After a walk with a high school friend around volunteer park during this recent Seattle heat wave/ smoke from the fires, we were in desperate need of an ice cold beverage. Even though their patio was in direct sunlight, there was a shade that perfectly covered the upper body, so your face stayed shaded. We got their basket of fries for happy hour. They did the thick cut fries extremely well. Normally, I'm a skinny fry girl, but these ones has a delightful amount of crisp and seasoning. Additionally, they offering lots of different type of sauce options. I went with the fry sauce aka secret sauce. The ranch was excellent though. I had the cider on draft. It wasn't very sweet if that's what you're into. Now the watermelon slushie situation though. That was a sweet refreshing drink. Perfect hot summer day drink. Inside the bar is kind of dark dive bar, but they have some card games and board games that you can play as well if that's more your vibe. read more

this is a really fun themed dive bar in cap hill, and actually my first time visiting! they have a lot of fun drinks, but they also do proper drinks too. theres also a small food menu, burgers, fish n chips, wings, nachos, fries. i got the space tang cocktail, it was really cute and had edible stars in it. it was def more on the sweet tangy side, which i liked! the wings we were able to choose two flavors, got the buffalo and lemon pepper. pretty standard, but i liked that they came out fresh, hot, and cwispy. the fish n chips were also pretty standard. the fries were amazing, big and hearty cuts, almost resembling wedges. the ambiance is pretty dark/moody, def dive bar leaning. it is quite loud. and there is a photo booth in the back! read more

Bait Shop - space tang - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I understand it was a busy Friday night and it seems like a cool place that I want to give another shot. We had been planning for a week to go to that bar specifically, but we were immediately treated like shit by the bartender going off on a power trip, and it made us feel so uncomfortable we had to leave. We had no idea it was the kind of bar where tables were spoken for. We walked in and all we saw was a line to the bar. There is a possibility that I missed a sign, but I'm pretty observant about that stuff. We saw an empty table and naturally walked over to it, and he pounced on us to get our IDs like we were sneaking in. He kept telling us we were 8th in line. I understand they can't give us a set time, but the over-explaining and scolding was so unnecessary. We accepted that the table wasn't ours but he kept going on and on and on. I understand working in a bar gets stressful, and I know there are entitled people that probably pissed him off, but he was projecting something crazy at us that I don't think we deserved. He did apologize for being a dick I think he wanted me to fawn over him and tell him he wasn't but I confirmed that he was and he apologized which I actually respect. Maybe if you put up some signage or something, that could help unless the whole schtick is that your staff is immediately hostile. In that case good job. Hope I can snag a table another one of these days. Best. read more

Great dive bar feel in heart of Cap Hill. Love the decor, there's a lot of indoor seating with small amount of outdoor seating. Decent happy hour! We just got drinks, I got a Seattle Cider Co cider that was $1 since it was on tap and 4-6 pm time frame. My friend got the Fitzgerald off the happy hour menu and said it was decent/average. Other friend said her spicy marg was very spicy. Server was super nice and made sure we were good multiple times without being annoying. Fun! read more

Bait Shop has an incredibly fun atmosphere during the holiday season! My friends and I loved their light show and decor. Service was quick and they work especially hard during the holidays managing the hourly light show too! Food was your typical bar food and yummy. What stood out to me and our group was the Big-Ass Espresso Martini! Absolutely a hit for Girls Night! read more

Bait Shop - Big-Ass Espresso Martini - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is so cute!! If you're wanting to be around christmas lights and see a fun light show this is the spot! We had the green tea shots and they tasted so good but so dangerous. read more

Bait Shop - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Came back for the great food and drinks at really reasonable prices and because we heard they have holiday decor until January to enjoy. We were not disappointed. Still great drinks. Still great food. Still great HH prices. The service was awesome despite how packed it was and the ambiance was very worth it. We will be back soon! read more

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Ordered for delivery. I crave deviled eggs all the time, and there aren't all that many places willing to do them for delivery because they probably don't always travel well, but mine arrived in excellent condition and had that classic flavor that reminded me of many a summer picnic. Yum! The fish in the fish & chips was perfectly golden, flaky, and crispy! Huge portion, too. I had ordered an extra tartar sauce just in case, but it doesn't need it - the one it comes with was enough for me. The fries were pretty good, but sort of reminded me of In n Out fries (IYKYK). Everything was packaged with care. Really tasty - will be ordering from them again. read more

Bait Shop - Deviled Eggs - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I love this place, but the honesty on pricing is what brought me back to update the review! None of the prices on the receipt matched anything on the menu. Was overcharged for the entrees instead. At the time I just paid for it because it was a holiday & I just wanted to leave & keep celebrating. but after being told "that was more expensive right?.." "why was it that much if it was only .. on the menu?" .. the next day it still haunted me being overcharged almost 40% of the prices on the menu. Looked up my exact order on doordash (because we all know they overprice, so obviously my exact order should be more than in-person right?..no. it was cheaper to order my whole dinner on doordash + MORE & have it delivered than eating out & being overcharged that night) Anyways whatever a week later i'm still realizing how much I was overcharged that night & disappointed because of how much praise I give this place when recommending to people & stuff. read more

I met up with some friends for drinks, so we didn't have food, but the drinks were great! Bailey's Green Juice was recommended to me, and now I'm recommending it to you (definitely get it). Service was a little slow because our waitress was also bartending, but she was extremely nice. It's dark, a little loud, small, and kind of divey, but you'll sit close with your pals and have a great time regardless. read more

Bait Shop - Drink menu - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great themed bar... they went all out with the boat theme and its so cute! We were there late on a Saturday and our server was very helpful. A friend ordered some food and it was good (can never go wrong with chips and salsa!). It is a tad loud in there (to be expected!) but definitely a lot of fun! read more

Loved the decor of this place. So camp. It's a gay bait shop vibe!!! Service was good and fish was very good for a dive bar. I wouldn't definitely come back. read more

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Gosh I love this place. It is so fun with a laid back and rustic feel but surprisingly delicious mixed drinks and food. I love fish and chips and theirs are very good, as are their burgers. My husband and I have loved coming here the past few years to see their Christmas light show which is really something eclectic and special and I would recommend it to about anyone who I'd consider a friend. Super friendly staff. My one and only complaint is that I wish I could bring my kids here...if not for anything other than for them to see the light show because they would love it too. But I do get why it's 21 and up... read more

Ordered the salad thru doordash & asked for extra dressing. I literally got none :( read more

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Came here with a friend on a weekday before Beyond Wonderland and I was a really big fan! We just got deviled eggs (which I rarely see on menus, but is such a good bar food) and tater tots... Both were great. The ambience and decor are super cute and the servers were really nice as well! Highly recommend and would love to be back for a full meal. read more

After a long day going to shops at Capitol Hill, this is a great dive bar to just sit and relax and fuel up for the next day. Amazing amazing service, the waiters and waitresses here are so friendly, made me feel super comfortable! The fish and chips were very delicious! I liked how light the batter of the fish was and the chips were so good. The fried bologna sandwich was heavy, don't know if I would order it again but it definitely had great flavor. They have a Photo Booth in the back and it's great for travelers coming out of state! read more

Bait Shop - Fish and Chips, Fried Bologna Sandwich - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I would lay down my life for every server that works here (and probably the back of house too but I don't see them as much) I love them. I love the decorations. I love the deviled eggs. Pic of my pigeon purse with cocktail. (Naturally) read more

Bait Shop - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Very fun dive bar-type atmosphere, but excellent drinks and food. The cocktails are really inventive and the menu itself is so fun. Highly recommend! read more

Shoutout to our server they were very attentive and made our drinks quick and good. Great pricing and decent bar food. Can't complain at all

Great spot in Cap Hill to grab some drinks and bar snacks with friends. I came here on a weekday night and was able to find seating almost immediately! The staff was friendly and attentive in taking our orders and also getting the drinks to us relatively quickly! It was a little loud as they were blasting music but it was not overwhelming. The decor is a bit odd but it fits the overall eclectic theme of the bar. I ordered the buffalo and lemon pepper wings and they were very tasty! I would definitely come back again if I'm ever in the area! Parking: Paid street parking (a little hard to come by since this is the heart of cap hill) read more

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Went to the bait shop for their Christmas pop up bar and really enjoyed it. I think you can tell a lot about a place by the holiday themed time even though it's only like that for a month. Every hour they do a light show which was wild, I thought that was so cool! And the live grinch at the fire etc Drinks were good and speciality themed as well which I always love read more

Not much to say but service was exceptional! Haven't been here in years and I can't tell if this place expanded or I just forgot. Our server was great! My friend and I was just catching up. Drinks were good and so was food. Will be back when I can!! read more

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I have not been feeling very in the Xmas spirit, so went to Bait Shop in hopes of being cheered, and it helped! Bait Shop is currently very decked out for the holidays and they do a "light show" hourly, which was very fun. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. We got some nachos and fries and everything was perfectly tasty. We're not drinkers so just got some ginger beer. There were several non alcoholic options but I did wish there had been a non alcoholic cocktail or two. But all in all, a great experience at a bar with nice cozy vibes. read more

Bait Shop - Fun Xmas decorations! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Decent drinks, unfortunately some of the staff were pretty unfriendly so made for a less than stellar night.

As soon as you walk in the host is personable and welcoming. The service was immediate and they checked on the party often. They have seating outside and booths on the inside. Dark ambiance and very colorful decorations. Food is pub fair and reasonably priced. There is also a happy hour with great prices too. read more

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I spent 40 years in Wisconsin, the apex of the corner bar/tavern world. According to other reviewers, The Bait Shop is a facsimile of a midwest tavern or corner tap. I enjoyed my drinks at the Bait Shop and the Hamms Beer sign, but it isn't really a midwest tavern. It has its own unique identity and is very Seattle. Eclectic, the Bait Shop attracts a local crowd who live in the neighborhood. Unlike a midwest joint, the patrons are not particularly warm or friendly. That's Seattle, not Milwaukee, Minneapolis, or Hurley. In those three places you would be engaged in conversation. The bartender was efficient, moving fast to accommodate the thirsty folks sitting at the small bar. Loud music forced me to shout, and the Bait Shop has a hip quotient that is very PNW. It isn't a dive bar at all, but just a casual place representing Seattle's flannel cool. Most Emerald City folks would love the Bait Shop. read more

Bait Shop - Quirky interior - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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One of my favorite places to go in Seattle. They have the most delicious wings and fries (I dream about them). Fun cocktails including some tiki cocktails year round. I moved away from Capitol Hill to north Seattle 3 years ago and this is one of two places I return to Capitol Hill for. 20/10 recommend! read more

Great service, outstanding mixology. Reasonable prices. The happy hour deal is fantastic.

I decided to check out Bait Shop on a Saturday night to try out the fish and chips and fried chicken. Bait Shop is a dive bar in north Capitol Hill right on Broadway. Parking is not super easy so I'd recommend the bus or light rail. My partner and I split a fish and chips plate ($16) and the fried chicken sandwich ($16). The beer battered fish and chips is cod and came out piping hot but the breading was a bit too bready for my liking. Fish and chips came with steak fries that were very yummy. The fried chicken sandwich was perfectly juicy, nicely fried, and came with lots of pickles and coleslaw. I'll have to come and try out their drinks next time! read more

Bait Shop - Chicken sandwich - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The Bait Shop has the best Hamburgers in town. The French Fries are so good and very well seasoned and crispy! If you are trying different Burgers in Seattle to see who has the best, don't miss Bait Shop! They are seriously delicious. read more

Went during the week and no wait. Had a few cold beers and a few shots, all were great. They know how to pour a shot here. Service was exceptional. The wings were tasty and the fish and chips were good, only complaint was the fish wasn't as crispy as I like it to be. Other than that the place was great, would return. read more

I absolutely loved Bait Shop. Everything was great! My bartender Robert was attentive and super friendly. The owner Mike was awesome, giving me great suggestions of restaurants in various neighborhoods in the Seattle area. The Kolsch beer on tap was ice cold and super tasty. I had a small order of tots (there are lots in a small order) and they were hot and crispy. The ranch dressing seemed like it was homemade. I also got one pork taco and one fried cod. Both were delicious. I recommend getting the pineapple for the pork. The corn tortillas were moist and flavorful. I am in town for work, but will definitely go back this week. read more

Did not have high expectations for food, but we were hungry and did not want a wait. We were immediately greeted at the door and they pulled two tables together for us to seat together. The food was much better than expected. We tried a variety of food offerings, deviled eggs, fish sandwich , cod and chicken tacos and the bait shop burger. The burgers were very good and the special sauce was excellent. It was reminiscent of a Big Mac, but the burgers were much better. They have a large variety of drinks to select from. This is your basic dive bar, with good food and atmosphere. read more

Bartender is very unfriendly and not interactive at all. Felt like I was an imposition being there and ordering a drink. The cost of a Hendricks and tonic was well beyond what I would have expected and actually paid at the 4 Seasons. I won't be returning based on how the bartender treated me and the cost of what I'd consider a staple drink. read more

BUFFALONIANS get your wings here. They make them close (but not the same) to home. They even get it right by giving you blue cheese and not ranch... Anyways, as a wing snob, the wings here are pretty good. Beyond that we got the friend chicken salad, and street corn. Both were good. Cherry on top was our waitress was great, friendly, fast, and had great recommendations. I will return for sure!!! read more

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Ambience. B Service. A Food. A Price. A Found on north end of main Broadway drag. Didn't eat inside, they had 4 small tables to eat al fresco. Server was friendly. Needed to show vaccination card and ID to sit outside. And yes, I ordered a beer. Like they had short 7 Oz. Coronas for $3.50. Just the right size for me! Like that they have happy hour 7 days a week. Usually about a $1 off and special pricing on drinks. Had the happy hr deviled eggs for $5. Nice 4 1/2 bites. . Tasted mild Cajun OR chipotle seasonings in filling? I ordered the fish and chips. $17. It did not disappoint. Nice crispy batter (reminds me of good English or Irish battering). Nice flaky moist fish in middle. They server with cocktail and tarter..: they also have English style malt vinegar and aardvark habanero hot sauce! Yea! Total bill over $30 with tip. I'm a fan!!! read more

Bait Shop - Fish and chips. Al fresco on covered sidewalk. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Probably my 6th visit ...love the atmosphere and (duh) the fish and chips. Always a fun cocktail to talk about ...space dust (with Tang) and drinks with Swedish fish. Always a go to a Cap Hill. Servers are excellent and as aways will return read more

It's a neighborhood dive bar. If you are in cap hill and you want to enjoy some good fish and chips with local Seattle folks, come here for sure. It's a must go bar here. read more

Bait Shop - Nachos - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Overall: As an out-of-towner, this seems like a great local staple that anyone can hang in. The good: Plenty of seating (granted we came on a Thursday night) with a fun, laid back atmosphere. Not too moody but also intimate enough, it's a great place to hang with friends or to bring a date. The cocktails are fun, inventive, and strong, and if that's not your thing they have plenty of standards to choose from. Plus TVs and good service! The not-so-good: Not much really! Just not a mind-blowing 5-star kind of place, which is totally okay. Drinks: 8.5/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 Service: 9/10 read more

Bait Shop - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Bait has become my favorite bar on the hill. The drinks and food are great. I have numerous things and all are good. I especially like the popcorn chicken. The painkiller is still my favorite drink there. The service is always great and always feel welcome. read more