September in Seattle: the weather starts to turn the old familiar gray, the sunny days lessen and the leaves brighten. It’s almost that time for bars and brewpubs across the state to haul in the outdoor seating for the winter months. But the early fall brings one more opportunity with it — amazing fire pit seating. With the temperature cooling down, it’s the perfect time of year for an after-dinner drink by the fire. Here are five bars to get your fire pit fix.
Shelter Lounge
This Ballard neighborhood bar is ideal for indoor or outdoor soirée. The outdoor area is covered by a gorgeous trellis and features a sleek fire pit with benches on either side. Post up by the toasty, gas-powered, rectangular hearth and enjoy a Seattle Mule, served in a real copper mug featuring Batch 206 vodka.
Bar Ciudad
If you haven’t found this Georgetown gem and its sister restaurant Ciudad Grill yet, you’re in for a treat. Serving this South Seattle hood with mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine and cocktail creations is just what Ciudad does. Bar Ciudad starts lighting its outdoor fires as soon as the weather cools off. Grab a drink — like the Up In Smoke with smoked tea syrup, gin and bitters — to pair with a juicy rotisserie chicken served with some house-made sauces like chimichurri or garlic aioli and cozy up to the flames.
Gruff Brewing
This Bellinghambrewery has an average-sized taproom with a massive-sized backyard. Walking into Gruff you’ll notice the exposed wood beams overhead, the battered hardwoods and vintage pinball machines. Grab a Trashbird IPA and venture through the taproom to get to the large outdoor seating area in the back where there are several gas fireplaces, games like cornhole and picnic table seating to watch the sunset over Bellingham Bay.
Westward
This list would not be complete without this award-winning Lake Union bar. Westward is top-shelf when it comes to the restaurant-bar firepit game in Seattle. This giant outdoor patio pit sits on the north shore of Lake Union and makes use of the Emerald City skyline as its backdrop. Snuggle in next to this mammoth blaze and enjoy one of the finest views in the city over a drink like the Northern Exposure, a rye, amaretto and bitters cocktail that warms on the way down.
McMenamins Anderson School
Anderson School in Bothell is a multifaceted dream-come-true for a night out with friends. Visit the Tavern on the Square bar where 20 house-made beers are available on tap. Try the Irish Stout for a creamy, malty goodness and head to the courtyard with it in hand for a vast system of torch-lit pathways crowded with plants. Like all McMenamins hotel-bar-hybrid properties, alcohol is permitted anywhere on the premises so feel free to wander while you sip! There are several seating areas with fire pits in the area including a large, custom brick smoke stack.
