Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Seattle

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Seattle? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Radiator Whiskey (21 and over)

4.9

4.9 (482)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Downtown

About the restaurant

(21 & over only)
In the heart of Pike Place Market, Radiator Whiskey Bar features food that brings a smile and drinks in every variety of container and iteration; straight, mixed, bottled, canned and on tap. Step inside Radiator Whiskey and be immersed in Pacific Northwest atmosphere, warm tones, industrial architecture and plenty of natural wood accents including a larger than live whiskey barrel wall.
(21 & over only)
Radiator Whiskey has daily happy hour drink specials and daily rotating meat specials on top of the regular menu. All the dishes are created fresh with options such as smoked chicken Caesar salad, smoked & fried chicken, braised beef brisket and warm cornbread.
Must be 21 and over.
Please bring valid identifications per Washington state law.

Top review

Andy

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic service by both the host and the Bar tender! Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

Oak

4.8

4.8 (263)

$30 and under

American

International District

About the restaurant

Oak is an independently owned community-minded neighborhood restaurant and bar. Our all-ages dining room welcomes folks and their families from all walks of life. We serve a full menu of delicious vegan and organic burger, and poultry options.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Wide ranging pub food menu. Well-prepared with great vegan options. Stellar friendly service. Recommended!

Inside Passage

4.7

4.7 (302)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Capitol Hill / First Hill

About the restaurant

Inside Passage is a Northwest sunken ship, underwater, tropical cocktail bar with a sea creature named Kiki that lives above the bar. Created and run by your friends at Rumba and found within. Cocktails have elaborate, outrageous presentations and are crafted with premium ingredients and exotic flavors.

Reservations are released on a rolling basis, six weeks out. If you are looking for a date beyond that range, please check back! Inside Passage is a 21+ establishment.
https://www.insidepassageseattle.com/

Top review

Katrina

Dined 4 days ago

Whimsical and delicious drinks in a very festive tiki space.

The Ballard Cut

4.7

4.7 (650)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Ballard

About the restaurant

The Ballard Cut is a farm-to-table restaurant and whisk(e)y bar specializing in local and seasonal ingredients. Our 1200+ bottle whiskey list ranges from Japanese and Scotch single malts to American bourbons and ryes. The collection is curated to include contemporary and affordable bottles as well as rare and antique vintages. Enjoy a scratch cocktail on our patio as you take in the energetic Ballard nightlife; share a bottle of wine and a tomahawk steak with friends and family; or take a trip around the world with a custom whisk(e)y flight built by our passionate and experienced staff.

Helmed by owner Tommy Patrick and chef Rachael Peebles, The Ballard Cut is the culmination of decades of hard work and dedication in the restaurant industry. We sincerely hope you enjoy your dining experience.

*We have both indoor and outdoor sidewalk seating available. Please call during business hours to confirm any seating requests.*

Top review

ANNA

Dined on Apr 15, 2025

Love this space. Great atmosphere. Amazing food. Our server was so helpful with great recommendations. Will definitely be back

Momiji SLU

4.7

4.7 (244)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Lake Union / Eastlake

About the restaurant

Momiji SLU has one goal in mind: giving our guests a unique, delicious, and unforgettable experience. Our menu reflects innovative Japanese kaiseki-style dishes, skillfully prepared to perfection. Every single item we serve is carefully made to dazzle your senses, so browse our site and check back for future updates.

Top review

David

Dined on Apr 16, 2025

Great food. Great service. Excellent happy hour value.

Sabine Café and Bar

4.7

4.7 (82)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Ballard

About the restaurant

reservations accepted for dinner only, from 5pm-9pm.
our day café remains walk-up and counter-service only - NO reservations accepted for brunch.
we are 21+ after 10pm on friday and saturday.

sabine is a café, bar, and bakery serving a lively daytime and nighttime experience for all on ballard ave. here you'll find vibrant espresso drinks, colorful cocktails, and fresh breakfast, lunch, and dinner served daily. our inviting menus by chef dunkelberger draw upon mediterranean influences with middle eastern spices and herbs, while our dedication to using local, in-season, and organic ingredients wherever we can highlights the bounty of the northwest. our mezze and salatim dishes are meant to be shared; here we value the community that dining together brings.

Top review

RhodaVIP

Dined on Feb 26, 2025

Great happy hour prices and good service. Nice ambiance next to the fire pit

Rumba Seattle

4.7

4.7 (62)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Rumba is the Northwest's premiere rum bar featuring over 700 different rums. We make delicious rum-forward craft drinks with our freshly squeezed juices, balanced house syrups, and sourced best-quality ingredients. Our drinks are flavorful, focused and "not too sweet!"

https://www.rumbaonpike.com/

Top review

Ken

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Great little rum bar up on Cap Hill. Huge selection of rums, and the bartenders really know their stuff. Worth a stop.

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Experience

Group Seating 9-15 people

Koko's - Seattle

4.7

4.7 (44)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome To Koko's
Koko's Restaurant offers the best homemade, modern Latin cuisine. We have curated a thoughtful menu including small bites, amazing cocktails and main dishes that represent the best of Latin culture. We pride ourselves knowing we make the freshest, finest made-from-scratch food. Each of our dishes is made fresh to order, from fresh ingredients.

Top review

Rachel

Dined 2 days ago

What a treat! Get a Tulum vibe right in Cap Hill. The food, drinks and aesthetic was top tier! I highly recommend and will come back again.

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Experience

Happy Hour!

Roccos

4.6

4.6 (574)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Belltown / Pike Place Market

About the restaurant

We are committed to providing a product and service accessible to all who desire a great environment and high quality food/drink. We believe in using local, organic and artisan products whenever possible. At Rocco’s, we make as much from scratch as possible. This includes all our sauces, dressings, dough, ricotta, sausage, as well as many bar items. Some of our sources include Field Roast, Olsen Farms, Zoe’s Artisan Cured Meats, Collin’s Family Orchard.

Top review

Marya

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

We had a group of 30 in the dining space upstairs. Great service, everyone had fun, room to mingle, great food. We ordered ahead for most, then added a few for our gluten-free guests. Would recommend for groups. Great time.

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Popular dish

Caprese Salad

Camp West

4.5

4.5 (107)

$30 and under

American

West Seattle/Alki

About the restaurant

Camp West is West Seattle's 21 and up newest neighborhood restaurant.
We offer delicious dishes with ingredients sourced locally and fresh.
Our craft cocktails will remind you the days you were out in the woods with your friends.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Mar 15, 2025

We love this place. Great food, creative drinks, friendly staff, and cool atmosphere!!

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Experience

Happy Hour

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