Restaurant
Unclaimed profileSmith Tower Observatory & Bar
Seattle, WA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The beverage program at Smith Tower Observatory & Bar is unusually complete for a viewpoint venue. The cocktail menu runs from classics like Vieux Carre and Espresso Martini to seasonal signatures such as Ferry Terminal Tiki and Sucias Secret, plus barrel-aged options and a Bartender's Choice tailored to your preferred spirit and flavor profile. A dedicated spirits list spans nine categories with rare pours, including Michter's 20 Year and Sazerac 18 Year Rye. Wine, local craft beer, and a five-drink zero proof section round out the offering.
- What should I order?
- Start with a Vieux Carre or The Cornelius Martini from the classics, then try a seasonal signature like Ferry Terminal Tiki or Sucias Secret. If you prefer spirits, ask for a pour of Michter's 20 Year or Sazerac 18 Year Rye. For a tailored drink, the Bartender's Choice option lets you share a preferred spirit and flavor profile.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who wants a serious drink alongside a serious view. Cocktail drinkers will find classics, seasonal signatures, and barrel-aged options; spirits enthusiasts can explore rare bourbon, rye, and international whiskey; beer fans get -area craft; and non-drinkers have a full zero proof section. Groups celebrating an occasion or visitors looking for a complete beverage program will find plenty to work with.
- When should I go?
- Visit for an afternoon cocktail or an evening pour. The Boozy Afternoon Tea includes a Special-TEA Cocktail or mocktail, and cocktail classes with rotating themes and menus are offered. The Bartender's Choice option suits a slower visit when you want a tailored drink.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Classic cocktails run 18-22, seasonal signatures and Bartender's Choice are 24-25. Zero proof cocktails are 15-16, and other non-alcoholic drinks are 4-7. Wine is priced by bottle, 9oz, and 6oz tiers, with many at 56/21/15 and Champagne bottles from 130 to 350. Spirits pours range from 10 to 200, and beers are 7 with cider at 8.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A full cocktail menu with Classics, Seasonal Signatures, and Barrel-Aged Cocktails, a dedicated spirits list spanning nine categories with rare and allocated bottles, a wine list that covers sparkling, white, rosé, and red, a beer section focused on -area craft breweries, and a five-drink zero proof section. The Bartender's Choice option adds a personalized layer, and cocktail classes with rotating themes are offered.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A full cocktail menu with Classics, Seasonal Signatures, and Barrel-Aged Cocktails. Named classics include Vieux Carre, Espresso Martini, Classic Daiquiri, and The Cornelius Martini. Seasonal signatures include Ferry Terminal Tiki, Sucias Secret, Lopez Island, Orcas Island, and San Juan Island. A Bartender's Choice option tailors a drink to your preferred spirit and flavor profile, and cocktail classes are offered with rotating themes.
Menu strengths
- — Three distinct cocktail sections: Classics, Seasonal Signatures, and Barrel-Aged Cocktails.
- — Bartender's Choice offers a tailored cocktail based on a preferred spirit and flavor profile.
- — Cocktail classes with rotating themes and menus are offered.
Standout selections
- — Vieux Carre — George Dickle Rye, Hennessey VS, Antica Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, Angostura and Peychaud's Bitters, 20.
- — The Cornelius Martini — Roku Gin, Ketel One, Cocchi Americana, Apple Brandy, Burnt Lemon Bitters, 21.
- — Ferry Terminal Tiki — Planteray 3 Star, Smith and Cross, Green Chartreuse, Orgeat, Lime, Pineapple, Blue Curacao, 25.
Pricing: Classic cocktails 18-22; seasonal signatures 25; Bartender's Choice 24.
Wine
Champagne bottle prices range from 130 to 350, including Dom Ruinart and Louis Roederer Cristal.
Menu strengths
- — Sparkling, white, rosé, and red sections cover a range of drinking occasions.
- — Champagne bottle prices range from 130 to 350, including Dom Ruinart and Louis Roederer Cristal.
Standout selections
- — Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs — Champagne, France, 200 bottle.
- — Mark Ryan Lu & Oly Red Blend — Columbia Valley, Washington, 56/21/15.
- — Abeja Beekeeper White — Columbia Valley, Washington, 67/25/18.
Pricing: Many wines 56/21/15 for bottle/9oz/6oz; Champagne bottles 130-350.
Beer
Rogers Pilsner — Georgetown Brewing, WA, 7.; Coco Jones Coconut Porter — Black Raven Brewing Co, Woodinville WA, 7.
Menu strengths
- — Emphasizes -area craft breweries including Georgetown, Seapine, and Reuben's.
- — Covers pilsner, pale ale, hefeweizen, IPA, porter, lager, and cider styles.
Standout selections
- — Rogers Pilsner — Georgetown Brewing, WA, 7.; Coco Jones Coconut Porter — Black Raven Brewing Co, Woodinville WA, 7.
- — Semi Dry Cider — Yonder Cider Co, Wenatchee WA, 8.
Pricing: Beers 7; cider 8.
Nonalcoholic
The One Who Touches the Sky — Seedlip Grove 42 NA Spirit, Pineapple Cordial, Elderflower Cordial, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, 15.
Menu strengths
- — A dedicated Zero Proof Cocktails section with five named options.
- — Non-alcoholic beer cans from Athletic Brewing Co are available.
- — Additional N/A beverages include coffee, lemonade, iced tea, ginger beer, and hot tea.
Standout selections
- — Dry Goods Old Fashioned — NA Whiskey, All The Bitters, 16.
- — The One Who Touches the Sky — Seedlip Grove 42 NA Spirit, Pineapple Cordial, Elderflower Cordial, Grapefruit Juice, Lemon Juice, 15.
- — The Dockside Story — Lyres NA Rum, Simple Syrup, Lime Juice, 16.
Pricing: Zero proof cocktails 15-16; additional N/A beverages 4-7.
Spirits
A dedicated spirits list with Brandy/Cognac, Tequila/Mezcal, Rum/Pisco/Cachaca, Gin/Genever/Aquavit, Vodka, International Whiskey, Single Malt/Scotch, Rye, and Bourbon sections. Premium and rare expressions include Hennessy XO, Sazerac 18 Year Rye, Michter's 20 Year, Weller Single Barrel, and Yamazaki 12yr. Spirits are available as pours with individual pricing. Pours range from 10 to 200.
Menu strengths
- — Nine spirits categories, from Brandy/Cognac to Bourbon, Rye, and Single Malt/Scotch.
- — Rare and aged expressions include Michter's 20 Year and Sazerac 18 Year Rye.
- — Deep bourbon and rye offerings with allocated and vintage bottles.
Standout selections
- — Michter's 20 Year — Bourbon, 200.; Sazerac 18 Year Rye — Rye, 130.
- — Weller Single Barrel — Bourbon, 50.; Yamazaki 12yr — International Whiskey, 40.
Pricing: Spirits pours range from 10 to 200 depending on expression.
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