balls. It also appeared a lot of regulars come here. These are not your hipster wanna be rock star or rockabilly types but rather people with great taste that know a great place when they see it. I will be back again with other friends and for more Tom Waits. read more

My husband and I are newbies to the Seattle area. We moved here from Louisville, KY about three weeks ago. Feeling nostalgic for the Kentucky Derby, I Googled Derby Parties + Seattle and ran across this little gem. We arrived yesterday a few minutes after the doors opened. This place made us feel right at home. The lounge was crowded, but not loud, and we found a seat with a view of the TV. Everything was clean and tidy. The Mint Juleps were strong, as they should be. The Seattle Slew was also delicious. We shared the goat cheese plate as well as the soft pretzel with two different types of mustard. Both were awesome and very flavorful. Everything was very affordable. All of the waiters were very attentive, including the owner who we got to have a quick convo with. I wish this unpretentious hang-out wasn't all the way over in Capitol Hill, but it is worth the trip! We will be back very soon! read more

The BottleNeck Lounge - Derby! - Lounges Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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What a sweet place with great drinks, and, of course Cam. I was staring at an Obama in O'Eight tee and he introduced himself asking if I was from the neighborhood, nope, but the yelpers maid me do it. And he likes us Yelpers, he really likes us. Next thing I know I'm trying on the "girls cut" of the Obama shirt and he's trying to get me to strip-tees in front of the people. I had not had enough of his dog themed vodka creations for all that and I now know that there are girls cut tees. I went with the white dude's shirt. I'll go with the Bottleneck any time I happen by. Maria C got it right, it is Seattle's Cheers. read more

Happened upon the BottleNeck after having a late-ish dinner at Bar Cantinetta down the hill. I was drawn in by the photo of the Leinenkugal's sign on Yelp but was saddened to hear that they only have one flavor of Leinekugal's available at any given him. The place was empty but over the course of hours - yes, hours - local patrons came and went and we soon realized that the BottleNeck is a neighborhood bar with a loyal clientele. The bartender, Peter, informed us that the bar is usually packed but given the holiday weekend, many locals had left town for bigger and better things. We met many of these local clientele during our hours - yes, again, hours! - at the BottleNeck. I even hugged one patron when we left completely hammered and exhausted at 1am. I do not recall the last time I was out until 1am much less still awake at 1am. The space is a no frills bar. Ample bar seating and food from the burger joint next door which is owned by the same owners of the bar. Would return but only after enough time has passed so people forget how drunk I was when I was there last. LOL. read more

We love this neighborhood bar! The bartenders are all super friendly, and they have some good drink specials (happy hour, Manhattan Monday, $12 bottles of wine on Tuesday). They do serve some snacky food and sandwiches, but you can now also order burgers from their sister restaurant, Two Doors Down, and they'll deliver straight to you. The specialty cocktails are pretty good, a little on the pricy side, and they have fairly good bloody marys. They do only have 4 taps, but they rotate frequently so you'll always have new options. Being from Wisconsin, I love that they carry Leinie's, and of course, PBR. read more

I love this little place. I live nearby and it's the only bar that's really in walking distance (especially in Seattle weather), so I'm here fairly often. It's dark and tiny, but I often appreciate the music selection and the drinks are pretty darn good, too. It also always seems like the people here are having a good time - I've never gotten into great conversations or anything but people always seem happy and like they're having a fun night, which is good to see. I wish they had more beers on tap, but that's certainly not a deal-breaker. My boyfriend has decided to work his way through the specialty cocktail list, and I think I've found a new favorite in the "Best Buddy." I also enjoy that there are puppies next to all the drinks on the menu. Puppies make everything better! I've only been here late at night, but one of these days I want to head over and try some of their sandwiches, too. read more

I ended up here randomly after having dinner at the Harvest Vine nearby and am so happy I did. There's nothing fancy about it, but the cocktails were great, the vibe was laid-back, and there was a good crowd. It's a small bar, but there is a connecting room that used to be a barber shop and there's still a couple of awesome barber shop swivel chairs. There's also a large comfy couch perfect for cozying away from the rest of the bar. I tried the Bees Knees (gin, lemon juice, and honey) cocktail and it was super refreshing- tasted kind of like a gin lemon drop. My friend had the bijou (gin, vermouth, chartreuse, and orange bitters) which oddly tasted kind of like spiced cider. Both were served in martini glasses and both were delicious. Overall, a fun, cute neighborhood spot that I can see myself coming back to, but probably only when I'm in the area again. read more

Patty is the man, good times and great drinks. One of the last few neighborhood places that I like. Best bar in the area by far.

I have some good friends that live right up the street from the bottleneck otherwise i probably never would have found it. Its a really nice spot so i'm glad i did. Cute space, great drinks. Food is great for bar food. Nice bartenders. Neighborhood feel. Love it. read more

Thank you, Bottleneck... You've been very welcoming to a group of bears.... We couldn't have appreciated it more! This is what a neighborhood bar should be... Great atmosphere, great drinks, cold beer, great company... I hear that you all are opening up another location close to where I live... Trust me. You'll be seeing a lot more of the bears! read more

Nice place for a quick HH! It's a great location in the Capitol Hill area, as it's walking distance for me! Had an excellent grilled cheese--the bread form the Columbia Bakery was to die for! The small seating area is actually quite cozy, then it felt a little awkward when I walked in and all the regulars were staring at me. Though, I began to fit right in! For a quick HH, a good cocktail, and a tasty sandwich, it's quaint, cheaper, and fills the tummy. read more

Thank God, a neighborhood bar where the word 'neighbor' means something. This place reminds me more of how the bars were back on the East coast and also Chicago. Total strangers of all different stripes can be seen connecting and carrying on under the confident hospitality of the sturdy staff. Claire, Cam, Kevin and Erin all make the culture happen. I believe they actually know every single customer's name within one or two visits. Warning to "stand & posers", try that here and you're shot at dawn. All the other reviews describe the clever cocktail specials just great. Hey, you must try the soup. There are a lot of vegetarian/vegan choices, but not exclusively. There is something excellent going on in the catering kitchen Erin uses. Erin, don't change a thing, baby! read more

I was sad when the coffee shop that previously occupied the space closed. I thought for sure, the location would remain empty. Imagine my surprise when a neighborhood bar came to the rescue. It's comfortable, stumbling distance from my house, and stocks a full bar. The Holy **** Bloody Mary is spicy and uses bacon as a garnish, and is the perfect beverage of choice when noshing on the bar's variation of a grilled cheese sandwich. Great vibe, conveniently located for those of us on the back-side of the hill, and encourages getting to know your neighbors a little better. read more

Small but very intimate. Good staff. Expensive but tasty cocktails. Usually not too crowded because it isn't "found out" yet. Bonus points: on Sunday, they have a really cute bartender who brings out an NES to play old 8-bit games on the tv. It's a lot of fun! Downside: They only have 3 different beers on tap at any given time. They cycle them out often so each time you go you tend to see something new, but it would be nice if they had more taps. read more

I'm overdue writing a review for my favorite watering hole! I LOVE bottleneck. It is such a great neighborhood bar, always friendly staff there, smiles behind the bar and all around. Have been maaany times, always a sure thing. Sometimes wish there were a teenie more food options but hey, it's not going to stop me from coming. We moved to the hill in November, found you in Dec. Just happened to turn left, instead of doing our usual up to 15th and your lights caught our eye. Keep them up and keep doing a great job! ~Amanda/Aaron read more

Small place but really nice atmosphere. Good drink selection, the music playing is usually the bartenders iPod and the one time I made a request they were totally cool about it. There is a big plasma TV that I think they watch sports on sometimes. I'm not sure. They also have food but I have never ordered anything. read more

Delicious food and good beer selection. Not the most friendly and/or helpful but I am going to keep going and tipping big to encourage a friendlier experience. I had a burger that was Fantastic! read more

The theme music to the TV show 'Cheers' ran through my head the second time I walked into the Bottleneck Lounge. Only two visits and I can see it - regulars being greeted by the entertaining, loquacious bartender Cam, birthday parties with cupcakes, love affairs, break-ups, practical jokes, zany and mysterious messages scribbled on the chalkboard in the bathroom, mojitos on hot summer days, Muddy Mutts ending a chilly winter day, huge hummus platters and the steady din of witty conversation. And of course, Yelp parties. Not quite a sitcom, not quite a drama, but a small, cozy kind of place where I could regularly show up to play my part. That's the Bottleneck. read more

This is the best neighborhood bar in Seattle--nay, the best bar in Seattle. All of the bartenders are wonderful and incredibly friendly too! The drinks are excellent and well-priced. There is a large group of regulars for good reason. Erin has managed to cultivate a solid community at the triangulation point of three neighborhoods: Capitol Hill, the Central District, and Madison Valley. This place is truly great. read more

Solid beer selection with a good mix of local, national, canned, bottle, draft, etc. Great vibe with some small nooks or window seats to gather with a small group of friends. Bartender kindly reearranged some tables in the front for our group of 10. Fast, friendly service and they run specials throughout the week (ex: tuesday some bottles of wine were $12) plus food from next door! read more

Always my favorite place to go- everyone knows your name and there's always something happening, whether video games on sundays or a loud, impromptu argument about existentialism. read more

there's nothing like makin your first time at a bar a birthday celebration... i came to the infamous Cam's birthday party and had a blasty blast!! loved the cake :) such a cute lookin place... yes yes i used the word cute... and i enjoyed watchin mel draw on the bathroom walls!! lookin forward to my next visit... peace out homies!! read more

Okay, so it seems to be that 3 people reviewed this place and nothing else! Hmm...but I'm a real person! It's a cool little place, nice and not that expensive. I was in town visiting friends down the street and we needed a cheap beer and good company. Very neighborhood-oriented, reminds of my favorite places here in Chicago. read more

where to go in the 'hood now that Twilight Exit is gone. Cute bartender is always a plus!

We headed here because we heard the drinks were named after freakin' dawgs. Very nice. Unfortunately, having the drinks named after dogs means that everything is extraordinarily overpriced. I value a well priced drink, and for the quality, the drinks do not merit how much they cost. Also, the place felt overrun by drama students, or atleast former drama students. Seems like a nice enough place, but I have to sway the other way since this place seems like its been 'yelped' inordinately the opposite. read more

Five stars, how about ten? Every Monday starting at 8pm there is a TOM WAITS NIGHT. Tom Waits music plays all night, and fantastic Tom Waits themed drinks are served. My Monday nights unfortunately get rather filled up, but I need to go to the Bottleneck soon for another Tom Waits night. read more

I ordered a beer, didn't like it. Ordered different one and offered to pay for first one. Bartender in fact charged me for both. Not a friendly vibe at all for a neighborhood bar. Even though it is around the corner from my house, I won't go back. read more

This is one small freaken bar, and I guess that's why it's a nice place to go. I went down and met some friends here for drinks and food. The waitress was totally awesome, the drinks were good and the food wasn't bad either. It is a bit of a lesbian bar but at no point did I feel out of place. My only advice is, if going on a weekend, go early to get a table. The place fills up quickly. read more

I love that I can stop in for a quick beer and pee-stop on my walk home and always make a new friend. Sadly sometimes I get too drunk and leave my groceries but luckily that hasn't happened in a while! Also, Cam is hilarious and gregarious and everything I want my fave bartender to be. And you can leave him love notes on the chalkboard bathroom walls. The downside? Apartheid in a glass. read more

Coming here makes me happy. I know that I'm going to like the drinks, the people, and the music. What more do you want from a bar?

Very slow service, bartender is also the cook. Food is made on a George Forman style grill and the menu has not changed in years. Happy hour is not so happy. The Nieghborhood lady and Chucks hop stop are better bets. Great happy hour friendly servers and good food read more

Oh hells yes. Strong, tasty drinks, a friendly staff and a really intimate, cozy setting equals me being one happy boy. Were I childless I'd probably have my own stool there, but alas I only get to enjoy it every several moons when the sitter comes to visit. read more

It's a nice, very small bar. I've enjoyed myself the few times that I've come here, which was likely my company more than anything. I've ordered food before but I honestly don't remember if it was any good. I did initial wonder if the name was a phallic reference but have since lost my curiosity on the subject. read more

It's was cute, intimate, cozy, and dog friendly. You can't wrong with that. Not a fan of their food but nice place to just chill.

This place may be slightly pricey, but they make up for that with stiff drinks, cozy artsy atmosphere, and great service! Go in a few times and they'll remember you! It's my favorite bar on the hill! read more

Great atmosphere and the staff is very nice. I've had all types of mixed drinks here, and every time the drink is made well. The establishment recently expanded and the new room is very cozy. While this is a pretty small bar, the ambiance is great and the darker spaces allow for a cozy atmosphere and great conversation. read more

Still my favorite neighborhood bar....excellent 'tenders, excellent beverages...cute puppies!

Great drinks, friendly crowd: A+, Bartender Jordan. Hold the pineapple. read more

the Bottleneck is so cute! I really love the vibe of this bar - it feels cozy and welcoming. The perfect place to relax after work and not worry about the crowds on the hill. read more