Don’t know what you’ve heard during this lovey-dovey season, but “one” is not the loneliest number . Not by a longshot.
Treating yourself to a nice, quiet drink or meal solo is one of life’s great pleasures. Particularly in Seattle, where there are so many cool nooks to curl up in on a winter’s day. Here are a few local options that should satisfy all the lone rangers out there.
For dive lovers
- Twilight Exit | Central District | The neighborhood haunt offers warm vibes, good convo, and stiff drinks. What more do you need?
- Waterwheel Lounge | Ballard | This place is solid when the bartenders pal with the regulars and Pabst leads the beer list. If you’re brave, grab the mic during Waterwheel’s epic karaoke nights.
For bookworms
- Chuck’s Hop Shop | Seward Park | This bottle shop with rotating drafts shares a space with Third Place Books, so you can have fresh reads and hops.
- The Fireside Room | Downtown’s Hotel Sorrento | Cozy seats, roaring fires, and silent reading parties make for boozy literary dreams.
The Fireside Room is worthy of winter hibernation.
Photo via Hotel Sorrento
For foodies
- Off Alley | Columbia City | The space is tight, but the wine list and rotating snacks with creative uses of offal is even tighter.
- TOMO | White Center | Grab a seat at the bar during low-key hours — and make sure you order those mounds of icy deliciousness known as kakigori .
For 40+ singles
- Founders Club | Downtown’s Fairmont Olympic | The speakeasy located behind an inconspicuous bookcase offers a sophisticated atmosphere without pretension — see who catches your eye.
- The Doctor’s Office | Capitol Hill | Cure whatever ails you with a well-crafted cocktail or rare spirit at the intimate 12-seater. If bartender/local historian Andrew Bohrer is there, chat him up — he has some stories.