They have more than just whiskey! Popped over for a drink or two solo at the bar top and was…read moregreeted right away. I was looking for champagne, which they had an unfamiliar brand but it was really light, more on the dry side, and crisp - exactly what I was looking for! The bartender was informative and kept busy during my time there. The ambiance is warm and loungey with lots of different seating options. Some facing the hotel lobby for people watching, a couple of intimate booths, group seating around the fireplace, and bar top seats. A group came in for whiskey, and played board games that were available in the seating area. The holiday decorations made it cozy and the perfect spot to read a book while sipping on a good champs!

Stopped in before the Soul Asylum show. Live music was awesome. Lounge layout has something to be…read moredesired. Not much room to order a drink and with only two staff and no floor service, less of a lounge and unfortunately more of a bar feel. Great selection off the menue... just have to locate one. Bartenders were nice but over taxed. Comfortable chairs and nice place to relax.

It was a great find. The bartender was really friendly. We sat down to take a break after World Cup…read moreand got a drink and some of the bacon and cheese fries they were delicious! It's dark and moody and they do have karaoke. We enjoyed listening and watching people sing. Didn't get any pics!

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.

Loved it! The Old Fashioned was perfect, the charcuterie board was more than enough to feed 2-3…read morepeople, the decor was moody and comfortable, and the service was delightful.

What a cute little stop off Hwy 2 in Monroe Amazing Old…read moreFashioned Large Whiskey selection Very cool vibe Passed by so many times on way to Leavenworth- had no idea about this place! Will definitely stop here more often now :)

We're long time lovers of McMenamins and so happy to have one in our own backyard. While the Oregon…read morehotels do seem to have some better soaking pools, we have a whiskey shed. This small building can be easily missed if you don't take the time to step inside and see what it's all about. It's got a fireplace and a couple tables inside, but my partner always stops off here for the whiskey. Personally I don't drink much whiskey, but he gets excited by the selection and the helpful people behind the counter. They can help you find something in your price range. You can also get a flight. They have special Whiskey Talk nights and tasting events. You can get also get other drinks and even order food to eat inside. I usually get the Black Rabbit Red wine, but there are a couple beers on tap. Of course this is also a stop for a passport stamp. If it's cold and not too loud we do occasionally sit inside. It has a quaint, cramped vibe so you may get to know your neighbors. If the weather is good we often sit outside by one of the many fires. Sometimes there is live music playing in the courtyard and this makes for a great way to spend an evening. But if you don't know you can also get your drinks to go and walk around exploring the grounds, just be aware you are not supposed to cross the street with your drinks to the pool/Nui Nui bar.

Love this whiskey tasting bar. It's real small so consider yourself lucky if you snag a seat…read moreinside. It can get pretty loud on a busy night. So many great whiskeys to choose from but they don't have a full list so you have to either choose from the small curated menu or stand awkwardly at the bar looking at the shelf in a tiny (usually over crowded) space. Bartenders have always been friendly and attentive in my experience.

ERROR is the most incredible cocktail I've ever had. Also, the alien bubbles gave me the shits…read more Worth it.

Super cool speakeasy with hidden entrance and really nice vibe. Warming, it is VERY dimly lit,…read morebring your glasses! At $20+ a drink though, not a place you'll be spending all night at but cool to stop by. Very attentive servers!

Such a wide array of cocktails, all of which sound delicious! I got the Cat's Pajamas, which was…read morevery refreshing. My partner got the Normandy Sour, which was quite tasty as well. The bartender is quite knowledgeable and friendly and the vibes in the space are incredible. Would recommend stopping here before dinner at Mioposto!

What a cute spot! So cozy and eclectic!…read more The bartender was so nice and the cocktails were on point! Such friendly patrons as well! We got so many good recommendations for things to do and see. So glad we gave this place a go!

Great atmosphere, delicious food and awesome drinks. Friendly servers and bartenders. Aubrey is the…read morebest!

Went here with a friend to catch up and check it out since it's been near us for a long time…read more The locations is super cozy and surprisingly neat inside. It's has a special charm and personality. A nice outdoor seating area as well. The staff was kind and greeted us, there was a community sports event it seemed so the place was not full but the staff was busy. We were a little in a hurry but honestly didn't mind the stay. I got an Old Fashion which I usually never do and it was perfect. It had vanilla bourbon blueberries that made the experience exquisite. The food..... delicious! We got the beef dip sliders and the Margherita Flatbread and were blown away. Super delicious customizable and added to the experience. There was trivia on the TV and I ended up joining, playing and learning a lot. I won one of the matches and honestly I would come back for the trivia and food!

I believe The Ballard Cut seamlessly pairs culinary prestige with a warm, neighborhood atmosphere…read more My appreciation for their kitchen began a few years ago in their previous, smaller Ballard footprint, where I experienced one of my absolute favorite bites of food in the city. Remarkably, it was a side dish--a testament to how Chef Rachael treats every single component on the plate with meticulous care. When community members ask for recommendations that deliver both an exceptional meal and an outstanding beverage program, this is always the first destination I suggest. The menu beautifully balances signature cuts of steak with a thoughtful understanding that other proteins matter, offering expertly prepared chicken, fresh fish, and dedicated vegan main options. I truly believe "the bites" and "the sides" are equally treated as stars, and I always go back for the seasonal salad and crispy potatoes. The beverage program is equally legendary, offering an extraordinary opportunity to try rare whiskies from all over the world and different eras, where every single pour carries its own unique story. When I brought my partner in for his birthday, the owner asked a few questions of his whiskey interests, and customized a flight for him. It is a nicer, upscale restaurant that remarkably retains a deeply grounded community feel, and in my experience local recurring guests are remembered with genuine hospitality.

Very bad food! I went with my family of four. Every single…read moredish was bad. I don't understand how they got over 4* but I fell for that mistake and expected a fine dinner. Bread and butter, bread crust is over cooked and supper dry. Butter dip : the garlic had burned flavor and the vinegar in it was a bit too unpleasant. Pork belly very under cook and chewy. Clam was okay. Water: I took a sip of my cup and instantly spit it back into the cup, taste like fishy or eggy or disgusting unwashed cup ... Main dishes: supper disappointing steak , supper chewy , not pleasant experience at all for a $200+ single order Pork chop, the sauce was interesting but it was also very chewy and nothing special. We spend over $340 and if it was as low as $20 we would never go back and try it again. I strongly recommend you to not go there for food. Very disappointing and low quality food, nothing as it is rated

I came here for dinner after a walk in the neighborhood with my dog--perfect place!…read more They have outdoor dining along the edge of the building and under an awning on the street. Both are dog friendly and our waiter even brought my dog a water bowl! Our servers were attentive and friendly. Food and drink were prepared and served quickly. Thank you Luke and Jeff for the wonderful service! I would recommend the brisket sandwich with a fries upgrade. The brisket is tender and juicy and pairs well with the slaw. The ciabatta bun is the best vehicle for all the deliciousness of the sandwich. But the stand out for me was the fries! Perfectly seasoned and fried to perfection, dipped in the aioli...YUM! To drink, I had the non-alcoholic spicy blueberry mocktail. It's spicy from the Fevertree ginger beer and slightly sweet from the blueberry. The fresh mint was a fragrant and delightful garnish. It comes in the coolest copper mug! If you're in the Ballard/Fremont area looking for outside seating, cocktails/mocktails, and tasty food, make sure to check out The Barrel Thief!

I really liked this place -- it had such a welcoming vibe, and the unique décor was amazing. From…read morethe moment we walked in, Luke the bartender immediately greeted us with a warm and sincere demeanor. We initially thought it was a fine dining restaurant and were a little disappointed to see a limited menu. However, it's actually a fantastic spot for drinks and light bites. We decided to stay since we had never been there before, and Luke was so gracious we almost felt bad leaving! We ordered the meat and cheese platter along with a couple of drinks, and everything was Grade A. I'm giving it an A+ though, because of Luke's outstanding service.

We had a fantastic experience at Bluewater Distillery, and it was made even better by the…read moreoutstanding service and drinks. Rhelynn, our server, was attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming without ever being overbearing. She was knowledgeable about the menu, checked in at all the right moments, and made the whole experience feel relaxed and very enjoyable. The custom cocktails were a standout. Becca clearly knows her craft--each drink was well‑balanced, creative, and thoughtfully prepared. You can tell there's real attention to detail and pride behind the bar. If you're on the fence about trying something custom, absolutely do it--you won't be disappointed. The food paired perfectly with the cocktails and rounded out a great overall experience. Between the quality of the drinks, the solid food, and the excellent service, Bluewater Distillery delivered across the board. We'll definitely be back and will be recommending this place to friends--especially if Rhelynn and Becca are working.

Updating a five-star review I left in 2023 after a recent visit. I went back and forth about…read moreupdating this review and finally decided to. My husband and I have been eating here since at least 2021 and have raved to all of our friends and family about how fantastic the cocktails and the food are here. We always bring family here for a nice dinner night when they visit from out of town, and it has been consistent since 2021 until Thursday, August 27th. We always order the same drinks, as they are our favorite. I enjoy the Limoncello Drop, and my husband always gets the Bloody Mary. I order mine with raspberry-infused vodka, and my husband gets the jalapeño-infused. His is always spicy, but flavorful. Mine is always tart and sweet. This time was different. Mine was just sweet and had a dried citrus slice floating in it, which is not how it has ever been served. My husband's Bloody Mary had a wooden stick in it and no garnish. There has never been a floating garnish in my drink, and the Bloody Mary has always come with a garnish. Sometimes it is roasted garlic, green olives, and lime. Sometimes an herb sprig and jalapeño slice; another time was garlic, jalapeño, lime, and rosemary sprig. It has never come without the care of a garnish. Additionally, his cocktail tasted terrible. It was just hot. No flavor, just hot and off-tasting. He sent it back, and later the bartender came by to apologize and said the lime juice was off and they had replaced it. He offered a new drink, which my husband declined. For dinner, we shared the Puget Sound Steamers, and for the first time the broth was bland. We usually sop up as much as we can with the bread, but it was just flavorless. I was not able to order my usual dinner selection of the Alaskan Chowder because they were out, which has never happened before, but it was not a huge deal, so I chose the Caprese Salad instead, and it was okay. My husband ordered the Rustic Mac + Cheese; we have both ordered this many times, and it has always been delicious except for this night. It tasted off too, very pasty. Almost as if the flour had not been cooked enough in the béchamel, or perhaps too much flour? It was so bland and pasty that it was sent back, too. When we spoke to the server about the mac + cheese and that it tasted like uncooked or pasty flour, she said there was no flour in it, only cheese. The menu describes the dish as a creamy béchamel, which is a flour-based sauce, so her answer surprised me. I did not press it. Sending food back is not something we enjoy doing, and we left disappointed. We were not charged for the returned items, and we appreciated that. My husband declined a replacement, so he ended up with no dinner, and we stopped somewhere else on the way home. Something was different across both the bar and the kitchen that night. I hope it was a one-off, because five years of consistency earned this place a lot of goodwill with us. At these prices, we expect more, and my husband is reluctant to go back.