#1130 #S677 - All Nations Soccer Bar, Seattle - 6/12/2010

Update: All Nations Sports Bar is closed.

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I just dropped in for a quick gin & tonic and the last part of the US/England World Cup match.  But I will have to return, as they have an impressive looking set of infusions and what looks like a tasty Cuba Libre. This bar comes from Sam Hassan, who first introduced rodizio dining to Seattle at Rio and also founded Sambar and Ipanema.

930 N 130th St, Seattle, WA 98133 - (206) 365-5165
allnationssoccerbar.com - facebook - seattle times - the stranger - yelp

#1129 -The Hob Nob, Tacoma, WA - 6/9/2010

A nice little dive and greasy spoon, with a reputation for Bloody Marys and hangover food.  It's hard not to like a bar with an alley entrance.

716 South 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405-4603 - (253) 272-3200
facebook - myspace -  yelp

#1128 #S676 - Cafe Metropolitain, Seattle - 6/9/2010

Wow, this was a surprise.  I expected a small cafe up until the point I walked through the doorway and found a large space that tries to recreate the streets of Paris.

The food and drinks are not very interesting, but the decor certainly is.

1701 E Olive Way, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 324-0771
cafemetropolitain.com - myspace - the stranger - yelp

#1127 #S675 - Cafe Amore, Seattle - 6/5/2010

To be frank, I just went to this place for a quick addition to my list and not with any high expectations of the bar.  But this turned into a great visit.  Their "Cucumber Mist" (infused cucumber vodka, lime, black pepper, splashed sugar) not only further entrenched my belief that there's never a bad cocktail with cucumber, but it was just about the perfect refreshing cocktail for the first sustained sunny weather in a long, long time.

Maybe this was due partially to that oh so rare sun, but the staff were all super friendly (including chef/owner Sean Langan).  And it was especially pleasant to chat with Ernie the bartender, who had me try various things including some ideas they're working on for "wine bombs."  You might think that sounds wretched, but the don't actually drop liquors into the wines, they just give you an interesting combination of a glass of wine and shot of liquor.  It's actually pretty nice.

I passed on the (Italian) food, as I was about to go to a happy hour at the house of a friend known for her large spreads, but I did take a look at the menu and definitely plan to be back for dinner soon (and another cocktail or two).  I also subsequently found online that they served 500 homeless people to Thanksgiving dinner.

2301 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 - (206) 770-0606
tasteofamore.com - myspace - seattle times - yelp - the stranger  

#1126 #S674 - Night Kitchen, Seattle - 6/4/2010

Update:  The Night Kitchen closed in August 2011

I like this place.  In addition to being one of precious few downtown bars with character and having The Pogues playing when I first arrived, they serve slightly upscale comfort food until 6am and feature some tasty cocktails.

Missy, the bartender during my visit recommended the Pangalactic Gargle Blaster -- which sounds like a terrible drink but is actually quite good (St. Germain, muddled mint and red pepper, Hendricks gin, orange bitters, and possibly something else I forgot).

216 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101 - (206) 448-8810
nightkitchenseattle.com - seattlest - the stranger -  yelp

#1125 #S673 - Kristos, Seattle - 6/2/2010

Update: Changed name to Ship Canal Grill in 2011

Kristo's is a pretty swanky place hidden under the I5 bridge around the corner from the old Eastlake Red Robin. The bar is pretty standard, and the menu is a mix of Greek and American standbys.  I had one of the "gourmet pizzas," and while I'm not sure what was gourmet about it (Serious Pie would seem to fit that description a bit better), it was quite tasty.

The staff were friendly, as was Kristo himself, who has a long history in local bars and resautrants including Suni's (Greek in Shoreline), the Back Door in Lake City, and the old "Appointment" downtown.  It's a nice place that the neighbors in the area are fortunate to have nearby.  They have an upstairs area for private parties and events and will sometimes host music, fashion shows, etc.

As I went on a lazy, sunny afternoon, I now must check it out on a weekend evening, when the place has the buzz of a few more patrons and the romantic interior is no doubt at its best.

3218 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98102 - (206) 588-8885
kristoseastlake.com - the stranger - seattletimes - yelp

#1124 #S672 - The Ram, Seattle - 5/31/2010

The Ram is a large, heartless sports bar, pretty much devoid of any character or charm, located in a congested shopping mall, and catering to people who are still learning to drink (it's about 80% UW students). This makes it not much of an attraction for me, but I did amuse myself by engaging in various wagers with my neighbor at the bar on the two snockered guys on the other side. But such wagers aside, if for some reason you want to drink with students at a UW sports bar, and you don't belong to a fraternity, I'd recommend heading a little bit further north to the Duchess.

2650 University Village, Seattle, WA 98105 - 206-525-3565
theram.com - the stranger - urban drinks - yelp