Central Saloon

Being near Occidental Square sure has its advantages, doesn't it? Close to the LINK station, close to the stadiums, close to downtown, and arguably the center of Seattle's history. Central Saloon taps into the history by not only being located near Occidental Square, but being a living relic (sort of) of the area's history. Despite it's name sake, Central Saloon feels more like a dive bar from the 1970s that got scratched and stickered. The hygiene could be improved upon as well.

But at least beer is flowing, and 18 different taps showcase a more than decent selection of beers. Radelberger, Deschutes, Bale Breaker, Sliver City, Big Sky, Georgetown, Ninkasi combined to make my choice interesting. Beers are served in boring shaker pints, but the beer isn't too cold and my beer didn't taste to have any major defects. It's also priced well, at $5 for my pint.

As a dive bar to hang out at with solid beer taps, the Central Saloon acts as a refuge to those looking for that type of experience.

I used to visit here quite a bit during my younger and unmarried days. It is in Pioneer Sq on 1st Ave in the heart of partycentral Seattle. The J & M Cafe is just next door and lots of other clubs and pubs across the street like Fenix Underground and Trinity. Usually at night lots of metal and punk music and crazy ruthless crowd at times. Usually lots of bikes(motorcycles outside during the nights) Parking is tough. Street, yeah right. Parking lot is across the street closer to 2nd Ave and across from Trinity. Bar seats about 20-25. Lots of dark wood and kind of dark. Stage is at the back. Usually have the typical handles on for a nightclub. Bud, Bud Light but they also have Deschutes, Mac and Jacks, Pyramid and so on.not really a beer bar but hey its a watering hole

Easy to find this place on 1st Ave. Big open bar with a huge bar that can seat about 20. A stage in the back is for the live music. The grill is just off the entrance, and the food didn't look too good from my standpoint, so I did not try any.

There were 16 beers on tap here, mostly pedestrian beers like Bud, Bud Lite, Guiness, Blue Moon, and Newcastle with some local favorites like Manny's Pale Ale, Deschutes Inversion IPA, Mac & Jack's Amber, and Widmer Hefe.

Service was a bit slow and this was not really a beer destination in town, especially with all the fine places to hit. I wouldn't make any effort to hit this place unless you want a pint and you are standing in front of it.

Yup, the name is right. The place is in central Seattle, and it sure looks like a western saloon. An old style drinking establishment with worn out wooden bar matched with something like ten rotating backless round vinyl-covered stools riveted to the floor. Dark wood tables and chairs in the back, enough to seat maybe 60. Black and white tile floor opposes a high plaster ceiling. Old west decorations and beer signs adorn the walls. The bartender was attractive, friendly, helpful and irreverant. Just what you want.

Nineteen taps leave a good first impression, but closer examination reveals that only ten are craft, and most of those were very common in downtown Seattle. This is a comfy place with great watering hole atmosphere, but there's little here to make a BA take a detour to see.

Paid a visit to this place 1 1/2 years ago. Located in Pioneer Square, the place you are most likely to be asked for a handout by derelicts in Seattle, so if that offends you you've been warned. Personally I like the area, as it's among the more picturesque in the city, with lots of good places to shop and eat.

The atmosphere is very old style, probably due to the turn of the century buildings. There's a long bar along the wall. Beyond it is a large room with a stage at the far end. Many local acts play music here. The night I was there a local band was flogging Zeppelin's "Kashmir" at top volume, so it gets a little loud sometimes.

The beer selection wasn't too exciting. There were a couple of local micros and the usual suspects. I was near the end of my Guinness phase (about 3 months from discovering BA, which widened my tastes considerably), so that's what I drank.

The service was outstanding considering I wasn't a regular, and it's the kind of place where everyone seems to be a regular. The bartender and waitresses were very efficient (and very easy on the eyes, which is always a plus;)). I also got a free pint because the bartender thought I had waited too long (I didn't expect miracles because it was rather busy, so it came as a nice surprise).

I think there was a kitchen, but it was closed when I was there, so I can't review the food.

This is a nice, unpretentious bar with great service and live music, but little to offer someone on a beer quest.