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Cocktail Time in Seattle

The Best Lounges for Drinks and Eats in the Emerald City

Oct 30, 2008 Kathryn McAree

Thirsty or hungry, Vessel and Spur are sure to whet your whistle and satisfy any craving. Cocktails are creatively divine and the cuisine - delicious!

Vessel, 1312 5th Avenue, is a very modern bar in the historic 1926 Skinner Building. It is very hip with a cool acid-yellow glass staircase joining the lounge area upstairs with the bar area on the main level. Vessel’s cocktail list is incredible and the bartending is beyond expert. Classics are the basis for modern cocktails using fresh and exotic ingredients. They are created with equal thought and dedication as a fine meal with each ingredient complimenting and contrasting the next. They use fine spirits, house-made syrups, plus create their own tinctures, bitters and foams. The Vessel 75 has smooth flavor; Bourbon, Peychaud’s (bitters), simple syrup, orange zest, topped with maple syrup foam. The Rubicon is deliciously drinkable with flamed green Chartreuse and rosemary sprig, gin, maraschino, and lemon. The Depth Charge Cocktail is gin, Lillet (an aperitif from the Bordeaux region of France), Absente (an emerald green liqueur), and orange peel.

Vessel's Small Plate Menu Enhances Cocktail Time

Vessel also has a small plates menu that changes with the seasons. There are always petit, tasty sandwiches on the menu like pulled pork sliders or Croque Monsieur, salads, fritters, tarts, and an array of spiced Marcona almonds, marinated olives, and prosciutto wrapped figs. Vessel is a fun and comfortable place to take a seat at the bar and let Jim mix up a little something special.

Cocktails and Cuisine are Top Shelf at Spur

Spur, 113 Blanchard Street, is another hot spot where David is behind the bar pouring more than just beer at this urban pub. He creates luscious cocktails with St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur made in France from the blossom of the Elder Tree hand picked in the Alps. The Empress has rum, St. Germain, and grapefruit and Sur le Sol shines with vodka, Lillet, St. Germain, lemon and lavender. A Hanky Panky sounds fun with Plymouth Gin, Italian vermouth and Fernet-Branca (similar to an Amaro), as does a Foreigner with rye, Ramazotti Amaro, Strega (a delicate liqueur who’s name suggests it is a witch’s love potion), blood orange and peach bitters.

Spur’s food menu and service is top notch with some savy experts manning the kitchen. Their cuisine is fresh, local and seasonal with fabulous seafood like pan seared trout with mizuna, mustard and almond or the luscious butterfish slow cooked and served with English peas, morels and Cypress flake. They also have a bison burger or a flat iron steak. Or, enjoy a glass of wine with an array of local cheeses.

A very cool visit to Seattle isn’t complete without a visit to Vessel and Spur.

The copyright of the article Cocktail Time in Seattle in NW U.S./Alaska Travel is owned by Kathryn McAree. Permission to republish Cocktail Time in Seattle in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.