Consistency is key. Olaf's is definitely good for the legit lime slice. Our first review of a place more than once and they are on point. Come for the lime, stay for the vag door, and great live music this visit! read more

Olaf's - Vod sod with lime - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Loud bar, good seating, including a pinball space off to the side? What isn't to like about a simple townie inspired bar, perfect for a sit in. When you are ready be willing to go use the pinball side and realize how you are no longer as good as your childhood memories at the paddle-battle! Note: A few extra nooks for small groups exist in the pinball side up front. read more

Great food and drink! Service was also very good. Vibe was decent. I will go again for a chill place after work.

Love this old bar. Formerly the Coppergate when I grew up in the area, the owners were smart enough to not change everything about the bar and leave it a bar! Just upgrading the quality of the alcohol and offering some food. I like that the bartender acknowledges your presence when you walk in or approach the bar even if they are busy and will get to you when they can. The quality of the pour is very good. Clean chilled taps. Large wall opens up to the outside. EASY PARKING!! I don't know if that parking and back, but there has always been street parking for me in that area so I can usually park very close if not right in front. read more

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This place has a cool vibe. It's in an area of Ballard we don't get to often, but that means that parking is much easier than some other parts. The main room is a huge bar with lots of seating. They can open up the front so that you can get some breeze and enjoy a nice summer day. They also have food but we have yet to try it. What I like about this is the pinball rooms located in the back. There are a lot of games here, including a change machine. A couple times we've had the room entirely to ourselves. I first learned about this from a list of local pinball places and am glad I did. I might never have found it had I not read that article. Most games are 75 cents, but there are still a few 50 cent ones. My favs are Jaws and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If you are not in to pinball another thing that is nice about this place is that it seems like a separate place so the noise seems to not overpower those who are just trying to enjoy a drink at the bar. read more

Olaf's - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Very disappointed to encounter the new(ish?) female bartender working nights. Completely unneccesary rudeness. Bring back nice people like Tom, Scott and others. This chick is VERY different from previous staff. read more

The white, loud & stubby bartender (female) who was working around 12AM on 1/18/26 was not only RUDE but kicked me out after I explained to her I had never been to a bar and cannot see the menu due to not having glasses because they are broken. I then told her I wanted a burger, in which she said her kitchen was "super" closed. That was fine, so I asked if they had Gin or Vodka, and that is when she told me I was no longer welcome there and had to leave. I was heading towards the door but kept turning to ask if she was being serious, and she said yes, laughing and slurring her words as if SHE was drunk. This was not only unprofessional, but has opened you to the possibility of a lawsuit. I suggest you do something to make sure this does not happen when someone who recently turned 21 goes into a bar for their first time. I am new to Ballard, and this made me feel as if this is NOT Ballard's #1 local bar. Instead, it's a place where you can be treated poorly by a drunken bartender. read more

Locals spot. Awesome Firecracker chicken sandwich. Aloof bartender. Lighting is bright and annoying. Burger and fries will cost you $23.50 At least the bun in local read more

Such a cool vibe...Corn dogs were a "tasty" treat Samuel Jackson would scarf... Friendly.Beer of the day was refreshing. Someone referred to this as a Dive Bar. Clearly that person hasn't been to a Dive Bar in North Idaho! Tunes were full-on. Ya'll gonna be satisfied fer sure... read more

Olaf's - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Please get your employees a larger broom for the outside patio and sidewalk. That thing is tiny. Thank you! Side note: it seems like a cool spot to watch games and hangout read more

Olaf's a friendly neighborhood bar in Ballard a few blocks from the main street. I stopped in while bar hopping with some friends and we ordered drinks and hungout for a while. There was already a crowd of friendly regulars in there with plenty of available seating. The bartender serving us was awesome and the drinks were very affordable compared to other bars in the area. I should mention the vagina wall right in the middle of the bar, fully colored and decorated, which is hilarious and interesting. If you're looking for a low key dive bar with inexpensive drinks in Ballard, this place is it! read more

Finally made it to Olaf's for a drink and a burger with tots. The burger and tots were well seasoned. I was so hungry that I failed to take a pic. I'd come back for more tots and to try the Philly Cheesesteak and Chicken sandwich. Both looked really good. read more

Olaf's - Exterior - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great neighborhood local - excellent beers and a liquor selection typically only found at pompous douche bag joints. The regulars are super welcoming and the bartenders pour heavy Apparently pinball is popular and the food is upper tier for bar food (ask for Coach's sauce on the wings - damn great!) They also put on University of Montana football games when you ask - tremendous! Go Griz! read more

Great local place if you love a low key bar. I only visit once a year during the Christmas holidays, so I visit walking up the hill from Market Street to Loyal Heights where my family lives. It's the Cheers bar of the area:). If I lived there I would be there way too often! read more

Stopped in for some food and it was decent, just your average bar food. The bartender was super nice and welcoming. Plenty of dogs walking around enjoying themselves and saying hi to everyone. Ambiance was pretty dive bar esk but nice. Would stop in for a beer again but maybe pass on the food. read more

Nice dive bar with bopping music and great rotating tap list! It's fresh hop season and I was delighted to see they had a list showcasing them! Service is very quick and it seems like they are steadily busy even during the week night. I tried the white bluffs fresh hop and it did not disappoint! There is a fun vagina doorway that seems to attract a lot of attention by bar goers. I'll definitely be back to try their firecracker sandwich to accompany my beer next time. The tots looked amazing and I was floored the person next to me opted to toss it out. Blasphemy. Can't wait to be back! read more

Amazing food, especially for a low key bar. Nachos are some of the best in the city. They often do a specialty burger which are generally amazing. read more

*** UPDATE *** Plant eaters can rejoice, not only are there more options, they've even got a Field Roast Sunflower Cutlet! Thanks Olaf, here's another star. read more

I have vouched and brought many friends here in the past. I brought a group today, and sadly, I don't think I will anymore. I raved about this place and told the group how great it had been in the past but this time, the service and food was pretty bad. The Firecracker Chicken Sandwich use to be my favorite, but this time they were burnt and mine was very thin. read more

I'd say this place is fine, if you're the right crowd that is. It's clearly designed for a certain patron -- the kind who likes dive bars that play sports on a huge TV, feel kinda dark inside, and have a huge vagina shaped door to the arcade area. I'm surprised they even have a women's bathroom... I'm clearly not the right crowd for the place, but at the same time it really just wasn't the most uplifting experience all around. read more

Pup-friendly neighborhood pub. Bartender brought over a container of treats while we enjoyed our drinks. Thanks! read more

Olaf's - Pup-friendly pub - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great neighborhood spot. Wings and tots are on point!! Good rotating tap lists. Everything on the menu is delicious

We came here last night for my friend's 50th birthday celebration. It was held thru the anatomically correct vagina doorway, it gives a new meaning to "hole in the wall". The room itself was a throw back to the '50s '60s rat pack days. Plush red booths lined the room with tables and stools. The room also had a projection system. And there were velvet paintings of very voluptuous, naked ladies on the walls. It was a really cool, intimate room. Olaf's provided some pub grub for the party like sliders, veggies with dip, tater tots, and salad. All were decent enough and we had one server for the party, Cheeto (yup, that's his name), and he did an awesome job with the group!!! Opposite to the room was an area with pinball machines, too. Olaf's is a cool, neighborhood spot to grab a beer (or two), eat some pub grub, and watch the game. If this was in my hood, I'd be a regular... (even just to gaze at the vag doorway) read more

Olaf's - The doorway to the "V" Room - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is the quintessential neighborhood bar. You have a few dozen bar pulls on the wall. Great, curved bar with bartenders who look they they were just hired by a cast director to play the role of Bartender, Stud and Bartender, Kick Ass Asian Woman. Tasty, heart clogging, hot meat. Gigantic vagina in the wall for some pinball action. My friend brought me here, inducting me into the vagina-shaped door hall of fame. Olaf's is more of a bar than anything. The menu is small, a variety of burgers, sandwiches and a hot dog thrown in. I don't drink so I have zero feedback for you on that. She got their hot dog which she reported has a nice crunch, juiciness and is slathered with kraut. I got a burger and added blue cheese to it for an extra $1. Threw in some tots because my friend told me they make them well. Kinda hilarious because they are just frozen tots with zero seasoning but whatevs. The burger was on a brioche bun that my friend told me is made by a bakery down the street (can't give away her identity; she is mauled enough as it is in her foodie vocation but trust me, she knows what the hell she's talking about). It was really delicious. The burger was cooked like I asked, medium well, and was too tall so I had to smash it down and cut it in half to take a bite. Really great cheese. They brought over a basket with a couple different locally made hot sauces. I'm extremely white and can't eat hot sauce, but my friend enjoyed the ghost pepper sauce on her tots. We had Mr. Burly be our waiter who had a delicious, intense stare going on. Later, one of the bartenders checked on us a few times and she brought us our checks after we asked. My friend had to ask for refills on our drinks and helped herself to the water pitcher after waiting awhile. Two 55" flatscreen TV's with sports going on for those interested. Several barstools and tables with booths lining the walls. The tables still have the coppery sheen from when this joint was The Copper Table. Street parking only. Food: 4.5 Service: 3 Ambiance: 4 Parking: 3 read more

Olaf's - Sauces - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Olaf's is my favorite neighborhood bar in Ballard and in Seattle. Good food, weekly rotating craft beer, awesome pinball, and truly fantastic service. The food at Olaf's is top notch pub food. The firecracker chicken sandwich is the go-to dinner option for my wife and I. They also have some amazing local hot sauces from down the street in Ballard. Amazing for your burgers, sandwiches, and hot tater tots! Yum. They have a wide variety of pinball machines from many different eras tucked away in the back rooms. They play great and are a blast! It's a great pinball venue for the casual player or the diehard pinhead. The staff at Olaf's are superb! If you need help with their weekly rotating craft beer selection ask Tom! He always has a recommendation for what's best on tap. Drew is a fantastic bartender who can show you how to play the pins or help out if a ball gets stuck. Laura is my favorite bartender there. She's always super friendly and helpful. Everything she does makes Olaf's feel warm, welcoming, and fun! Give Olaf's a try! You won't be disappointed! read more

My favorite pinball place in town. There are a lot of places to pinball in Seattle but Olaf's tops my list. They have a fun collection of older games as well as newer pins. Black Hole is a rarity and really trippy with the lower playfield gabbing the opposite direction. The Powerball in Genie really speeds up the game, making fur a fun time. The food is absolutely delicious. You should try the chicken sandwich--you can thank me later. But the best part is the staff. Laura and Drew are always warm, welcoming and helpful. They take great care of us on pinball nights even when the football crowd gets a bit rowdy. Olaf's is a great place to grab some food and drinks and try out some pinball! read more

Great rotating beer selection. Good also good and served late. Pinball for those who are into that. Fun staff. An interesting doorway into the pinball room. Plenty of seating. Overall great spot! read more

This is a good place to get a craft beer in Seattle. It's a fun tap room with a giant U shaped bar, a retro pinball room (love), lots of booths and even a private back room. Recently remodeled and reopened, Olaf's has a lot going for it: nice bartenders, a fun crowd, great beer on tap, a nice, window-filled setting, and a food menu with decent looking burgers and tongue in cheek tater tots served with local-made stiracha sauce. Honestly, I only have one problem with this place, I'm not a fan of their tongue in cheek vagina doorway. Don't get me wrong, I've got no problem celebrating the v-jay-jay, and this thing is certainly creatively put together, but in this setting with the great craft beer and Ballard-cool retro vibe, a giant vagina doorway looks, well it looks the decor at a frat party. In fact I'm pretty sure I was invited to a frat party (my one and only, that I decided to go to as a sociology experiment) and they had a created a vagina doorway too with crepe paper. All the kids are doing it. Ugh. For such a fun, lively, retro-cool place, it took things down a notch for me. As a female customer, its not about not having a sense of humor. It's about feeling uncomfortable and targeted in a forced, slightly hostile joke that you are expected to laugh along with, but that you are not finding particularly funny. Its like the elephant (um, vagina) in the room. Any-who, I did like the refurbished setting, the beer and had a fine time here, particularly when looking in the right direction: away. If they could put a pair of panties on that thing, I might really love it here. Just saying. read more

My boyfriend and I are regulars now and Olaf's has a nice, easy vibe.. Can get busy on Friday and Saturday nights, but they can usually accommodate in the "V" room if the tables out front are full. It's also more intimate back there, so we don't really mind. Plus, pinball! They make a mean Moscow mule and the chicken firecracker sandwich is not to be missed.. love the local hot sauces on my tots.. Did that sound dirty? read more

Olaf's - Highly recommend the Firecracker chicken sandwich! - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Came here seeking a burger and it was pretty delicious other than it being bloody rare. I couldn't eat it because I'm pregnant, so I told the waitress to flame it up just a tad. When she came back to give me my burger, it was really charred and not palatable. It's ok though, I should have ordered something else. Next time I will ask for medium-well rather than medium. It was a miscommunication on both ends. Anyways..the service is great and your food comes out promptly. The place fills up fast and it can be hard to find seating, but I would comeback to try different items on their menu. I hear the corn dogs are pretty good. read more

Olaf's - Burger with brioche bread - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

They changed the burger patty to terrible, frozen, flat, flappy patties!!!! Noooooooo!!! Please please please bring back your old burger recipe. That was the main attraction for Olaf's. I asked the waitress about it and she said the new chef is trying something new. Well, it sucks, so please bring back your old burgers. Next time I go, Ill have to ask about the burger patty prior to ordering. Otherwise it's a total waste and I'm going somewhere else. :( read more

This is a good staple neighbothood bar. They have 14 beers on tap, 9 are rotating. They also offer a few delicious food items made from scratch. And of course a selection of wine and mixed drinks. I had an order of their corndogs and they were a bit greasy, but not heavy at all. And the mayo dipping sauce was pretty good. but it isn't the food that makes this place nice, it's just super comfortable. The atmosphere is cozy. There is a "vag" doorway, but its tastful and you have to be looking for it. read more

Olaf's - Yummy corn dogs - American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Third or fourth visit here in the past year. How does one write a review for a 'community bar'? Sight, smell, taste I guess. All very good! The visuals are good when walking up to it. Outdoor patio looks inviting. Stepping into the main lounge there's a medium sized rectangular bar top with large tv/s at one end. Various artwork hang on the walls, and the lovely 'doorway' (in the shape of a vagina) into the back video game room, however it is tastefully done as art and not offputting. Entire place is well lit, clear air, can see the bottles along the back wall for selecting the scotch or libation. The barstools are sufficient. The three or four separate bartenders that I've experienced are all adults that are there to serve; it's quite a respectful legit vibe. They have a great selection of beer on tap, I tried a couple flavors, but on return visits being more interested in a nice scotch and gin, found they serve Hedge Trimmers a boutique gin that is downright amazing. Ordered a quesadilla, and two burgers with tots, all on separate visits. The burgers are legit! Good pattie, good proportion to bun and accoutrements, far better than I expected from a pace that is a 'local dive bar' and I'd put it up against some of the best burgers in Seattle. The tots... they are 4 for 5. One basket of tots way overcooked, but the other 4 times i ordered tots they were absolutely perfect. Of note here is the people I met at each visit. Not that sitting solo for a burger at this kind of place would be abnormal, but each time there were a number of people visiting enjoying time out. I met the owner twice and several community memebers who are all very nice people. Why did I stop in the first place?? On the recommendation of a friend. He wasn't wrong. This is an awesome spot, close enough to get to, far enough off the beaten path to be quiet, good enough to plan a basic bar meal, healthy enough to meet friends for drinks or just to hang out. Five stars for the overall great job. read more

I went here for drinks after eating at Copine. This is a great neighborhood bar and great place to watch a game ( in this case, the Mariners). They have a great bar menu with a good selection of beers and drinks. Service is quick and dirty good and you feel very comfortable here. With a name like this, it should have good longevity as the Frozen generation grows up and drinks. read more

I sat at the bar for at least 20 minutes. Totally ignored. The bartender saw me but didn't come over. He continued to only serve the line of young hip kids. Maybe it was the silver grey hair, tattoos all in black and the fact that I'm over 50 that kept me from getting service. This is a fake dive bar. Ageist and rude bartender. No thanks read more

Fun place with decently priced drinks. Service is about what you would expect from a Seattle dive bar, maybe a bit better. Food is descent and served late, but they usually don't have coffee. Owner is super friendly. They have some good pinball in the back room along with a comfy lounge. No service back there, though. read more

Whether you're looking for a place to watch the game or you're just looking for some good grub and good people, Olaf's is the place to be! The staff is super friendly and helpful. Laura and Drew are always there to give great drink recommendations, or just be great listeners when the week has me down. Their kitchen is really great too. The menu is AWESOME! I have had everything on it, and I'm never disappointed. Believe it or not, I probably go for the corn dogs more often than not. Finally, while you're there you should take a peek at the pinball room in the back! You might find a skill you never knew you had! Also feel free to ask Laura or Drew for some pointers because they know pretty much everything about pinball! read more

I am so sorry I have never been here. It is a great bar. They have well stocked bar, but not unmanageable. The servers were so friendly and knowledgeable. The overall feel of the bar is friendly. This was a place where you go with your friends, grab a drink and something fried, had an enjoy. The music wasn't too loud, good B movies on and a vagina door to pinball. read more

Surprisingly good food with fresh, high quality ingredients. Great vibe. Great service. Decent cocktails.

Olaf's exudes the proper amount of relatability and seediness to properly serve as the epitome of the term "dive bar." As a caveat, it is exceptionally clean. The seediness is mostly derived from the giant door meant to entice a historic, lonely occupant of Ballard, interested in a much more enticing prize that the flashy lights of the pinball machines currently there, a prize, I might add, that was more costly than the 75 cents needed to find pleasure now. With a standard food menu and the exceptional beer menu that you would expect from America's brewery capitol, Olaf's provides everything you would want from a neighborhood bar. Would highly recommend. read more