Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Octopus Bar
Seattle, WA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Octopus Bar runs a nautical-themed drink list that covers cocktails, wine, beer, and zero-proof options with unusual thoroughness. House cocktails like the Ruby Mainsail and Into the Abyss sit at $14–$16, with several available as carafes serving two to five. A daily happy hour lowers the entry point, and the beer list is the quiet strength: eight taps and twelve bottles or cans. The N/A section is not an afterthought, with named drinks like Who Stole My Dinghy. Guests describe the cocktails as decent, though some find them sweet and diluted.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Into the Abyss, a blackberry margarita built on Altos Tequila, available by the glass or as a carafe. For a spirit-forward option, the Great Tony Shapiro uses Knob Creek Bourbon, Hella Bitters, and a brandied cherry. If beer is the priority, Fremont Sky Kraken or Bodhizafa IPA on tap are solid local choices.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Groups looking for a broad drink list with carafe formats for sharing, beer drinkers who want local taps and pitchers, and anyone seeking a named zero-proof cocktail rather than a default soda.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour runs daily and lowers cocktail and draft beer pricing. The carafe formats suit group visits, while the N/A and low-ABV list works for daytime or early-evening drinking.
- What should I expect to spend?
- House cocktails are $14–$16, with carafe versions of select drinks at $54. Shots are $10, Jell-o shots are 2 for $6, wine and bubbles are $10 a glass or $30 a carafe, draft beer is $9 a pint or $31 a pitcher outside happy hour, and N/A cocktails run $13–$15.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The drink list carries a consistent nautical theme across categories, and the carafe format for select cocktails and sangria serves two to five. The N/A and low-ABV section is built from named drinks like the Winter Tidal Wave and Americano rather than standard substitutes.
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 named house cocktail list with a nautical theme and varied spirit bases, priced $14–$16, with several available as glass or carafe. Happy hour runs daily and applies to cocktails. Shots and Jell-o shots round out the section. Guests describe the drinks as decent but note some are overly sweet and diluted.
Menu strengths
- — Named house cocktails with varied spirit bases including tequila, bourbon, mezcal, gin, and vodka
- — Daily happy hour with cocktail pricing; Carafe options for select cocktails serving 2-5
Standout selections
- — Into the Abyss: a blackberry margarita with Altos Tequila, blackberry syrup, orange juice, triple sec, lemon, lime, and sour, available by the glass or as a carafe serving 2-5
- — The Great Tony Shapiro: Knob Creek Bourbon, simple syrup, Hella Bitters, orange, and a brandied cherry at $16
- — Ruby Mainsail: Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, grapefruit juice, rosemary simple syrup, soda, lemon, and rosemary at $14
Pricing: $14–$16; carafe versions of select cocktails $54; shots $10; Jell-o shots 2 for $6; happy hour pricing daily
Wine
A Wine & Bubbles section lists House Red, House White, Rosé, Bubbles, Red Sangria, and a Winter Tidal Wave Spritz. Most are priced at $10 a glass or $30 a carafe, with Red Sangria at $8 a glass or $26 a carafe serving 2-5. The list is functional rather than deep.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple by-the-glass and carafe options across red, white, rosé, and sparkling
- — Red Sangria available by the glass or carafe serving 2-5
- — Carafe pricing at $30 for most Wine & Bubbles selections
Standout selections
- — Red Sangria at $8 a glass or $26 a carafe serving 2-5
- — Winter Tidal Wave Spritz at $10 a glass or $30 a carafe
Pricing: $10 glass / $30 carafe; Red Sangria $8 glass / $26 carafe; Sea Monster Tidal Wave White Wine (N/A) $8 glass / $26 bottle
Beer
An extensive beer list with eight on-tap options and twelve bottles or cans. Taps include Fremont Sky Kraken, Manny's Pale Ale, Future Primitive ThunderPussy, Future Primitive NPFO Pilsner, Modelo Negra, Pacifico, Schilling Cider Moon Berries, and Bodhizafa IPA. Happy hour draft pricing is $6 a pint or $20 a pitcher.
Menu strengths
- — Eight on-tap options spanning local IPA, pilsner, pale ale, cider, and Mexican lager
- — Twelve bottles and cans including Rainier, Guinness, Peroni, and Dru Bru Sour
- — Happy hour draft pricing at $6 a pint or $20 a pitcher
Standout selections
- — Fremont Sky Kraken on tap at $9 (16oz pint) or $31 (pitcher)
- — Bodhizafa IPA on tap at $9 (16oz pint) or $31 (pitcher)
- — Future Primitive ThunderPussy on tap at $9 (16oz pint) or $31 (pitcher)
Pricing: $9 (16oz pint) / $31 (pitcher); happy hour $6 pint / $20 pitcher; bottles and cans $5.50–$10.50; Tackle Boxes $15; Athletic N/A $8
Nonalcoholic
An N/A & Low ABV section with named zero-proof and low-ABV cocktails priced $13–$15. Zero-proof options include Winter Tidal Wave, Who Stole My Dinghy, Nice Toddy, Port Side, and Viva Boca. Low-ABV choices include St. Marina and Americano. Athletic N/A beer, Culture Pop, and kombucha are also listed.
Menu strengths
- — Named zero-proof cocktails built with Seedlip Grove Spirit and Pathfinder N/A Amaro
- — Low-ABV options including St. Marina and Americano; Athletic N/A beer, Culture Pop probiotic soda, and Health-Ade kombucha available
Standout selections
- — Who Stole My Dinghy: an N/A margarita with Seedlip Grove Spirit, agave syrup, lemon, and lime juice at $14
- — Nice Toddy: Pathfinder N/A Amaro, honey, lemon, hot water, and a cinnamon stick at $14
- — Winter Tidal Wave: Sea Monster Tidal Wave White with alcohol removed, cranberry, lemon, sparkling water, and rosemary at $15
Pricing: N/A cocktails $13–$15; low-ABV $13–$15; Athletic N/A beer $8; Culture Pop $8; kombucha $9; sodas and juices $5–$6
How it sits with the food
Tackle Boxes combine beer and a shot for $15, a fixed pairing format rather than a food menu.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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