Here’s a sea shanty to sing this fall: When you’re blown off the boat by a gusty gale, head for a nautical-style bar to hoist an ale or cocktail. No matter the selected Seattle spot, they can all be found less than ten minutes from the chilly dock.
BAIT SHOP
Capitol Hill; baitshopseattle.com
The eatin’ and drinkin’ are good at this bar located in the Capitol Hill hood. With warm, wood- paneled walls accented by mounted fish decor, Bait Shop exudes a friendly, Midwest-vibe and excels in crispy, beer-battered fish sammies, classic cod and hand-cut chips, and a selection of cheekily-named cocktails that includes the Catch of the Day, a seasonally changing frozen beverage. There’s always locally brewed drafts on tap and the Captain’s List of premium hard liquor to choose from. Nearby Docks & Drive Time: Chandler’s Cove (1.5 miles; 9 minutes); Bell Harbor Marina (2.5 miles; 10 minutes)
MARITIME PACIFIC BREWERY
Ballard; maritimebrewery.com
Home to the Jolly Roger Taproom, named in honor of its incredibly popular holiday brew, this longtime Ballard brewery offers up handcrafted ales and lagers in a swashbuckling setting that starts with the pirate flags draped from wooden beams overhead, and goes all the way down to the antique-style nautical chart painted on the floor. Belly up to the bar, or tuck into a cozy booth, and enjoy a draft from the rotating selection of 14 taps, including cask-conditioned ales drawn on three genuine English beer engines. Yo-ho! Nearby Docks & Drive Time: Sagstad Marina (0.2 miles; 3 minutes); Shilshole Marina (2.6 miles; 8 minutes); Elliott Bay Marina (3.2 miles; 9 minutes)
THE OCTOPUS BAR
Wallingford; theoctopusbar.com
The Octopus Bar in Wallingford welcomes you aboard with a selection of nautically themed cocktails, including Davy Jones Locker (that’s Hornitos Repo tequila, triple sec, lemon and lime juice, sour, and a float of St-Germain, all with a salted rim) and our current fave, the Ruby Mainsail, crafted with Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, grapefruit juice, soda, rosemary syrup, and lemon. The rich interior is lovingly filled with treasures from the sea, with curiosities such as porthole-shaped mirrors tucked into the inviting booths and the bevy of buoys hanging from the ceiling, all beckoning you to sit down, sip, and stay awhile. (That’s a task made even easier by the tasty eats available from sister biz, the Salty Shack; the hearty Buoy BLT is not to be missed.) Nearby Docks & Drive Time: Boat Street Marina (1.5 miles; 6 minutes); Northlake Marina (1.5 miles; 7 minutes)
