Matador

With one of the coolest atmospheres in Seattle, Matador is one of my favorite places to go to eat and/or drink. The decor and mood are perfect for a rainy Seattle day. In addition most of the locations have outdoor seating for those rare occasions when the mysterious yellow orb is shining brightly in the sky.

Neighborhood/s: Ballard, West Seattle

Food: Matador’s happy hour food is totally fantastic!  For $4-$5 you can get Nachos, Spicy Fried Calamari, or my personal favorite: the Tex Mex Spring Rolls..mmmm..delicious Tex Mex in my mouth.

Drinks: This category is unfortunately, where Matador falls short. They do NOT offer discounted drinks on their happy hour special. This is a double bummer because the drinks are strong and supple (I don’t know how that word can be used to describe a beverage, but we’ll go with it).  The margaritas are margarita-licious. If only they knocked off a buck or two for happy hour, then I would be in HH heaven.

Atmosphere: Super sexy and fun.

Service: Great

The Happiest Hours: 4pm to 6pm and  10pm to 1am SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Website (watch out–it has noises): http://matadorseattle.com/index.html

Like a bull I would charge this locale daily if only the drinks were marked down at happy hour. I give it a rating of 4 olives.

 

Duke’s Chowder House

While Duke’s has recently made some unfortunate changes (smaller portions, higher prices), they will always have one of my favorite Seattle happy hours.

Neighborhood/s: Alki, Greenlake, Lake Union

Food: Duke’s Happy Hour has a HUGE selections of appetizers for under $7–including my personal favorite, the Tuna Wasabi Quesadilla—yummm. You can also get their award winning chowder for $5.40 a bowl!

Drinks: OMG. The “Duketails” as they are affectionately referred to, are amazing!  For  under $6 you can get a cucumber mojito (good), a strawberry lemon drop (great!), or for $6.60 their famous Bloody Mary (it will blow your mind). Plus well drinks and draft beers are $3.75.

Atmosphere: good, fun, laid back. The Alki location has arguably the best outdoor seating in Seattle.

Service: good

The Happiest Hours: 3pm – 6pm and  9pm – close SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Website: http://www.dukeschowderhouse.com/

I give it the highest rating of 5 olives.  Duke truly is happy hour royalty!