Speakeasy Seattle: Knee High Stocking Company

This year Mystery Playground is visiting speakeasies all over the country to celebrate the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. In fact, the Volstead Act was repealed 80 years ago today. This is the review of the Knee High Stocking Company which is now my favorite speakeasy in Seattle.

Drinks:

The drinks at Knee High are all handmade right in front of you. 

My friend had the Painkiller which is made with rum, orange, pineapple, cream of coconut and more rum. I had The Egret, made of gin, Cointreau, orange juice and orange flower water.

We didn't have this one, but it's great Twin Peaks-inspired name is worth mentioning... The Laura Palmer, Bombay Dry Gin infused with earl grey tea, lemon, coco-cola. 

Food:

Knee High Stocking Company serves food and sometimes even lights it on fire. Check out the goat cheese fondue below. The bartender threw brandy on top before she lit it on fire. She stirred it up as the alcohol burned off. Delicious. Yes, there was other food on the menu but why order anything else? 

Directions:
The Knee High Stocking Company is located at 1356 East Olive Way in Seattle, Washington. Reservations are suggested and they prefer that they be made by text the day you wish to go. They fill up fast, so reserve early. You can find a map and specific directions here, along with the reservation phone number. There is no password required. 

What Are Speakeasies?

Speakeasies were essentially secret bars that sprang up when the United States outlawed alcohol in 1919. 

Most speakeasies were housed in unmarked locations, many required a password to get in and some may have even moved from place to place to stay ahead of the law. Many think the name came from patrons being told to "speakeasy" or to lower their voices so no one suspected they were serving alcohol. 

Today, there are many modern speakeasies that retain some of these traditions. Usually they feature fresh ingredients in their food and drink, and though the secrecy is no longer needed, many are in discreet locations that lack signage. Some even require passwords.

You can read about Mystery Playground's other speakeasy adventures here. 

Speakeasy Seattle: BathTub Gin & Co.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition and as such Mystery Playground (and fun loving friends) is visiting modern speak easy bars all over the United States in recognition. The latest in our series is BathTub Gin & Co in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. 

BathTub Gin & Co is a small little bar tucked away in an alley. There is a bar on the first floor and a few more tables in the basement along with the antique bathtub that gave the bar it's name.  

The door to BathTub Gin

Drinks:
I had the Cassiopeia made of creme de violette, cucumber, orgeat and lime. My friend had the Heart of Glass made of gin, Ginger of the Indies (a ginger liquor), lemon, agave, basil and Prosecco. Both drinks were excellent and there were many more fun concoctions to go back and try on our next visit. BathTub Gin & Co. does not serve food.

Directions: 
BathTub Gin & Co. is hidden in an alleyway across from a parking lot at 220 2nd avenue, between First and Second, about 500 feet from Blanchard Street. There is signage (below) but it is discreet. There is no password required and we didn't need reservations at 9:00 pm on Thursday night. 

We really liked BathTub Gin & Co. The staff was friendly and attentive, the drinks we're great and the atmosphere was fun. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Seattle.  

What are Speakeasies?

Speakeasies were secret bars that sprang up when alcohol was outlawed in the United States in 1919.

Most speakeasies were housed in unmarked locations, many required a password to get in and some may have moved from place to place to stay ahead of the law. Many think the name came from patrons being told to "speakeasy" or to lower their voices so no one suspected they were serving alcohol. Today, there are many modern speakeasy bars that retain some of these traditions. They usually feature fresh ingredients in their food and drink, in discreet locations that lack signage. Some model the decor after the periods and some require passwords. You can read about Mystery Playground's other speakeasy adventures here. 

Speakeasy Seattle: Thread & Needle

Continuing our series on modern day speakeasies, today's feature is about a speakeasy in Seattle's Capitol Hill area called Thread & Needle. 

The entrance is located inside another bar -- called Tavern Law, so it's really a bar within a bar and reservations are required. Tavern Law is easy to find and clearly marked. Once you get inside, you call on this phone to let the Thread & Needle crew upstairs know that you've arrived for your reservation. There is no password required. The space is small and intimate, and 1920s music plays in the background. We decided that the bar downstairs had a better vibe and that when we came back it would be to Tavern Law instead of Thread & Needle. 

Drinks:

Thread & Needle's specialty is choosing drinks for you based on your preferences. The waiter just asked us a few things we liked then the bar tender made our drinks. This is was similar to what San Jose's Single Barrel speakeasy bar does, but Single Barrel interviews you more extensively and as a result delivers better matches when we've visited. My friend asked for something with Tequila and cinnamon, and enjoyed his drink which had Mezcal, cinnamon syrup, curaçao and Gran Classico. He liked it. I asked for a champagne cocktail with citrus, but specifically not a French 77 or 75 because I wanted to try something new. They brought me a French 75 and I drank it anyway. It was disappointing. 

Food:

Thread & Needle serves the same food that is served downstairs at Tavern Law, and menu items include a burger, fried chicken, flat iron steak and mac and cheese. 

Directions & Details:
Thread & Needle is above a bar called Tavern Law located at 1406 12th Avenue in Seattle, Washington. Parking can be challenging. Reservations are required for Thread & Needle, but not for Tavern Law. Reservations are made for two hour intervals starting at 5:00 pm most nights. There is no signage for Thread & Needle. 



               

What Are Speakeasies?

Speakeasies were essentially secret bars that sprang up when the United States outlawed alcohol in 1919. 

Most speakeasies were housed in unmarked locations, many required a password to get in and some may have even moved from place to place to stay ahead of the law. Many think the name came from patrons being told to "speakeasy" or to lower their voices so no one suspected they were serving alcohol. 

Today, there are many modern speakeasies that retain some of these traditions. Usually they feature fresh ingredients in their food and drink, and though the secrecy is no longer needed, many are in discreet locations that lack signage. Some even require passwords.

You can read about Mystery Playground's other speakeasy adventures here.