What an awesome place to spend an evening! I wasn't sure what to expect, so I can't really say I was surprised at how great of a time I had, but I wouldn't have guessed I'd be writing a 5 star review. I tend to be stingy with my stars; I have to be blown away to rate this highly.
Let's start with the service, since it was the highlight. We were terribly late for our reservation, because we foolishly tried to drive straight there from the Mariners game. Everyone was convinced that they were going to give our table away; especially since when we called just after the game we told them we were only about 30-45 mins behind - an estimate that ended up being off by an hour. When we finally did arrive I called upstairs and was quite pleasantly surprised to be greeted happily and told not to worry, and to just come on up.
The drinks were delicious, and even though I didn't really know what I wanted, the server walked me through some questions and came back with what can best be described as works of alcoholic art. All three times.
The hors d'oeuvres were a hit too. I ended up enjoying a few different things that I'd previously had no interest in even trying. I don't recall the names of the dishes unfortunately, but having had, and loved, a few of them I'll go ahead and vouch for their entire menu. Â
I can't say enough positive things about Tavern Law. Everything was just great.
Cocktail was very good, but was particularly impressed with the food given the reasonable prices. Had the fish with corn, perfectly cooked and the only thing it lacked was a bit of salt/pepper, but I can concede that as personal taste.
Great place to go to if you want to catch up with a friend or grab drinks with a small group, as space is limited.
I called for a reservation -- the man who answered said they did not take reservations. Â When we arrived, they asked if we had a reservation! Â We didn't but got a table anyway -- but not in the preferred upstairs. Â We waitress was a bit snippy and service was slow. Â Drinks were nothing special (we ordered off the happy hour menu). Â We had ham & cheese crisps which were pretty good.
When we were getting prepared to leave (we decided to go elsewhere for dinner) we asked for the waitress to order us a taxi. Â "Oh, we don't do that!" Â I asked: ""In this day and age, what responsible bar doesn't have the taxi numbers on auto dial?"
Will we return? Â No! Â However, we did have a fun time at another speakeasy -- see my review for Knee High Stockings a few blocks away.
I had heard about this place for awhile and finally dragged my husband there since we both love a good, unique cocktail. We were impressed with the menu and willingness of the bartenders to glady deviate from the menu to mix a drink. I personally ordered the Hemingway Daquiri (a favorite of mine from a bar in Florida) and it tasted equally delicious here. My husband asked for an old fashioned and we appreciated that the bartender took the time to ask how he liked them. He put his own personal spin on the drink and it was one of the best tasting Old Fashioned drinks I've tasted. Full of flavor that unfolded like a fine wine!
We decided to order food - the fingerling potatoes with serrano fondue, the beet and fennel salad with pine nuts and champage vinegarette and the fried chicken with green and mashed potatoes. The salad was light and tasty - the serrano fondue yummy and the fried chicken good for Seattle but still not like we are used to in the South. Still good nonetheless!
I'd visit again - friendly bartenders who clearly love mixing amazing drinks and full of tips about the area for dining, sports and activities!
What an awesome place to randomly find!
My boyfriend and I were staying at the Gaslight Inn and didn't want to head downtown for dinner, so we explored the nearby establishments and ended up at Tavern Law.
Ordinarily, I'd make fun of a place like this for resembling something you'd see in an episode of Portlandia, but I pushed my inherent snark aside once I received my NW Julep (or, what I called "cup o' bourbon") and foie gras terrine with toast.
These people know how to be proper gastronomists and mixologists, hands down. I think it's saying something that I found THIS place to be one of the most memorable spots during my visit (more so than Pike's Place and the Space Needle).
The only food worth eating here is the incredible edible beet salad. So good. I've tried a lot of other items on their menu and they are all disappointing, like reheated frozen food level of disappointing. They're primarily a bar so this doesn't count heavily against them... nothing they offer could be called a meal on it's own. But the beet salad, y'all. Even if you don't like beets, it's worth trying.
The drinks? I don't know. I find all of them to be sour. One day when they weren't busy, I was here for a rather long time, and ordered a few drinks over the course of a few hours. All were really quite sour and I disliked them.
All of the staff are kind. The doorman gave us a great tip one day about getting upstairs and it worked! The kind lady who waited on me during my sampling spree was all smiles and just a nice person. I would come back, but maybe to try a custom drink upstairs. :)
I came here a while back with a group of co-workers. We were looking for a good ol' speakeasy. There's a phone inside that may grant you access to the upstairs speakeasy (the Needle & Thread bar). We tried a number of times, but we were just not Gatsby enough to mix with the cool kids behind the secret door. If you have deciphered the secret code word / secret handshake, please share the love.
The Tavern Law was the place where I discovered my love for ginger beer. It was served as a chaser for a shot of frenet branca, which is also impressive. This bar is fairly intimate, with few booths and a number of bar seats. It gets busy on Friday nights, obviously. We ended up standing around with our drinks.
I felt a slow brush along my head and jumped when I turned around and saw a 30 something year old woman in a Forever 21 prom dress. Said lady purred, "I love your hair."
Okay so I was sufficiently creeped out, but why four stars? Because this place can do a drink right. I came up from Portland to visit a friend in the neighborhood, and one of our stops was Tavern Law for a quick drink. One look inside and I was hooked, what with all the wood grain, leather-bound menus, and the massive built in bookshelf with enough books to make you feel like a fucking Winklevoss twin.
Pros: The service. Before ordering, I asked the bartender what Becherovka was and he told us a bit about the history, and without me even noticing, a tasting of it suddenly appeared in front of me. It was glorious and tasted like Chai. We decided on the Horchata cocktail and the Lusty Lady. The Horchata was exactly what I was hoping for and hit the spot for a summer night. The Lusty Lady had brandied cherries with lavender bitters. Did you hear me? LAVENDER BITTERS, goddammit. The Asian Criss Angel Mindfreak bartender + the drinks = amazing.
CONS: The music was a miss for me. There were late 90's throwbacks, like the Fresh Prince theme song and Destiny's Child. Don't get me wrong, I ain't got nothin' against Queen Bey, but if I'm going to spend $14 on a drink, I'm going to expect some choice tunes that match the ambiance of the rest of the bar. This atmosphere didn't help the situation with the drunk women hootin' and hollerin' in the entryway. The Forever 21 going on 30 year old lady was among them. That hot mess could've been prevented by some Lovage or Handsome Boy Modeling School. Minus one star for the questionable music choices and washed up sorority girls that came with.
Tavern Law is a handsome, masculine bar that's run like a well-oiled machine serving up a slew of expertly crafted cocktails that will keep your interest. The service is top notch, and the atmosphere is...lively. Definitely looking forward to returning here on my next trip.
PS: If Tavern Law is the older brother who graduated law school at UW, Portland's Irving St. Kitchen is his cooler, more rustic little sister. Check it out if you're heading down to the area for a similar-ish vibe, pricing, and a more food-centric menu.
I came here on a Thursday around 9 or so. Â Not too crowded at that point. Â I hear there is a smaller venue upstairs. Â Want to check that place out sometime. Â
This place reminds me of Canon in that it is another cocktail focused bar with a cocktail menu that reflects that. Â It can take a while to figure out which drink/s you want to try. Â I had a few and all were decent. Â The one I remember liking the most was the basil gimlet. Â Like Canon this place rocks the old skool decor but not as ornate as Canon. Â Friendly staff. Â
Unlike Canon, Tavern has food. Â A few other patrons were eating and the food looked decent. Â I am intrigued by the pork belly. Â I'm going to try the burger with pork belly next time. Â Seeing if it'll be worth the $19. Â
Some how a small bug landed in my friend's drink. Â We pointed it out to the bartender and he immediately apologized for that and got us a new drink. Â While that should be expected a nice establishments, it's still nice to see.
This place is good, but I don't understand why it was named one of the best bars in america. I've been here for happy hour and gotten a burger and fries, and a couple drinks, and everything was tasty but average. Nothing especially amazing tasting or unique. Service was average. Their happy hour isn't that great either - limited menu and not that much of discount. I'd come back here but it wouldn't necessarily be my first choice. Good restaurant/bar, but nothing too special.
Review Source:Hand crafted specialty cocktails. Sours, Flips, Punches, Highballs, Fizzes and Seasonally Inspired Cocktails, i enjoy the Sophia Loren - (Fernet, Pineapple and Sparkling Wine). The menu also features wines, sherry, beer, cider and a large selection of hard liquors.
The food menu is small but with a nice variety. Little plates (olives, nuts), Beet Salad (which I adore), Potatoes, Mac 'n Cheese, Burger, Fried Chicken, Fish and a few more offerings.
The downstairs bar ambiance does not compare to the upstairs speakeasy, but the doorman was kind enough to score me a table for eight without a wait on a Friday night. The waitress was thoughtful enough to realize the music was too loud in our booth and had it turned down without prompting. Service was great early on, but we found it a bit lacking as it became later.
If you are dressed for the evening, I would suggest you make the secret phone call to gain entry into the speakeasy.
Really enjoy the vibe in this place. Â Have been here 3x now and the bartenders are very friendly. Â If the bar downstairs is busy the staff comes out to your group to take orders which is amazing.
Cocktail list is wonderfully varied and makes for an enjoyable evening.
Go upstairs if you have the chance/have a reservation. Â Its quiet but they make custom cocktails for you based on your preferences. Really fun and tasty!
I thought this bar had a really cool feel to it. We walked in to the dimly lit spot post dinner for a cocktail, and automatically loved the atmosphere. The floor to ceiling bookshelves make it seem like a speak-easy, and there is a bolted door to an upstairs dinner area that only opens by phone call.
Be prepared for expensive drinks! Our cocktails were very original and tasty, but we thought for the price the size of the beverage was small. The wait staff was nice, and gave us some suggestions based on liquors we liked. We didn't get a chance to try the food, but the descriptions made it sound very good.
All in all, would definitely return again for a late-night drink just because the spot was so cool.
I look forward to going back the next time I am in Seattle. Â
The boyfriend and i hand a great time at the bar, grazing and getting 4 drinks deep. Â We went early on a Friday and got spots at the bar.
I guess by Seattle standards its expensive. Â On the SF scale I would call the prices moderate.
Service was excellent and even though the bar was busy the whole time we were there, the bartender still made time to BS with us about booze.
By the time we left it was a shit show. Â Why do people go to these types of bars and get a vodka soda?
If you like cocktails, go, and go early.
We stopped in for a drink and a quick bite before a show. Â I have been in a few times. Â I have always enjoyed the drinks, but I have never had the food. Â The menu always looked promising, but I was never hungry... just thirsty. Â
We did some miscalculations on our show time and we cut our food a little short. Â Bummer, what we tried was really good and there were other items that I wanted to try (Pork Belly with peas and onions). Â We had the smoked fingerlings with Serrano fondue and a beet salad.
The potatoes came out in small halves in a friend coating. Â They did not taste smoked to me or my wife, but they were delicious. Â The Serrano fondue was just the right amount of heat. Â
The salad had a great mixture of different beets. Â They topped it with greens and candies pine nuts. Â It was a perfect portion for us to share. Â
The drinks are still well crafted, but I find them a bit under portioned and pricey. Â The food quite the opposite; I think they are generous with the portions for the price. Â I guess it balances out.
This place is always so packed that we rarely get a chance to visit.
BUT I happen to have my barre3 class right next door and randomly decided to meet my squeeze for happy hour one afternoon post-workout. We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed a few beers... completely different experience than the dark, swanky velvety night scene (that's right, I said velvety - and you're probably like "wtf does that mean?" but you go to Tavern Law at around 10pm on a Friday night and you'll totally get it).
The drink prices are a little high, but that is to be expected for this type of place in that location - so no complaints. I hear there is some exclusive club upstairs you have to use an old timey phone to access but I haven't had the privilege to be invited yet.
We used Tavern Law as a gathering place for us to meet our friends on a recent weeknight evening. It was quiet and relatively empty at 8pm. Good start.
We were seated in front of the bookshelves and ordered some cocktails while we waited. I can't complain about my Moscow Mule. We shared the fried chicken plate and the chicken was tender and juicy despite its pleasantly crispy exterior. The server explained that this was due to the fact that they sous-vide the chicken before they fry it. Good idea, guys.
I wish we'd stayed at Tavern Law for longer, but alas, we had reservations upstairs at Needle & Thread and opted to head up there to see what all the fuss was about. I imagine that Tavern Law gets pretty busy on weekends but on the Wednesday night we were there, it was just perfect.
Updating this review because I've recently taken a mental inventory of all the coolest bars I've been to in the Seattle area, and this one really is the tops. My hands-down favorite. When I walk in, my brain cells simultaneously sigh with relief and dance with joy.
The drinks are still the best, whether you order off their huge drink menu or ask for a customized concoction. I don't know what kind of training McCracken and Tough put their bartenders through, but these professionals behind the bar should become pensioners here because they are gold.
The food is some of the best bar food you'll ever get. Spur Gastropub, their other place in Belltown, has great food as well, but I like the atmosphere here much more.
The dark wood, small interior, low lighting and just the right amount of noise make for an evening that is stimulating, relaxing and highly enjoyable. It will put even the biggest grumpy ass in their happy place.
I've wanted to try this place eversince i found out that it was actually a bar. It was a lot bigger than i expected - i also thought the whole speakeasy idea inside the bar was pretty cool. Our server was fairly attentive and helpful when we were choosing our cocktails - and the bartenders looked like they knew what they were doing (i.e., using the real ingredients/ right tools, no shortcuts, etc.). The downside was their food. We ordered the cheese tray, fried chicken, and pork belly. You can't really go wrong with the cheese tray, so I'll just leave it at that. Their fried chicken was a bit too salty and kind of undercooked (I think). We couldn't tell for sure because it was too dark inside, but it looked very pinkish. The pork belly was just too small and too crispy. It didn't feel like i was eating any meat; it was just all crispiness.
I would probably come back for drinks, but I'd pass on their food.
It's a craft cocktail bar. Â Among several other craft cocktail bars - Bathtub Gin, Spur, ZigZag - where I am happy to sit with a friend and have a well-balanced, bourbon-based...cocktail. Â When I can, it's divine here. But more often than not, it's too crowded, and the overwhelmed staff is too busy to be bothered. Â I often can't find a place to sit down, but unlike some other bars where that wouldn't be a problem, there is a palpable sense that I'm in the way. I was once even scolded for trying to order a drink at the bar. Reason: I needed to wait for a server to come find me.
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Cocktails here are amazing, but not the best in the city. Yes, this place has accolades from GQ and other national magazines, and they are mostly well-deserved, but...I don't know, I liked Tavern Law better when it wasn't so...BIG. Now it's packed and somewhat noisy even during non-peak hours.
During peak hours, my boyfriend and I have waited 45 minutes for a proper drink (after waiting to get inside), and I'm just not convinced it's THAT good.
Food menu is schmancy but lackluster... my boyfriend makes better honey barbeque chicken, sorry Tavern Law.
Good happy hour drink variety, though, which is a definite plus. I like the atmosphere if you catch it when it's not too busy, and it's actually kind of refreshing that people still dress up to come here.
Three stars because it doesn't live up to the hype...without all the hype and my memories of how much I loved the Tavern Law of 3-4 years ago, I'd give this place 4 stars.
Excellent drinks and knowledgeable staff! Sit at the bar, tell the bartender what kind of drinks you do like and watch them let their creative juices flow!... liquor juices of course :)
I rarely drink so I'm definitely picky when it comes to the few times I actually do order an "adult beverage." Â I tend to typically play it safe by ordering a gin & tonic as that is a classic that can't be messed up. But when I came here, after letting the bartender know I preferred gin but nothing that sweet, I was introduced to a refreshing treat! Presented to me was an extremely chilled gin concoction with a hint of cucumber and fresh ginger! Â Easy to drink, full of flavor and best of all, no artificial sugary flavoring included!
Bartenders of Tavern Law, thank you for possibly encouraging my intake of alcoholic drinks ;)
We walked in after dinner as that is where my sister and her fiance had their first "date". Â We were by then a group of 8 and we walked and amazingly got the back bathroom area booth- which fit us perfectly. Â Aside from the stares as people gave us whilst heading to the washroom the space was private and perfect. Â
We were getting a little weary from our days travels but I couldn't let my little sister's bachelorette party end before the sun went down.
They were having derby day specials and we all ordered some delish drinks. Â I had the best shirley temple of my entire life. Â It was so yummy, I could drink a gallon of it. Â Everyone else loved their drinks. Â We lounged there for a solid 40 minutes, service was a tad slow from greeting, to ordering to getting our drinks.
Note: they had the best music playlist I have ever heard. Â The person who compiled it is a genius and I may return just to hear some more.
Tavern Law is undeniably a quality experience when price is no object.
You can have a hamburger cooked by someone with actual food handling ability.
You can have a cocktail made to be pretty if not quite what you were expecting. Â
(I had a strawberry fruity drink that made a girl cluck at me. Â Hey. Â I can drink what I want. Â My manly pedigree is beyond question. Â I could do it in drag and likely still be the manliest guy in the room. Â On the hill, this goes double.)
So you can come here and have a couple drinks and a bite for $50 from superior mixologists bartender superheros who will give you no end of shit if you fail to kowtow sufficiently to them.
Those are the rules. Â Play by them or have a bad time.
I need to revisit this place, because I'm afraid I may have visited on an 'off' night. I was expecting a 5-star experience, but it fell short. First of all, it was already late - past 12, definitely, and people in here were already drunkenly falling off their barstools. (Points for hilarity!)
Although it didn't seem crowded, the staff were obviously too busy to attend to everyone who was there, so it took a few minutes for anyone to stop by and help us. But once they did, they were really friendly and of course our drinks were AMAZING. I would have liked to try more, but the crowd that night was just not doing it for me, so I finished my drink and we took off.
I will probably stop by Needle and Thread next time, hopefully the clientele there have a bit more class and the employee:patron ratio will be better.
Recently visiting Seattle, I did a little yelp researching and decided I wanted to try the cocktails at Needle and Thread. Â After thoroughly detoxing at a yoga class, I hopped into a Car2go feeling like a very savvy traveler indeed and headed to the bar. Â Sadly, I didn't have the where-with-all to know that Needle and Thread is actually closed on Monday nights.
So, readers, this is how I find myself perched against the bar at Tavern Law. I ordered a White Negroni which I was a bit sad to discover had no Aperol in it until I took a sip- delicious! Â For my eats, I grabbed a nice beet salad with arugula which was also tasty. Â Honestly, I believe the staff here made my experience. Â All of the service staff was very friendly and as a solo traveler, included me in conversation and handed out great recommendations of where to go next.
What, I haven't reviewed this place yet? 5 Stars. "That was easy!"
Excellent cocktails. Order something well crafted or something off the cocktail list. Be adventurous. I prefer my cocktails in metal cups, last I heard somebody stole all their copper cups. Le sigh. What's really great is that yes, this place can get busy and crowded, but it's kind of a passing through type place so it won't take you long to get a seat if you want to stay a while.
I really like the crowd here. It's interesting people who aren't that stupid typical Cap Hill type running a muck on the streets. It's more sophisticated, of course, and people are generally pleasant. The staff has always been very kind, very helpful, and prompt enough (enough for a drink that's going to take some work).
The food here is absolutely excellent. Foie Gras, beet salad, both were decadent. The burger looked interesting as I saw it pass by but I do want to try the other things.
Although not like any of the speakeasies in town with a door front visible to the public, Tavern Law does have it's secrecy and allure. It is always bustling with liveliness and drinkers of all sorts. The decor reminds us of an 1800's saloon with a spinning roulette and dart board, grandiose chandeliers, and ceiling high bookcase. It's pegged to have some secret door with steps leading to an abyss of happiness.
And so it does...if you look right by the bookcase, there is a steel door that catches the eye. What it is for, I have yet to ask. I imagine it's a storage room, but the suspension of a non-generic answer tingles inside waiting till the next time I go.
Lastly, the lounge area to the right of the bar is where I imagine the old-fashion go-go dancers and their gentlemen friends to be, laughing and drinking the night away.
The drink menu is massive and caters to all kinds of drinkers. I appreciate when bartenders make me a light drink when asked for, but there is no such thing at Tavern Law. If you order a hard one, you will get a hard one. It is wise to call them mixologists vs bartenders because their concoctions are surprising to the eyes and tasteful to the tongue. (They even have the 7 Stars Moonshine, in case you're interested).
I wish I could recommend a couple drinks, but I forgot to log the ones I tried. So not Yelper of me. I have yet to try the specials on the menu (ie. foie gras terrine or pork shoulder), but this is already on my list of "late night drinking."
What've I been doing all these years (all these long loooong years...oh wait I've only been legal for 2. HAH.) wasting my time getting drinks at any place OTHER than Tavern Law? If you're looking to wind down your night chatting with friends or to start off your night with some very well made drinks, this is the place to be!
I don't know a ton about different spirits, taste profiles, etc. etc. but I do know what I like, so I told the bartender I liked bourbon and felt like drinking something super citrusy -- its just what I was in the mood for even though I hadn't ever had a drink that tasted like that before. "Well," said the bartender knowingly. "If you're okay with rye, which is a bit spicier than bourbon, then the Tiger's Paw is the drink for you." And, oh my goodness, what a perfect drink it was! The same thing happened when my friend ordered a drink and when we ordered our second round: we'd just throw out a couple drink ingredients that we knew we liked and something amazing would be whipped right up and carefully placed right in front of us -- the Yelp reviews are true, my friend.
We went on a quieter Wednesday evening, so it wasn't too packed, but there were small groups of people chatting in the booths, a small group of dudes starting off their night (but politely not being too rowdy), and a small group of people playing bar games in the corner. A solid place to hang out and enjoy the best drinks in Seattle.
This could easily become one of my favorite cocktail bars in Seattle. It's certainly quieter and roomier than Oliver's Twist, another favorite of mine. I met my date here last night; I waited for him in a corner at the counter by the door. Once he showed up, we stayed put since most of the tables were taken. This arrangement worked out quite well for us; we were far enough away from other patrons that we could enjoy some close conversation without other people listening in by accident. We also had plenty of room, so we weren't cramped. The music, while discernible, remains at a background level, so it doesn't interfere with conversation. I like the way the interior of Tavern Law is divided with half-walls: They create separate spaces without making you feel like you're in a maze.
I started with an English something-or-other, made with Earl Grey vodka, lemon, honey, and soda. The drink was delicious, but highly astringent, and therefore probably not something I'd order again. Later in the evening, I moved on to a rye old-fashioned, with was more or less perfect.
Our server, thinking we were finished, brought our bill to us after the first round of drinks, but we had no trouble flagging him down to order some food and another drink. Incidentally, we got our order in just in time for happy hour prices: 10% off food. The smoked fingerling potatoes are a nice twist on the traditional french fry. I also had a bite or two of my date's macaroni & cheese, which is served in a skillet and made with cavatappi, my favorite shape of pasta for macaroni & cheese. Definitely get the macaroni & cheese if that's your kind of dish.
To quality cocktails, fine food, and outstanding service!
I stopped in last night for the first time when I found out some other Yelpers had swung by for happy hour. Tavern Law is cozy, the decor chosen with care, and was close to being full when I showed up a little after 6 PM. I had a seat at the bar, immediately got water, figured out what I wanted, but had to wait ten minutes to order a drink, which took another five minutes to get to me. I understand that it's busy, but they should have been staffed accordingly for a Friday evening. Customers to my left were wondering when they would get their drinks as well, having had to wait over 15 minutes (at the bar, no less) to get their cocktails. My cocktail was decent, but not mind blowing, and for the $11 price tag, I was seriously hoping for more kick, flavor, and actual drink- my cup was half foamed egg white. I didn't have them remake it because of how long it took to get it to begin with.
I will give Tavern Law props for being one of the few bars I've seen carry both akvavit and Fleur de Caña aged 7 and 12 year rum- but when I get more of a buzz sipping my shot of akvavit than I do one of their very decently sized $13 cocktails, I question what they are watering down their alcohol with. They also tried charging me for a more expensive liquor than I ordered and received.
I wouldn't come out of my way to go to Tavern Law- it's too expensive for me to frequent unless it's a special occasion or someone else is buying. I'll stick with Knee High for now- they have more cocktails in the $7 and $8 price range and the bartenders don't make me want to start yelling for attention.
Needle and Thread..... Such a fancy schmancy place I must say!!! Seeing how my fabulous cousins were having their 10th anniversary at this venue I knew I was in for a treat. Boy was did this place live up to the standards and then some.
Being the Yelp Elite that I am, I had to look at the reviews and pictures ahead of time to get a better idea of what we were stepping into but I will have to say that the pictures did no justice and reviews can only do so much for this place.
Walking into Tavern Law, which is the actual bar and location, you won't find Needle and Thread anywhere on the outside (well I didn't atleast) you get a full of the 60's maybe even 50's feel of old rustic saloon. We looked for the door and saw the phone located to right and upon the given password, we opened the door to a wooden stair case that was lined with some pretty looking (naked) women, HA!! At the top of the staircase a secret floor of old world glitz and glamour prevailed and I was super excited to start wandering around!
Did I mention that my fabulous cousin hosted a themed party, yes, "Mad Men!" at is so true and fitting to the surroundings!!! I can't even put all the words together to describe Needle and Thread and all it's glory, you really just have to see this place for yourself!!!
The service we were provided was top notch as well, the drink menu was, "open bar" and our bartender was AH-Mazing, I really wish I could remember his name! The drinks that he was supply all around sounded so delicious and my special request of "mocktails" made me feel like I was really drinking an alcoholic beverage!!! The food menu was to delicious as well and being the foodies that my husband and I are we saw the foie gras and had to try it:) Yum, Yum, in my pregnant TUM!!!
Needle and Thread has to be a one of those places that you have to experience, I'm not sure if they open it up to everyone, I doubt it as the place was pretty pristine. The restroom itself spoke words to the authenticity of this place!!!
5 stars deservingly Needle and Thread!
I've tried giving this place a fair chance to win me over a few times but every attempt seems to be a wasted effort. It's beautiful and gives the impression that you are going to have an elegant time drinking with friends. But the reality is that it's too loud like a standard bar, the staff will not or can not help you on a timely manner and there are simply too many other places you can go that will be worth you time.
I came in tonight because I'm looking for a place that makes a great French 75. This is not that place. What I received was more like a gin Lemon Drop than what I had ordered. Was the champagne or sparkling wine just flat? Was there even gin in my drink? I honestly couldn't tell. And this happened to be the most costly "French 75" that I bought that night.
Headed out to Capitol Hill for the first time since we moved up to Washington and picked out a few bars to visit. This was the first stop and both the man and I were liking the ambiance.
We ordered a Moscow Mule (me) and an Old Fashion (him) and shared the Mac and Cheese with Duck Fat Bread Crumbs, Apple and Watercress. My Moscow Mule was... meh, not bad but I'd definitely had much better but the Mac n Cheese was really good! I mean, duck fat bread crumbs? A total win.
Like Jordan L. said, the bartenders seemed.... preoccupied and not completely attentive to when we needed more drinks, or the bill, and it wasn't busy at all. One other person at the bar. I would like to go back and give it another chance, because I feel like it could be a really great bar.
I rarely drink cocktails and this place makes me want cocktails every day. That's saying a lot for a beer-and-wine girl such as myself. Luckily, I haven't made it to the super-secret back room yet, so I have an excuse to come back and drink more.
I wish this place opened a little earlier, though, because I found myself wandering around the Hill waiting for 5 so I could go in. I know 5 isn't exactly late, but sometimes you just need to get your happy hour on a little earlier. Ya know?
Anyway, back to the cocktails. I spent forever reading the drink menu because there was so much to see and I am easily fascinated. For my first drink I ordered a Moscow Mule; I've recently discovered these and had yet to actually drink a whole one (sneaking sips of a friend's drink doesn't quite cut it). And it didn't disappoint.
I was going to order a second one but my friend talked me into an Old Cuban, which she'd had previously and thought was good. I decided to be adventurous and try it out even though I wasn't 100% sure about it - and it was damn good, too.
I can't speak for the food, as there wasn't much that appealed to me on the menu. As another reviewer wrote, it's very "meat-inspired" and that's not my thing, plus I didn't feel like spending $5 for olives. Our server was friendly, though, even when my friend spilled her glass of water all over the floor. He probably hates us, but he didn't let it show.
We left to go find dinner somewhere, but I probably could have stayed and tried new cocktails all night. Maybe next time...
I'm starting to think McCracken & Tough do gastropubs and bars better than they do restaurants because I gotta hand it to Spur and Tavern Law. Â I found The Coterie Room, on the other hand, subpar.
I've been here several times but I was holding off reviewing this place until I tried the food. I had the Amazon Local deal for $25 for $50 so I thought it would be a good chance to eat some of the food.
I had the Pan Seared Trout with chickpea and carrot puree and my friend had the Pork Shoulder. Â I was a little hesitant about the trout since I didn't like it at The Coterie Room. Â This was cooked the same way but the puree was better. The fish was also topped with cilantro so it had more flavor. Â
I've also had a number of drinks here including the Worker Bee, the Dover Tea (Earl Grey vodka, rosemary, lemon and some other flavors I don't remember), La Flora...something (St. Germain's, vodka, ginger and rhubarb) and some others I don't remember. All their drinks are awesome. They have originals and fancy classic cocktails done well. Moscow Mules are my go-to drink and the Worker Bee is a fancier version and delicious. The Dover Tea was a pleasant surprise. I am a big fan of Earl Grey and that and the rosemary flavors really came through.
If you want something a little more robust and masculine, my friend is a big fan of Dirt and Diesel.
One complaint is that the service can sometimes be slow. It can take a really long time to get a drink here somedays. It wasn't that bad the time we came with the food at 9:30 on a Saturday, but I've come at 11-12 on weekends before and waited a long time.
The atmosphere here is great. It's small but I love the dark wood paneling thing. I like the big table in the back...the trick is getting it. I know I'm in the minority but I like this place better than Needle + Thread.
As a restaurant, I would probably give this place 4 stars. There's places nearby I prefer but as a bar, 5 stars for sure. Â One of my favorite bars.
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