The holiday season is fast approaching (actually, much to my chagrin, it’s here) and many people are looking for a place to celebrate and share some cheer with friends, family and coworkers. Around this time of year, I look for happy hours where I can gather with a small group. I have found that often, hotels have some of the best happy hour deals around. Here are a few that I have discovered in Seattle…
1. Sazerac at Hotel Monaco. Dubbed the best in downtown Seattle, Sazerac’s Happy Hour offers the most generous timeframe, starting at 4 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. It’s one of my favorite breakfast spots (killer oatmeal) but in the evening it has a lively atmosphere and the bartender serves up signature cocktails and classic concoctions. They’ve also got a food menu with dishes by Chef Jason McClure.
2. Hunt Club at Sorrento. This cozy restaurant and bar is a favorite with locals. Happy Hour is every day from 4 p.m. to 6.p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. to closing. Bottled beer is $4, house wine is $5 and their specialty cocktail of the day is $6. Their food specials include an Individual Plate for $7 or an “Hour Tower” of three appetizers including Chef Dan Gilmore’s specialty, Oysters & Absinthe.
3. ART Lounge at Four Seasons. Truly one of my personal faves there’s always something interesting going on at the ART Lounge. On Wednesdays you can enjoy their complementary wine tasting between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. And their Late Night Cheese & Wine Happy Hour (just $7 per person from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.) is to die for (a perfect stop after a performance at Benaroya). Note that the late night menu is half the price of the Lounge’s very popular all-you-can-eat Cheese and Antipasto Counter, which is laid out on a 10-foot Douglas Fir table. It features local, national and imported cheeses. Pinot Gris and Bordeaux Blend are $6 while Unoaked Chardonnay and Merlot are $8. I’m sure I’ll see you there in December.
4. The Terrace Lounge at The Fairmont Olympic. The Terrace has a classy and sophisticated ambiance. Their Happy Hour starts a little earlier (3:30 p.m.) and goes til 6 p.m. daily. Bottled beers are $5, featured wines $7, The Olympic Classics and The Modern Martini are $8. And their appetizers are just $5.
5. Boka at Hotel 1000. I love Boka. They are totally hip and they have a long happy hour – from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and  from 9:30 p.m. to close. Draft beer is $4, while house wines and well drinks are just $5. Delish plates range from $4 to $9 and sweets are from $3 to $9. Their Ugly Sweater Happy Hour promo every Tuesday in December entitles those who come in their ugly holiday sweater to be entered in a weekly drawing for dinner for two! How fun is that?
6. The Bookstore Bar at Alexis. This unique bar is a one-of-a-kind gathering place, with towering floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sidewalks of First Ave. The Bookstore’s Happy Hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily with draft beers, well drinks and select wines for just $4. They also offer a rotating menu of food specials from $3 to $7 per plate. And yes, they sell books at $5!
7. Ruth’s Chris Lounge at Seattle Grand Hyatt. Sure, I’m not a meat eater but you don’t have to eat meat at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Lounge. Happy Hour is from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily except Sundays when the late happy hour closes at 10 p.m. Here you can find $3 wells drinks, house wine and Bud Light drafts; $4 specialty cocktails; $6 martinis; and $5 food plates. Their Sizzle, Swizzle, Swirl Happy Hour offers the best of Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse food and drinks for $7 Monday to Friday.
8. Trace Bar at W Seattle. This chic bar features a signature cocktail menu co-created by 2004 U.K. Bartender of the Year Charlotte Voisey. It serves beer from Seattle microbreweries, liquor from regional distilleries and wines from Washington, California, Oregon, France and Italy. Happy Hour is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., while Late Night Happy Hour is from 10 p.m. until midnight.
*****
Trivago is our sponsor this month and whether you’re visiting Seattle from out of state or you’re local and need a staycation, you can book Seattle hotel deals directly through their site. I have used them myself and can attest to the fact that I found a better deal going through their site than I could find anywhere else.
Travel Well,
Beth
Photo credit:
Happy Hour: Claire
Boka Seattle: Jeff Wilcox
Drink at W Seattle: Jan Mark Holzer
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