stay

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The perfect Belltown budget address, the Ace features compact but perfectly comfy rooms with a minimalist-chic aesthetic—expect white-painted brick, tiny sinks, shared bathrooms, and few frills in the entry-level rooms. Deluxe units add quirky features, such as glass headboards that double as shower walls; you might want to share these quarters with only intimate friends. It’s an ideal venue for taking advantage of Belltown’s cool bars and restaurants—but don’t bank on dozing till the noisy downstairs bar closes.

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The 121-room, art-adorned, and antiques-filled Alexis quietly boasts all of the expected Kimpton touches—Italian Frette linens, turndown with chocolates, complimentary shoeshine, a nightly hosted wine hour. For the ultimate romantic escape, book a Fireplace Suite with its wood-burning fireplace and glass French doors. The low-lit 1940s atmosphere of the book-lined Library Bistro lends itself equally well to laid-back suppers and slow brunching on corned beef hash.

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This stately Edwardian-style Tudor home in the posh Harvard-Belmont section of Capitol Hill was built more than a century ago. It’s now a lovely, gay-owned B&B, just two blocks from Broadway’s bustling business district. Each of the 11 rooms is distinctive, from wallet-friendly, shared-bath dormer rooms to the top-of-the-line Capitol Suite. Among the gorgeous common spaces: a library with leaded-glass shelves and a 3,000-crystal chandelier.

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This enviably located, gay-owned B&B offers the best of two worlds: it’s steps from Broadway’s lively restaurants and bars, yet it’s still set on a peaceful residential street. Innkeepers Russel and Don are avid antiques collectors, and their treasures fill the inn’s common spaces and four guestrooms, two of which have private decks. The Emerald Suite has an opulent marble bath and steam room.

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Most of the discreetly plush and contemporary rooms at one of downtown’s most opulent hotels have expansive views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains—these airy sanctuaries with Japanese design accents and local art feel completely insulated from the hubbub outside. This hotel, situated on the first 10 floors of a 21-story building, is smack in the middle of downtown attractions, however. Further your relaxing getaway by booking a treatment in the beautiful spa.

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Tucked away on a quiet residential street but close to Capitol Hill restaurants and gay bars, this small, gay-owned B&B occupies a handsome 1905 Craftsman home. The four guestrooms have private baths and refrigerators, and all are warmly appointed; Room 2 has a claw-foot tub and its own sitting room. The gorgeous living and dining rooms abound with local Native American art and pottery, and there’s an inviting sitting area in the backyard.

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With its fabulous Capitol Hill location, artful interiors, and refined atmosphere, the Gaslight Inn has a loyal following. The eight guestrooms are adorned in deep colors with masculine dark woods—all but two have private baths, and some come with fireplaces and decks. You can take a dip in the heated in-ground pool.

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Fans of gadgets and mod furnishings rave about this gorgeous 120-room property a few blocks south of Pike Place Market. It abounds with geek-alicious features: deep tubs that fill from a ceiling spigot, state-of-the-art media hubs, and personalized “Internet protocol platforms” that allow you to customize everything from art to room temperature—there’s even a virtual golf course next to the hotel’s full-service spa and 24-hour fitness room. Be sure to dine at BOKA Restaurant, a sexy spot for cocktails and deftly prepared Northwest cuisine.

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Scandinavia meets the Pacific Northwest at this hip urban oasis in trendy Belltown. The 119 rooms adhere to a bright and cozy Nordic-minimalist aesthetic—in the bathrooms you’ll find lighted mirrors and FACE Stockholm bath products. Local celeb chef Tom Douglas runs one of the hotel’s two fantastic restaurants, Lola, while Assaggio turns out fine northern Italian cuisine.

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Is the name Max a nod to this quirky hotel’s over-the-top decor, a tribute to its pop and contemporary art, or a promise of maximum value? All explanations make sense. This gay-popular boutique hotel on the northern edge of Belltown and downtown offers boldly designed, comfy rooms at reasonable rates. Just off of the lobby, voguish Red Fin serves scrumptious Asian-fusion fare.

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You can often snag great deals at this sumptuous wine country–themed member of the GLBT-supportive Kimpton brand, which presides over a hilly downtown street corner. Cushy pillow-top bedding, richly upholstered sofas, and plush carpets imbue the spacious rooms with a calming sense of opulence. The luxe perks are many: a nightly wine reception and free Wi-Fi, morning coffee, and newspaper. Nosh on fine contemporary Italian food in Tulio Ristorante.

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Seattle first LEED-certified hotel improves on the Hyatt formula, with uncluttered rooms outfitted with such eco-friendly features as dual-flush toilets, hypo-allergenic linens and mattresses, and air purifiers. The iPod docks and big desks make it almost fun to work in your room, too. Located downtown at the foot of Capitol Hill, it’s an easy walk to gay bars—and this blue-lit, angular high-rise is easy to spot as you stumble back from an evening of drinking and dancing.

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This intimate hotel with 70 airy, light-filled rooms tumbles down a hillside above Pike Place Market—many of the accommodations, all of which have double-paned, floor-to-ceiling bay windows, afford spectacular views of Elliott Bay, and even if yours doesn’t, you can soak up the vistas by relaxing on the hotel’s roof deck. The spacious rooms also have iPod docks and honor bars outfitted with Northwest treats and goodies. The adjacent restaurants, Marché and Café Campagne, serve exceptional country French fare.

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Set in a grand brick building that started life in 1918 as the Seattle Engineering School, the MarQueen offers 59 cool apartment-esque rooms with hardwood floors and full kitchens in the city’s charming Queen Anne neighborhood. It’s less than handy for experiencing Seattle’s gay scene, but this midpriced property is near such popular attractions as the Space Needle and Key Arena.

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Rooms in this contemporary glass tower have huge windows letting in plenty of light, deep soaking tubs, plenty of leading-edge gadgets, and ridiculously comfy linens. In the same complex you’ll find a Whole Foods Market and the superb Vida Spa, and the hotel’s dapper Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar serves exceptional seafood. The hotel is an easy walk from South Lake Union’s trendy bars and eateries—and many rooms have perfect views of the Space Needle.

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A loyal supporter of the city’s LGBT community, this conveniently situated downtown high-rise is just off of Interstate 5 and an easy (if hilly) stroll to Capitol Hill gay bars and restaurants. It’s also steps from tony shopping, Benaroya Hall, and the Seattle Art Museum. Rooms are spacious and airy, with large windows that take in downtown views, and each unit is tricked out with two dual-line phones, Wi-Fi, mini fridges, and handsome work desks. There’s a well-equipped fitness center on-site.

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This attractively priced, five-story hotel has a great location near Belltown, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. Airy, pleasantly decorated rooms have flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and upscale bedding. The $15 nightly parking is a fraction of what many downtown properties charge.

 

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With a regal countenance and a grand lobby bar called the Hunt Club, you might expect Seattle’s most dignified hotel to feel stuffy, but this independent 76-room hotel appeals to creative types. The hotel hosts silent movies, folk and jazz concerts, and magic acts in the bar, and rooms—though full of 1920s period details and Italian marble finishes in the bathrooms—have such modern touches as French press coffee, free Wi-Fi, and 42-inch high-def TVs. It’s also pet-friendly and a short stroll from Capitol Hill gay bars.

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One of only a few hotels near the University of Washington campus, this reasonably priced, 102-room hotel provides a free shuttle to downtown. Rooms are comfortable, with fun, mod color schemes and furnishings. Service is extraordinarily friendly, and the list of complimentary perks is long: parking, laundry, breakfast (including waffles), and afternoon snacks.

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For a chic urban getaway, this member of Starwood’s cool-as-a-cucumber W brand is hard to beat. With 424 rooms and suites, the W isn’t exactly intimate, but it’s rarely dull, especially with the super-hip TRACE restaurant and bar drawing A-listers. Culture and connectivity are at the W’s doorstep, with Pike Place, Benaroya Hall, and the Seattle Art Museum within a few blocks. In-room spa services are available, and there’s a Sweat fitness center on-site.

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Eat

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This glamorous Spanish restaurant inside downtown’s old-world grande dame, the Mayflower Park Hotel, presents hearty, traditional favorites like paella and potato croquettes, plus plenty of dishes with contemporary, Northwest influences. The fig-and-chorizo-stuffed pork chop with a sweet potato–polenta cake is superb. While in the hotel, stop by the debonair Oliver’s Lounge for a signature Paradigm Shift martini (with Ketel One, Bombay gin, Campari, fresh-raspberry sour, and grapefruit juice)

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Chunky wrought-iron and wood furniture accented with more than 300 white candles gives this Mexican kitchen the dramatic atmosphere of a Spanish Colonial cathedral … with its very own upscale tequila bar. Staples like carne asada and chicken verde enchiladas feature alongside more imaginative seafood and vegetarian options, like rockfish-and-shrimp ceviche and roasted-beet tacos with chipotle vinaigrette. The Death on the Rio Grande cocktail melds grapefruit, Campari, and agave with ghost pepper–infused tequila.

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Open since 1991, this venerable Madison Valley neighborhood bistro helped bring vegetarian cuisine out from the hippie dark ages into the glow of Seattle’s modern-food scene. It’s still a fantastic spot for meat-free stone-fired pizzas, risotto with English peas and fiddlehead ferns, and yam fries with cayenne aioli. Breakfast/brunch, lunch, and dinner are served daily in a garden-filled atrium dining room.

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In Java-centric Seattle, it’s no shocker that much of the gay social scene in Capitol Hill revolves around cafés, including some standouts in artisan roasting. Using a 1930s cast-metal roaster, Caffé Vita serves some of the finest coffee in the city. The enormous windows of this bilevel space let ample light into the dark-wood interior; windows in back offer glimpses of the roasting process.

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Sup on beautifully plated, rustic Italian food at this contemporary trattoria run by wickedly talented gay chef Jason Stratton, who made Food & Wine’s vaunted “Best New Chefs” list in 2010. Dishes like rabbit meatballs with pickled horseradish and ravioli stuffed with roasted cauliflower and anchovies marry Piedmontese recipes with Northwest ingredients. Next door at Stratton’s Artusi Bar, small plates and antipasti pair nicely with selections from the extensive grappa, wine, beer, and cocktail list.

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With a dozen restaurants in metro Seattle, chef-restaurateur Tom Douglas has shaped the city’s sustainability-driven dining scene more than any other figure. This elegant space in Belltown was Douglas’s first venture, and it continues to convey his singular style, dazzling foodies with such classics as rotisserie-roasted five-spice duck and halibut ceviche with jicama, mango, lime, and cilantro. Reserve several days ahead.

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Tucked just past the cooking section in the back of beloved Elliott Bay Book Company, this delightful hangout is ideal for a light lunch or a good read, with its bright local art and creaky wood floorboards. Baristas serve up Ballard’s Fonté coffee, plus crêpes, panini, salads, and fine craft beers.

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This popular spot with a light-filled atrium that’s ideal for studying or working has perfected a slow-roasting technique that gives its coffee a light, sweet, caramel-y flavor. Each latte comes with a touch of artistry, as the baristas create hearts, rosettes, and stars in the foam, and a glass case displays dozens of sweet and savory baked goods.

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Among the nation’s most celebrated lesbian chefs, Christine Keff moved her long-running seafood restaurant from Belltown to up-and-coming South Lake Union in 2010. The bright, informally upscale dining room is a fine milieu for sampling innovatively prepared fish and shellfish—bigeye tuna poke, Thai crab cakes with lemongrass aioli, Columbia River steelhead with winter-squash curry.

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This community favorite is packed perpetually with gay scenesters, especially when the sun shines and seating spills onto the sidewalk. Burgers and sweet-potato fries washed down with carafes of potently brewed iced tea keep the regulars coming back to this centrally located hot spot that’s more about the scene than the food. “Pre-Funk at the Grill,” Thursday–Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m., offers super-cheap drinks.

 

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Although beloved for deliciously sloppy, carnivore-captivating sandwiches, Honey Hole also serves several tasty veg-friendly options, like the Field Roast, with savory, locally produced vegan “meat.” The popular Waverider sandwich comprises turkey breast slathered in homemade pesto, while the Texas Tease is a feast of house-smoked, pulled barbecue chicken. The island-themed decor creates a fun, dive-y tiki bar vibe: check out the suspended papier-mâché piranhas. There’s a good beer and drinks selection, too.

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Slightly obscured by its discreet location in downtown’s Harbor Steps development, this relatively young Euro-Northwest restaurant has built a spirited foodie following for its flavorful, farm-seasonal cooking. Wild salmon with Meyer lemon and fava-bean soubise and that time-honored Italian classic, porchetta, typify Lechoso’s hearty approach to cooking.

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This bustling Belltown restaurant with warmly lit wood-paneled booths is all about sourcing locally and showing off both the typical and the less-appreciated (in America, anyway) cuts of animals, from crispy pig ears with bleu cheese and a ranch dipping sauce to tête de cochon with brioche French toast, a sunny-side-up egg, and a rich orange-vanilla emulsion. The drinks menu continues the regional bent, with flights of Northwest artisanal liquors.

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Next door to Elliott Bay Book Company, this bar and café bills itself as the Pike/Pine Corridor’s “living room,” serving locally sourced and well-crafted lunches, brunches, dinners, and drinks into the wee hours. The big windows, tall ceilings, and vintage decor do inspire leisurely spells of noshing and sipping, and Portland’s vaunted Stumptown Coffee is served. For brunch, tuck into the decadent brioche French toast.

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A relative newcomer on Capitol Hill that’s open till 2, this cozy, GLBT-popular bar and restaurant scores high marks for its attractively priced modern American food (truffled mac ’n’ cheese, filet mignon) and well-curated list of wines by the glass. Quite a few Northwest vintages are featured, but Poco also imports heavily from France, Italy, Spain, and Argentina.

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Based on India’s thali, a culinary tradition that features a tray with several small bowls of complementary dishes, Poppy presents a potpourri of superbly delicious, Northwest-inspired Indian treats with every meal. The menu changes with the seasons, featuring produce harvested from the garden out back. Attractive servers glide about the room, delivering such favorites as potato fritters in cilantro-lime chutney, lavender duck, and beet-yogurt soup with avocado cream. Run by openly gay chef Jerry Traunfeld.

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Situated at the corner of the Capitol Hill’s busiest intersection, 10th and Pike, this swanky colonial Mexican–inspired restaurant has been wildly successful since its 2011 opening. Much of the decor comes from Central Mexico, including the more than 15,000 colorful Talavera tiles on the walls. The authentic cuisine relies on local meats and organic produce. Tortillas are handmade daily, as is wonderfully fresh and chunky guacamole.

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Look to this gay-favored, hipster-frequented gastropub for an inspired, sometimes humorous spin on classic comfort food—note the wild boar “sloppy Joe” with onion and sage and topped with a duck egg, or crispy pig-face nuggets accompanied by a spicy dipping sauce. The drinks menu specializes in Trappist ales and small-batch bourbons. There’s colorful people-watching through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

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This sophisticated yet refreshingly informal gem stands out in funky Fremont for its vibrant, exquisitely plated Korean-fusion fare, prepared by Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, who trained at NYC’s Alain Ducasse. Most folks come for the delicious dinner fare (don’t miss the short-rib dumplings), but brunch is quickly developing a following, thanks to such revelatory creations as lemongrass-lox sandwiches with seaweed crème fraîche and bacon-hazelnut-pear doughnuts.

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Having taken over the Pike corridor space of much-loved Rosebud, which closed in 2011, this newcomer helmed by young gay chef Joe Randazzo has immediately won over skeptics with its affordable, creative American cooking. Try braised chicken thighs with shaved Brussels sprout salad or wild mushroom–and–chestnut cavatelli. The cozy storefront space also serves terrific vintage cocktails.

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The much-anticipated latest creation of “earth to plate” proponent Tamara Murphy, often named among the most celebrated lesbian chefs in the country, this airy bistro opened in 2011 in a window-lined corner space on lower Capitol Hill. This is contemporary American cooking at its best, from grilled octopus with a lemon–olive oil–grapefruit reduction to cassoulet of duck confit, lamb and pork sausages, bacon, ham hock, and heirloom beans. Stick around for the buttered-scotch pudding infused with peaty Laphroaig whisky and topped with chocolate cookies.

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At first glance this northern Belltown gem may seem pretentious, but the enthusiastic staff treats every customer like a good friend arriving for a dinner party. The regional Northwest cooking is inventive yet hearty, featuring steamed mussels with nettles and bacon, pork tenderloin in a chickpea crêpe, and not-to-be-missed hand-cut pasta with sage butter.

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Alluringly absurd, this bar-restaurant is a fluorescent, over-the-top, veritable circus for adults. Unicorn’s food menu is celebrated for both its booze-soaking properties and the often hilarious names of dishes, such as Unicorn Balls (fried ginger–and–jalapeño pork balls) and the Mary-Kate and Ashley Burger (twin patties topped with bacon and Mama Lil’s secret spicy sauce). The new basement bar, Narwhal, extends the carnival theme belowground, with vintage arcade games, unicorn-themed drinks, and elephant ears galore.

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A modern tribute to Ballard’s fish-pub heritage and Scandinavian roots, this informally elegant oyster bar mesmerizes diners with exceptional seafood-centered cuisine. Though bivalves are the stars of the show, more substantial dishes include scallop tartare with black olives and vanilla oil, white anchovy tartine with pickled shallots, and lusciously textured shaved celeriac salad with pomegranate molasses. The handsome, mustachioed barman mixes similarly handsome cocktails. Anticipate a wait—it’s worth it.

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play

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The giant paw print at the door and video monitors with rotating pictures of buff nude men hint at this Capitol Hill standby’s expected clientele, though all are welcome, regardless of age or amount of body hair. Exposed wood and wiring create a decidedly dive-y feel, and a faux alley gives the impression of stepping outside while still being able to peek in at the busy bar area.

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One of the few Seattle gay bars outside the Capitol Hill district, this long-running casual bar is in colorful Wallingford, fairly close to some other fun northern neighborhoods like Fremont, the University District, and Green Lake. It’s a mellow lounge with a good jukebox, karaoke nights, potent and fair-priced drinks, and a covered patio.

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Beneath festive Asian lanterns and a paper dragon large enough to ingest a family, this midsize venue hosts a spectrum of local and touring acts. Weekly dance parties pulse to appealingly obscure beats, especially the last Friday of every month at Comeback, a gay dance extravaganza that summons many of Seattle’s less scene-driven queers out of the woodwork.

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This friendly, relatively new neighborhood bar opened with the aim of luring bears, cubs, and their admirers but actually welcomes a quite diverse mix of Capitol Hill folks, both for drinking and dining. (There’s a nice menu of well-prepared pub victuals.) It’s a cheery place to watch music vids, and the outgoing bartenders are good fun.

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This low-key neighborhood retreat acts as a second living room for gay sports fans, becoming especially boisterous on game days. With dive-y tendencies, the bar hosts weekly darts and pool tournaments and trivia and poker games. The self-service jukebox blares everything from Beyoncé to Patsy Cline.

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One of Seattle’s largest, longest-running, and most popular nightclubs, this pulsing club attracts revelers from every background for nightly events that range from “Dirty Pop” Thursdays featuring top local DJs to “Hot Flash,” a dance party for seasoned lesbians. Seattle’s only 18-plus gay dance venue, this circuit-style club is open to under-agers on Wednesdays and after the liquor stops flowing at 2 a.m. on weekends. (It stays open until 4.)

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Old-school porn, a great patio, and a remarkably eclectic crowd blend happily at this hip little boîte set in a converted gas station. The vibe here is meant to evoke the “great West Village and Castro bars of the 1970s,” and music tends toward vintage punk, disco, and New Wave. Expect a friendly, eclectic, somewhat youthful crowd.

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More than a dozen flat screens broadcast music videos all night at this centrally located lounge. The main floor gets crowded on weekends, but two sections with plush couches offer a homey respite. Amateurs polish their vocal talents at popular karaoke nights on Mondays and Tuesdays.

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Seattle stepped into the international clubbing arena with the 2012 opening of this glitzy, 12,000-square-foot dance pad in the heart of Capitol Hill. The former auto garage is now lubricating late-night revelers, Wednesday through Sunday. A mixed crowd of gays and straights sweats the night away to up-tempo dance music in a refreshingly design-driven, cosmopolitan setting. A long, winding hallway funnels patrons directly toward a wide, curvy island bar, which leads to the dance floor. Adjacent to that is a sleek yet intimate bourbon bar stocking an extensive selection of rare bottles. You can catch your breath in the plush upstairs lounge, which partly overlooks the action below, offering a prime vantage point for filling your dance card

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This beloved venue for debauched, potent drink–fueled dancing comprises two levels for mingling and pub games and a third for dancing and amateur strip shows. Barely dressed go-go boys work the dance floor. The best night: Fridays, which kick off with fabulous drag shows. Get your hand stamped before 9 p.m. to avoid the line and cover charge.

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While the monthly last-Saturday party Cherry draws many lesbians to this dimly lit, well-worn, industrial space, gays, straights, and everyone in between show up on other nights for everything from cabarets and plays to poetry slams and house hoedowns. Check in advance what’s on—it could be anything from Fagtastic parties to the World Extreme Pencil Fighting Championships.

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A dark, rambling leather-and-bear bar conveniently located near Lower Capitol Hill’s gay bathhouses, the Eagle has more bark than bite—the gruff-looking, chaps-wearing dudes in this dive-y bar with blacked-out windows and vintage gay porn playing on the video screens are typically quite friendly. Leather and uniforms are encouraged but not required.

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A longtime favorite of leather daddies, motorcycle dudes, and rugged bears, this bilevel gay club has evolved over the years to cultivate a more diverse following, from college kids to dance-loving lesbians. But you can still count on potent drinks, a come-as-you-are sensibility, and a super-friendly staff. Head for the basement to cut loose on the dance floor, or stay upstairs to shoot pool, play pinball, or chat.

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Bright and cheery, this sports bar is known locally as the “gay Cheers.” Complete with sassy bartenders, the space is designed for mingling and cultivating new friendships. Good-looking men congregate around the bar, quaffing beer from frosted mugs and watching Sounders and Mariners games on TV.

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This snazzy lounge bar suggests a neogothic hotel lobby, with black chandeliers, paisley chairs, and dimly lit booths. Two staircases, which double as stages during frequent drag shows, lead up to a balustraded mezzanine with dozens of cocktail tables. Weekly events include Tuesday trivia nights and Monday-night RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties.

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Social Seattle’s already vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood got a bit more fabulous in May 2012 when this much-anticipated, 12,000-square-foot nightclub opened to appreciative crowds, right beside C.C. Attle’s. The slick, smartly designed lounge and gay club occupies two floors and contains multiple bar areas, plus a breezy outdoor space, and an impressive roster of talented DJs is keeping the masses moving and shaking into the wee hours.

 

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A stalwart on Capitol Hill since before many of its boisterous regulars first contemplated their first girl crush, the Wild Rose remains the Northwest’s premier lesbian bar. Depending on the night, drag-king shows, live bands, DJs, or karaoke crooners take to the tiny stage to entertain an eclectic crowd in the cavernous side room. Expect a long line to the Rose’s legendary washrooms, which are way too small for the sorts of shenanigans that go on in there.

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Explore

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Lake Washington and distant Cascade Mountain views aren’t the only visual treats at Seattle’s prime gay beach, just three miles east of Capitol Hill. Short shorts–wearing boys lie out on the grassy northern portion, while families tend to stick to the sandy south side. A floating dock allows swimmers to lounge out on the water, and two diving boards operate when water levels permit. Several cafés and eateries line the area nearby for post-beach nibbling.

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You’re certain to see plenty of LGBT folks milling about Capitol Hill’s glorious green lung, a 48-acre oasis established in the 1890s. In addition to the lawns and gardens laid out by legendary landscape architects the Olmsted Brothers, the park is home to the superb Seattle Asian Art Museum, the flora-filled Conservatory, and a hulking 75-foot water tower with an observation deck that affords panoramic vistas of the city.

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