Have had some fun nights here, but I won't be returning after what happened last Saturday. Everything was fine until the bartender ripped my friend's dollar tip in half (it was a damaged bill but still legal tender) and flung it in our face. Pony's definitely at the very bottom of my list now.
Review Source:to me, Pony is like a friend u have that u love n who loves u back but have doubts about how they feel about u a lot, even tho their feelings haven't changed. Pony is a snake charming cool customer/underwater volcano whom u haven't had that liminal discussion together about rlly rlly deep/intellectual stuff with yet (ex. "not trying to force a diversity agenda bcuz yer setup is rlly hot but sometimes i feel like im supposed to prove something in this space with the lack of prominent POC bodies on the wall. i just wanna b honest with u since we r friends Pony.") in the time continuum so u r kinda sweatin' on that dark misty dance floor having intense feelings, attuned to the sexual energies everyone/the walls r giving off, sometimes wanting to have an excuse to go to the bathroom or smoke outside (if u smoke) with everyone who smokes bcuz you're overwhelmed by how u wish u could love everyone there who is alone the way they need to b loved. this is mixed with contradictory experiences of lusting over strangers, feelin like an outsider, glazed over eyes of people u make assumptions about, "IT'S MAH BURFDAY, THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED" diva nights, medicating your issues with drank on happy hour night, SEXY DANCY TIMES EVERYONE, "y am i here!?" existential moments, being classy, being a hot mess, wanting to go home n watch something on Netflix, etc. u invite Pony to certain social gatherings bcuz u don't know what kind of expectations they have n have small anxieties about them, vice-versa. eventually, the two of u will start being able to read each others' minds but for now u r both doing u together with the occasional struggle, werkin those evenings with friends old n new, kissin n huggin, havin some real talk, bein with people outside when it is closed, belonging, unbelonging, n belonging all over again.
Review Source:HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. BARTENDERS ARE RUDE. I was there with a group of friends including one who owns a very successful restaurant in the market. Bartender got rude because we asked about the beers! After we called him out in it he says "if you don't like it you can get the fuck out". So we did. Have told everyone about the experience as well.
Review Source:Aside from having a nice patio their most distinct feature is providing the WORST customer service.
I've been to many bars around the world for many years and have never been treated so poorly and with such contempt by a bartender.
Me and a group of friends went there to celebrate a friends birthday, one of my friends approached Jack, the bartender and turned around to us to confirm  the drinks we wanted and ordered multiple drinks for all of us , Jack told him "next time make sure you know what all your friends want before you order"  there was no line behind us and no reason for him to get upset, after that another friend joined us and we asked for one more drink, Jack again told my friend in a very condescending way to know what he wants before he orders, he said this using derogatory gestures, my friend asked him why he was being so rude and he responded saying he was going to charge his card and then have him kick out of the bar.
Another of my friends told him he has been a bar tender for many years and would never treat a customer the way he treated us, Jack told him to go somewhere else and grabbed him by the arm and kicked him out.
We were all in a state of shock, we have never experienced such bad customer service, Jack was horrible to us and made us feel like dirt, he spoke over me friend, made rude remarks and acted like a bully to us when my friend called him out on his behavior, he made a gesture telling my friend to "zip it" we were only on our first drink and ready to spend more money there.
I contacted Mark, the owner, he responded with a cop-out apology and told us not to go back to his bar. Â
We don't have a problem not going back, I would never spend any more money there. Â
We went out to have a nice time and not expecting to be bullied by the bartender. Â WORST EXPERIENCE EVER.. DON'T GO TO THIS BAR!
I only gave this bar a one star because apparently Zero star is not an option.
My night ended bad at Pony Bar .
when I went to collect my credit card from the Latin or Indian bartender, They had lost my card and would not look for it, then the bouncer came over grabbed me from the back, pushing me hard outside, and "physically threw me out", I was not being rude or violent, just in shock over them losing my credit card. what If I had fallen over and hurt myself, in all the years living in Seattle I have never been thrown out or been asked to leave any establishment. My bank was notified and stopped any payment to Pony. I will NEVER go back. Just read some other comments on a few sites & yelp, this is not the first time this has happened to someone at pony. I feel violated.....The patio was the only thing about this place that's nice. Next time going to Cc's or the cuff.....
Fire the violent bouncer...
I have lived in Capitol Hill for over six years. Throughout this time and far prior I have acted as a proponent for LGBTQ rights. While at this bar, which I have attended on more than one occasion, a bartender rips a cigarette out of my mouth, telling me to "hang loose". Having worked in the industry for years, a simple "you can't do that here" would have sufficed. However, having just returned to The States after living in Polynesia, I inquired if he was perhaps from Hawaii? It is rare to hear such a phrase used, particularly in such a harsh context on the Mainland. Shortly after, I left and a bartender stormed out of the bar screaming "straight girl, don't come back". My sexuality has never been a concern of yours, nor has yours been of mine. If you find a point of contention with me that is linguistic, I would hope that you would not automatically relate it to my sexuality. This is embarrassing for Capitol Hill. I am ashamed.
Review Source:Tonight I was denied entrance because the bouncer didn't believe that my Hawaii driver's license was valid. I even showed him my state ID but was still denied entrance. I had only wished I brought my passport to show a third alternative, but the outcome would've been the same. That would've been ridiculous, anyways.
He asked me, "Why don't you have a Washington state ID?"
Well, sir, not everybody in Washington are from Washington. Is that not so obvious? People are visiting all the time, and for my case, I'm here for school. I understand Hawaii licenses might not be the norm for Pony (esp after Superbad was released and a ton of McLovin' copycats unfolded), but that by no means renders all Hawaii licenses to be fake. C'mon now.
It was a truly disappointing and embarrassing experience for me, and this was not the first time I've had trouble with Pony. In fact, my first time at Pony, the bouncer gave me a hard time for my height -- I'm 5'. Yeah, I'm short. Sorry 'bout it. He decided to let me in but not without giving his two cents, which went something like this:
"Are you REALLY 5 feet?"
"Yes."
"I don't believe you."
"Well, I am."
"Okay. But I still don't believe you."
"How tall do you think I am?"
"Not 5 feet."
"Okay... Do you want to measure me? You can do that if you want."
"No. You can get in, but I'm telling you, I don't believe you."
It was so pointless and rude and embarrassing. I held up the line while everyone stared and listened. Tonight, the same thing happened but for a far more important issue -- not accepting a real ID.
I understand that a bouncer at a gay bar might be apprehensive because I'm short, appear younger than 21, have a Hawaii license (and maybe because I'm female?), but it's incredibly rude to profile someone in that manner. I've only been to Pony twice, and I have no plans on ever returning. I've actually been to all the bars on the Hill by now, and this is the only bar I've ever had a problem with.
After my friend and I awkwardly left Pony, we went to Purr, another gay bar in the neighborhood. The bouncer simply looked at my card, slid it into a machine and gave me a friendly smile as he let me in. That's the way all bars should be when it comes to bouncers -- No judgment. No profiling. No hostility.
Just let the machines do the work and welcome new customers in with a warm smile and greeting no matter where they are from or what they look like. Let everybody have a good time.
What an unabashedly Gay Little Pony.
Try to go when it's nice out so you can chill on the patio. Â There is a photo booth. Â There is usually a scantily clad go go dancer on the bar. Â There is dancing but not really room for it so it's a bit of a cluster.
If you don't have a penis, use the bathroom marked "Boys" as there is no urinal and you can lock the door (the other one is for "Men") .
I like that Pony kind of looks like a fortress from the outside. Â A Gay Fortress.
This is a bar that's a bit outside of Capitol Hill, but still worth the trek. You can't miss it; just look for the glowing sign that has a stallion on it. Good luck finding parking.
After getting my ID checked and walking through the doors, I was assaulted by San Francisco. There was vintage porn plastered on the walls, with penises ensconced in full bushes as their owners languidly posed in full leather gear. The scent of ball sweat permeated the air, and I could've sworn I was back in one of the bars in the Castro.
Bring cash just in case. The minimum charge for credit card was $10.
The dance floor is limited, but this is a place to socialize and get to know people. There is one metal pole attached to the bar, and it seems like gogoing is up to the patrons. Down some liquid courage and work it like an inebriated gymnast.
The evening was nice and the patio was open, with a nice fire pit and bunches of men getting friendly with each other.
I came by myself just a to get a sense of the gay bar / dance scene in Seattle, and sat in a corner and people watched with my diet coke. What I can't judge is the strength of the drinks because I am Asian and my glow gets really bad, but the people were friendly and it looked like a gay ole time. The crowd was mixed and of every age. I would come here to start the night off.
Pony is a great place to grab some drinks, whether for a few minutes or a couple of hours. When it's not raining, the patio can't be beat. Never had a bad time there.
Their credit card policy is incredibly inconsistent, though. Some nights a singleton charge is no problem, others they insist that it's $10 minimum. Play it safe and bring some cash with you.
Penis walls! Hilarious, especially when you've inadvertently dragged several straight buddies in here for a last round. Talk about an education...
Ben: "I mean, who wants to look at that?!"
RJ: "You mean like strip bars?"
Ben: "Totally different, RJ."
RJ: "Explain."
Ben: ((stubborn pause)) "I can't. And I shouldn't have to."
Old school bar, new school prices (ridiculous). Seems almost entirely gimmick-driven. But so what? Something tells me I haven't had my last ride on a Pony...
Love the dirty Pony. I've spent many a drunken night here and have a blast every time. The patio is great in the warmer months and even if it's cold, the firepit does a pretty good job of keeping it warm. The space is tiny, dark and has just the right amount of seediness to make it interesting. Take a little dirty East Village a little old school Castro and leave out the Seattle attitude and you've got Pony. One of my favorite places to get drunk.
Review Source:Came here last night with a friend, and we had a pretty good time. I love the fireplace in the outside patio. Inside on the walls were many pictures of penises. My straight friend enjoyed em', and me it's not my cup of tea .. after all it's a gay bar! The crowd is also friendly and drinks were strong.
Review Source:I love the Pony! When I go out to the bars I often grade them on how good the people watching is. I have not been to the Pony enough I am sure but the people watching gets about a 'C'.
They more than make up for it though in atmosphere and the wacky movie screen they got set up, playing all kinds of oddball movies.
The atmosphere is set up what could best be described as what the gay bars in Greenwich Village probably looked like in the 1970's.
Capitol Hill is notorious for having mixed crowds in any bar. Straight men can indeed be out of their element and may feel a bit uncomfortable because the bar is unabashedly gay and any closet it came out of got burned down a long time ago.
The decor is mainly comprised of men in the buff and nothing is left to the imagination with Day of the Dead pinata skulls slowly spinning from the ceiling. Lazers are abound in the bar and if you are too cool for school coming in here you might get burned if you sit too long when a beam is getting a bead on you.
The films they play here are wide and varied. Of course you can't actually get into the movie because the sound is off and there is the thrum of music going on or a DJ spinning. It is fun to test my movie knowledge. One night they played the 1980's campfest version of Flash Gordon. Another night my jaw dropped and a big grin surfaced on me. They were playing Kenneth Anger movies! I noticed it because I was trying to figure out what was on and thought it was Anger's "Lucifer Rising" which it was after another one of his shorts came on that I recognized. Now you tell me, how cool is that??!!
The bathrooms are an experience that everyone should go into once. There is the 'Boys' bathroom and the 'Men's' bathroom. The Boys is nothing too crazy but the Men's is lit with blacklights and there is glowing writing everywhere as well as a bonafide glory hole between the toilet and the urinal. If you don't know what one is, look it up. I am sure it has been used more than once there. I used the Men's once and two straight buddies were confused as to which one to go into. One went to the Boys and the other went to the Men's. The bathroom was big enough for another person but he was not having it, he waited till I left. A fish out of water maybe? Lol!
I know a gave away too much but I had to emphasize just how great the set up is here.
They have a good amount of beer on tap and even more bottled.
Truly a fun place to go to!
This bar is not for the faint of heart.
Pony provides it's bar-goers nothing less than a provocative experience. They provide pints, pitchers, and strong pours. There are penises plastered all over the walls. The potties are nothing pleasant, try to save it for home. Â
That being said, I always meet a ton of interesting and friendly people. It doesn't take long to start conversations, and I always have a good time.
If you are female, you might be the only one there. So just don't go if you're not comfortable.
Just being here is a conversation starter. "hey did you see that penis on the wall?" "did you see THAT penis on the wall?!" so on and so forth. there's lot of vintage porn plastered on the wall. While uncomfortable to some may be the greatest thing about this place, it's really, REALLY unabashedly, unashamedly GAY.
This place has a very mixed crowd and is fairly small forcing a bit more mixing. The patio is nice, but basically a closed in box.
Emphasizing some hipster/ghetto-ness, they have Colt 45 in a paperbag, and more of PBR type of place.
Keep on rockin' in the gay world, lover.
Don't worry for a minute that you're not cool enough to come in here-of course you're not- but no one will call you out on it, so come and join the cool kids and have a drink or eight with us. We'll treat you reeeaaaalllll nice.
The cocktails are strong, the music is fan-fucking-tastic, the decor is, well, let's say it's much to my liking, and the fun times are absolutely assured every damn time you set foot inside.
Bartenders attend to your every need and  the patrons are as interesting as the art on the walls.
Don't be afraid, but do check your bullshit at the door, ain't no room for it in here, sugar.
Pony.
Where else can you break a glass, rip off your T-shirt, spill a drink over yourself and half the people around you, drop your glasses behind the banquette seating numerous times, fall onto the DJ table, snap photos of the clown head gloryhole, watch bored rhythmically challenged gogo dancers, flirt crazily with guys you're not attracted to and dance frantically to the Soft Pink Truth's "Make-Up" without anyone batting an eye?
'Nuff said.
O Pony.
Where would I be without your trashy goodness? Â Where would I turn to for assistance in my war against my liver? Bored to tears and damned if I know.
From the vintage porn to the friendly bartenders with the knowing smile who hand me my credit card the next day, I love you so much.
I can't really comment on the music. I don't pay attention to it, frankly. I stopped following contemporary music back in nineties. As for dancing, I don't go in for it much these days as I find it interferes with the liberal internal application of gin. Besides, there are other places better suited for flailing about like a gaffed salmon than Pony. Still, if you must, you can. Just watch your elbows, you slut. You nearly knocked my gin over.
Tea dance is a fave because the patio is perfect for getting totally loaded and running into friends. Or getting totally loaded and people watching if you're a wallflower like me.
What is Pony to me? The perfect neighborhood bar.
Three things that I really like: Â
To drink drinks.
To meet new people.
To dance crazily. Â
Over many, many years of Seattle visits, those three things have never been realized at the same time, ever. Â
Until Pony. Â
First time EVER in Seattle that I got people to strike up a conversation with me, instead of hurriedly running away like I had SARS the second I said, "hello". Â First time EVER, anywhere, that I got to see a go-go dancer dressed as a cat, who not only purred at me, but encouraged me to scam drinks off of the only two straight guys with seats at the bar. Â No, thanks, I said, I got this one on lock, gay/straight/unsure/whatever. Â I was too happy to be in the presence of a man dressed like a cat to care about what my tab was going to be at the end of the night. Â
In fact, I was so enthralled that I actually made a friend and got someone in Seattle to talk to me (gasp!) that I bought a round for about eight or nine people. Â We had a blast out on the back patio looking out at the city scape and getting all warm and fuzzy on Maker's Mark in plastic cups. Â
Music was fun, bartenders were sassy and friendly, it was just sweaty and packed enough to feel like home, and we had a great time. Â I drank about enough bourbon to kill a small pony, but somehow made it back to the hotel ok, only to wake up a few short hours later and want to go back immediately. Â
Our Pony night was without a doubt the most fun I've ever had at a bar in the Emerald City. Â I think the everyone-is-welcome factor is what did it, and I really appreciate that. Â Lastly, and I only say this to get this off my chest, because it is SO good, I'm both sorry and tickled that I yelled, "this ain't my first time at the rodeo" to an elderly man trying to explain to me what to do with my dollar bills in regard to tipping the go-go dancer.
What comprises the perfect gay bar?
Vintage porn depicting hairy penises on the wall: check.
Vintage porn playing on the Super 8 movie reel in the back of the bar: check.
Uber-sexy bartenders who actually work out and lift weights: Â check
Uber-sexy go-go dancers who can actually dance: Â check
Rockin' DJ: Â check
Stiff drinks: Â check
Cool patio with fire pit: Â check
Dimly-lit bathrooms with glory holes: Â check.
What else do you need, yo?
You like sleazy dark atmospheres, vintage porn, queers, and strong drinks? Have a good sense of humor?
Pony.
I am here most Monday nights for their Dirty Deeds (tribute to old school metal).
The place is pretty small for a bar, but it works. Even when it's packed, there is always room outside on the enclosed patio.
Photobooth? check. Gotta make sure your night is memorialized forever. And yep - you really did that.
David is my favorite bartender, but have never had bad service.
My favorite place to hit if I'm doing a c-hill crawl or to spend the last portion of my evening out.
As Jason P said, the staff and patrons are the least judgy folks you'll find in this area of town. Feel free to be yourself and have a great time.
This is my favorite bar in Seattle. Apart from the awesome atmosphere, cheap drinks, and always great music... My favorite thing about Pony is how friendly and non-judgemental the staff and patrons are. I as a strait dude get and un-welcoming vibe from many a gay bar, but never here. This is a great place to bring and make friends. Come as you are, Have fun.
I do however miss the hell out of the air hockey table.
Wherein Corinna walks into the Pony and immediately thinks, "Sup, weiners." And then, "There is no place to siiiiiiiiiit why are you doing this to me." And THEN: "Yaaaaay patio!" Welcome to my thought process, everyone. It's super fascinating.
Good music. Good bartenders. Good drinks. Love the patio area, especially the front portion that reminds me of the bow of a ship. Wish the chairs in the bow swivelled so I could turn around and holler at people walking in 360 degrees, but not everything can be perfect. It was a pretty low key evening, but I definitely want to come back for one of the debaucherous dancey nights.
The gay dive bar to MAKE all other gay dive bars! I walked into this misty little room and felt dirty. But i think that whats their going for so good job! Its dark and kind of damp with loud thumping 80's style music emitting from a very small elevated DJ studio complete with flashing lights, strobes and discoballs. The walls are covered in life size photos of naked guys and yes lots of penises so be ready for that cause I so wasn't lol. The air hockey table is off in a corner, its covered in unknown scuff's and substances which actually makes it pretty useless.... The restrooms are labled Mens and Boys and being neither of these figured boys was a pretty good bet, no body corrected me so I figured WTH.
The drinks are ok at best so I stuck to cheap champagne for most of the time i was there. The bartender was super sweet to me (being the only chick and so obviously out of place there) and I really appreciated that. The other guys didn't really seem to mind a woman's presence (token fruit fly of hte night i suppose). I was a little disapointed that when they realized I was a chick they switched the tv from gay porn to some Dinah Washington like video... meh whatever I really don't mind either way.
I wouldn't run back here or anything but I had a good time so if you are the nights fruit fly, show the boys how butch you are and take em to Pony : )
When I first came to Seattle and started to Yelp. I keep hearing about this Dive Bar called Pony. Something seemed very "unique?" about the original pony's, A Creepy Cool with 70's back page ads and in the  center of attention air hockey table.When people enter your greeted with a cheers style "Gay Derogatory term"being shouted at entering patrons. Unfortunately It closed when I first heard about it as it was bulldozed over to make condo's..(i think)
But it magically it re-open looking like a entrance to Camelot...A Gay(er) Camelot with air hockey and a guy dressed up in Mexican fiesta fare.
The entrance  sign telling incoming patrons that this Gay Bar is a very Gay Bar, No homophobes..and when I entered I did not hear anyone saying the Official Pony style greeting but oh well. I got my Diet Coke and walk around..Filled with young gays, lesbians, Boi's and ambiguous Hipsters. A nice girl started making convo and everyone seemed to be very nice.
Awesome music and dance lights decorated the mini dance floor.
It seems to be more polished and even upscale(?) to my readings of the original pony's of just being a dive bar with air hockey.
Being a prude of anything pornographic i felt fine here...There was 1950's video's playing and they were more humorous than pornographic..like a Gay three stooges or a silent movie humor video's of gay scenario's. Â The times of people not talking to me I have this social thing where I look at the decor at bars...but the only thing to look at is pics of nude men and the video's...I am not really thinking about it but something to place my eyes and to think to myself as a social shield but then i realized my eyes have been on a picture of a nude dude for 6mins..and I don't think it's a straight or gay thing but when does that not get socially unacceptable at starting at walls of nude people and not looking like a creep...So I spectated Airhocky and seemed like it was not as a big thing to do at the new pony's but it's there as people dance and drink PBR from paper bags.
but overall It's a cool place and a friendly vibe.
note:should bring cash..Credit is a $10.00 minimum
Any gay bar that plays "Assimilate" by Skinny Puppy as background music automatically has my loyalty.
The second coming of Pony learned some lessons from its former incarnation on Pine Street: I can sit comfortably along a wall-length bench (or outside where the patio is covered); the bar offers more libations than Seattle-cliché PBR; and the interior personifies what it meant to be young, gay, and curious about the back pages of many a gay rag.
A beer and a top-shelf cocktail didn't break the bank, either. Not that I'm naming names (as I look in the direction of a catty neighbor), but it's nice to have a cocktail that doesn't cost $9.
You boys at Pony keep playing the classics and I'll keep comin' back for more. If you take requests, any chance of hearing hiLt or Coil?
UPDATE:
Ok ok I do not usually go back on my word but I am changing my review on this place. Â Last year (almost to the day) I had a 30th birthday party held for me at Pony. Â Despite my last review on this place I went anyways since it was being thrown by co-workers. Â Service turned out to be very good and the current bartender was super accommodating. Â They allowed us to have a stripper on the patio, plug in a boombox, and take up most of the deck for the party. Â
I am also impressed that the owner wrote me to inform me that the the "bitchy bartender" I experience before was no longer employed there. Â That was a good business move and I am thankful the owner was concerned enough to update me. Â
Time has gone by since my last review and I have to say I am now impressed. Â
Good Luck Pony -
------------
Old News. Â
I agree with the last comment about it not being the same as the old Pony especially the new bitchy bartender.  Nothing says "welcome to our new business" like yelling "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" agressively at a customer when ordering  (and no, it was not loud at the time)
The bar itself was interesting and definitely worth a look around. Â Patio was the best place to stand due to the insides layout. Â Maybe as time goes on my thoughts will change about this place but until then I'll keep it at not impressed.
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