Barnacle

Barnacle is one of the coolest places in Ballard to have a cocktail. Actually, it’s one of the coolest places in Seattle to have a cocktail. The entire establishment is just one long wooden bar, you get a bowl of Lay’s potato chips to snack on, and the mixed drinks the bartenders make put that French 75 you once spent hours researching and perfecting to shame.

This is the sister bar to The Walrus and The Carpenter, and while we usually find ourselves sipping an amaro while waiting for a table next door, Barnacle is worth a trip on its own. They serve oysters along with cured meats and cheeses, so it’s your new go-to for drinks and a light bite with someone you’d probably want a second date with.