I love a clever play on words, and re:public nails it and then some. This tavern channels old-school charm with a name that hints at communal gathering with an emphasis on conversations. Inside, it's all warm wood and low lighting, which provides the kind of cozy atmosphere where both locals and out-of-towners can feel right at home. Bottles of liqueur are artfully stacked behind the bar, and the abundance of wooden community tables and booths invites visitors to settle in and stay a while, and that's exactly what a fellow friend and I who were here on business recently did. Located in the up-and-coming South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle re:public is part local watering hole, part neighborhood restaurant, and part late-night bar that serves entrées and libations throughout the day. What brought my friend and I hear was the fact that we were staying at a nearby hotel in the South Lake Union area along Westlake Avenue and after we were dropped off by our rideshare after a long evening, we were both still hungry, so we both got on our Yelp app and looked to see what was still open in the area, and one of the few options that would pop up was re:public.
It wasn't too busy when we arrived and we immediately sat in one of their signature booths.They have various menus at re:public depending on the time of day that you arrive to enjoy a meal, and we arrived in time to still enjoy their dinner menu. That menu is separated into categories including Starters & Sides, Mains, and Dessert, in addition to their beverages including Cocktails, Glass Pours, Draft Beers and Packaged Beverages. We both weren't super hungry but were both interested in a few small bites on their menu, so we decided to share two dishes from the Starters & Sides section of their menu, including their Crispy Tofu, which were Island Spring Organic Tofu, served on a bed of Green Chili Nuoc Cham and and mixed with Pickled Onions and Togarashi Sesame seeds; and their Chili-Rubbed Chicken Wings which were grilled and served with our choice of ranch dressing. To drink with our meal, I ordered their RE:VIVAL cocktail which was made with Zackariah Harris Bourbon, Creme de Mure, Lemon & Rosemary Simple Syrup, while my friend ordered their re:public Old Fashioned, which was made with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Amaro Meletti, and Whiskey Barrel Bitters.
It wouldn't take too long for our food to come out. The stars of our experience were of course our drinks, as my cocktail had the perfect amount of sweetness mixed with subtle depth thanks to the Liqueur added with every sip. We liked both bar bites selections that we chose to dine on with the Chicken Wings which had the perfect combination of tanginess and char. Our total bill was $62.90 before gratuity was added in which is in line with what other establishments are offering especially in this area of Seattle where both Amazon and the University of Washington have a major presence. I appreciated that re:public remained open even later after we arrived, offering a safe, well-lit atmosphere. Their reasonably priced Happy Hour menu includes a number of intriguing options that make me want to return. In a city like Seattle, where diners have an abundance of choices, re:public is one of the few that truly stands out. read more