It was a dark and moody bar. The weekday business face of First Hill has gone to sleep, and the Hideout is just starting to stretch its legs and get the night started. The Hideout is where you go when you've done your daylight errands and just need a cool place to hang your silk hat. And need a place to keep your eyeballs busy with eye-catching art. I found myself staring at some for an unnaturally long time, but nobody made me feel weird about it. Look away, voices seemed to say. Small in size, we sat at the bar, and at the couches toward the front door. Other tables were taken by what looked like lone people, who wanted to be with people, but not WITH people. That's cool. I get that. The service was fine but the drink prices must be to offset the artists' commissions. But it didn't bother me since I had already made merry at an earlier function and only bought a drink for the sake of holding something cool in my hand. I wouldn't start off my night here, but I bet I would finish one or two here. Interesting vibe and a cocktail menu that will keep your eyes occupied on something else; if but for a moment. read more

The mark of a solid local spot is that, when you bring it up, the people who have been cannot recommend it highly enough. The Hideout is one of those bars that people have trouble describing: it's small, but full of art, and it has really good drinks. There are multiple mixologists and plenty of pubs that know how to pour a fancy drink, so what's so special about this one? Most people will mention the wall covering every inch of the establishment's relatively high ceilings. Well, a few friends and I stopped by on a Saturday night, and swooped a spot at a table within 20 minutes of arriving and hanging out at the back. The bartender was exceptional, knowledgeable,and incredibly friendly. Even though I was geeking out about drinks like every other poser/hipster who comes through, the bartender handled me with perfect courtesy and professionalism. If you happen to be on First Hill, or within a reasonable distance of the Hideout and are looking for a loungey place that's a change of pace, it's definitely worth a shot. read more

I've heard from quite a few people that the Hideout is a great spot in Seattle for some late night cocktails. I made my way over there last night and was excited about the looks of the place just based on the lack of signage. Makes you feel like you're headed to a secret spot! Once inside it's a dark, tall space covered with some really amazing art work. I almost regretted going with friends because I was so interested in looking up at the 20 ft walls of art and not so much in making eye contact with my own friends! (at least for the first few mins or so..) My drink was strong and the service was great. I wasn't there too long because it was late at night but am definitely planning to go back soon. read more

I've been walking past this little spot for weeks now hoping to make it inside...and finally crossed the threshold last night. And since it's so nearby I imagine that moment may happen again and again! Although I'm a beer and wine drinker, I enjoyed perusing the inventive and lengthy drink menu, as well as the small but creative selection of draft beer (which changes from time to time). There was the ubiquitous Manny's, but they also had an IPA from a smaller local brewery (Diamond Knot), as well as a Blonde and something else I can't recall. The food offerings are brief but look thoughtful (cheese and snack plates), and the art, if not always stellar, is interesting. And since the walls are literally covered in it, you can always spend a lull in the conversation by gazing around and picking out your favorite painting of the moment. Even though there's an artsy vibe, I'm no hipster and felt entirely comfortable there, and I'd say most of the other folks inside didn't exactly fit the hipster image either. So don't be scared away if you weigh more than 100 pounds and like colors; you'll be just as welcome! read more

All five stars go to the bar staff. Not only are they are inventive and incredibly talented, but they are all wonderful people that love what they do. Lauren the bar manager has been around the block and I personally witnessed how she can tackle orders from the entire establishment AND manage to crank out food orders. She was the only one working this past Thursday and she totally rocked it!!! Another shout out to Elias for making me a drink based off my meager description: something with Cynar; a take on a Ferrari (fernet and campari). I'm normally not someone who typically enjoys *neat* drinks, but his concoction made it easy for me to ask for another. This place rocks!! read more

"Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts." Order the Hemingway... enjoy your night. read more

I won't reveal my secret bat lair location but I live very close to Hideout. Dangerously close. Hideout on a quiet Thursday night is hypmotizing. The walls d'art get better and better with every beverage. I found myself really relating to Nude Lady With A Lion Head #57. Our bartender was in a Great Gatsby suspendery get-up and was moody and polite. Me and Friend tried a few different cocktails off the menu which were unusual and tasty. Maybe this place gets full on the weekends, I don't know, I think I'll stick to my Thursday night wallowings. read more

While I wouldn't quite go to the 5 star level, this is still a pretty cool bar. Think Sitting Room or Viceroy style (two of my favorites) with a more down to earth and ecletic feel. Reading the drink menu is quite entertaining. I opted for "The Hemingway", which is a beer, shot of tequila and cigar. Cool, although I was disappointed it didn't come with a shotgun. read more

a hidden gem that i was happy to be introduced to yesterday : ) HH prices are pretty decent comfy surroundings... a great place to have a more intimate gathering with friends great artwork on the walls that are for sale to the public friendly service with a smile as an added bonus! free pretzels to munch on while guzzling (i mean sipping) your drink... YES!!! can't wait to go back : ) read more

Long time patron of this venue but service has gone completely downhill in recent weeks. To start off, your cocktails will no longer contain fresh squeezed juice. Everything is pre-squeezed now. Better than store bought garbage I suppose but disappointing nonetheless given they pride themselves on their cocktails. If they cut corners here, they're cutting corners elsewhere. Secondly, the two guys they have working here Saturdays are completely devoid of personality. I realize they may hate their job but it is a service industry and it doesn't hurt to be at least a little personable and show some hospitality. There's a reason Murray Stenson receives so many accolades, and no, it has little to do with his memory or his skills as a bartender. Lastly, at around 8 pm, with nearly a full cocktail left, I left my seat at the bar to use the restroom. I was gone less than 5 minutes. When I got back, my chair, and the chairs to the right and left of me were gone. I jokingly asked the bartender where my seat went and he looked straight at me and then walked away without saying a word. It was immediately clear to me what they did. They simply wanted to clear out some extra standing space in front of the bar in anticipation of the Saturday night crowd. That said, it doesn't hurt to ask if I could move down a spot (the place was nearly empty) rather than grabbing my chair the second I walked away. Bad service is bad business. read more

Should I be worried that I now live so close to this sophisticatedly lovely, cozily-classy drinking establishment? I was never that close or addicted to the Hideout, and it was always a positive sweet experience whenever I would visit. More often than not I would leave intoxicated enough that I never remembered the actual location of the bar. I would always have to look up address/directions to find my way back here. But now I find it a struggle every night to not make the short, uphill walk and get me a well-crafted cocktail or just a taste of straight-up liquor from their well-stocked bar. I have yet to be disappointed by your cocktail creation. I had one of the best Scotch (Laphroaig) Old Fashioned here. It's one of those classic drinks that's hard to mess up, but also hard to make especially good. But you (bartender whose name I can't remember) made it with love. At least I hope that's what it was. Comfortable booths, cool tabletops, art pieces on the wall, and always great music on the playlist. I remember the first time I heard some deep cut from the Knife (literally--not their album 'Deep Cuts'), I knew we would be good friends. I don't want this to be an exclusive thing, I still wanna go check out other bars. And I don't want this just to be a thing of convenience, just because I live so close. But why do you have to be so great, and your bartenders so skilled AND nice? Just know that whenever I decide not to stop in, it's because I don't want you to get bored of me. That or I'm a few blocks over at your cousin Vito's. read more

Really like this place! Cool art on the walls - cool drinks to choose from - cool people working/hanging out. I got the Andy Warhol drink that comes with a real stamped Polaroid picture - ummmmm coolest thing ever! read more

It's no secret anymore: The Hideout is artsy and awesome. While the outside of The Hideout is rather unsuspecting, the inside transports you to a sexy sensory experience. The artwork on the tall walls runs the spectrum from provocative to wacky, but never boring. The music is varied and interesting. And the drinks are the true hallmark of the Hideaway: delicious and sometimes decadent. On a recent visit I went off-menu(per recommendations of other reviewers) and tried the Cucumber Gimlet. It was cool, refreshing and perfect for a warm summer evening. I progressed to an Old Cubano, which was a blend of rum, something fizzy, and mint, almost like a darker version of a mojito. The bartender was calm and classy, even though he was the only one working the crowded bar. He took his time with every drink, perhaps as if it were art in a glass. I'll be returning to view and drink more art. read more

Dark and broody, the Hideout is a getaway in Capitol Hill from the noise and distractions of Broadway and the mainstream partygoers. Its walls are adorned with original art pieces, and their bar has everything including an R-rated art vending machine, and crafty bartenders who make great drinks to quell your cravings. Great seating and standing space for crowds, and an excellent sound system that really bumps out the good bass on whatever tracks the live DJs are spinning. (Highly recommend checking out Alizé Chamillionaire and Dj absolute madman). Instafan of the style, art, tunes, drinks, and service here. read more

The Hideout - Getaway @ The Hideout - Lounges Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Hideout was the first truly great bar I visited when I moved to Seattle last year. I went with an old classic for my first drink at that time and found out that Kristen makes the best Corpse Reviver No. 2 I have ever tasted. I brought a small party of friends to the bar last night to celebrate my 1 year anniversary in Seattle and bartenders Kristen and Sara took care of us all night, providing absolutely top shelf drinks, great service and a friendly attitude. It was a very special gathering for my closest friends in the city and it went off perfectly thanks to the staff at the Hideout. The bar has stellar atmosphere, a dark low-key vibe and great artwork. I prefer to be there when it's slower as the last thing I want to be around is a room full of hipsters, but this bar is quality all the way through. read more

Art vending machine. Seriously. Come and check this out. Classy bar with retroish well dressed bartenders, prohibition bathtub gin strength drinks, and bizarreo artwork on the walls. It's a roaring 20s period bar with art from the future where use of advanced superdrugs influenced their neo-beatniks. Men should report in here to pick up on lonely nurses and doctors from the hospital. Women can come here too, I guess. Someone might talk to you after all of the doctorgirls leave. :D Parking is also impossible in this area. Just forget the notion of even attempting to do so. read more

Still as good as the first time I went there. I took a friend who was visiting from Korea there and got two Cucumber Gimlets again. I remember the last time I was here, one of my friends noticed 3 older gentlemen checking us out. I guess it wasn't too hard to notice because the 3 men were sitting next to us, but not really talking to each other. Instead all three of their bodies were turned towards us, looking at us and whispering amongst each other. They loved us or hated us, either way it was disturbing. So this last time I went atleast this time my friends and I weren't being visually violated by older men, yay! Needless to say the Cucumber Gimlets were great. My friend from Korea had never tried anything like it before, and really enjoyed it. The art and overal decor of the place was what you would expect to see in the hallway of an old estate. So many random and impressive pieces of art covering the walls up to the high ceilings thoroughly impressed my friend. It was just nice to have a quiet place to drink. Even though it was a weekend, it wasn't that busy. On most places, that would be a knock against it. Somehow, for the Hideout, it just makes the place even more charming. read more

Every thing about this place is hipper than you. Don't get me wrong its way hipper than me too. I think we need a new adjective to describe the incredible hipness of the place, how about Hipadical? Yes that'll do. This place is Hipadical. read more

The only thing I'm knocking off a star for is the expensive drinks. Double rum and diet here = $10. Double rum and diet in a more divey setting = $6? or $4.25 during happy hour. But it isn't their fault I'm poor. Besides that, I love it! (I almost just wrote "I'm loving it"... Then I realized where I got that from... ew.) I like the little book of customers' drawings. Very entertaining. The bartender was probably the friendliest bartender I've ever had the pleasure of being around. He actually engaged in conversation with my friend and I, which actually made me stop for a second and say, "WAIT? This guy is... talking to us?!?!" I spend way too much time with bartenders who acknowledge me with a nod. The space is awesome and has an old-time feel. Dig, dig, dug, I do. read more

This place... This is where Yuppie Hipsters go to live out their Friday/Saturday nights. The drinks were a bit over priced, the only seating is one long bench that spans the whole wall with a few chairs in front of it. It's so loud you can't even hear if some one is yelling. I sweated my butt off in here. It was probably well into 90+ degrees... on a cold, October night. The art is decent. I wan't impressed. read more

One of my favorite bars in Seattle. Fresh art on the walls regularly, the vibe is cozy relaxed, and everyone who works there is sweet and outgoing -- a rare combination of artfulness and down-to-earthness. And the drinks are bomb. Ask for something special and the bartenders will make it better than you've had before. Live music every Sunday night, too. Bam. read more

I love this place. The art is definitely unique and sometimes a bit graphic, but it just adds to the ambiance. I love the books of art doodled by customers and that you're encouraged to do your own. Not that I'd do it but they also encourge performance art in here. Ask the bartender about how to get free drinks for a night by organizing a unique arts experience. They may not have a ton of beers on tap and just a few more in bottles but they're drinks are always excellently made. The cheese plate and salami are yummy and though a bit pricey ($10 with salami) it's big enough for a few people to snack off of and be satisfied. read more

A fun time with a casual laid back vibe. We went for karaoke on the first Sunday and had a great time and a great cider.

Was disappointed at the fact that this place was called a "speakeasy" when that wasn't what it was. But regardless the atmosphere was really cool there was art everywhere and an art bedding machine which was very cool. They have two gender neutral bathrooms and sometimes have ask in the corner. Warning the inside is very small not what I had expected. read more

Good stuff, as duly noted in the other 42 rave reviews (including Ass Man Z's 1 star). Free pretzels + great art on the wall and in the vending machine. I'll have to try the cocktail list next time but I got a (read: several) exotic drink called "bier". That's German for "beer". Oh, and when you first walk in, get prepared for retina-stunning darkness. read more

Came here for the art and the dive bar experience! It was a friend and me! I got one of the tasty drinks NOT on the menu and I was very pleased! The bartender knows what is going down! If you not sure where to go on a Tuesday, come here! Maybe a Sunday, come here! Ok fine any day! Ha read more

My favorite bar when I was living in the First Hill area. This location seems very inconspicuous, but I promise it's a hidden gem that is waiting to be uncovered. The cocktails are always on point, the service is good, and the ambiance is romantic yet relaxed. Great place to catch happy hour with coworkers/friends as well! Note: there food menu is limited since they receive their food from Vitos, which is down the street, so don't come too hungry, but do come thirsty! read more

Cool bar tucked away off Madison before you take the plunge down the hill to the Sorrento. Caught up with a friend here last night and was impressed, even though it was pretty dead (it was Tuesday). It's dark with seating along the north wall and a sofa section to the west of the bar. Artwork abound, cool stuff to check out. Cocktails are definitely the way to go...my friend ordered the Andy Warhol which comes complete with a Polaroid of yourself! I am not much of a cocktail drinker (gasp!) so I ordered a glass of wine (only 3 reds to choose from by the glass, but they had a decent cote du rhone). Not the place to come if you are hungry seeing they have two food items: cheese platter for $8 (can add meat for $2 more) and the spreads platter. We went with the latter which helped tide us over while we sipped our drinks and chatted. Definitely the coolest bar I have checked out in Seattle in awhile, I will be back with some additional friends in tow, but you should stay away so I can get a seat! read more

Art on the walls make for great conversation starters. Good for cocktails and the cheese plate wasn't bad either! Tall ceilings make this feel very roomy. Darkly lit, comfy couches. read more

If Doctor Frank-N-Furter were to walk into a bar, this would be it! The Hideout is a bar I would have never found if it wasn't for Yelp. Part art gallery/mostly bar. Great cocktail menu, good crowd, great music and friendly bartenders. Head straight to the comfy yellow couch as you walk in the door. read more

I ordered this apple pie inspired cocktail that has a French name... Presque Vu? Pasque Vu? Je ne sais pas! What I do know is that I love apples. I love cinnamon. I love cocktails. Put all those together? Delicieux! Overall I like the atmosphere - it's very chill and hipster (due to all the paintings on the wall and all the hipster customers)... and so that makes me feel like I'm a hipster. But anyway, I really liked the bartenders -- they are super friendly. The name the Hideout is totally fitting because it is slightly hidden -- several of my friends couldn't find it... which happened to be a good thing because the bar is pretty small and not the best for groups (we came here for a birthday party and we did not fit...). My only beef with them is that they overcharged my friend and me. At first they tried to put my drink on her tab, while also charging me for the same drink too. Even so, I'll be back next time when I want to feel like a Seattle hipster drinking a liquid apple pie. But until next time... au revoir! read more

Yeah, from the outside it looks like some crack house but the inside is totally awesome. Very relaxed atmosphere and calming in a way. LOVE the local art on the wall, candles, chandelier. It's not a noisy loud obnoxious place at all, just a cool place to hang out for a few and talk to your friends and neighbors. The bartenders know their drinks, are very creative and will make something up for you based on your tastes. I actually ate their cheese platter and it was very good although I can't tell you what they served...Oh, and the drinks are strong..haha! I didn't really want to Yelp this place because it's my neighborhood bar and we don't have a lot of those here- it's only 2 blocks from my place so I want it to stay cool & full of our own peeps. But alas, it can't always be that way. read more

What a great joint. It was 1:40AM and my date & I had just left my gig in Columbia City. We happened to be going down Boren and I asked her if she'd ever been in "that really cool bar over there", to which she eagerly replied.."OOH - No! We still have time, let's go! Remarkably. I found a parking place across the street and we trotted over. The guy at the door told us that the bartender had just made Last Call, but that if we were really nice, he'd probably give us a shot. They were out of a brand of bourbon I wanted, so I threw myself at the mercy of the bartender and told him to fix us up with something good, but not $20 a shot. I don't remember what he gave us, but he said "this is great and its only $8" We decided that since we'd already spent the previous 3 hours drinking that we'd share one and what he gave us was terrific (whatever it was). This visit to The Hideout included somethings I'd never seen there before. Up on the balcony, over the door, we were treated to the dancing of a topless guy with Monkey Mask! He might have been nude, but the balcony was just the right height to prevent seeing if/how he was dressed below the waist. It did inspire the fellow sitting next to us at the bar to moon him, if that is any judge of the entertainment value. Monkey Boy was cool - Moon Boy was.. lets just say "less than that." The paintings on the wall are always great to see and the jukebox contains a remarkable selection. No one else has mentioned that there is a catalog that describes/identifies each painting and also lists the jukebox play-list. Great stuff to scan through. I loved it in there once again, scored major "insider" points for bringing the date to a hidden treasure, had a great drink and achieved it all in the 20 minutes we had till 2! Where else can you do that? read more

Great spot. I come here often and I always take newbies into this place. Here are the strong points to the Hideout: RECLUSIVE: Yeah, great name for this spot. No attention called to the place other than a street sign. When you walk in it is like stepping into a cave, almost like a cocktail lounge version of Narnia. When you're inside, you blind from the outside world with an occasional blink when someone walks in or out of the place. ART/DECOR: The art is the strongest feature here. Several paintings dominate the high walls (est. 25 feet high) and will keep your mind busy. 3 chandeliers provide excellent mood lighting and they're all different from each other. The cooler behind the bar is amazing. It looks like a 50s commercial refrigerator (with windows); they told me it came with the place when they bought it. STELLAR SERVICE: The staff have always been so nice and friendly. I always tip fat here. COCKTAILS/BEER SELECTION: To be honest, it's not the best. They do have a full bar. They don't have everything, but the selection is well-decided so there are alternates. For example, I won't find Chopin's potato vodka, but this place turned me on to an even better Monopolowa. This place will definitely work if you're not too picky or finicky. Believe me, the ambience makes up for it. FOOD: A light menu and I've only eaten here once. I had the antipasto platter and it was definitely a generous portion. Mid-grade, but well worth the price. PARKING: Street parking. But not once have I failed to find parking within a block of the place. The Hideout is a 1/2 block away from Madison so it's easy to navigate to and from the I-5. ART VENDING MACHINE: Okay, so I don't buy anything from it. And maybe it is a tad gimmicky, but oddities like this are what makes Seattle a top notch drinking city. read more

The Hideout is seriously hidden! Had I not been trailing with a few of my girlfriends, I would have missed this cool place. From the outside, its sketchy - like enter in through the back door sketch. Which made me feel all the more cool upon entering. Inside; high ceilings, glowy tables for seating by the art covered walls. It definitely holds a back edge feel to it along with its mix of customers. Sadly the place is pretty small - which didn't allow for us to get some seating and take in the full atmosphere. So I wouldn't recommend for even minimal groups. Hear the drinks are pretty fab though! Will come back and give it another shot. read more

The Hideout is a sleazy, um, hideout on First Hill with high walls completely covered in a schizophrenic collection of art. They have the most beat up (and comfortable) old couches (I'm told... I didn't actually sit in 'em, but my friend, who I trust a lot, told me so), awesome bartenders and there's absinth if you know the password. You don't really have to know a password, but that would be cool. Good crowd. Good music. Worthy spot. read more

If you want a delicious drink made by an awesome dude in a vest and tie, you've come to the right place. There is no bar cooler than this one in Seattle. If you're trying to get your wack ass laid, take it down the street to the CHA, BRAAAAAAAH. I seriously miss this place and all the lovely art. read more

Shrouded in mystery. Just the way I like it. My greatest hope/fear about the Hideout is someday I'll get too drunk and end up going home with one of those crazy paintings. Of course I'm fond of the theme-y drinks. I'm just a wannabe Edie Sedgwick, but I'm loving the Andy Warhol. Everyone can be famous for 15 minutes. The polaroid & (strong, tasty) cosmopolitan combo can't be beat. I basically condone any bars where I can get myself photographed, whether it be the Cha Cha photobooth or a schticky celebrity cocktail. It is hard to find and in a random locale, but... well, that's kind of the point. read more

It's surprisingly not crowded for a bar of its caliber. That probably has to do with its being a little bit out of the way. But I'd rather make this very modest trek than stand outside some bar and wait in the rain to be a paying customer. I meannnn I do that sometimes anyway (cuz I'm a sucker) but it's nice when you don't have to. You know those annoying people who have sticks up their butts about how they like their drinks? I'm toooootally one of them. Drinks are not low calorie or cheap -- so when I drink something, I better like the hell out of it. I ordered mostly classic cocktails (Old Fashioned, Negroni) and thoroughly enjoyed everything I had. The bartenders were pleasant and very knowledgable. My old fashioned in an absinthe wash (yes, kind of like a sazerac but not really) wasn't fizzy or overpowered by the absinthe taste. It was a perfectly balanced drink. I also really liked the artwork on the walls. All paintings are for sale (I believe with the exception of the naked lady with the oranges) and are made by local artists. There is also a vending machine with art-related things in it (or so I was told... I didn't approach it close enough to see). Lastly, I like that this place is mysteriously. It's super dark yet comfortable inside. The seating is conducive to some major eye flirting. Well maybe with the lights (or lack thereof), it's conducive to a lot of squinting to see who you're with but still! It's sexy. At the same time, it's casual enough not to feel pretentious. It doesn't overdo itself though so I know I'm still in Seattle rather than a Vegas bar that is trying its hardest. I'm sure I will be back. read more

This place is great because it's invisible (no stragglers -- just people who want the real deal), and it has a dark, cave-like feel to it. Makes me feel like Bukowski, coming in here on a sunny day. This is where I want to be when if get fired, wreck my relationship, or someone runs over my dog. I will have no qualms about wasting the day getting wasted in this cavern. Oh yeah, and the drinks are good. read more