BalMar Lounge
Seattle, WA 98107
Phone: (206) 297-0500
- Cross Street:
- NW Market Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Pool Table 2006
- Hours:
- Daily 5pm-2am
Editorial Review for BalMar Lounge – by Anna Roth
The Scene
Exposed brick, wood-beamed ceilings and original fixtures lend this classy cocktail lounge a remodeled industrial feel befitting its lengthy history. Downstairs, young professionals recline on low black leather sofas; upstairs, they gather around the lounge's two pool tables or occupy small tables near the bar. Huge second-floor picture windows give a bird's eye view of downtown Ballard. The staff is warm and friendly with their recommendations.
The Draw
Classic cocktails like sidecars and old fashions run side by side on the menu with specialty ones, including a blood orange martini and the sweet/tart "I'm a Gimlet," made with key lime vodka. The menu also has a comprehensive selection of wine, single malts, brandies and European and Northwest beers on tap. Bar snacks are upscale: gourmet tapas plates like a Dungeness crab salad with chive aioli, Kobe beef "Swedish meatballs" with lingonberry and a molten spiced chocolate cake.
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User Reviews for BalMar Lounge
11/20/2007 Posted by tinruby
Went there for the first time last weekend and loved it! Out on a date Friday nite and the bar across had a loong wait, so we decided to try it. our waiter was great, gave good suggestions and it was cozy and quiet until it got a bit later and louder. Loved it so much I went back the next night with a friend. Again, good service and a good crowd. It's my new favorite bar!
06/25/2007 Posted by devylish
I love this place. I honestly don't know what the other reviewer was talking about when he said any of the employees were rude. I've never experienced that and in fact, have only had very friendly and fairly quick service there. I love their bar menu - pretty extensive for snacks and portions are generous for everything pretty much being around $8. I love that the cushy area on the main floor in back is almost always open for casual chat w/ your friends if you come w/ a larger group or there's usually somewhere just for 2. The upstairs gets crowded on weekends for sure, but I tend to visit during the week when it's a bit more low-key. The bartenders have always been nice and conversational and everyone I've brought there has loved it. Seriously, one of my favorite bars in Seattle.
Pros: prices, atmosphere, service
Cons: can get crowded on weekends, staff = busier
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