Smith Tower has stood as a pillar of Seattle history since 1914. Since then, the 100-plus-year-old building has been home to the open-air Observatory deck on the 35th floor, along with playing host to a number of offices. Now, there’s a new group calling Seattle’s first skyscraper home: the Smith Tower bees.
Utilizing existing outdoor space on the 22nd floor, the apiary was recently established by the building’s property management company in collaboration with Alvéole, an urban beekeeping service. With their location in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood, the bees travel around the city to pollinate nearby plants and flowers. And guests of the Observatory Restaurant and Bar get to enjoy the benefits of their hard work.
Visiting the 35th floor requires the purchase of a ticket at check-in. The ticket allows you to gain access to the historical exhibits on the first floor, detailing the iconic building’s past. From there, guests take an ornate, gold elevator up 35 floors, with the doors opening to the stunning, prohibition-inspired restaurant and bar.
The 360-degree city views from the outdoor observatory deck, accessible from the restaurant, are a key highlight of this Seattle destination. But now, you can celebrate the hard work of the resident bees while visiting, as well. The bees have started producing plenty of honey, which is used in multiple ways on the restaurant and bar menus. One of the first concoctions highlighting the local liquid gold? The Catch the Buzz cocktail, crafted with on-site honey. Enjoy a drink while soaking in one of the best views in Seattle – then recreate it at home using the recipe below.
Catch the Buzz Cocktail Recipe
2oz Michters Bourbon
.5oz Amaretto
.5oz Amaro Montenegro
.5oz honey syrup (2:1)
Stir all ingredients together over ice. Strain and serve over a large ice cube.
