Shorty wanna thug (yeh) Bottles in the club (yeh) Shorty wanna hump (yeh) You know I like to touch (yeh) Had a drink and watched Snooki body slam a sloot on their TV. How could you not enjoy this place? I guess I came on a pretty mellow night. Oh.. the bathroom scared me to. death. Never in my life will I pee there alone again. I walk back to the dark bathroom and I'm all alone and realize they are playing fucked up circus music (Rob Zombie-- House of 1000 Corpses style)!!! Buddy system here ladies. Body system. read more

The secret to Shorty's success? Hot dogs with cream cheese on them. Don't worry, I made that EWWWW face, too--but I got over myself and ordered one. And after inhaling it, life seemed... different, somehow. Sweeter. I felt as though I'd matured. I had a new appreciation for the world around me. Pretty good for three bucks. Also, pinball (Monster Mash is a favorite), nachos (eat 'em quick, they get cold fast but it's worth it), and cheap beer. Don't forget the classic video game, Big Buck Hunter, for all of you folks who wondered what killing a deer felt like. Personally I'd rather kill a moose, take a picture with it, and run for vice president, but I don't have that kind of time. Always bring cash, because their ATM is a generic one that will charge you 2306258264 fees. A word to the wise: these bartenders, much like the tougher bars in Georgetown, don't take any shiz and appreciate quick and clear bar orders; I know that's the case for most bartenders, but when I've been quiet or taken too long, I've paid for it. Cons (for me): Loud, scream-y music that you can barely talk over, and you have to walk THROUGH the smokers to get in and out of the bar. 25 feet, my Aunt Fanny. read more

A must if you are bar hopping around the area-- and here's why: 1. Old school pin ball games, all in good working order. For those of you in your 30s and 40s, you will remember some of these games from the arcades of past. My only gripe though is $1 per game?! Come on now Shorty's. 2. Friendly staff and bartenders that allow dogs inside. Even if you don't own a dog, its nice to see various dogs hanging out having a beer. 3. Located among in the middle of Belltown, it's a short walk from any restaurant in the area. Solid bar-- worth a visit whenever I am back in Seattle. read more

Shorty's, Shorty's, Shorty's, what hath you wrought. It's not enough that you are home to The Greatest Pinball Ever Conceived, Monster Bash, you've gone ahead and requisitioned 15 other classic and newish pins for our plunger pulling pleasure. Here is a list of Shorty's machines brought to you by the fine folks at Skill Shot, Seattle's premiere pinball fanzine: The Addams Family The Champion Pub Evel Knievel Family Guy Fathom Indiana Jones Junk Yard Medieval Madness Monster Bash Pirates of the Caribbean Revenge from Mars Speakeasy Spiderman Star Trek: The Next Generation Surf Champ Wheel of Fortune As Joey Lawrence and/or Keanu Reeves would say, "Whoa!". This list alone is worthy of five glorious stars, but Shorty's doesn't stop there. Up front, you can find Ms. Pac-man/Galaga, Q-bert, and Robotron cabinets, along with a few other surprises I'll leave to you to discover. We are now into 7 star territory, folks, but there's one more thing Shorty's offers which will blow your mind's brain. All the beer and/or liquor you can pay for and Chicago-style hot dogs that will melt your intestines and warm your heart. 9 stars out of 5! Caveat: While Shorty's is practically perfect in every way, they only accept cash, so be prepared. read more

Welcome to Seatown's Coney Island. It's got hot dogs with mutagen green yet deliciously sweet relish; arcade games up front and about a dozen pinball machines in the back neon lit room. The front entrance could pass for a gathering of carneys if it wanted to. Shorty's is nestled along a strip of dive bars along 2nd ave in Belltown that start at the corner with Mama's Mexican Kitchen and ends at The Crocodile. Staff are friendly and you should check out the tables at the booths, made of retired pinball game tops. read more

Shorty's - Fist Full of quarters! @Shorty's - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

So rude! It seems to be a trend in Seattle, but so far this is the most rude staff I've run into! We should have walked right by this place! If you are a tourist- don't bother because they don't appreciate your business. I hope the owner realizes how rude the staff is. Anyone who reads my reviews will realize I give a lot of 5 stars because I have recieved excellent service. This place was not even worthy of 1 star. It is sad considering whoever owns this bar is possibly blind to how rude their waitstaff is. read more

I want to give Shorty's more stars, but can't as long as they employ the "steam punk" bartender who works the back bar (AVOID THAT GUY) He refuses to make certain drinks so to obtain said drink you have to close your tab from the back bar, then open at the front bar...and bring your drink back to where you're sitting...which if it happens to be IN the back bar then he's a dick about you using the front bar to order the drink HE REFUSED TO MAKE! Eventually he completely REFUSED to serve our table of 10 at all after a few ppl had gotten drinks from the other bartenders (because they would make what you ordered) The establishment itself is pretty rad, that particular bartender just happens to suck at life :/ Found out his name is "Jawn Wakefield", save your time and tip money for someone better. read more

Some of the best bar staff in the city! Some of the best bouncers in the city! A couple of the most frustrating pinball games in the city that will consume your soul and money! Dangerously cheesy nachos, heavy pours, boozie smoothies, and veggie dogs galore! You got a dog? Bring your dog! The staff might give your dog a dog, too! Too bad you can't smoke outside anymore, but the patio is a perfect place to meet plenty of the Belltown folk and watch the night lie in Belltown pass you by! For every negative review on here I could write a response to in defense of Shortys! read more

There is really nothing new that I can say about this place that hasn't already been said. What does this place have? Cheap beer, insanely awesome hot dogs, and pinball. What did I like about this place? Cheap beer, insanely awesome hot dogs, and pinball. I love pinball and am always in the search for bars with some good games to play. While visiting Seattle last year, somebody told me about Shorty's collection, I definitely had to stop in and give it a go. The place was a little crowded (which I had already expected), but that didn't stop me from having a good time. Grabbed a beer and a chili cheese dog first and it was great. The thing was drowning in a sea of chili and cheese sauce, I wasn't even sure if there was a bun. It was impossible to pick up and eat without making a huge mess, so I had to use a fork. It was delicious and unhealthy and I loved it. The collection of pinball machines was grand. I played just about every machine and didn't notice any major issues. It seems like they do a good job at maintaining the machines they have. The service was just as expected for a pretty busy place. It was a little difficult to get the bartender's attention each time or even approach the bar, so you gotta be prepared to be a little (WORD I CAN'T THINK OF. not shy, straight forward. approach the bar with confidence, aggressive, but not TOO aggressive. not afraid to ask somebody to move over a little so you can get thru, etc etc). I went to this bar a few days in a row during my stay and each time was a little different. More or less busy, different crowd, different vibe, etc. Had a chance to talk with the bartender a little on a less busy night, he was very friendly and helpful. Also talked with a couple local regulars who were also very friendly and informative about some other good places in the area. So overall this is a great place. Even if you're not that into pinball, it's a place to go check out just for the sake of trying something new. read more

Every time I go to shorty's I get a circus side-show theme song in my head. It's pure sin and I love it. A 'spicy number three' veggie dog with mama lil's sauce and a couple of pbr's really hits the spot while playing a few hundred games of Lord of the Rings. Just wash your hands before eating the dog...you never know who played that game last. read more

I have a theory that pinball games are designed by psychic elves who are high on LSD and specialize in cultural anthropology. They sit around their miniature conference room tables with sketch pads and studies into human culture, molding clay into models and smoking from teeny bright purple bongs with green dots painted on. Shorty's, then, is kind of like the human version of that acid trip. You walk in and are confronted with the cacophony of digital arcade game glee, punctuated with laughing people and the sounds of free-flowing alcohol. They have hot dogs and nachos and some really great beers, and there's nothing that goes with video games and pinball than nachos, hot dogs, and beer. A change machine in back of the first room will break your paper into coins. A transitional hallway houses the pee-stop, in perfect placement to rush in and unleash urinary power while you're buddy is taking his turn as Player 2. The back room houses the pinball machines, and walking through that room is like walking through a museum of American culture. They should send high school sociology classes through that room, as the pinball machines tell the tale of our culture far better than any text book. Finally the back bar room is like entering into Dr. Jeckyl's parlor. High backed black leather chairs, tables, and an odd decor give the room a really odd feel, like it's one part torture chamber and two parts Romp-a-room. read more

I'll keep it short...PUN INTENDED! I love this place! If I could pick one bar that I want to hang out in and get drunk with my buddies, playing JOUST, this is it. A few years back I was there and I ordered the chilli cheese dog...let me paint a picture for you...I was on hammered and the sauce/cheese was just slopping everywhere, all over my hands and onto the table...and I didn't care! hahaha! I almost got into a fight here, WITH A GIRL! Did I mention I love this place. Coney Island scary clown theme....cool staff....cheap PBR! I wish we had a Shorty's in Canada. read more

Loved this spot. Cheap drinks and great, artistic rooms! Especially the back room, right next to the bathrooms. It was super packed on the weekend (about a week ago). Service was quick and I loved the alcoholic slushy drinks you order at the bar. Oh, and did I mention the jukebox yet?? Certainly a dive bar - but with awesome prices and great mixed drinks. Would return here if I were to visit Seattle again. read more

Man, Shorty's has got it goin ON. Im loving the pinball in this place. I love stumbling in from bar nights with friends for a few rounds of pinball and a tasty cheap hot dog washed down by a PBR. Its my perfect place for a low key no pressure date. Which is the best kind to have IMO. Anyways, it can get really crowded in there at night and more than once have I had some beer sloshed on me. But oh well, its all part of the charm. read more

love this hole in the wall. the decor and games are a nice touch. bathrooms are pretty smelly tho. good prices on beer and drinks.

SHORTY'S! You're a total dive, but I love ya! I walked in here and yah, I felt a bit dirty, but cheap beer, nachos and hot dogs? OMG! YUMMY! Plus, the pinball arcade? Good going, guys! Let's do this again! I was on a budget, okay, when am i *not* on a budget, but wanted to take my guy out on a date. I brought him here. Glad I did! With $25 in my pocket, we ate hot dogs, nachos, and beer! So, yah, we didn't stay long, but I'd be back cause its cheap and sometimes you just want fake cheese on chips! read more

Awesome spot! Pin ball machines and cheap drinks, what more could you ask for?! The place is actually pretty spacious. It has 3 different rooms. The bar area when you enter, the pin ball machine room, and a back room that has a more chill ambiance and another bar. read more

Hooray for Family Guy pinball! Hooray for crusty punks! Hooray for crusty punks playing Family Guy pinball! There is a shortage of portable meat product vendors in the Belltown area. I have no idea why. But thankfully Shorty's is here to fill that void with a Chicago dog (you gotta add tomato to do it right) or a plate of chili and liqui-cheez coated tortilla chips. Them's booze-soakin' foods, my friend. Or, even if you don't drink, them's still some tasty vittles. Vegi dogs even. That's right, vegi dogs AND vegi chili. You would never in a million years guess that when you set foot in the door. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover. Not even (or especially?) when it's covered with tattoos and piercings. I spent an entire afternoon staring at the mural on the back wall where the entrance to the game room is...trying to figure out what a ONE and a ZERO had to do with the other letters painted inside the colorful balloons. A few weeks later, I stopped in for one of the aforementioned Chicagos, and it took me all of about 3 seconds to realize what an IDIOT I am. Yeah, it says B1G T0P. GAWD! IDIOT! Long live Shorty's. read more

It's rare that I venture outside of the Tiki bar arena since these bars serve unique drinks. I figure, you can get a Jack and Coke or a beer anywhere, and frankly I've become bored of that and the lame people at the average bar. Shorty's proves to solve that problem for me. This is my favorite bar in Seattle, hands down. Pinball and boos, who can ask for more? Wait, let me revise that, pinball, boos and clowns! List of reasons why you should visit: 1) The bartender was very nice and made me feel welcomed. (TIP earned, and this is a rarity) 2) They have some damn good hot dogs 3) The most kick ass collection of pinball machines Batman, Universal Monsters, Indiana Jones, Roaring Twenties, Invaders from Mars! (They have tournaments too!) 4) The tables in the booths are pinball table tops (complete with lighted bumpers) 5) The crowd was having too much fun to be worried about looking cool Refreshing. I've died and gone to heaven. Bury me in a pinball machine! Be aware that this is a cash only place. They do have an ATM. read more

For a fun bar, they have it ALL: Strong drinks, a pinball hall, and arcade games inclusing Pac Man, the original Donkey Kong, and my personal favorite - Guitar Hero! Stumbled in here on a Monday night and although a bit quiet, there was plenty to do! I couldn't get my change out quick enough!! The only classic arcade they were missing was Millipede, but I won't hold it against them... I ordered a Rum and coke which was really a glass full o' rum with a splash of coke and my fiance ordered a beer. Together it was $6 and a smile from our lovely bartender lady (thank you bartender lady!) I would love to go back and next time will be prepared with more quarters or crisp dollar bills (their old ass change machine is rather old and discriminating.) Overall this place is fun, cheap, and will get you loaded - a combo of heaven, really.... read more

OK, first, did you know Shorty's is dog-friendly? Shorty's is the quintessential dive bar slash arcade on Coney Island, I mean, Belltown. With clowns. Okay, can we talk about the clowns? They are scary. And they are everywhere. NOT A FAN. So if you like Pinball (or Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, PacMan, etc.) this is your place. Other "appeals": Very cheap hipster beer, stiff drinks, and hot dogs. I don't really consider hot dogs that have been heating all day a highlight, but that's just me. Read the rest of my review and check out other dog-friendly establishments and activities here: http://doggoneseattle.com/shortys-a-dog-friendly-dive-bar-arcade-in-belltown/ read more

Shorty's is one of my absolute FAVORITE places in all of Seattle. Before the Croc closed (oh how I miss ye), I spent the majority of my pre-rock show time here playing pinball in "the cove" and tossing down cheap PBRs or stiffly poured vodka tonics. They also have some old-school video games (which include Ms. Pacman), so I'm all over it. At some point they added a fancy-pants bar in the back - which looks *way* swankier than the used pinball table, clown-encrusted atmosphere in the front, but somehow still seems to work. In addition to playing many hours of Medieval Madness with one of my best lady friends here, this is also the spot where I spent my first Valentine's Day night with my boyfriend. Yes, that's right. We canoodled over chili-cheese dogs (veggie for me, not that I don't eat meat, but that much SCARES me a little - and the veggie version is DELISH), ghetto nachos (the 7-11 kind, just round chips covered in runny cheese product), & beer in a sticky red booth - declaring our undying love right there in the middle of this little dive bar. I think we may have been the only Valentine's lovers who picked Shorty's as our dinner spot, but I tell you: IT WAS PERFECT. I highly recommend you try it. The service here is 50/50, which is the only thing keeping this from a 5-star rating - sometimes they're nice, sometimes not so much, but there's pinball and the booze is cheap, so who cares? Plus, the cast of drunken characters is always good for entertainment. The odds of you seeing a) a fight or b) a drunk being tossed out of here are about 5 to 1 on any Friday or Saturday night! :) read more

Most of my friends claim I'm becoming an old fart, but you know what I still love punk rock, cheap beer and pinball. This place has it all. If you are looking for a bar in Belltown that is a little more fun and a little less pricey, this is it. No idea about Wi-Fi connectivity here. I usually go there sober and leave stone drunk. read more

Pinball awesomeness Beers and frito pie, bitches! The back room kicks ass. #yelphaiku They really have an awesome selection of pinball tables here. Classics like Centaur, Medeival Madness, Addams Family, Champion Pub, and cool new-fangled tables like Avengers, AC/DC, Metallica, X-Men, and Return To Mars with a video screen. They also have arcade games in the front room, too! read more

Hotdogs? PINBALL? BLUE MOON ON TAP!? AWESOME UPHOLSTERY?! This place is wicked cool. I like hotdogs. I like pin ball. I LOVE blue moon. And I like chairs. This place is excellent. read more

Again, came here on the UYBC the other night. By the time we got here, everyone but Cam (poor guy, he was DD) was pretty drunk (or just not caring.) My friend and I did tequila shots, and we had to ask for salt. A good bartender knows you need salt for a tequila shot... We then ordered margaritas, and I'm not sure what sort of tequila they use in their drinks (other than silver, instead of gold) but it was one of the most underwhelming margarita's I've ever had. It was very alcohol-y tasting and very little lime/sour flavor, but it wasn't strong either. The yelp crew all sat in the room at the back where we had our own little bar. It was a cool room, with lots of seating and a few booths so you could cuddle with your sweetie. I might try this place again with another group of people, but it's unlikely that I will drive all the way down to Belltown for this place. read more

This is one of my favorite bars in all of Seattle. I went here for my birthday for a 1920's themed birthday party. There is no place like Shorty's in all of Seattle! It's a great crowd and the biggest, baddest chairs in the back. This is a must go place! You can loose hours here and a lot of quarters, I hope you don't need to do laundry... read more

Three things: 1. The decadent Bloody Mary(The right bartender has to do it) 2. Atmosphere 3. Pinball Machine It's what I would call a fun night. read more

This place is awesome. Great atmosphere and a bunch of pinball machines - from old clunkers to new flashy movie based ones. The best being Centaur, some kind of German fantasy metal based game. I dream about this game now. "DESTROY CENTAUR" running through my thoughts at work. It would be great if this place wasn't in another state a miserable 6 hours in a plane away. I would be there constantly. read more

The boyfriend wanted to come here for its history but I couldn't wait to leave. This place was so dirty and smelled like it.

Since my childhood days in So Cal, where I used to ride my Schwinn to the local bowling alley, sneak cigarettes and drop endless quarters playing Pin-Bot (oohhh, the colors, the patterns), Xenon (with the sexycool voice) and Black Knight (with Magna-Save!), I have always loved pinball. Shorty's brings it all back. I don't smoke anymore, but I love to mix other vices. With Shorty's, these vices are liquor, pinball and the abundance of creatively foul language that streams from my mouth as gravity repeatedly takes its toll on my 3 balls per game. Speaking of liquor, I've been a long-time fan of their bloody mary, although a few of the 10 or so ingredients seem to get missed if the bartender is in a hurry (or just doesn't feel like it). I don't care, though...the drinks are always stiff and as far as I'm concerned, this place is a little piece of magic that always leaves me happy. read more

Dear Rude Female Bartender @ Shorty's, I wish you had woken up on the correct side of the bed. Rather than apparently waking up and rolling out of bed into a bee's nest perched on a pile of barbed wire. Because your attitude reflected just that. The other bartender was great, apologizing for your attitude and serving us with a nice, friendly demeanor. But that's not enough. You are just plain rude. Never going back if I see you behind the bar. BOO. read more

I came here for a happy hour with some coworkers. I was hoping for a fun dive bar and Shorty's delivered in spades. Outside of the bar sports a run-down motif of circus big-top and exudes a feeling of terminal alcoholism. I wondered if it would be filled with depressed hobo clowns with saggy jowls and hang-dog expressions, crying in their beer. Inside looks divey, but feels lively. Waitress was straight out of Jack Kerouac's Bollywood movie. One of my comrades ordered a double whiskey --she placed on the bar with a light hand, full to the brim and nearly sloshing over. I ordered a Chicago dog which was done right including the sport peppers and tomatoes. HH Prices were good - a round for 6 of us and a hot dog was $35 buck including tip. Me likey -- will go back for dogs, beer,, and to show the Missile Command game who its daddy is (500k points baby!). read more

While I love the theme, games, etc., this place made me too hot to function. Like, really, really warm. The outdoor space is quite small, so if it's a hot summer night (aka 65 degrees or warmer), be prepared to sweat. A friend had a hot dog that looked decent, but I couldn't muster the strength given the outrageous temperature. It definitely has a I'm-somewhat-punk-but-really-just-watched-American-Hardcore-twice sort of vibe. I think I saw 40 guys in tight black pants. Like others have mentioned, no credit cards are accepted, so bring plenty of cash. And, of course, enjoy finding parking on 2nd street if you don't take the bus. I did and was able to be dropped off about 3 blocks away. read more

It's a dive bar. Disregard any review about its cleanliness or weird vibe or food review. The place is usually really busy on any given night so don't expect the Cheers vibe when you want to order a drink. The guy who was checking the IDs at the door was a little douchey but whatever. All you have to know is the place has decently priced drinks, rad variety of hot dogs at like 5 bucks, and has at least 15 pinball machines. Some really good favorites like Theater of Magic and Addams Family. If those last two sentences don't get you excited this isn't the place for you, but if they did, grab some quarters and check it out. read more

Backroom pinball and bright-colored booths. I totally dig it. There were a slew of folks with hipster beards, plaid and tight jeans. I felt at home. And guys, they make dark and stormys. And serve craft beers. What more could you want? Pro-tip: drinking more does not make you better at pinball. I tried. And failed. read more

This "Punk Pinball Bar" was highly recommended by several bartenders at other nearby bars. This is a somewhat wacky and run-down dive-bar with real Seattle attitude. They have cheap hot dogs, cheap drinks, pinball, and lots of CRAZY people. Don't miss the smaller back bar area past the wall of pinball machines near the bathrooms. Awesome! read more

This is one of my favorite bars of all time. The first weekend that I moved to Seattle from across the country I decided to hit the bars, just me and my puppy. (Yes, they are very dog-friendly. They even let my cute little pup sit up at the bar and fed him hot dogs.) Anyway, that night I met my current boyfriend of almost three years. He invited me to play in a wiffle ball tournament the next day and the rest is history. So you can tell how cool the people are that hang out there. :) The bartenders have always been very friendly and quick with the drinks. There is even a second bar hidden away in the back behind all of the pinball machines. I have had some of my best moment here and no, I am NOT a hipster. LOVE this place! read more

Love this place! Great for outta town guests for entertainment. The best choices of games & good drinks & dogs too!

Stopped by here recently for a drink and some pinball before a reservation at Tavolata. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the pinball. Was easy to find a table on a Thursday night, and ambiance wasn't too loud to have a decent discussion in (but it was hardly silent). Definitely will be back here when prowling Belltown one of these days. Great place for drinks before another event. read more