The Living Room, Seattle - 1/22/2010

Update: The Living Room closed August 2012

The Living Room, which opened on Halloween 2009, has a very lovely and relaxing, two-level decor, and very good cocktails. There is a limited food menu, but the focus is the drinks, created by owner, local artist, and bartender Monika Proffitt. This is one of the better places in the area to have a drink and some conversation, and given the current embarrassment of riches along Olive Way, that is saying something considerable.

(Note: I have not incremented the number on this entry because I accidentally listed the Living Room in my starting set of bars, probably due to confusion with the Sitting Room.)

1355 East Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98122 - (206) 708-6021
Est. Oct. 2009 - Closed Aug 28, 2012
thelivingroombar.com - seattle weekly - the stranger - seattlemet - yelp

#981 - Bandits, Seattle - 1/20/2010

Update: Bandits closed in Summer 2018

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Sort of a neighborhood bar where you don't expect a neighborhood bar.  The drinks and decor were pretty unremarkable, but the tamales get multiple rave reviews.

159 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109 - (206) 443-5447
Est. Dec 27, 2007 - Closed 2018 - Building constructed 2005
banditsbar.com - myspace - yelp - citysearch - the stranger

#980 - La Isla, Seattle (Ballard) - 1/20/2010

Update: La Isla was closed by fire on Oct 7, 2019

I'm not sure if they do this every happy hour, but when I stumbled in they had $2 mohitos!  Of course they also have Seattle's most extensive rum menu.  (They have also had more than their share of major league ballplayers drop in.)  Viva Puerto Rico! 

2320 NW Market St., Seattle, WA 98107 - (206) 789-0516
laislaseattle.com  - facebook - seattle times - the stranger - yelp - citysearch - seattle weekly