by Alison Kramer - 89 Reviews - 7 List
Late night happy hours have long been little more than half price (half-size) burgers and beer. But with a culinary renaissance upon the Seattle food scene, the after-hours offerings are upping the ante in quality and range. From oysters with bubbly to sake bombs with sushi, here's a list of where to eat cheap and well, well into the night.
Updated: July 19, 2010
Hailed 'round Seattle for his innovative urban fare, Ethan's Stowell's signature chic seafood is now available late night. After 10pm (11pm on weekends) this Capitol Hill spot becomes a showdown for Oyster Power Hour. Wash down $1 shooters with $2 Peronis and $5 glasses of prosecco.
For a dose of truly unique midnight nibbles, stop by this French-Creole inspired lounge in Lower Queen Anne. Restaurant industry folk flock for over 50 small plates priced less than 5 bucks. Smoked trout and endive salad, Creole shrimp cakes and crispy pork cheek confit are all favorites.
The Asian flavors proffered at this Capitol Hill bar are a refreshing break from deep fried fare. For less than $5, try crispy pork gyozas, fresh spring rolls, or miso-broiled rice cakes available 10pm to close on weekends. The sake bombs, however, steal the deal of the night at only $3.50.
Offered from 10pm to midnight, this Mexican mainstay in Ballard offers enough apps under five bucks to construct a full blown meal. Butterflied prawns, bacalaitos (salted cod fritters) and empanadillas (crispy turnovers filled with pulled pork or slow cooked veggies) are a draw, but its those $4 mojitos that merit the line around the block.
As the requisite high-end option on our list, happy hour is the only hour for value at this Lake Union steakhouse. Their half-priced appetizer deal renders everything less than $10. Mainstays include Dungeness crab legs, bacon-wrapped scallops, and teriyaki glazed filet mignon strips. $7 martinis and Manhattans are the go-to libations.
With Tex-Mex small plates and tequila practically on tap, this West Seattle restaurant is a long-standing happy hour favorite. Try one of twelve plates for just four bucks, like blackened fish tacos, acho chipotle wings, or cheese-and-veggie-mounded nachos. And late night tequila shots? Never a bad idea.
To prove that not only the party hardy can profit from late night happy hour, check out this romantic Italian restaurant in the market after 10pm. Sharable small plates include sweet Italian sausage crostini for $3, mushroom or goat cheese ravioli for $4, and saffron mussels for $5. Glasses of wine fall into the same $3-5 range.
