I just moved to Seattle from Austin last Friday, and my first order of business was finding a great neighborhood bar like I had in Austin. The bar should have Norm Peterson-like regulars, cheap drinks and a good jukebox. And, well, Thunderbird fits the bill. I've been here every day this week so far, and have already made a lot of new friends who are starting to feel like family. My standard well vodka soda drink only costs $3.50, just like it does at Hideout Pub in Austin, and I can manipulate the jukebox to fit my tastes with the TouchTunes app. The only flaw here is the lack of parking (only a few spots on the side), but I can always park in the nearby neighborhood and walk it, or just take Lyft. This is because the snooty strip club next door isn't willing to share its spots but is more than willing to encourage their patrons to take Thunderbird's spots. I have yet to try the food, but I have no doubt it will surpass expectations, turning the trifecta from my first paragraph into a quadfecta. To note, Hideout Pub in Austin also has great food, so this newfound quadfecta is a natural progression. The night crowd is a little different than the happy hour crowd, but not in a bad way. What I mean is, I have yet to be approached by a creeper at Thunderbird, unlike at a select few other Ballard area bars who shall remain nameless. But, there's always tomorrow night. read more

First timer and will be back! Good lime. Come for the lime stay for the back patio vibes! read more

Thunderbird Tavern - Blurry vod sod with lime - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place had all the markings of a typical dive bar. There were plenty of TVs to watch sports and a couple of pool tables. The interior was dimly lit with more tables and seating in the back. It was a neighborhood bar with a lot of locals and frequent barflys. Their website said that their happy hour is from 4-7pm but when we arrived at 6pm the bartender said it was actually 4-6pm. She told us though that "it's not happy hour but our stuff is cheap anyway" which was a funny exchange and gave us a chuckle. She was right though because wells were $5 and the Moscow mule was $8 (although it was just okay). We played pool, watched some TV, and just hung out. It was a cool vibe. read more

Thunderbird Tavern - two glasses of whiskey on a table - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is my most favorite neighborhood bar! I love how welcoming the whole vibe is. The food is more than just bar food, and they even have a plant-based option. Every time I go there is something new, I especially like the outdoor set up. read more

They eat hipsters for lunch in this bar. Highly recommend, especially if you have a drinking problem.

Heavy pours and reasonable labor. Observed some ladies of the evening coaxing up other bar goers. What a night!

Rabbits welcome. Food is great. Backyard garden is my favorite. The foliage is mature and lush. I also love the Monday Night Football Free Board. read more

Thunderbird Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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If you want a dive bar with sports on and decent beer for fair prices, come here. Service is good, too, and it feels like a locals' place. What isn't good? Well, the $3 secret sausage, while flavorful, did a number on me -- so skip that if you're now an adult with a picky GI system. Bottom line: Come on in, grab a seat and a beer, and enjoy the locals. Skip the sausage. read more

Over the course of being in Seattle for four days I've been four times. A great place to have a cheap pint. They have about 15 varieties and some bottles. Drinks are about $5 each and are nice full pints. The staff is very nice and come to you quickly. The pool table is only 75 cents. Everyone here has been very friendly even though it's a dive bar. They have a great ginger ale/beer too for the non drinkers. Secret sausage is served here. $5 for the secret sausage , served "Seattle Style" with a hot link and cream cheese. Their firlander sauce brings the heat on it too. For $5 you get the dog and some kettle chips. Great place to hang out, as the TV is on too. Cheers! read more

Thunderbird Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We met up with my recently transplanted ATX_YELP buddy to hang at her favorite Seattle dive bar. The Thunderbird is your quintessential dive bar. It's dark, There is a variety of music on the jukebox, drinks are strong and cheap, and of course you need a pool table or two. Be aware when you enter the bar you will get the once over form the regulars. Not to worry as everyone is pretty darn friendly. The T-bird is a great neighborhood dive bar that would be a perfect hideout (Cat ;^) ) to have a few cocktails on the down low.... read more

Dude! I'll take any place in Seattle with a good atmosphere, friendly people, amazing service, strong - heavy pours, delicious food and an incredible outdoor patio. Seriously, as a Seattle native, how have I not been here before. read more

Very cool place with a great vibe! Definitely plan on going earlier next time as they sold out of the slaw dogs by the time I got there. Opening night was so much fun! It was standing room only during the dinner hours! The new owners are awesome and Madison is such a sweetheart! They came to our table personally to ask what we thought of the place - very friendly! Definitely a great duo that really care about the Thunderbird. The secret sausage dog was great though and the hubby loved the Firlander sauce on the table! Also nice they have a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks too. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Classic dive tavern that is slightly up scale and clean. It was nicer inside than I expected and they served beer. If it was closer to me then I'd be back more often. read more

Service is awesome as the staff is super friendly. The food is cheap and just really good. The happy hour is probably the cheapest in Ballard. It's nice to get away from the bars that like to charge $8 for a well whisky when you can come here for cheaper drinks and a no frills bar. It's not flashy but it's friendly and that's what makes this place worth 5 stars. read more

Great spot with gourmet sausages, stiff drinks and great bartenders. Specials most nights with bingo on Thursday and all you can eat spaghetti on Sundays. Limited parking but offers 2 pool tables (tournament every Monday) and foosball too. Takes cards and open great hours! read more

Thunderbird Tavern - Food offerings, full bar and LOTS of TVs!! - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A great neighborhood place. Great relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff. The best VEGAN hot dogs in town!

The service is great. The bartender noticed us squatting in a corner table beneath the dart board and brought us each a water to keep us hydrated while we decided what special cocktail or pint we wanted. The music was loud but not too loud that we could not converse with each other. The Thunderbird is one of those bars you can see as your next hangout. I have my favorite seat picked out. read more

Thunderbird Tavern - Not so secret--sausages advertised at each table and blackboard behind the bar. - Dive Bars Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I had the joy of going her last night with a large group of friends for my birthday. The staff was so nice as well as all the other customers there. I highly recommend the secret sausages for happy hour.. and if you don't eat meat, they have a field roast option. I will definitely be going back!!! read more

This place is awesome, the hot dogs are a must, pool tables its a great fun atmosphere come here and enjoy yourself

Pool tables. Dart boards. Outdoor smoking area. And awesome people in a great environment.

I was there the other day with my buddy. First thing happened a guy bought us a couple of beers. "thank you random guy" Next the bartender was most excellent, Friendly and kick ass. Definitely a place I would come back to again. Lot's of Seattle regulars. A true neighborhood bar. Cheers!! read more

Best place in all of Ballard. A good place to sit back and relax, this low key bar is a perfect cure for weeknight boredom. The drinks are strong and inexpensive, and the ever-so-friendly bar staff will never let your glass stay empty. I, and all of the other regulars, call this bar a second home because it really brings the term "watering hole" to a much deeper level. This is a truly a neighborhood gathering spot. They've got a touch tunes so you can be the dj, two dart boards (one inside and one outside), two pool tables, a Foosball table, and a lovely patio out back in which you can smoke and take your drinks. I enjoy the patio on these hot summer nights. They are dog friendly, as long as your dog is bar friendly. My dogs enjoy this place even more than I do! The owner also owns a little hot dog stand that he takes out around cap hill. So, of course they sell hot dogs here at the bar. They are fantastic! The secret sausage is a deliciously spicy dog surrounded with cream cheese on the bun. They also have a burger if sausages arnt tour thing. I also appreciate that the bartenders will cook you up some food almost up until closing. Which is really good for a drunk who needs food on their belly. Free pool on sundays. Pool tourney on Wednesday. Bingo on Thursday. There's a huge projector that plays the games when they air. Did I mention it's also right next to a strip club? read more

I love the T-bird!!!! The owner Ian and his beautiful wife are amazing. Fran is the most amazing woman I have ever known. Honestly all the staff are amazing. The food is great and the drinks are stiff and a great price. I have always had an amazing time when I have been there. read more

Soooo excited that my friend Ian and his lovely girlfriend Madison decided to open their own tavern. I went on Saturday to check it out and was blown away by how they have fixed up the space, and even more blown away by the delicious sausage I ordered! I will definitely be going back soon! Thanks Ian, Madison, and Adam!!! read more

New owner, new space, new menu, new beers. This is my new favorite place in the neighborhood. Ian, the owner is a very nice guy who bent over backwards to make us happy last night by playing nothing but Led Zeppelin very loudly while we shot pool. The specialty dogs we had were quite good as well. Smells a lot better than the old place too! Headed back soon... read more

I have been to the Thunderbird as few times now and it is consistently great! Fran is a an icon and Adam is a great bartender. The owners of this place are very inviting and have done a lot in a short amount of time to make this place a great, approachable neighborhood bar. Also, the sausages this place serves up are legendary! You have to try the Secret Sausage with the Firlander Sauce, it will blow your hair back!!! read more

Landed here in on a random Thursday night. It was a someones bday and they were playing bingo. A frequent patron paid for quite a few rounds. Stop in if you're feeling charismatic. They have (2) pool tables and Adam, the bartender, was friendly! read more

The Big Henry...not so big for $10. Tastes fine but needs more filling for that big roll. Also have been here multiple times over the years and I cant understand why they dont give you silverware unless you ask for it..makes me crazy. At least give me a plastic fork so I'm not getting ketchup on my fingers for those last few fries... read more

Great place to have a few drinks after work. Right on 15th ave on my way home. Nothin fancy. Cheap beer and good atmosphere. Was a little scary before but the new owner seemed to turn it around. Keep it up! read more

Great polish sausage, good Pinot Grigio, fun spot. We'll be back! Good neighborhood feel to the place.

Loved this place! The bar tender was swift and super helpful. The music at the bar was rocking on the jukebox and the patrons were all super friendly. The place has this perfect small town locals bar feel. My friend and I were having a bad day and just needed a drink. This place was perfect to lift our spirits. If you like pool or some trivia and a delicious sausage at a great price then check out the Tavern. It's amazing. read more

Bartender was SO friendly. Prices are great. If you are looking for a relaxed bar to frequent, this is it. I will be back often!