Greeted friendly as a first time patron to the Kraken Bar & Lounge! The Pastrami Burger with " a grilled 1/3 lb Angus Beef Patty, thin-sliced delicious Pastrami, muenster cheese, peperoncinis, and stone ground mustard aioli on a toasted Kaiser bun." This Pastrami Burger is the best tasting dish I have eaten it quite some time!!! The coleslaw slaw was fresh, crunchy, and had the best dressing I've tasted in years! The drinks were potent! read more

I ordered a cheese burger w bacon today, I can't remember what the menu calls it but it was outstanding. I took a picture, but it doesn't do it justice. The patty was thick, flavorful and cooked medium as I requested, the tomatoes were gorgeous. Same goes for the lettuce, red onion and pickles on the burger. All really fresh and high quality. The ambiance of the restaurant was very nice, I watched people skating on the ice while I ate my burger :-) The French fries were delicious, the staff extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. I will definitely be back!! read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Cheeseburger (w bacon) and fries. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Freakin' Rad Place! Visiting up from San Diego, stuck at UW Med and found this place. Immediately upon walking in and seeing the inside I knew this place was my kinda spot. Locals were watching old school WWF on tv and everyone was chatting and having a great time. I noticed the stage in the comer so I know they have live local music, which is rad. I came for the food only but I arrived 45 minutes after the kitchen closed. So I sat down and ordered a drink while I searched for food on my phone. The bartender ( I think his name was Paul) noticed I was looking for food and helped me. Super friendly and tentative bartender, and the locals all chimed in with their favorite spots. Found they do pinball tournaments, I thought that was super cool. I loved my visit here and if I was ever back in the area or even near Seattle I would go drop in or a drink and to finally get one of those dope looking sandos. Also, I think I ran into a distant cousin of mine, fucking wild! read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Dope Bartender and my delicious Manhattan - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Best spot in seattle! Great eats, great live music, and WILL!!!! Glad you guys survived the gentrification and found a new spot. Can't wait to check it out next time I'm in seattle. read more

Original review: a male bartender with a chinstrap beard, backwards hat and vans grabbed my wrists with his hands when I tried to throw a puking girls spilled beer away. He was convinced it was my beer and I was sneaking it in. I was not. He would not listen to reason and tried to 86 me before others got involved. Update 8/8/25: Yelp reached out to me and warned me that legal ramifications had been threatened over this post. I have never heard from this bar. First they removed it because I used a rude word to describe the bartender. I removed the word and added some other descriptors instead. Now they have reached out telling me, "We have not removed your review, but as your words are ultimately your responsibility, and what you post on Yelp can have legal ramifications, we're writing to make sure you're clear on that." If the owner wants to talk about what happened, I am waiting to hear back from them. Or, pull up the video surveillance and let's watch it together. read more

New location is pretty sweet, just off the ave so a bit away from that college chaos. Their fries basket is pretty good too, prices aren't crazy. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Moscow mule - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Stopped in after shopping and it was my first time. What a awesome neighborhood bar! The Grilled Cheese Sandwich was amazing and so good ! Skylar was bartending and he was so friendly and knowledgeable! I had a great time can't wait to go back and hang out or play some pinball! read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Grilled Cheese Sandwich YUM - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Really kind and considerate bartenders here. Love the few live events I've been to. Got roofied here once, so keep an eye on your drink and come with a friend. When I reported it to the staff they were very attentive and understanding. read more

The bacon blue burger! WOW I don't usually love burgers but this one had me so super hyped

Initial thoughts: Rad old school punk bar/dive bar that sells cheap drinks and plays old school movies on the TVs. Pros: Chill staff Arcade games Cheap drinks Has a food menu Clean restrooms Has live music some nights? Cons: If a dive bar isn't your thing perhaps this place isn't for you? Overall it's a chill neighborhood spot read more

One of the great dive bars in Seattle. Tap microbrew pints are only $5. The food is fantastic, all the pork, beef and chicken is smoked in-house and basic sandwiches and burgers are tasty. Oh, and live punk music most weekends. LGBTQ friendly. read more

I live in shoreline and wanted to venture into the u district thought I'd check out a new neighborhood and ran into a bar with good prices live music and friendly bartenders would come back read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Beer from the bar, and some light reading - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Fun pinball made for a fantastic first date! The bartender Nelson treated us very well.

Came in tonight with a group of friends to support a closing local business. We came in with a bag of McDonalds and a couple of us went to get drinks while the rest of us checked out the back. Shortly after sitting down a man, seemingly the manager, came over and checked our IDs before telling us the food was not allowed in and to get it out of there. We apologized and began hastily cleaning up only for him to come back and yell at us to hurry it up. Despite our being out the door within a minute or so of being asked to get the food out, we were met with hostility and a "go fuck yourselves" from the manager. I don't know what had happened to provoke that man, but there's no excuse for his treatment of paying customers who treated him politely. Definitely would not recommend. read more

If you like punk music, dive bars, pinball, good ass food, a community that takes care of its' own, a safe environment, and a home away from home for those that don't necessarily like the bigger bar or tavern environments, this is the place for you. Kraken bar and lounge forever!! read more

Divey divey divey divey dive, formerly one of many, now a very rare bird indeed around here, as everything seems to be turning into Asian fast-food restaurants or being torn down to throw up more micro-apartments. The Kraken occupies a special niche in the U-district, not just as a dive bar but particularly as a live music venue. If you want a little taste of the legendary Seattle music scene of the nineties and back, with all its raw noise and alcohol-fueled misbehavior (and I do mean a LITTLE taste; the young folks these days just show up and stare like they're looking at a video screen, if they look up from their phones at all, so no wild mosh pits, stage diving, heckling...this is a generation of spectators, not participants) you'll get that here. Kitchen is open generally from 3 to 9 PM, and serves ok bar stuff. Taps are IPA-loaded, "duck duck goose" ("IPA, IPA, IPA...PORTER! IPA, IPA, IPA...CIDER!") and the wells are complete crap, but prices are reasonable by Seattle standards, due in part to everything being served in plastic cups. Feels like a house party. But, they don't need to pay a dishwasher or worry about folks cutting themselves; they just take out the trash. And they pass the savings onto you. Yea. But booze be booze, and if you're smart (and of course you are!) you're really here for the intimate music experience: punk rock so right in your face, musicians so close and so loud, you get sprayed with sweat when they launch into a chorus, and you feel the air move when the drummer hits a cymbal. Raw, beautiful, classic Seattle live rock. It doesn't get more authentic, these days! Recommended for brave/nostalgic reality seekers and those tired of experiencing music at safe distances (and volumes)! read more

This is a classic dive bar with old school pinball and video games along with some really old school video games that are mechanical. The bartender was friendly and quick to fill your order. There was a decent crowd of folks playing games but not so many just hanging out during my visit. The beer was a bit more expensive than I'm used to for a dive bar type joint but there seems to be a lot of gentrification in the area that probably drives prices up like in many other places that are killing off our glorious dive bars around the world. read more

Uber-divey college bar? check. Well-priced tap pours & cocktails? check again. Huge array of pinball, and punk after dark? trifecta. Unfortunately: the food here leaves a LOT to be desired. Perhaps one has to take it in context that they "smoke their own brisket and pork" ... 'cause my brisket was sub-par (dry, chewy, cheap bbq sauce), and my buddy's burger was nothing to write home about either. Fries? also a meh. Skip the food, stay for the rest. read more

Fun local bands. Nice friendly staff. Pinball machine and some video games that are weird and funky. Bathroom was cleaner than I expected. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This bar has been a beacon for the community in which it caters to. Punks, metalheads, emo/ska kids, and non-creepy weirdos will find their niche here. Many of the regulars here have been coming in for years, and we are quick to defend this spot against chooches and jerks. For first timers the vibe may not be what's expected of something on The Ave, it's a dive bar, not a college bar. It's a place to go when you want a drink and relax after dealing with the general stresses of the day. You can chill in the corner tables and read, play pinball/oldschool games, or sit at the bar and watch the random things going on with the TV (not sports). Bartenders generally leave you alone unless you need something, and their pace is typical of the atmosphere. It is not table service, please remember that. The food they have is amazing, while I don't eat meat I always recommend to people checking the place out to have their brisket, I've never heard anything negative, and if I ever ditch this dietary choice, it'll be the first thing I have. Their vegetarian and vegan options are top notch, get their grilled cheese if you want a sandwich with a slightly spicy kick (jalapeno jam), or their field roast burger if you want the standard pub fare. Kitchen isn't open all night, if they are closed there are awesome options in walking distance. Shows are typically Fri-Sun, and a few peppered here and there on other days. If you see a door guy taking IDs, assume there's a show and pay the cover to support local music. Don't come in with a chip on your shoulder and you'll have a great time. read more

I am way overdue to review this place. Awesome live music. Tiny sweaty dive bar with killer punk and metal bands. People are cool, drinks are stiff and even though Seattleites think they are to cool to cheer or dance or mosh to punk you can get over it by just not giving a crap and enjoying the music. I vaguely remember the food being good too. Amazing this place is still in the u district but whenever you need a real punk Rock fix this is the spot. read more

Great service, pinball, and ridiculously and surprisingly good food. Thanks, Kraken! Stay awesome!

I usually come here for live shows, as it's a decent venue for upcoming local bands. Started coming here recently just as a place to grab a drink and it just fits. The staff are cool, drinks aren't weak, good beers on tap. Always a goofy movie on the TV. It's a dive bar, but a 5-star dive bar for the alt crowd. read more

Love this place! Great shows, amazing music, owners and bartenders are super friendly. All around good place to relax, eat, and have a night out! read more

I've been here a couple of times now and I'm really a fan. It's a divey bar that doesn't compromise on good service, decent happy hour, or good beer on tap. The bar tenders here make an effort to get to know people and it's clear that help to cultivate a local neighborhood bar feeling. People actually set at the bar and chat and make friends. The drinks are well priced, the pours are heavy, and although I only had french fries, the food all looks pretty darn good. They have a selection of board games, pinball machines, and there's usually a movie on in the background. This bar feels like a gem, and worth checking out if you're in the area looking for a drink. read more

I was in town last weekend to check out my homies in PAYOFF (http://laescalerarecords.com/bands/payoff/) along with Junebugs and SUCCESS. I've heard the stories, the rumors, the legends...lemme tell ya, this is by far my favorite place. Instantly knocked off 7 years of my life. Brought me back to days with less responsibilities, tougher pancreases, and busted lips. Friendly people (I left my beer by the window to smoke, no one fucked with it! Win!) , flowing brews, FOOD, amiable insta-pit during SUCCESS, dual restroom attack. The sign just says BAR and does not fuck around. Stevie Rection was on the turnbuckle outside and no one got hurt. Pinball machine fucking worked. Best of all, a JOURNEY cover to end the night. When I die, throw my ashes in the keg. KRAKEN for life. read more

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I forgot to mention-- this place is a dive bar. Looks like one, feels like one. The bathrooms, however, are as clean and awesome as a swanky bar. I really, really appreciate that in a bar. Good work, gentlemen! read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Pbr cups a-plenty - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Such a great little dive bar gem. Stumbled in here while we were waiting for a comedy show. Cheap booze and strong drinks. People watching was on par with the best I've seen in a while. It was pretty small though, so I imagine if it's bay it would get crowded pretty quick. read more

Yeah really not that great and the bartender dude is real rude just treats people like garbage. Definitely shouldn't still be open. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Gross outside seating - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Grungy, pirate-y, punk-y. Strong drinks, a chill atmosphere (unless you happen to wander in during one of their many live shows, always punk or metal, and usually on weekends after 9). Then the place gets packed. You can go out front in the gated patio and sit along the Ave sipping your VERY strong drink and smoking all at once - which makes this place wonderful all on its own. If you haven't been here in a couple years, come back for the food (before 8pm). Best. Pulled pork. EVER. Mac & cheese is home-made style and baked in a ramican full of ooey gooey cheesey deliciousness. Cole slaw is fresh and crispy and not drowned in too much mayo like you usually find - seriously, never thought I'd love an unremarkable side like cole slaw as much as I love it here. As far as bar food goes, this is as good as it gets - and a slider for $3 is big enough to be a meal in itself. THREE dollars! Also, they have $1 PBR nights on Tuesdays. Awesome. Small rotating selection of arcade games in the back (pinball, Pac-Man, etc). The TV is always on but muted in favour of music, but it's usually playing some awesome cult classic. There's more intimate/private seating in the back, but everyone always just crowds up to the bar instead. 90% of the clientèle are regulars, some who have been showing up for many, many years (myself included). If you fall in love with it, you will always love it. This is an oasis in the U, where nary a jock or dumb bimbo college girl ever set foot; a no-bullshit kind of place. Real people, lots of drinking and socializing, awesome food and fun shows. Perfect. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Bar area - Kraken (before the name change) - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My roommates and I try to explore a new place every Monday, and we visited the Kraken this week. We ran in to the night DJ at 99.9 (a local rock station) outside, talked with him for a minute, then headed in. The walls are lime green with spray-painted black skull and crossbones everywhere which sounds obnoxious but it somehow just fits the vibe. There are tons of posters all over the walls, all from bands who have played shows there in the past. I don't know how their specials usually fare, but $7 PBR pitchers was the clear winner for us when we went. Lots of punk rock coming through decent sounding speakers, black tables, tatted-up bartenders... this place is the real McCoy. I may be back for an actual show sometime soon... we'll see. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Sticker at the bar - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The food is AMAZING! Fries are perfect and hands down the best burger i've had. All the ingredients are fresh and the sauce on the burger is to die for. They make their coleslaw with bits of green apple and it's so good. The HH is the best in the area for sure with cheap drinks and even the non HH prices are cheap. If you haven't been here yet you are missing out! read more

I like having a beer at the kracken and sometime I see a few shows there,however every time I go,I order a beer and like get ignored by the bartender ,he seems like he just want to chat with the regulars and people he knows and piss on everyone else.I order a beer,no smile,no nothing,just a fucking dick. read more

Good beer, good food, good atmosphere, what more could you want? If you're looking for somewhere low key to just go to for a drink and some good punk rock, this is the place for you. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Steak fries, really hit the spot - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This place is so refreshingly old school. Friendly service and a decent selection of on tap and cocktails. Cool sea dive decorations (get it, it's a dive bar). Bring a ten so you can get a roll of quarters and at 50 cents per play it's just like arcades should be (and aren't anymore). Good selection of pinball and old historic game machines. We were there early evening. Weren't able to stick around for their live music. read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Dark and stormy spiced rum ginger beer and lime - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I love a good dive bar, and I gotta say the Kraken might just be the divey-est dive bar I've ever visited. Located on the upper end of The Ave, this tiny spot with a punk rock theme features strong drinks, an ok tap list, and a crowd where you might be the only one without multiple tattoos. There's also a small stage for live music, and a couple of tables outside for when it's hot. A great place for drinking, and people watching too! read more

My group unanimously decided we have never been treated with more hostility than we were by the staff at the Kraken last night. Incredibly rude. Do not come if you do not fit the "punk" stereotype- the eye daggers you will get the entire night will make you uncomfortable the whole time. read more

This place was recommended to us by a very close friend and we have no clue why anyone would want to go here. It has a very dirty feel to it the moment you walk through the door. The bar wasn't very responsive and the music was obnoxiously loud and overall bad. Coming from LA from the punk/dive bar scene, this place just misses the mark on every catagory. We've been here twice and most likely never coming back. We have been to strip clubs with more cleanliness and higher standards. read more

The Kraken is the closest thing to my favorite bars in San Francisco and LA! I love that they have metal and punk bands playing! read more

The Kraken Bar & Lounge - Pinball and arcade cabs - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I just stopped in ask if the manager or owner was in? This a simple everyday question. The cook, I believe seemed to get very offend by this question. I took a step back and noticed he was shakey and starting to turn red in the face. After an exchange of words I told him that we have had an obvious miscommunication. In an effort to diffuse the situation I offered to leave my information for the owner. Dan the cook said fine an relayed me to another gentleman. Thinking the conversation will go better now the man ask "what do you want homie?" I immediately took offense to this being a black man. So I decided it was best to leave. You would think with everything going on in the Seattle area with the protest and push for equal rights and treatment, people would shy away from prejudice stereotypes. But if you looking for a drink I'm sure they'll service you with a smile but at least now you know what they're thinking. read more