Cheers to RTO! Plan Your Return-to-Office Bar Crawl

Cheers to RTO!
Plan Your Return-to-Office Bar Crawl

It may feel strange after working remote for so long, but Downtown Bellevue is ready to welcome you back in style. From cozy lounges to lively sports bars, there's a place for everyone. Treat yourself (or your team!) to a self-guided bar crawl featuring some of these favorite local spots:

Civility & Unrest

Like many businesses, Civility & Unrest closed their speakeasy-inspired bar during the pandemic and returned in October with a new menu and craft cocktails. They showcase the finest vintage spirits, craft distillers, champagne and local microbrews. If you're looking for a relaxing space after work, head over for their dim-lit atmosphere and exceptional drinks.

Rouge Cocktail Lounge

One of the newest bars in town, Rouge Cocktail Lounge, opened last November in Old Bellevue. They offer a taste of New Orleans with themed cocktails and bites inside an art deco lounge featuring plush banquettes and a marble-backed bar. Their cocktails are inspired by favorite jazz and blues singers from different eras. Be sure to visit during their weekday happy hour for $2 off beer/wine, and discounted cocktails from 4-6 p.m.

Tavern Hall

For the sports fanatics and shuffleboard fans, Tavern Hall is your place. They offer 30 taps and a full cocktail menu, housemade lemonade and ginger beer, darts, four shuffleboard tables and 30 flat screen TVs. While their beer and cocktails are superb, don’t skip out on the shareable dishes like the Wisconsin cheese curds or fried pickles. Treat yourself and get rowdy at Tavern Hall!

Black Bottle Bellevue

Black Bottle is known for using fresh, seasonal ingredients in their cocktails and small plates designed for sharing. They’re a 'gastrotavern' that provides fresh, unfussy, rustic food and drinks in the space of simple beauty. Unwind after a long day with one of their unique cocktails like Major Danger, a fresh strawberry-infused lemon drop or their Ol’ Smokey, a barrel-aged Woodinville whiskey that's oak smoked. 

Central Bar + Restaurant

Swanky, upscale, and often described as "uniquely Bellevue," Central Bar + Restaurant always has a warm, celebratory environment curated for those looking to drink casually after work. It’s a great place to try seasonal cocktails at their statuesque bar. Working late? Don’t worry, Central has a late night happy hour with drink specials Sunday-Thursday from 8:30 p.m. – close.

Bake's Place Bar & Bistro

If you like to sip cocktails while tapping your toes to live music, Bake's is the place. Their two large bars feature an ever-evolving cocktail menu and rotating beer list, an extensive wine list, and of course, a phenomenal spirits list with over 225 bourbons and whiskeys. Join them for their "Late Night Lounge" on Fridays and Saturdays, or outside on their all-weather patio - considered the largest one on the Eastside! 

Whiskey by John Howie

Another new bar in town, Whiskey by John Howie opened last year and features a global selection of rare and sought after whiskeys. The intimate space includes leather lounge seating and hundreds of bottles elegantly displayed at the bar. Whiskey also offers a unique menu of tasty bar bites crafted by chef and proprietor John Howie and executive chef Jed Laprade. Be sure to try their $9 Rye Manhattan during "Whiskey Hour" on Wednesday-Sunday from 5-6 p.m.

 

This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.