Seattle

With a towering skyline set against a backdrop of spectacular mountain peaks, Seattle is one of those cities recognizable at a glance. Its urban pleasures rival those of most cities. There's the symphony, many theaters, opera and ballet companies, and a lively club and jazz scene.
Outdoors activities such as biking, hiking, skiing, camping and boating are popular, and many locals head out of town on weekends and holidays.

Neighborhoods
Capitol Hill around Broadway, Pine and Pike streets is where most gay bars and businesses are located. Here you'll find plenty of coffee shops and restaurants, many with sidewalk tables. To the north, Volunteer Park is full of strollers, Frisbee players and those seeking a quiet place to read. Everything on the hill is within walking distance, so park the car and explore on foot.

 

Getting here
Sea-Tac Airport has Metro bus service from door 2, at the south end of the baggage claim area, running downtown for $2.50. Sound Transit commuter rail service operates from King Street Station Seattle, north to Everett, and south to Tacoma Dome Station, with airport connections from Tukwila Station. Seattle Streetcar light rail has connections from Westlake, through Pioneer Square; the trip to Tukwila and SeaTac Airport takes just 37 minutes.

 

Getting around

King County Metro Transit has buses, trolleys, streetcars and a water taxi to get you around. Weekend or holiday passes are $4. A free bus running from Belltown to Pioneer Square stops at the waterfront, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Aquarium. The Monorail, at $2 per trip, runs every 10 minutes from Seattle Center (location of the Space Needle) to Westlake Center Mall.

 

Local media
Seattle Gay News, known as SGN, is among the best gay newspapers anywhere, with news, reviews, listings, map, arts and entertainment. Seattle Gay Scene is another good online gay events resource.
The Stranger is gay-friendly, informative, and sometimes-feather-ruffling weekly alternative newspaper, with listings for most everything you need to know.

 

Accommodations

Ace Hotel (2423 1st Ave, Belltown; 206-448-4721) stylish, modern, informal, economy or deluxe, pets welcome.

Bacon Mansion (959 Broadway E; 800-240-1864) large stately Edwardian B&B, rooms and suites, private entrance.

B&B on Broadway (722 Broadway E; 206-329-8933) beautiful grand Pacific Northwest house, walk to shops and restaurants.

Gaslight Inn (1727 15th; 206-325-3654) century-old house near gay area, kitchen facilities, apartments.

Homewood Suites Hilton (1011 Pike; 206-682-8282) between downtown and Capitol Hill, hot breakfast, every comfort.

Hotel Max (620 Stewart; 866-833-6299) ultra-comfortable, iPod docks, erotic toys, art works, Asian restaurant.

Hotel Monaco (1101 Fourth Ave; 206-621-1770) boutique hotel near Pike Place Market, rich decor, all amenities.

Renaissance (515 Madison; 206-583-0300) central high-rise, bar, restaurant, gym, hot tub, near gay village.

Vintage Park Hotel (1100 Fifth Ave; 206-624-8000) Euro-style boutique, Italian restaurant, wine tasting, pet-friendly.

 

Bars & Clubs

CC Attles (1701 E Olive), new location, big windows, open space, cocktails, beer on tap, food, mostly guys, bears.

Changes (2103 N 45th St, Wallingford), prime rib to bar fare, karaoke nights and games.

Crescent (1413 E Olive), karaoke joint with over 20,000 songs, popular with locals, everyone welcome.

Cuff Complex (1533 13th, at Pine), big popuar complex, three bars, Levi/leather/mixed men crowd, games, leather store, food, big open patio, weekend dances.

Elite (1520 Olive Way), mostly men, longtime local favorite, pool, jukebox, sociable staff, strong pours.

The Lobby Bar (916 E Pike), the latest gay lounge at this location just off Broadway, with food, cocktails and game nights.

Madison Pub (1315 E Madison), local watering hole, jukebox, dart games, wi-fi, sports on the TV, packed with a good mix of guys.

Neighbours (1509 Broadway, alley entrance), big long-time dance club, go-go boys, famed DJs, guest performers, Latin Sundays, weekend after-hours to 4am, 18-plus after 2am.

Pony (1221 E Madison), nouveau dive bar, mixed hip young crowd, mini dance floor, edgy music, good sound and lights, quirky videos.

Purr (1518 11th Ave), cocktail lounge, Mexican dining, popular Monday / Tuesday karaoke, good warm-up for late clubs.

R Place (619 E Pine), multi-level club, hot DJs, Tuesday go-go dance trials, Wednesday wet underwear contests, Thursday amateur strip, Saturday cabaret shows.

Re-Bar (1114 Howell), theater, dance performances, live music, mixed easy-going queer young dance crowd of all kinds.

Seattle Eagle (314 E Pike), leather guys, tight space, prime nightly cruising, raunchy patio action, pool table, busy underwear nights.

Unicorn (1118 E Pike), energetic, beers on tap, fruity drinks,  snacks, bright colors, weird wall hangings, hipsters of all orientations and genders.

Wildrose Tavern (1021 E Pike), popular women's bar and restaurant with pool table, dancing, live bands and spoken word performances.

Up in Everett to the north, Twisted (1212 California St; Twistedineverett.com), the only gay bar in town, has amateur strip contests, drag shows, x-rated bingo, T-dance and special parties.

 

Restaurants
There are restaurants all over Seattle, but for a front-row seat on the most interesting passing parade grab a table at one of the sidewalk cafes on or near Broadway, on "the Hill."

Bleu Bistro (202 Broadway E) dark, intimate, booth seating, sandwiches and drinks, charming servers.

Broadway Grill (314 Broadway E) gay-favored bar and restaurant, cute staff, sidewalk tables, open to 3am.

Dilettante (538 Broadway) cafe, gourmet chocolates, cake, sandwiches, brunch, martini bar.

La Cocina & Cantina (432 Broadway E) inexpensive Mexican-American buffets and entrees, good Margaritas, open to street seating.

Honey Hole (703 E Pike) fresh meat or veggie sandwiches, soup, salads, draft beer, casual vibe.

Julia's on Broadway (300 Broadway E) breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, fabulous street seating, weekend drag burlesque cabaret shows.

Madison Park Cafe (1807 42nd Ave E) award-winning French bistro, good food & service, pleasant atmosphere, inside fireplace, outer cobblestone courtyard.

Mediterranean Express (1417 Broadway) Middle-East favorites, lunch, dinner, big portions, great prices, free parking, take-out.

Pike Place Market (Western Ave, off Pike) baked goods, wine, fresh & prepared food, flowers, books, antiques, arts, crafts. Strollers come for waterfront vistas and street performers.

Piroshki on Third (710 3rd Ave, 1219 Madison) scrumptious Russian vegetable, cheese or meat turnovers, fruit and poppy seed pastries, borscht.

Rosebud Cafe (719 E Pike) contemporary American casual atmosphere, weekend brunch, 3-course prix-fixe specials, meatloaf Thursdays, wine and cocktails, comfy-couch lounge and garden patio.

Teatro Zinzanni (222 Mercer) 5-course set dinners, 3-hour cirque, comedy, cabaret shows. Latin dance nights, Sunday Brunch.

Uncle Elizabeth's Cafe (1123 Pike) internet cafe with strong coffee, good soup and sandwiches, changing art exhibits, moderate prices, open late.

Watertown Coffee (550 12th Ave) vegetarian-friendly menu, full bar, in/out seating, Wi-Fi, open from 6:30am weekdays, until late on weekends.

 

Saunas & sex clubs

Seattle has three private 18-plus men's clubs each with lockers, rooms, showers, multi-channel porn videos and internet access, plus some individual variations.

Club Z (1117 Pike St) large facility, mixed crowd, sauna, maze, slings, glory holes, movies, video games, $5 monthly memberships, special leather nights 2nd Thursdays.

Steamworks Seattle (1520 Summit Ave) immaculate sauna, hot local men, Thursday dark parties, hard core men and music Edge Fridays, bear parties 4th Saturdays. Rates from one-shots to VIP.

Tribe (1505 10th), the former Basic Plumbing, men's play space, maze, sling, glory holes, busiest after bars close, always open. Cash prize contests like Best Cocksuckers, and private erotic photo sessions.

 

Shopping & services

Babeland (707 E Pike) sex and bondage toys, books, DVDs, massage and body oils, store and online retail.

The Crypt (1516 11th Ave) leather garb, accessories, bondage and fetish gear, bedroom toys, DVDs, magazines.

Gay City Health Project (511 E Pike) multicultural gay men's health organization, HIV and STD testing.

Lifelong Thrift Store (1017 E Union) high-quality household items and clothing. Profits support AIDS groups.

Madison Market Natural Foods (1600 E Madison) organic foods, natural remedies and body care products.

Panache Clothing (225 Broadway E) big variety of good, very inexpensive party clothes, shoes, accessories.

Travelers (501 E Pine) a taste of India with chai bar, cafe and grocery, incense, oils, spices, jewelry, clothes, fabrics, crafts.

UnderU4Men (709 Broadway E) high-quality brand-name underwear, swimwear, fashions, toiletries.

Yoga Den (514 12th Ave) healing place for men and women, physical and meditative workshops, blend of yoga styles.