Looking for the best craft beer bars in Seattle is more a matter of narrowing down your choices than sniffing them out. That’s because Seattle is filled to the brim with exceptional craft breweries. As a result, many bars are starting to step up their craft beer game.
Craft beer bars bring a different vibe to the city. They tend to be more curated in their selections, with independent breweries having the most shelf space. Many of their beers will also be higher in alcohol than your typical Bud Light.
So, since our city is more than just coffee and rain, I’ve come up with a roundup of Seattle’s best craft beer bar serving both local and global brews.
Best Craft Beer Bars in Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’m always adding to this list as I visit more craft beer bars in Seattle.
Chuck’s Hop Shop
website | neighborhoods: Central District (get directions), Seward Park (get directions), & Greenwood (get directions)
Chuck’s Hop Shop is another one of my go-to Seattle craft beer bars for neighborhood hang vibes, a huge to-go bottled beer selection, and a daily rotation of popular food trucks. They have three locations, each with around 50 beers on tap at any given time.
My go-to location is Greenwood. There’s not a ton of room for seating at this location since there’s packaged beer lining the walls, but they do have a fair number of tables inside and tents outside.
Since it’s family and dog friendly, it always has a lively and bustling atmosphere. Plus, they also carry Russian River Brewing’s Pliny beers, so there are a ton of reasons to visit.
Bottle Works
website | get directions | neighborhood: Wallingford
Similar to Chuck’s, Bottle Works is a bottle shop first, bar second. They’re known for having the rarest of brands that are sure to impress the snobbiest of beer snobs.
There’s little seating to accommodate the wide selection of beers, but they do have some tables out and plenty of beers on tap. The staff is always helpful and happy to help navigate their library to find what you’re after.
The Pine Box
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill
The Pine Box takes the cake as the coolest of the craft beer bars in Seattle. It’s housed in a former mortuary where Bruce Lee’s funeral was held. Now you’ll find a big selection of hyper-curated craft beers, including that elusive Russian River Pliny and plenty of other hard-to-find brews. They also have wood-fired pizzas, which may or may not be made in the former crematorium. I mean, it’s unlikely, but I can’t help but think about that every time I go.
The decor is very churchy-turned-gothic, with original pews, huge cathedral ceilings, an organ, and leaded glass windows. Their menu also features beer-infused cocktails and small bites like flatbreads or funeral potatoes (get it?) to whet your appetite if you have dinner plans.
The Beer Junction
website | get directions | neighborhood: West Seattle
Two doors down from Lady Jaye on California Ave SW, one of West Seattle’s best restaurants, is Beer Junction. It’s one of my favorite craft beer bars in Seattle thanks to the welcoming vibe.
The building looks deceptively small from the outside, but as soon as you step in, you’ll notice the length of the bar is lined with refrigerated bottles. There’s also wood paneling and comfortable bar seating that just screams “neighborhood joint”.
Beer wise, The Junction has 35+ beers on tap at any given time. They also have an extensive selection of packaged beer that’s kept refrigerated as soon as it’s delivered to prolong the beer’s life and preserve the natural hop flavors. This level of details shows how much they care about beer, so any beer aficionado will love this place.
The Stumbling Monk
website | get directions | neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Back in the day, I used to go to The Stumbling Monk all the time since I used to work across the street. They took a brief hiatus during COVID, but have since opened back up. The neighborhood has never been happier.
They specialize in Belgian beers, so it’s a must-stop if that’s your preferred style like me. However, if you’re more of a pale ale person, they do have plenty of other options. The staff is always super chill and happy to help you find a new brew to love.
In addition to big windows perfect for people-watching, they also have tons of board games and wide open seating. So while the space is small, it’s perfect for mid-sized groups who want to spread out and have some fun.
Ballard Beer Box
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard
Another great option for craft beer is relative newcomer Ballard Beer Box. They’re down the street from Ballard Beer Company on the quieter end of NW Market Street and allow kids.
They have a fun vibe with tropical wallpaper, a huge back patio, and cases lining the wall with a ton of great local brews. You’ll find a lot of my favorites out of Bend like Crux Fermentation, so if you can’t explore all the fun things to do in Bend, this is the next best thing.
Pro tip: Ballard Beer Box also serves some of the best pizza in Seattle, so come hungry!
The Shambles
website | get directions | neighborhood: Maple Leaf
The Shambles may be one of my favorite steak restaurants in Seattle, but they’re also one of the best craft beer bars in Seattle. In addition to fresh, locally-sourced beef, they have a whole wall dedicated to craft beers on tap.
Don’t let the fact that it’s a steakhouse intimidate you. Shambles is much more of an easygoing vibe. In addition to craft brews and juicy hunks of meat, they also have impressive charcuterie, sandwiches, wine, and a great selection of cocktails.
Über Tavern
website | get directions | neighborhood: Greenwood
From the outside, you probably wouldn’t assume Über Tavern would have such a superb craft beer selection since it’s right on busy Aurora Avenue. But when you walk in, you’ll first notice the wall of beer bottles behind the bar. They also have a lot of beers on tap and offer growlers to go.
It definitely has a tiny dive bar vibe, but their selection of imported and local beer makes it worth a stop. They also have a fire pit inside the tavern and plenty of TVs to catch the game.
If you’re hungry, then you can bring food in. One of my go-to spots nearby is Pho Than Brothers. They’re within walking distance and serve some of the best takeout in Seattle.
Skål Beer Hall
website | get directions | neighborhood: Ballard
Skål is a quirky Viking-themed beer hall dedicated to sharing great craft brews alongside Nordic food, mead, and cocktails. It’s one of my favorite spots in Ballard thanks to its rustic tavern vibe, fireplace, and of course, huge list of craft beers and local meads.
Their food menu is equally as impressive. They offer “Viking Feasts,” which you can order ahead to have at the beer hall or take home. So if you’ve ever wanted to tear apart roasted rabbit or a leg of lamb served on a wooden plank, now’s your chance!
Prost!
website | neighborhoods: Phinney Ridge (get directions) & West Seattle (get directions)
When people think of Seattle’s staple breweries, most people think of the Pike Brewing Company near Pike Place Market, but Prost! has been a Seattle fave since the early 2000s.
There are two Prost locations, both with cozy wood-clad neighborhood pub vibes and incredibly welcoming staff. They only offer imported German ales, served in steins, so it’s the perfect spot for those who love Bavarian-style beers. You’ll also find pub fare like pretzels and bratwurst, so it’s great for feeling like you escaped to Oktoberfest.
More to try in Seattle
After you make your way through these craft beer bars in Seattle, check out more of the city with these guides.
