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Life // Food & Dining

Iconic Smith Tower bar reopens in Seattle

Christina Ausley, SeattlePI

Nearing the end of Seattle's summer, you can still sip cocktails 35 floors atop Seattle's original skyscraper with surrounding views of the city, mountains, and Puget Sound.

On the day Smith Tower opened to the public, July 4, 1914, 4,200 eager visitors were whisked to the 35th floor Observatory in the Otis elevator still used today.

Originally, it was a humble 25 cents for the ride, alongside 540 offices, six retail stores, two telegraph offices, and a public telephone station.

In 1914, Smith Tower became the first skyscraper in Seattle and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. For more than 100 years, it has remained a cultural icon of the city, offering breathtaking, panoramic views and appealing to those with an architectural eye. Today, Smith Tower boasts a sole resident within its top floor triangle, alongside a famous Observatory, speakeasy-style bar, “Legends of Smith Tower” exhibits telling tales of the building through time, ground-floor retail store, special events space, and office leasing. 
Matthew M via Yelp

In 1914, Smith Tower became the first skyscraper in Seattle and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. For more than 100 years, it has remained a cultural icon of the city, offering breathtaking, panoramic views and appealing to those with an architectural eye.

Today, Smith Tower boasts a sole resident within its top floor triangle, alongside a famous Observatory, speakeasy-style bar, “Legends of Smith Tower” exhibits telling tales of the building through time, ground-floor retail store, special events space, and office leasing. 

The Smith Tower Observatory and Bar boasts an overlook, wrapping around the entire building for views north, east, south and west. Of course, busiest around sunset for a kaleidoscope of glowing hues across Puget Sound. Step into the Smith Tower bar for speakeasy-style digs, intricate architectural details, and a romantic ambiance for a much needed downtown date.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

The Smith Tower Observatory and Bar boasts an overlook, wrapping around the entire building for views north, east, south and west. Of course, busiest around sunset for a kaleidoscope of glowing hues across Puget Sound.

Step into the Smith Tower bar for speakeasy-style digs, intricate architectural details, and a romantic ambiance for a much needed downtown date.

Visitors can sip on myriad cocktail classics, seasonal specialties, barrel-aged brews, and rare single malts or bourbons. Alongside longtime bartenders with a knack for pairing floral and spiced elixirs with elegant liquors and glassware, it’s a must-hit for cocktail aficionados in search of well-done cocktails dashed with lasting bitters. The bar also dishes out a lengthy list of provisions, alongside sticky pork and cabbage potstickers best dipped in a smooth garlic and ginger sauce, bubbling flatbreads showered with fresh basil and spicy pepperonis, and even a classic Beecher’s grilled cheese.
GRANT HINDSLEY/SEATTLEPI.COM

Visitors can sip on myriad cocktail classics, seasonal specialties, barrel-aged brews, and rare single malts or bourbons. Alongside longtime bartenders with a knack for pairing floral and spiced elixirs with elegant liquors and glassware, it’s a must-hit for cocktail aficionados in search of well-done cocktails dashed with lasting bitters.

The bar also dishes out a lengthy list of provisions, alongside sticky pork and cabbage potstickers best dipped in a smooth garlic and ginger sauce, bubbling flatbreads showered with fresh basil and spicy pepperonis, and even a classic Beecher’s grilled cheese.

“The wellbeing of our team members and guests is of paramount importance for us here at Smith Tower,” the building’s website reads. “In light of COVID-19, we have upped our sanitation standards even further so you can feel comfortable and confident while roaming through our historical exhibits and taking in the 360-degree views of Seattle in our speakeasy-style bar.” To help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, all restaurant tables will welcome five guests or less of the same household. Elevator rides are currently conducted per party, and the Observatory posts 1-way signage to help promote a single route overlooking the Emerald City. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to view the menu via a QR code, order, and pay by phone.
Seattle Municipal Archive

“The wellbeing of our team members and guests is of paramount importance for us here at Smith Tower,” the building’s website reads. “In light of COVID-19, we have upped our sanitation standards even further so you can feel comfortable and confident while roaming through our historical exhibits and taking in the 360-degree views of Seattle in our speakeasy-style bar.”

To help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, all restaurant tables will welcome five guests or less of the same household. Elevator rides are currently conducted per party, and the Observatory posts 1-way signage to help promote a single route overlooking the Emerald City. Additionally, guests have the opportunity to view the menu via a QR code, order, and pay by phone.

Currently, Smith Tower is open for both its historical exhibitions alongside elevator rides to the Observatory, and for dining within its speakeasy-style bar on the 35th floor.  The “Legends of Smith Tower” exhibits and observatory are officially open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with Observatory bar dining open 4 through 10 p.m., though admission ends at 9 p.m.
Sofia Jaramillo/Getty

Currently, Smith Tower is open for both its historical exhibitions alongside elevator rides to the Observatory, and for dining within its speakeasy-style bar on the 35th floor. 

The “Legends of Smith Tower” exhibits and observatory are officially open Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with Observatory bar dining open 4 through 10 p.m., though admission ends at 9 p.m.