Founders Club — Restaurant in Seattle

B and I are doing this exercise from the book Eight Dates. The idea is to go on 8 dates where you talk about specific topics that are important to couples. Needless to say, you need a place where you are comfortable having intimate conversations. Earlier in the year, we went for a walk in unpopular parks, but it is the rainy season in Seattle, so we had to find a place with a roof. A Google search turned up the Founder Club at the Fairmont hotel downtown. I looked at the menu, sold some of my retirement bonds and made a reservation. Parking was like any parking downtown. The Fairmont has valet parking, but I was not into that. Instead, I parked myself in the garage behind the hotel. We walked the short distance to the back door of the hotel and went in. There is nothing to tell you where the Founder’s Club is. That is part of the charm - it is supposed to be reminiscent of a speak-easy. After a moment of wondering what to do, we decided to ask at the bar. Breaking into the staff’s chat took some effort, but once we got someone’s attention, we quickly found out that if we stood in a certain location, a hostess would find us. No passwords needed. Sure enough, after waiting at the designated spot, a woman took my name and opened a secret door disguised as a bookshelf. Inside was a small bar and a few little tables. The hostess led us to one that she thought would give us the privacy we required. We looked over the menu, asked the waitress a few questions and then ordered $50 worth of drinks. There is food on some days, but not while we were there. I was really looking forward to seeing what a $30 slider tasted like. We were left alone for our conversation for the next hour or so. I won’t review what we said, but suffice it to say that we learned about each other. I paid the bill and found out that I should have used the valet parking. That is the only way to get your parking validated....

Celebrated our wedding anniversary by starting off at the Founders Club (reservations a must, it’s a speakeasy hidden behind the hotel lobby - call or use Open Table to book) and then proceeded to The George for an outstanding dinner.

First, the remodel at the Fairmont is fantastic, finally a vision that does this gorgeous property justice. Lively scene in the main lobby bar, but go to the Founders Club for cozy conversation with a date, a BFF or two, or another couple. I can see this becoming a favorite date night stop for The Hubs and me, assuming we’re organized enough to plan ahead with reservations.

Cocktails were top notch if you appreciate the art of a finely crafted drink with top shelf ingredients. The bartender makes gigantic ice diamonds right at the bar for “on the rock” (yes, one giant “rock”) drinks - he’s a whiz with the knife, order one if you’re seated at the bar and want to see an artist at work.

Hint: if this is your first time going to the Founders Club, you’ll probably wander the main lobby bar a bit (like we did) before you realize the entrance is hidden. Ask a member of the serving staff where...

Pretentious and overrated. The only good thing about this was that they did bring us a little plate of chocolates and macaroons for my birthday, but the service was absolutely cold and terrible. It took them at least 30 minutes to even come to us and take our order. We got to the point where we almost went up to the bar to order. We got the $29 sazerac and it honestly just tasted like a whiskey neat, the glass was not chilled. The seating was also disappointing. I know I was just with a party of two but the unfriendly host sat us in a corner by the bar where we got to stare at a comfy lounge table all night. I agree with the reviews below that this place would do better as a private club or a more affordable and friendly speakeasy like Bathtub Gin....