This is a classy dive bar! If you can combine those two. I was worried walking up to it, windows you couldn't see through and the entrance down the side. We peeked inside thinking it would be empty but it was packed! Happy hour til 8pm helps. No food specials except earlier on certain days. You order at the bar grab your drinks then take your flag to a table so they know which table to deliver the food to. We got Britain. I had the chicken masala with fries and fresh vegetables. My husband had the onion burger with tots. The chicken was moist and a big serving. The vegetable was alien heads... ahem brussel sprouts. My fries were hot and crispy the bottom layer soaked in the sauce yum! This dish would probably have ben better with the mashed potatoes it came with on the menu but I wanted fries darn it! And they were happy to substitute. The burger had a good portion of caramelized onions covered in a melted layer of Muenster cheese, but a little too much aioli. The tots came out warm not hot and tasted like a tot should. So overall watch out for alien brains and go light on the aioli! The food is delicious, service awesome, and great happy hour will make this my new go to place. Moral of the story don't judge a restaurant by its storefront. read more

Not sure under what confluence of criteria brings this pit four stars, but here is my story. This past Wednesday(day before Thanksgiving)...my sister and I are looking for a bar close to our location, having successfully navigated BOTH Whole Foods Market and QFC for the family holiday vittles. Twilight Exit did not open until 4:00 pm, so we milled aimlessly for ten minutes. THE bartender(single...as in the only bartender there......white female) was dinking around with the computer, and it was 4:10 before we got our double Maker's with soda backs($30.00). We bs'd a bit, she told us about her cool cold brewed coffee growler, and she moved on to other tasks...I asked to see a menu, just to see what it looked like. Looked right at her and asked the question at a decent volume....and was ignored. Asked again and increased the volume....at that point, a menu was presented. I was honestly treated as an annoyance rather than a consumer of the establishments offerings....wasn't there for karaoke or sitting around looking angsty....I was there to DRINK!! Left $10.00 for the tip, downed my drink and bounced. Won't EVER go back....listen...ANY place where I will do a better job getting my own drink than going through the bartender is not worth my time or money. BTW...I lived in Seattle from 1987 until 1997.....and am not some Cali douchebag complaining like the service is better in Cali...it generally isn't, and if I am any "state-identified" douchebag, it would be New York. FU hipster ASS Last Exit bartender lady(Erica(name on the receipt)....you truly sucked...even my sister agreed, and she is usually on the side of anyone that pisses me off)!!! read more

Good ambience and outdoor patio, and good beers on tap. Food isn't anything special. They charge $0.50 credit card fee for purchases under $10. Really? You're a bar. God forbid someone comes in for one drink. The place was dead, and the bar tender acted like we were bothering her when we ordered drinks. I got a very cliquey vibe from the waitstaff. To everyone commenting that this is a haven in changing Seattle, it makes me sad that this kind of place is what you desire in a dive bar. There are way better (real) dives all over the city. Try Kate's, Boxcar Ale House, Sloop Tavern, or Blue Moon Tavern. Those are the real deal, without the bad service. read more

Wow, I don't remember giving this place three stars...but seriously it deserves five stars! First off, they have an awesome happy hour. Until 8 p.m. every night, the following drinks are dirt cheap: $1.50 Pabst draft, $3 Craft Ales, $2.50 Well Drinks. Twilight Exit also serves some tasty dishes, especially their hot wings that cost under $10. These come out steaming hot and I love the sauce and crispiness of the skin. Oh and did I mention they have a nice kick to them? Lastly, the deck area is a great place to lounge around on a nice sunny day. I recently discovered this and enjoyed being around good company while getting a cuteness overload at watching dogs play with one another. Like what other reviews have mentioned, it is in a random area but I believe its worth the trip to kick it here. read more

Very solid dive bar. Friendly bartender. Great environment plus there are pinball machines. The photo booth did eat our money :( beats the cap hill crowds. read more

This is a neighborhood spot...locals camp out on the patio and around the inside bar with tight seating and darkness that provides a subtle euphoria. You don't go here to tell the bartender your woes. Order your stuff, grab your flag, and go sit the hell down. The menu offers a fried smorgasbord of goodness....and there may be some salad or something on there too. Who knows. I love the mushroom caps but let them cool or the roof of your mouth will not be the same, get the fried cheese nuggets and blue fries...oooh your arteries and heart doc will love you. The drinks are not "crafted" but jostled together like an old school drunk magician would do it. Perfection! I really like this place and its super popular in the summer. Good luck getting a table outside, its well worth the try. read more

The Twilight Exit - So sad, empty margarita glass. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

First of all, the price to quality ratio here is astounding. Best diamond in the rough bar in Seattle proper. My favorite food item (beside the specials, which are always amazing! Yum bacon green chili mac and cheese...) is the peanut butter and bacon burger subbing in a chicken breast instead. Now, you might think that's weird, and you can see how much I care as I revel in food glory. The drinks are stiff and happy hour is till 8pm ere'day. At the time of this writing its $3.75 wells. Oh, and I wish they could still allow dogs in here, but sadly they can't. Which sucks. read more

Nice place. I am visiting the city and the Airbnb host recommendation was this place. I went on Sunday night also karaoke night, so it was a little to loud but the food was delicious and the service really good. Totally recommend it. read more

Always great food and friendly staff! Field roast burger w Muenster n mushrooms! Or 2 chz grill chz w tots! Mmmmmm

The service is weird and boh is slow. Here's the story: My friend wanted to try this place out and get a quick takeout since it was otw back to my place. They don't take orders over the phone and require being at the bar for that - fair enough. We're both Chefs...so we know how long it should take foods to be done. Was told it would take 20min which we assumed should really be 10-15 so close enough right? We waited over a half an hr and upon arriving back, realized they forgot the ck we ordered. The biggest issue we have...is that the staff was rude from the start, rushy, and pushy when he asked how much longer it would be AFTER their expired time given. Then on top of that...with attempts at calling them for almost an hour straight to rectify or get a refund...they'd pick up and hang up on us. Wow! Our order: SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN WINGS 2x Texas Dogs 1 Chili Cheese Dog Twilight Burger Stoner's Delight Sirloin Meatloaf This order looks familiar? Please, refund my friend back the amount you owe and I'll update. read more

The bartender who was working around 3pm this past Friday almost ruined our group experience. She seems to hate her job, has zero customer service skills, plays the "ice queen" and completely ignores you until she's ready, and won't even return a greeting. Other than her, the other servers have been pleasant and professional, and the food and drinks are good. read more

This dive bar is awesome!! Fairly crowded on a Friday night, only a few open tables left but service was fast. Door is on the side where there's a big parking lot (all free yay!), open seating and order at the bar. Outdoor and bar seating too, there are a bunch of arcade games and shuffle board but we didn't play. We ordered a few drinks, nachos and the schnitzel sandwich...please try the sandwich. It was SO GOOD, so tender and flavorful. Definitely enough food for 2 people, nachos you could easily share with 2-4 people. Will definitely be back! read more

The Twilight Exit - Nachos and schnitzel sandwich with tots. So good!! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The twilight exit is one of the best bars in Seattle. Great bartenders, great beverages, and great food.

I agree with people who said this place is too cliquey and a tinge racist. (Several poc reviewed on their Facebook page that they were profiled to pay upfront at the bar.) Upon coming in, my partner and I, both poc, were met w two hipstery id-checkers intensely staring at us without uttering a greeting. Their vibe was straight up rude and dismissive. We ordered beer & tater tots, which was way too salty. Rude service. Bad food. Too yt. Won't recommend to folks, especially poc, who haven't been here yet. Lame that the CD, historic African American neighborhood, has this white hipster place occupied. read more

Wow, just had a take away burger-huge and delicious! Will certainly be back for more. And priced exactly where it should be. Very glad to have given this place a try!~ read more

Missing Karaoke here during quarantine, but their staff is always amazing. Food is good portions, good price, and great flavor! Drinks are strong :) read more

Met a friend at the Twilight place is full of memorable pieces from lost treasures of the 70's. Old ship paintings, funky colored lamps, sit down video games. Sat at the bar. Service was great as I was asked politely if everything was good on several beers and food. Had the tots and a sandwich both were perfect. Food was typical pub food, fried and delicious. I would go back here in a heartbeat. Bars like this with nostalgia are what I love about this area. read more

I just want to publicly thank you, Twilight Exit. I mean, you're everything I avoid in a bar, so it's handy to roll it up into one easily disdained experience. You're noisy. You're hipster-ridden. Your wait staff is openly hostile to customers. I was literally shoved by the waiter tonight. Listen you obnoxious tatted twit, I didn't know you were behind me because your place of work (if you haven't noticed) is so effin noisy. But that's not really the point, is it? The point is that it is never okay to SHOVE a customer. That isn't being edgy. It's being a douche. Please learn the difference. Did I mention that the hostile bartender gave me a dirty look when I asked for my drink (which he did not ask how I wanted it) on the rocks? Oh the humanity! I asked you to pour liquid over ice! People are so demanding! There is no tater tot deliciously crispy enough to make me venture back here. read more

The Twilight Exit is your typical Seattle "dive" bar. Please note the quotation marks. I use the term loosely. Red lights abound and the art on the wall makes me swoon. There was a picture of a grandfather clock that looked like it was made out of shag carpet. You must enter the alley and there is where you get your first art taste. Along the wall of the building opposite the Twilight we get a beautiful mural of squid and a whale. The bar is tucked in the back complete with a dinning room you must walk through to get your libation. Off to the side there is a game room complete with pinball and a photo booth. My friend and I walked in last Saturday night and it was pleasant. Granted it was only around 8:00 but it wasn't packed and the bartender was free enough to be friendly. Food is available. I glanced at the nachos at a table nearby and they looked mighty and delicious. We had eaten prior to our visit so this review is not about the cuisine. The Twilight Exit is a great neighborhood bar and while its location is a bit random, it has potential. read more

Any place that opens on Noon on a Saturday and has Happy Hour and a patio is fine by me. Add in strong-pours, cheap beer and really good food, and I am definitely a fan. The bartender may not be too friendly, but he goes give you a lot of booze in your doubles, and does his job as much as can be expected. Watch out for the yellow jackets on the patio though, they really like your drink. I never really go to the Central District, but sometimes my friends want to head over to the Twilight for all the aforementioned fun, so I will definitely be back soon and fairly often. read more

I love this bar. Is it incredibly creepy due to its side door entrance and incredibly poorly lit street parking? Oh ya. But instead it's warm, quirky, cheap and happy. You'll be ID'd upon entry and make sure you mosey up to the bartender to place your order. I've visited during all ranges of sobriety to drunkery: I strongly suggest ordering a round of tots at the latter... I have yet to visit during the summer to enjoy their pong patio, but I have witnessed arcade amusement or you can entertain yourself my simply oogling the awesome wall décor. If you're looking for a place to get a group of friends together I strongly recommend Twilight. The "self service" makes splitting bills a nonissue . Seating is plentiful. Parking is ample. Life it good. read more

This city is shallow. Hipsters and Pseudo-Thugs. Microsofties and Indie Bands. Not the best place to wage wars underground. Everyone thinks they are the underground. Then I'm at the Twilight Exit. Trendy name. Thought I was safe. Nothing but the posers here, right? A short moment to catch my breath, and heal the gunshot wound in my left shoulder with some herbal tonics and simple hex. Won't stay long. Nothing but normals here. But the food...the food is damn good. And then came the shift I didn't expect. The girls that work the bar use Chimerical magic to mask their true form. But once you've seen the Fae you'd recognize them anywhere. And the Fair Folk have done more than a few tricks to the food. On one hand you can't find a better taste anywhere. On the other hand, it's really hard to avoid getting Glamourspelled into seeing the underside of reality, in all it's ragged and storm-raging beauty. Captivating...I'd say so. But there's more. The photobooth does in fact take a card. And it also records your face, inputting it to a scramble code through the Etherscope, which...and i'm still impressed/don't actually get how this works *destroys permanent records of you from various Technochracy digital vaults.* I'd heard rumors of tricks on this level. I chalked them up to fiction. Go figure. Post tater-tots i realized i'd sat next to a Shifter. Maybe a wolf, maybe a bear. Couldn't tell. He kept his eyes on the game, wouldn't speak to me. Just once he cast a narrow gaze my way, nodded, and I knew it wouldn't come to any trouble. Eclectic crowd indeed. Oh, and their rune-spells on the doorframe keep lesser demons out surprisingly well. For an old caster like me this is just downright hospitable. Five stars. Well worth it. read more

I want to love this place, but the waitstaff is so rude it makes it difficult to spend money here. Rude is actually an understatement for the way they treat their customers. I feel like I'm getting in trouble every time I order a drink and that I've done something to deserve the silent treatment. Sunday night karaoke is fun and the drinks are cheap, but I wouldn't recommend this place to a friend. read more

I dare you to show me a better neighborhood/dive bar for food in Seattle. I would really like to go there if such a place exists. Until then, I will continue coming here a few times a week for the best wings I've ever had in my life. The butter based sauce on them is amazing. Sunday is a great time to visit for 1.75PBR and one of the best burgers you'll have in Seattle for half price (get it with the tots). I really almost don't want to rave about this place because I don't want people going here packing in the place and making it harder for me to get a seat. But I have to do the right thing and give this place a proper review. To recap, the menu is your standard array of bar food but taken up a few notches. The kitchen clearly takes pride in their job but I wish I could say the same for the servers. The guys are very nice but the female staff is hit and miss. I would consider myself a regular here since my girlfriend and I come here about 2 times a week and there have been days where I come in twice and bring friends all the time. The staff is typically less than friendly and still has a hard time recognizing repeat business. I always go out of my way to be very nice and typically tip around 30%. I've even had days where I started conversation on the patio with the staff and left obscene tips just as a social experiment. Every time I come in it's as if a reset button has been pressed and you're dealing with the mood of the server. Bottom line Food: 5/5 stars Service: Male servers 4/5 stars Female servers 2/5 stars Fix the servers' attitudes and I'll give it 4 or 5 stars. read more

Always a good time at the Twilight. Nice staff (worth 5 stars alone), great outdoor seating and I am now a big fan of the spicy margaritas. I don't get out there much, but when I do, I always have a smile on my face. read more

Here is why Twilight is the BEST bar in Seattle, period. Last week, they had an AMAZING drink special for summer: strawberry margaritas! I don't know how you feel about them, but I LOVE them! Especially on Twilight's outdoor patio with the sun shining on my face. I thought it was a great promo and asked if they would bring it back again soon... AND they did! This isn't the first time either. In the past, I asked one of the bartenders why they didn't have any pasta dishes on the menu and sure enough, not long after that conversation, they created an AMAZING ragu pasta special! Twilight is great and make their regulars feel like family. Needless to say, I will gladly tithe most, if not all, of my earnings to Twilight because they a great local bar run by a kickass group of people. read more

I found this place by googling "dive bar, central district" about 3 years ago and have not been able to find a bar quite as wonderful as this. Its annoying to have people say that the bartenders here are "surly" or "unfriendly" cause lets be real... aren't most bartenders? They have to deal with the drunk slobs so cut them a break! Sure you can find some hipsters in there, but nowadays hipsters are everywhere!!! I would not call this place a "hipster bar".... just cause its f***ing AWESOME!!!! Really all the bad stuff that has been said about this place you can practically say about any other bar... because its a bar and you will find bartenders who arent too happy go lucky, hipsters, drunks, and bad wine. You want wine? then go to a wine bar, kids/ After a few visits, the chef and bartenders began recognizing not only me and my bf but also what we ate and what we drank. This place is truly a diamond in the rough that softens nicely after 2-3 visits. Their patio is wonderful in the spring/summer/fall time. They have the BEST happy hour, $2.50 wells until 8pm? Good lord, hell yes! Their menu is absolute comfort food. The sirloin salad is delicious and their burgers are some of the best i've ever had. Ive had many a bday party, going away party, friday night party, st patricks day party and it has never failed to deliver. Twilight Exit, i love you. I bought a hoody to represent all over America and the world. May you never change unless its to get better... which seems virtually impossible. You can never be replaced. p.s. the old photo booth is the best icing ontop of the greatest cake ever. read more

I went to Twilight Exit again for my birthday. But THIS time I didn't blackout. Good job, me! I'm old and still alive! Here are the cool things that happened: 1. I told them I blacked out last time, it was my birthday, and that I loved them. 2. They gave me the Birthday Drink, which made my birthday 27.3% more fun than reality. 3. My friends got super jealous, and then drunk, and then sober again, because I sipped that murderously large and delicious, yet complimentary drink for a handful of hours. 4. I contemplated crying and/or eating a Peanut Butter and Bacon Burger when the drink was over. 5. The bartenders congratulated me on not blacking out this time and washed out the mug AND I GOT TO KEEP IT. Best. Birthday. Yet. I remember everything and it was beautiful and nothing hurt. read more

Not as good as the old Exit, of course, but OK. Good veggie burgers and fries. Spotty bar service; more bad bartenders than good. Uncomfortable seating and the loss of the cool booths from the old Exit is a travesty. It's nice to have a bar in the neighborhood, but be prepared for the possibility that you'll get a gun waved in your general direction (yes, really). Most people love the resident Labradoodle but I find him to be a little annoying, since he's a nonstop beggar. read more

I love Twilight Exit. I live a couple blocks from this place and I'm here at least once a week. It's a neighborhood bar and nothing more than that - I don't expect anything fancy and I don't expect anything amazing (except the drink prices!). I like to come here for my post-swim snack after finishing up at Medgar Evers pool. I was sad to hear when I was talking to the server last week that some unfortunate individual complained about the dogs in the back porch and now I will not be able to bring my furry four legged friend to hang out with me. The back porch is amazing on a Sunny Seattle Day (which there were a lot of in 2012), and I haven't really spent much time inside. The lighting is pretty dim, which I don't actually like in a bar because it just helps me fall asleep. The food is good (again, not expecting anything fancy) - I really like the mozzarella cubes. I've heard the burgers and fries are pretty good too. I will continue to support Twilight Exit regularly go there for their 1.75 PBRs until 8 pm, every day. read more

This is probably my final score for this place, barring something magical/horrible happening on a future visit. The cheese fries were sad. So sad. Gross gravy with gross cheese. I was actually hoping for "cheese food product" sauce, so it's not like my expectations were high... I'll probably never order food here again, it was that gross. The service is mediocre on a good night. The "servers" just saunter into the table area and shout the name of the country whose flag you were given when you ordered. The bartenders come off as bored and boring. Don't get me wrong... they aren't so much "rude" as they are "disinterested". I think the thing I dislike most of all is how you have to walk through throngs of hipsters smoking in the alley to get into the place. read more

Popped in for some late-nite take-out. The streets were quiet but the inside was alive and well. Took a seat at the bar and just let the environment set in. The bartender came by in a moment and took my order. 1 drink while I waited. I was thinking about the Bourbon Onion(?) Burger when she swiftly mentioned the special on the board. It was the first time they offered this type so I thought, ok what the heck - and she emphasized "soo good." Sold. The menu items are usually fixed anyway so I figured hey. It was some kind of tasty burger with balsamic onions or something and it was SO good & tasty. And opted for tots, 'cuz you gotta have tots. She was cool & friendly. read more

This is my kind of place. I came here last Saturday to visit my husband while he was painting a mural outside in the alley. It is pretty rare that I make it out to the Central District, which is one of the reasons I was excited to try the Twilight. You could probably walk past here frequently and never notice it. The entrance is actually in the alley (there is a sign on the front door to remind you). The interior is really nice. It's kinda of a 50's/60's retro vibe, a cool retro vibe, not a Johnny Rockets retro vibe. I liked the cool, sleek wooden chairs. Apparently they also have a patio and shuffleboard, hopefully I'll be checking those out soon. When I got there it was just the beginning of happy hour (4-8pm). The drink specials aren't too shabby: $1.50 PBR, $3 drafts and $2.50 wells. After a Manny's and a gin and tonic I decided I needed some food. I never expect good food from bars usually, just something to soak up the alcohol, but the food here is great. I ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich and coleslaw. The chicken was cooked perfectly and totally hit the spot. I noticed on their menu that most items are made from scratch. The tater tots seemed to be really popular, at least 3 or 4 people ordered those while I was sitting at the bar. Service was very attentive and friendly. I can't wait to come back here because it is affordable, chill and has good drinks and food. If you are taking the bus here (like I did) the Route #3 stops directly across the street. Let Metro drive your drunk ass home! read more

KAROKE baby. People take it VERY seriously here, and that's fun. It's dark, people aren't obnoxious, drinks are cheap. The CD district's spot to get their drink on. read more

the MAGICIAN!!! (OMFG, the real live magician! Really.) Let me tell you why should hit up 'The Exit'. Not for the epic tater tots (fantastic). Not for the nice tall-girl-with-tatts bartender (enthusiastic) Not for the table shuffleboard pucks (metal and plastic) Not even for the divebar vibe and $2.50 Rainiers (classic) come Wednesdays at 9-ish for the MAGIC (omfg, the Magician!) He's like Criss Angel, Mindfreak (except that he's old. and he wears a tux. and he goes table to table. and he doesn't fly.) But he's Cliff the Magician, the most interesting man in the Central District. And the best tableside, card-tricking, coin-tricking, sleight of hand magician this side of Vegas (my mind is still blown) and apparently he shows up every Wednesday around 9. Come to the Exit and give him ten minutes and he'll make you a believer / have you shakin' like ya havin' a seizure. Word. read more

My sister had the veggie mushroom burger it was good. The burger was a boca burger not her fav. But very good anyway. I had the twilight burger and it was loaded and delish. It will take me another day to finish it. The bar tender was friendly and helpful with our choices. This was our first time here. It's a bit sneaky to find but worth it. A little loud and dark for us old folk but great for the younger crowd but it was an adventure. read more

The Twilight Exit - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If not for the locals, I would have never known that this place existed. It is located away from downtown and Capitol Hill and gently placed in almost a residential-like area. I'm pretty sure I could throw a rock to the neighboring school from the parking lot (but I wouldn't dream of that). There is such a mellow vibe to this bar. It's calming and relaxing as it is entertaining. The lights are dim and the music isn't overbearing. It gets a little noisy once people start filling the place up, and it will fill up, but that isn't something to judge the place on. The cool thing about this place is that there are no servers. To get a drink, you must walk up to the bar every single time. I oddly like this scenario. The bartenders were very friendly, and even voluntarily gave me a shot of liquor so that I could agree with the gentleman how terrible the liquor was. The food is wonderful. I tried my first Seattle dog here and I couldn't have been more pleased with the taste. A meaty hotdog topped with grilled onions, peppers, and amazingly, cream cheese. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I also accidently ordered a mountain of tater tots. Rather than a side I must have ordered an entrée. Not that I'm complaining about too many tater tots. My company ordered mashed potatoes, fried mozzarella balls, the veggie burger, and chicken fingers/fries. There was not one complain about any of the food. Completely worth trying to find this place. read more

I come to twilight exit every Friday. It's a great dive bar with cheap drinks and great food. I think 97% of the food is made from scratch. The best part is that's it's pretty hidden so only locals know about it and is never slammed. It's full but you can usually get a table if you want one. read more

If you live in the Central District and you're looking for a divey neighborhood bar, you could do a lot worse than the Twilight Exit! Lots of seating inside and out, cheap drinks, kitschy decor to admire, and a cheap jukebox (4 songs for $1!). And, I'm told, it has pretty decent bar food, too. There's a large back patio with a ping-pong table, but it gets a lot of sun, thanks to the cris-crossing tarps that only partially cover it. When the heat gets to be too much, you can retreat into the bar, which has some arcade games, tables and booths, funky lamps, and vintage oil paintings on the walls. Happy hour goes until 8 pm and features $3.25 wells and $4.25 drafts. Their food menu has burgers, sandwiches, and salads in the $9-11 range. Overall, a solid local bar to stop into for happy hour drinks with friends! read more

This place has been a CD institution for my friends and I for years. A great watering hole where you can go to celebrate the best stuff in life or forget the worst! Lots of memories here (and at the old location)! One of my best friends in the world celebrated his 21st bday at the old spot and just did his 30th at the new spot! LOVE The Twilight Exit!! They also have great food, video games, a shuffle board table, a photo booth, and a great patio for the nice days! It just doesn't get any better than this! read more