This stylish, intimate lounge has folks lining up for elaborate cocktails and unique surroundings.

(206) 569-5009

425 NW Market St.
Seattle, WA 98107 47.6685 -122.3626

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Neighborhoods: Ballard, West Woodland

SAMBAR

Sambar

What People Are Saying About SAMBAR

The Owner

SAMBAR

Owner

Located just behind Le Gourmand in the Ballard-Fremont neighborhood, SAMBAR offers creative cocktails, light bites and desserts in a chic, cosmopolitan setting with gorgeous murals and lighting by local artists. Some of our cocktails include- Sambar Pear Sour: Clear Creek Pear brandy, lemon juice, sugar, pear nectar Jasmine: Gin, Campari, Cointreau & lemon juice Petit Zinc: vodka, Cointreau, sweet vermouth, orange and lemon juice Lillas Pastia: dry Manzanilla sherry, vodka and an anchovy stuffed olive Also try our light Bites- Bites Twice Baked Spinach Souffle: individual souffle…

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The Editor

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene – Next door to Le Gourmand, Sambar forsakes the rusticity of its parent in favor of a suave space-age den. White and light-gray walls paired with soft lighting bathe the uncluttered room in cool luminescence. Elegant, modern furniture may be the most striking feature, but refinements like letter-pressed menus and individual cloth towels in the bathroom lend touches of class. – – The Draw – As charming as the atmosphere is, it's the cocktails that draw repeat visitors. Mixology buffs who've endured too many poorly mixed Manhattans or blank stares upon ordering…

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/31/09

best cocktails in town & best winelist

by KirstLambert

I've lived in Ballard for many years and have eaten next door at Le Gourmand many times, but I'd never been to Sambar.

I was looking at Le Gourmand's website and came across Sambar's - sambarseattle dot com - and decided to go after reading about the cocktails. They were amazing - I had a gingerini, which is basically a ginger martini - fantastic. My friend had a Saguaro which had tequila and hibiscus flower and some spicy pepper, and it was great, too. I had one as well since I liked it so much, and she had another one with rose essence, I think.

So good - very good soup and the frites are to die for!

  • Pros: close to home and very tasty cocktails
  • Cons: pretty crowded
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/24/08

I beg to differ!

by irisCrawford

This bar is special. It is unfortunate that someone here had such bad luck to catch the folks at Sambar on an off night, which could happen anywhere, and then never give them a second chance. But I have to admit, its ok, because this place can only remain a hidden gem for so long and has been uncomfortably full lately. Sambar is for a certain type of connoisseur, a francophile foodie. It is like a Parisian jewel box in bloom. It has the power to seduce and does, enveloping every sense. I have, on several occasions, shut the place down, floating out the door filled with a hum of pleasure and delight. It is actually not that expensive but beware, once the drinks start flowing your judgement weakens and things start to add up. But it is so worth it I would name my first born "Sambar" (which is funny considering the bar is named after the owners' child, Sam--mine would be named Sambar). I think the main bartender deserves an honorable mention here. Jay is an absolute professional and perfectionist. He has travelled the world drinking and eating the best of the best, is passionate about what he does, is inventive and treats each person like a VIP. This has been my experience. So if you don't like beautiful servers (did I mention that:), a charming multi lingual and talented bartender, and a boutique bar worthy of Parisian sophistication, don't go to Sambar!

  • Pros: Its perfect!
  • Cons: Too many people are discovering that its perfect.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/24/08

One of Seattle's Best Bars

by changnan

Classy. Sophisticated. Fun. Hidden. Comfortable. Exciting. These are a few of the terms that come to mind. Sambar in Ballard resembles a sweet little find you might find in New York or San Francisco's Marina District. The best drinks in town. Those of us in the restaurant industry know - Sambar is the type of place where you can put your hands in the air and just say "make me a gin drink" w/ no other specifications, and you'll get some of the best cocktails in the city made for you, one after another. The food is good. A little small but fine for bar food. Much higher quality than 'bar food' as well. Summer / Spring / warm fall nights you can sit outside which is always fun.

Easily one of the best bars in Seattle

  • Pros: drinks, food, atmosphere, the bar itself
  • Cons: service can speed up and smile a bit more

The Details on SAMBAR

Category:

Bars & Clubs, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

As Seen In…

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Message from SAMBAR

  • Happy Hour with a French Flair
  • Small Plates
  • Fabulous Setting

Located just behind Le Gourmand in the Ballard-Fremont neighborhood, SAMBAR offers creative cocktails, light bites and desserts in a chic, cosmopolitan setting with gorgeous murals and lighting by local artists.

Some of our cocktails include-

Sambar Pear Sour: Clear Creek Pear brandy, lemon juice, sugar, pear nectar

Jasmine: Gin, Campari, Cointreau & lemon juice

Petit Zinc: vodka, Cointreau, sweet vermouth, orange and lemon juice

Lillas Pastia: dry Manzanilla sherry, vodka and an anchovy stuffed olive

Also try our light Bites-

Bites

Twice Baked Spinach Souffle: individual souffle covered in a bechamel sauce & gruyere

Croque-Monsieur: French ham & cheese sandwich, grilled in mini form

Rosettes of Smoked Salmon:served atop potato-corn cakes, garnished w/capers & chive creme fraiche

Cumin Chicken Pastillas: phyllo wrapped chicken parcels served with chun

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