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Smith Tower Observatory Bar

3.8 (331 reviews)
Closed • 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

Smith Tower Observatory Bar Photos

SMITH TOWER OBSERVATORY BAR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Intimate
Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Smith Tower Observatory Bar

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Ahashta J.

Lovely, speakeasy like atmosphere on the 35th floor; so fabulous views! Visible snow capped mountains as well as the sea. Excellent bartender, friendly waitstaff. Had a bartenders choice, tell the bartender your favorite spirit, flavor profile and valah you have a delicious cocktail made just for you. I am pleased with my results.

Elevator entrance to go down from tower.
Tan P.

This is a great observation deck if you need an alternative option to the Space Needle. The cost is cheaper and the views are spectacular. The tower bar offers delicious drinks and appetizers. The elevator operator is very friendly and knowledgeable. The elevator moves very quickly. Recommend heading there close to sunset for beautiful views and get seated at the tower bar as a group vice waiting for others to arrive later.

Muddy sound but still a fabulous view
Kate R.

Had a nice time, though we were starkly disappointed that after paying out way to go up with a 1:30 reservation, we were informed the were closing at 2:30 for a private event and last call was at 2pm. We had time for 1 drink and we ordered some food but it took 30 minutes to come out, so we only got about 25 minutes to enjoy it. Private events are listed on their website, but this one was not noted so we were a bit disappointed. The food and beverage quality was excellent, with the exception of the wait time on the food. The environment is great and feels very classy but also casual - you also don't have to be afraid to go up in jeans. If you aren't dressed up, that's OK. Look forward to returning and enjoying some actual time to hang out and enjoy the view next time.

Manhattan
Karen G.

Took my boyfriend to Smith Tower since he's never been. Definitely a fun way to experience a slice of Seattle history with a view! We went right when they opened at noon, which was perfect because it wasn't crowded yet. The Observatory Bar is super convenient, you can just kick back, sip on a cocktail, and soak in those gorgeous 360 deg panoramic views of the city, the Sound, and beyond. It's giving old-school charm with a cozy, vintage vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into another era. Scott was our bartender and it happened to be his first day, poor guy was definitely thrown into the fire trying to figure out where everything was! But despite the chaos, he handled it like a champ and made some mean cocktails. Cheers to you, Scott! If you're looking for a chill bar to enjoy the views without the typical touristy chaos, come early, grab a drink, and enjoy one of Seattle's gems!

Holly M.

The Elevated Afternoon Tea at Smith Tower is not just about sipping tea, it's about savoring history, views, and hospitality. Even though others may have walked away unimpressed, I thought the food and service were excellent. With the included beverage, skyline views, and museum exploration, it's an experience that feels indulgent yet surprisingly good value for Seattle. I left full, happy, and eager to recommend it, and those I sent loved it too! At $100 per person, it may sound steep, but for Seattle it's actually a steal it's a sad reflection of the city's costs, but the experience itself was worth every penny. Alongside the tea, you get a beverage of your choice included in the price. Service was warm, professional, and thoughtful, enhancing the overall experience. Artisanal loose-leaf teas paired with a three-tier tray of finger sandwiches, pastries, and desserts. While some reviews online mention disappointment with the food, I found everything to be perfect. Each bite was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We walked away full and happy. The views were worth lingering over. After tea, strolling around the observatory offered surprising perspectives of Seattle. The Museum was a delight. The small but engaging museum inside the tower added a cultural layer, making the outing more than just about food.

Sucia's secret mezcal cocktail
John P.

What can I say. This is my first time in Seattle and I love this Observatory/Bar more than any other tower. Really enjoy the history behind this place but also all the people who work here and come to enjoy the views and drinks. Bartenders and hostess are super friendly and professional. Clean and presentable. Very easy to talk to staff. Drinks are phenomenal. Definitely coming back.

Carolina C.

I mean this place has some fantastic views of Seattle! This will definitely be a place to take out of town family and friends. This bar gives off polished, speak easy vibes, with wonderful staff, tasty food and also, easy parking! Today, I was here for an awesome Botox event, and the staff really did a wonderful job!

Old fashioned flight
Kyle W.

Historical building definitely is the appeal for this place - oldest skyscraper in Seattle and even the west coast! I would give a 4 stars for the general experience if you only go there to visit the observatory and the museum and the elevator to get up. However, this is with regards to the bar / restaurant up top which I had a very comically bad experience. Most of the observatories allow you to visit the bar / restaurant for free but here you need to pay extra on top of the meal. Sure, if you never been here, it's worth it but if you been here and want to go here just for the food and drinks (I wouldn't recommend) then it's a rip off. We went up and the hostess made us visit the outside first in a way where she doesn't want to serve us immediately. There's a better way to phrase it, like encouraging us to check out the outside panoramic view before eating. She didn't even put us on the waitlist so when we came back we had to wait 15 minutes extra. The menu was given and also some plates. The waitress did not bother seeing the plate was broken - what??? And the utensils were very dirty like did they not put these utensils in the dishwasher at all? Very unhygienic. We got some food - edamame hummus, stir fry noodles with vegetables and chicken, and pork belly sliders with chips. We also got the old fashioned sampler for $36 which is fairly steep for 3 of the old fashioned of your choice and from past photos, you used to not need to choose and get all 4 for cheaper. It's misleading to have 4 cups and the missing one you don't get is sparkling water. When it was my turn to order I only said one thing and she took the menu out of me and cut me off from ordering another dish. Sure if you don't want me? I had to call out I'm not done. What's the rush??? Edamame hummus is worth it as it was unique. Skip everything else. Stir fry was watery and had a weird aftertaste and they didn't even add chicken and it was a $7 surcharge of nothing. The pork belly sliders were stale and pork belly was more dry than crispy. The chips served were super crushed like they scraped the bottom of the barrel for us. As stated above, service was comically horrible and the food is terrible outside of the edamame hummus. It was a chore to flag someone down for more water and other requests. Only go for the historical aspect of the oldest skyscraper in the west coast, but stay far away from the overpriced and subpar food and drinks.

Pam W.

We finally visited the Smith Tower! The first floor has a small exhibition about the history of the tower, including who built it and stories about its construction. Then we went up to the observatory. The view is absolutely stunning! The elevator is still the original one, and we could see its historic details. The elevator operator tells stories about past residents of the building, adding fun information. Even though it is not the tallest building in downtown Seattle, you get a 360-degree view of the bay, Bainbridge Island, the city, the Eastside, and the mountains to the north. The Chinese Room bar has lots of delicate decorations and the best view! However, the bar service was just okay. We ordered two cocktails. The Aviation was so artificial and chemical-tasting that we didn't even finish half. The other cocktail was just okay. We didn't order any food. The service was a bit slow. We needed to go to the counter to get our bill. I hope the bar service improves and offers higher quality, given the price we paid and its fantastic location.

Orca negroni
Nick C.

Awesome bar, strong drinks with an Chinese decor. The food options were a little bit lacking. The view was really good of Seattle though!

Very solid whiskey list.
Tim V.

We can here as part of an anniversary stay downtown. Highly recommend. View is better than Space Needle and $15 vs. $50 with a great bar up top. Service was very friendly and even brought us some bubbly for our anniversary. Food was really good especially the deviled eggs and sliders.

Gilded elevator doors
Brandon M.

After much reflection, I decided to review this hidden gem in Seattle. My son and I made Same day online reservations for a Monday afternoon viewing while dining at a nearby Irish bar. When you enter the lobby before the elevator, you will go back in time to see and hear how Smith Tower came to be, with photos, exhibits, and interactive items. You then take the classic gilded elevator with an operator to the 35th floor, where a beautiful Speak Easy bar and restaurant await you. You then walk to the open but gated 360-degree observation deck of the city and bay. My son and I were the only two tourists there for almost 30 minutes. It's windy, so watch your hat and your phone. After the observatory, I had the servers choice Observatory sour cocktail and enjoyed conversation with our server in the restaurant. He said the venue is busier during the summer season, when many cruisers visit. I wanted to keep it a secret because other locals had mentioned how much nicer and less crowded it was than the needle. It is so lovely and classy, and it was a good experience so I had to share. I recommend a weekday afternoon visit, giving yourself 1-2 hours. The tickets were $25 each.

Aviation cocktail and a Yesler Old Fashioned.
Jon H.

This place is an amazing date spot. 35th floor, stunning views, cool history and ambience, and EXCELLENT drinks. The bartender knows really their craft. To top it off, our server Aaron was first class. I'll be coming back very soon.

Old fashioned flight

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I have been here about a dozen times and have enjoyed every experience. The drinks are amazing and the atmosphere is great.

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Page 9 of 9

Ask the Community - Smith Tower Observatory Bar

Where is a safe place to park while visiting Smith Tower?

Diamond Parking - Sinking Ship Garage 515 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 is directly across the street from Smith Tower and as safe as it gets.

I have a young adult in my group. Do restaurant patrons have to be over 21?

No they don’t have to be. They also had food there and the views are wonderful

Hi, 2 questions: the rum runner card waives the entrance fee to the elevator / observation deck, is this correct? Also, does having the rum runner card benefit you while waiting in line, I.e bump you up to the front or expedite wait time?

Hello! Thank you for your questions. Yes, the Rum Runner card waives admission for you and a guest when visiting Smith Tower. Unfortunately, you would be subject to the same wait times that apply to everyone else.… 

Does the rum runner card work for happy hour?

Hello! The Rum Runner card will allow admission for you and a guest, but The Rum Runner card does not apply for additional discounts on food and beverage on top of happy hour pricing. The discount would apply to regularly priced items. Let us know… 

Do we need a reservation to visit the bar? Is it recommended?

No it's first come first serve

Do you need to purchase a ticket to visit bar?

Hello Jenna, Thank you for reaching out and for your interest in Smith Tower. Yes, visiting the… 

Are minors allowed in the bar? I'm taking my 17 year old niece out for a night on the town

Yes. They are just not allowed at the bar top.

So do we really need to buy a ticket just to get into the bar?

Yes. You really do. However, tickets are half off if you have WA State ID or other proof of residency.

Are kids allowed?

I did not see any children up there, now that you mention it, although it was at an odd time -- 5:30pm on a Friday. That said, their website says you can bring strollers (https://www.smithtower.com/visitor-faq.php) so I would take that as a yes.(I… 

Is there a dress code for the bar?

No, definitely not.

If you want to just go up to the Smith Tower bar, do you still have to pay the $19 entrance fee for the tower?

Hi there Stephanie, The admission fee is to the Observatory, similar to Seattle's other… 

Does smith tower have WIFI available?

There is WiFi available in the Observatory, just ask the staff for the password.

Does the bar ever stay open later than midnight on Fridays and Saturdays depending on how busy it is? Website hours say till midnight. Just curious.

The Observatory and bar are open 7 days a week: Sun-Wed 10am to 11pm and Thurs-Sat 10am to midnight... The last elevator to the Observatory is an hour before closing and food service stops two hours before close. Hope this helps :)

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Smith Tower Observatory Bar - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026

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