It's a really cool spot that's a bit hidden. Just a bit up the street from the mcmenimens, and there was not a sign that said foreign national from what I remembered. We had to ask others to verify the wooden door led to the place. The interior is awesome, it has a mix of the 20s and an assassin bar vibe. Drinks are decent, and service was friendly. The only thing I wish was different was the volume of background music, as I had to raise my voice to keep a conversation going and had issue hearing. I like the mystical feeling of this bar, and would visit again, maybe with a group of friends instead of just bringing one other person here. read more

Foreign National - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

was my first time going here! We stopped by randomly and they were able to accommodate our group of 5 immediately and seated us instantly, service was good and it was just fun vibes. They had popsicles here which was really good and the duck rolls were really tasty too. Little pricey but probably as expected read more

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I always love an Asian inspired cocktail place! This place is a walk-in only, small Capitol Hill bar located right next to Stateside, which is a convenient location especially if you are going from downtown Seattle. Because of the walk-in only format (having to physically wait in line if the bar is full), we opted to go right at opening on Wednesday since we were a party of 3 but still strongly preferred the bar. Within 15 minutes of opening, the whole bar is filled, but given it is the weekday, the tables below were never full during our 2hrs drinking there. We tried a variety of cocktails, such as Odachi, Ruby Rosella, Little Prince, Chophouse Old Fashioned, Singapore Sling, White Fang, an off-menu aperol spritz, and one of the mocktails. Odachi was an egg white based cocktail that is quite interesting as there were savory notes (garlic soy sauce) and cucumber. As much as I like to explore these unique drinks, this one didn't hit. The Ruby Rosella and Singapore Sling were more tropical drinks, which were solid, with some herbal and floral notes. Little Prince was one of my favorites - strong, concentrated, and filled with a fruity yet smoky aftertaste, accentuated by the mint oil on top. Chophouse Old Fashioned sounded great on paper but the alcohol masked the flavors I wanted to see, such as hojicha and black pepper, and it was on the more expensive side. White Fang is a more unique Asian inspired drink with Milkis. This is one of the better bars out there, but there are many other options that will be more convenient and around similar quality if you are in a tight squeeze in time or want to go to Capitol Hill in one of the more popular weekend nights. Otherwise, for the uniqueness of a handful of drinks and reasonable prices, this is a spot to go. read more

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Outstanding intimate cocktail bar - sort of a speakeasy vibe without any pretense.... Very friendly staff and great drinks. Sister to Stateside restaurant next door which is worthy of a visit also - bites from their kitchen are available here also. Never miss an opportunity to come here when in town. read more

Foreign National - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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So sad to see this place close. I loved everything about this place, the cozy size, the drinks, the service, the ambiance. Will definitely be missed. Sadface. https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/foreign-national-acclaimed-seattle-cocktail-bar-is-abruptly-closing/#comments read more

Picked a random cool looking bar on Yelp as this was my first time in Seattle. Well you all were right, because this place is awesome! It has the feel of a classy speakeasy, as well as the slightly hidden entrance, but also has an awesome spinning giant disco ball by the bar. The drinks are outstanding and very creative - my favorites were a chai and whiskey drink as well as the Red Eye Reprisal which has maple and rye. I finished both way too fast. The bartenders are clearly talented and you can watch their efficient drink making. They were also very quick to take our orders and take our empty glasses away. The space inside is cozy and appropriately dark. My only small complaint would be that it got quite loud later in the night, which isn't typical for this type of speakeasy bar (or maybe it is in Seattle who knows :P). Loved this place overall and would highly recommend! read more

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Stopped in for a quick drink before dinner. Ended up drinking two. Really enjoyed the menu selection and the place was busy but not crowded. Sat immediately at the bar. Very kind and attentive bartenders. Will definitely be back. read more

Foreign National - Penicillin of sorts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is definitely a Speak easy and was not easy for me to find lol but once found, what a little gem. It's not a big place, infact, it's quite small but that just adds to the flair and coziness. Expansive list of creative rotational and seasonal cocktails and small lite bites. I'm an Old Fashioned type of guy so I went with the Shoyuzuke Old Fashioned (my only drink of the night) and was happy with my choice. Knowledgeable servers add to the experience. If you're a fan of speak easy's than add this to your list of Seattle Delights, thank me later :) P.S Missing one star because of the size of the place..that's it, I know..I'm picky like that ‍ read more

Foreign National - Redeye Reprisal - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Another amazing Seattle find! Thought the wait could be ridiculous. The bar sits only a few patrons and the vibe gives off speakeasy ambiance. REALLY great drinks and even better selection. Love that their cocktails are representative of cultures the world over just like the bar's namesake. read more

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The ambiance was cute, they did a good job for such a small space. My main complaint is that although the drinks sounded creative, they were nothing special and very weak. read more

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5/5 cocktails - Asian inspired and you can't go wrong with any choice! 4/5 ambiance - dark and moody, but small 1/5 waiting in the small nook outside the door haha The main deterrent is waiting to get in. There isn't much room, so you are either lining up along the side walk or huddled under the 100sq ft around the door (which was unfortunately our case). That being said, the line was shorter, since most people don't enjoy standing in the rain LOL. We still had to wait 40min though with only one other couple ahead of us... If they implemented a wait list system, I'd be more likely to go back more, but it's still a good spot to check out if the line isn't too long and you are flexible on time. read more

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Classy speakeasy bar with interesting Asian inspired cocktails. If you enjoy savory cocktails, you'll love this place. Many of the drinks here have elements of umami, saltiness, and spiciness that you won't find at many other bars. The drinks are a bit pricey and the wait to get in can sometimes take a while, but it's worth it for the experience. One drink that I like is the Silk Road. It's basically what you would get if you crossed a tiki bar with Southeast Asia. Strong rum flavored with aromatic curry and lightly sweetened by coconut milk. I usually don't enjoy savory cocktails but this one had a nice balance of sweet and salty and it was extremely unique. What I enjoy about here is that the drinks aren't just sweet, most of them have something that balances the sweetness and adds a depth of flavor. While I can't say that I've enjoyed every drink I've had here, everything is super unique and interesting! read more

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Wow! I didn't know this place was so lauded until after coming, but its accolades it definitely deserves! I came for my birthday on a Tuesday night around 8ish and we just got a spot. After us there was a line. It's a cozy cozy cocktail bar. Dark decor. The drinks run 16-20something dollars so pretty typical for a fancy cocktail bar. We got the fortunes flavor, which was surprising fresh, and the real star of the show is the gourmet fortune cookie. It's so damn buttery. I got the Silk Road which had ginger and coconut milk and was deliciously creamy and spicy. Both had truly unique flavors! I would definitely recommend trying for a unique drink experience. We didn't have a 30 minutes wait but the experience inside would probably be worth it. read more

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TLDR: Amazing speakeasy with insane wait times on weekends (im not sure how long the line is on weekdays) We stopped by Foreign National on a Saturday evening around 7:30 PM and there was a huge line of people waiting to get in there. We thought the line may get better later so went else where for dinner and came back again at 9:30 PM to see the line was pretty long on a cold night. This time we decided to hang around and were hopeful the line would move relatively quicker - but NO we were wrong. We got into the bar at 11:10 PM and were honestly not happy about the wait time. Once you walk in, the place is tiny with cozy tables. The place was loud and noisy to have conversations with your friends. We wasted no time and ordered our drinks (in fact we placed 2 rounds at once cos they were taking their last order at 11:30PM). We ordered the following drinks: Foreign National Cocktail: Crisp refreshing and floral notes. This was a delicious Quebranta based cocktail. Was a crowd favorite. Ambrosia: Delicious rum based cocktail with mild flavors of cardamom, raspberry and balsamic. Another crowd fav. Singapore Sling: Juicy boozy gin based fruity cocktail. Great if in the mood for a fruity cocktail. Refreshing. Silk Road: Coconut milk and rum based mildly spiced deliciously creamy cocktail. Knoble Steed: Rye Bourbon based cocktail tasked similar to a Manhattan. It was still good though. This place is best for a group of only 2 or 4 (maybe). They have only 1 big table that can accommodate a group of 6 so good luck getting that for your group. While we loved all our cocktails, the only reason I take a star off their rating is cos of the insane wait times. They do not take reservations and also do not take down names when you show up. So all you got to do is wait in line for some one some time to open the door for you to be seated. Nobody keeps you posted about the approx wait times. It could be 10 mins, 2 hrs or none. You never know. Maybe start reservations with a $25 deposit amount I dont know but do something to make it enticing for us to come back. Enjoyed the cocktails here but will come back on a weekday to skip the crazy lines or when they figure out their reservation system. read more

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Truly one of my favorite speakeasys in Seattle. From the intimate setting and the carefully crafted cocktails makes for a great night out everytime. read more

Foreign National - Mushroom Spring Rolls - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Very cute, small speakeasy type cocktail bar. Absolutely loved the shiitake mushroom spring rolls and the cocktails were well crafted. Went around 7pm on a Saturday and we were just lucky enough to get seated fairly quickly (a couple large parties of 5+ people had just left). If you're look for a place for a good drink, a couple apps and a place to sit and catch up with friends before night out or even meeting someone for the first time (ie. Blind date), I would highly recommend this place. They do not take reservations so if you can't get in I'd plan for a back up. Would definitely visit this place again! read more

Foreign National - Shiitake mushroom spring rolls - so good! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My friend took me here one evening after dinner. The bar is speakeasy vibes and the entrance is hard to find, I would have definitely missed it if it's not my friend. The bar has limited seatings, and many of them are for small groups (2-4 people) and one big table for the big group. read more

Foreign National - Summer 2024 menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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One of my favorite safe bets to land in Seattle, I keep coming back to this spot. Cool speakeasy vibe, great for when I'm by myself at the bar or with one other person. A little limited on options for larger groups (basically one larger table). Light bites are excellent as well, easy to make a full meal by ordering a few (and don't skip the popsicles - Thai iced tea or Vietnamese coffee are the best. But the cocktails themselves are unquestionably the attraction. Innovative, experimental, and expertly crafted. Fantastic descriptions as well, so you know what you're getting into with each order. Pity (at least with my tolerance level) you can't try the entire cocktail menu in one visit! But you won't be sorry to have to return. Spring Gibson is my favorite, if you like something on the briny, umami end of the spectrum. read more

To be honest I was underwhelmed because the place is so popular and highly-praised, but I did only try one drink so take it with a grain of salt. I got the Silk Road which was a rum cocktail with coconut milk, curry, ginger, and pandan. I love all those flavors, and while they did pretty good with balancing sweet and savory, it still was too much like drinking a cold cup of curry. Tasty curry, but won't get it next time. My friend's Singapore sling was good, but she rolled her eyes at the tiki cup. It's a small and intimate speakeasy so the line out the door can get pretty crazy but if you go the first hour or so of opening there shouldn't be any waiting. read more

Foreign National - Silk Road and Singapore Sling - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Hey Ma! I had a cocktail with wasabi tonight! I am (at least) somewhat an adventurous eater. It is also safe to say I am an adventurous drinker! If you're like me, you must not skip this place on your visit to Seattle. The drinks are amazing, and the vibe is awesome! That's one of the reason I love places like this - the cocktails are one-of-a-kind. But there is so much more to love! For instance there's the vibe of this place. They only let in as many people as they have chairs. As such, there isn't any crowding, and hands won't be reaching over you while you try to enjoy your drink in peace. Conducive this this, the atmosphere is lively, but without contributing to hearing loss! You are able to have a conversation with the person next to you without throwing out your vocal cords. Even the level of light is well-balanced! Inside is dark enough to be moody and mysterious, yet not so much you're leaving with bruised shins. Before getting into the cocktails (and food), let me touch on the menu. The layout is very well thought out. You have a category up top, and tasting notes next to each drink so you know what you're getting into. That night, I got myself into a D. Tea O. and a Wasabi Martini. The D. Tea O. was great! It was very well balanced with a gentle sweetness and some tang. The foam (for lack of a better word) and spices up top offered some nice dimensionality too. The Wasabi Martini didn't quite agree with my palate. Nothing wrong with the drink itself, more a matter of personal taste. A drink this clean and simple together with wasabi heat was, well, spicy vodka. Yet, they transform it by offering a side of delicious house-pickled ginger! This added some sweetness and acid, making the Wasabi Martini experience more enjoyable. For a bite to eat, I ordered the duck rolls. My mind is a little foggy on this, so please bear with me.. These were flavorful and savory! The wrapper is memory serves was a combination of rice paper and greens. Whatever the ingredient, it was paper thin and was a great contrast to the savory, meaty duck! Speaking of they did not skimp on the protein! Meanwhile, the sauce added some nice sweetness and helped bring everything together. Finally, the bar staff were very friendly and welcoming! Not to mention they make spectacular drinks without a long wait. This is the sort of place that will be at the top of my list for visiting when I return to Seattle. If any of my friends visit Seattle, I will be giving this bar my highest recommendation. read more

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A fun little hidden, speakeasy type bar perfect for hanging out with friends. I came here with friends for some after dinner cocktails. There was plenty of seats and we were able to get a table right away. We had some trouble finding the place, as the door is super unassuming. The interior was nicely decorated and had a very classy feeling. The drinks were a little pricey, but we're very strong. As someone who doesn't necessarily enjoy the taste of alcohol, it was a bit much for me. I'm sure if you like the taste of alcohol though it would have been perfect! The drink I got was super cute and such a nice color. I enjoyed my experience here and would probably come back! read more

Foreign National - cool disco ball - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Stopped by Foreign National on a rainy Thursday night so lucked out and walked in and got quickly seated. I've walked on this street so many times but never actually noticed the speakeasy's door. Inside is cozy and quaint with the large disco ball, but the true highlight is the unique Asian inspired menu. I got the Singapore Sling which leans on the sweet-sour side, it was tropical! I also got the Titan which I recommend if you want to try out the Chinese Baijiu. Baijiu by itself is so harsh and I can rarely stomach it but the sour and fresh flavors of the cocktail worked so well with the baijiu! I would recommend Titan if you're willing to try something out of the normal wheelhouse. read more

Foreign National - singapore sling and titan - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The cocktails I experienced here some that I will never forget. Perfectly crafted and paired with an edible garnish that pulled it all together. The Chophouse Old Fashioned was one that I'd come back for time and time again. I also had the Redeye Reprisal and it was fantastic. I had a 3rd drink - Blood Moon Rises (a zero-proof) - that was delicious - and most zero-proofs are hard to do that with. The atmosphere was amazing! Very small space that had an exclusive feel. The music playlist was excellent and really added to the vibe with the giant mirror ball. Food was delicious as well. Highly recommend the cheeseburger bao - and definitely heed the server's warning to cut the top to cool! The mixologists were very friendly and willing to answer any questions. I love to hear the stories behind how a drink was created and how they get the wide variety of flavors. The Chophouse Old Fashioned is one they pre mix, but you would never know. We were told how they let it set with tea in order to not water it down. 10/10 would visit again if in town! read more

Foreign National - Page of the cocktail menu that I drank from. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Foreign National came highly recommended after a dinner in the area and was looking for a nightcap, and it absolutely did not disappoint. The intimate, moody atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for an exceptional dining experience. The drinks were expertly crafted, with unique flavors that really set this spot apart. If you're looking for a hidden gem this is a must try. read more

Foreign National - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I recently visited them.. I have to say, it's one of the best places to get drinks in the city thats worth the price. The vibes were absolutely fantastic--intimate and cozy, perfect for a night out with friends or a date. With its small size the atmosphere felt welcoming and vibrant. The drinks were simply amazing. Each cocktail was crafted to perfection, with a great selection that caters to all tastes. The bartenders are skilled!!!!!!! We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back. If you're looking for a top-notch bar experience in Seattle.. It's a must-visit. read more

Highly recommend - this place is so beautiful and the giant disco ball made the place super fun! We shared the crispy duck rolls and they were delicious - the texture of the rice paper was so good. The drinks were also really great - the descriptions on the menu made it really easy to choose different cocktails! This place is a little bit smaller, so we had to wait around 10-15 minutes, but overall such a great place to grab drinks in Cap Hill! read more

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No actual food an hour before closing but the drinks are awesome. House shot is intriguing. Lovely bartenders that are engaging and lovely to talk to read more

Pricey, but a fantastic place if you want to grab high-end cocktails. I came here with a friend and we had a blast splitting a couple of drinks. Got quite loud the night we were there. The space is small and intimate, the menu is intricate and features so many incredible ingredient combinations. Would highly recommend for a special occasion, date night, or a just a special night out with friends. read more

The best speak easy that I have ever been to! Loved the food and the cocktails! The ambiance is amazing and the service is good. Totally recommend trying the cocktails at this place. read more

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Just so happened to pass by and saw people go inside. Decided to wait for a spot to open up. You have to wait outside and you would not even notice it was there when walking by, very much a speakeasy. Really cool vibe, with a great drink menu. Every drink we had was good...really good. read more

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Have tried to visit here a few times and waited with the crowd. Finally made it on a Wednesday literally after they opened. We had just had dinner at Stateside (highly recommend, been several times) and voila we got in!! Celebrated daughter's birthday with more cocktails. Service was quick, drinks were excellent would 100% return. In fact birthday daughter returned on her actual birthday and was lucky enough to sit below the disco ball!! Owners gave her birthday glass of champagne and made the group a series of excellent cocktails. Just hoping I can get in again!!! read more

Foreign National - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cozy and intimate speakeasy in Capitol Hill! The line can get pretty long and it's an outdoor wait, but sometimes if the line is short they'll let you order drinks at a standing table near the entrance while you wait for some seats to free up. As it's a small venue, it's definitely not great for large groups. However, with the dimly lit interior and plenty of candlelight, it creates a kind of romantic atmosphere and seems perfect for dates! The drinks were fine but nothing memorable that another bar couldn't easily recreate. read more

Foreign National - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Very cool place, a hole in the wall in Capitol Hill, we only had to wait maybe 10 minutes to get in. Very cool scene inside, nice and small with good seating so its not an overwhelming club scene. Bartender was very helpful and gave us good suggestions for things to do around town. I only remember one of the drinks in the photo was a Foreign National Cocktail. Another might have been "Fortunes Favor/Flavor"? I tried the Opal Icelandic Amore Freezer shot, and as someone who isn't crazy for alcohol it was cool! Very menthol-sea-salty and a fun experience. read more

Foreign National - Friends putting their drinks together for a photo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place has held up over the years and is as good as I remember every time. They recently redid their menu but I appreciate how they still kept their 'legacy list' of favorites! This is a hidden gem in Seattle and definitely in my top 5 bars in the city right now. read more

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Smaller speakeasy. Drinks were so different and well blended. I tried the Silk Road and the tiki one. Two very different drinks each with its own flare. The server was great with suggestions! read more

Foreign National - Drinks - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Finally got to try this place! The wait time is usually really bad since there aren't that many seats inside but we got here super early, at 6:30 pm. If you go later than we did, just expect to wait a little bit. On a Friday night around 9-10 pm, you will maybe around 20-30 minutes at least. The menu was very cool, with lots of unique flavors and ingredients. Our favorite drink was the Titan. If you want a refreshing, gin based drink that kinda tastes like an alcoholic OJ , PLS get this one. It is so delicious! The ambiance is really nice too so you can sit for a bit if you'd like! read more

Foreign National - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Amazing cocktails! If you arrive and the door is locked, simply wait 5-10 min for a little space to open up. Trust me, it's worth it.

Came in due to a recommendation from another bartender in the area. They said that this was one of the best bars in the city so we decided to stop in. I'm so glad I did as the music was great (cold wave/dark wave) and the bartenders were super nice. The drinks were also AMAZING!! I had the Odachi and I unfortunately forgot the name of the other drink but it had a perilla leaf on top. I wish I would have gotten here sooner as I showed up about an hour before close. I just wish they closed later, they close at 12am which is strange coming from an area where bars close at 2am. Regardless, this was awesome and I'll definitely be returning when I'm in town. read more

Foreign National - Odachi (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The drinks here are the best! They have something for everyone. Whether you're into staple/simple drinks that are spirit forward or more experimental drinks with savory elements, this is the place to go. The whole theme is using ingredients from around the world so expect to see drinks using a wide variety depending on where they drew inspiration for it. This place is a bit dark and not a first date place because of how close the tables are but a good place in your back pocket for you and a couple friends. Highly recommend this place! read more

Foreign National - Alcohol shelf - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Such a fun spot for a date. We had a drink and some nibbles here before moving over to Stateside for dinner. I had the Wasabi Martini and the Odachi. Both were good and prefect sipping drinks. I loved the pickled fiber that came with the Wasabi Martini - it made the flavor experience more powerful. He had the Sand Castle Old Fashioned and another whisky drink. The Old Fashioned came in a cute bottle and with a mint leaf. He enjoyed it. We shared the mushroom rolls and the prawns. The rolls had great flavor and texture. The prawns had a great spice/seasoning. We love that there were flashlights on the bar to help read the menus. The darker ambience and decor gives a great speakeasy vibe. We arrived around ten minutes after opening on a weekday and got in right away. I think one more party came in before it was at capacity and the door was locked. read more