Owl N' Thistle — Restaurant in Seattle

Tucked into the historic Colman Building in downtown Seattle, Owl N Thistle Irish Pub is a dive bar that effortlessly blends rich history with a lively welcoming vibe. Located at 808 Post Avenue, this Dublin style pub resides in a building from 1889, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and perched above Seattle’s underground tunnels. The space with its Prussic blue brick walls feels like a step back in time, amplified by the pub’s tenancy since the 1990s and whispers of ghostly lore. Live music is a cornerstone here with near nightly performances ranging from Irish fiddles to jazz and Latin rhythms. The small stage in the back room keeps the energy high perfect for a night out. Eclectic signs and a rustic bookshelf filled with old law books nod to the building’s past while vintage green bankers’ lamps cast a warm nostalgic glow over tables. A free pool table sparks friendly rivalries and a photo booth lets you capture the fun. The bar’s quirks add to its charm. For just 50 cents a breathalyzer machine lets patrons check their sobriety a playful yet practical touch that shows the pub’s care for its crowd. Even more unique free condoms are available tucked discreetly in the restroom promoting safety with a cheeky wink. The bathroom itself is impressively clean for a dive bar reflecting the staff’s attention to detail. The bartenders are stellar friendly quick and skilled at pouring the best Guinness I’ve ever had in an Irish pub. The pint’s creamy head and rich flavor surpass even top bars in Boston or Dublin earning raves like “5 stars cold and good heeed laddie” on Tripadvisor. The menu nails pub classics. Fish and chips with beer battered Alaskan cod shine during happy hour (3 to 7 PM) when prices are budget friendly. The Guinness beef stew paired with homemade Irish soda bread is a hearty delight for Seattle’s rainy days. The full bar offers Irish whiskeys craft beers and cocktails plus free Wi Fi outdoor seating and late night bites for versatility. Located near the Seattle Ferry Terminal and sports stadiums Owl N Thistle feels like a hidden gem down Post Alley yet it draws a lively weekend crowd. Whether you’re playing pool snapping photo booth pics or swaying to live music the cozy yet spacious layout guarantees a great time. A Yelp reviewer summed it up: “The atmosphere is cozy without being small bartenders are friendly and most importantly the patrons are chill.” From its historic roots to quirky amenities like the 50 cent breathalyzer and free condoms Owl N Thistle is a Seattle institution. If you’re after an authentic Irish pub experience with the best Guinness around and a side of local character this...

Popped in here for lunch on a Tuesday around noon. This place is hard to spot in the alley. I went straight to the bar in the back, but noted no one was in the dining room and only one other person in the bar. The bar is dark enough to be relaxing, but not so dark that you can't read. They had soccer on the TV. I ordered the 2-piece fish and chips and an amber ale. Service was quick cuz there was no one in the bar.

If you've read this far, you probably want to know about the food. Let's start with the good: The fish was nice. The batter was the perfect thickness. The fish was the right amount of flake, but I still needed a fork. The tartar sauce was also pretty good, but I'm not a connoisseur; I prefer lemon. The ale (Ridgetop Red) was one of the best ambers I've had. The fries were the disappointment. The cut and flavor was nice, but super soggy and soft. I expected more from them. The food I ordered wasn't cheap (I'd call it average pricing for pub food).

I really liked that this place was tucked away down Post Alley. Apparently the street had just been redone, so I'm sure as word gets out this place will pick up. In the meantime, take advantage of the low-keyness (is that a word?) of this place...

Racist is the word to describe this place. Never in my life have I been dismissed at a pub based on the color of my skin. I came here with a friend today and we sat in the bar area. Granted it was slammed and wanted to give the waitress the opportunity to come over. After 20 minutes I flagged down a short older waitress. I asked if we could get menu. Her response was, "I'm busy, I can't serve you," and walked off. A few minutes later she came with a handful of menus and dropped it off to three other surrounding tables and walked past me. By this time the pub had died down. My friend suggested that we move elsewhere. We got up and found an empty table in the dining area. We sat down as there were four other empty tables. The skinny waitress with straight dark hair saw us and never came by. Three more parties entered and grabbed the other tables. She came over immediately yo drop off menus to them and took their drink orders. We never received service and walked out after 35 minutes.

There is a stereotype that folks down south would give you that treatment, untrue as I've lived in Texas and never experienced this type of hate. If you're Asian, don't bother coming here. You will not be welcomed and...