Vessel

I’m not sure why this place has such low reviews because it is AWESOME. Easily one of the best cocktail bars in Seattle!
My friend and I wandered in on a quiet Sunday evening. He had the root beer float and a nite whiskey (I forget the type). I had a custom drink he made me of Americano (which is a liqueur?), gin, lime and possibly some other things and a St. Germain Champagne Cocktail. The star of the night (though they were all winners) was the root beer float. I see why they say its AWESOME on the menu. Every element was delicious, the drink was strong and it looked so so cool. I’m getting that next time.
I also like that its Downtown. There’s a ton of cocktail bars on Capitol Hill but this is the perfect spot to stop by after work or a movie if you want something more sophisticated and fancy than the usual Ruth Chris, Daily Grill, Taphouse –style happy hours. Not that there’s anything wrong with those spots!- I go there– but this offers something different.
The space is also really cool, the bartender was good and I know I’ll be back for more creative cocktails!

This bar is different! They have great ambiance, excellent staff and more importantly a rotating mix of bartenders which means you have more varieties of cocktail to choose from.
It was my birthday and I decided to hang here during Happy hour with the girlfriends!
Their proseccos were spot on and only $ 5 :) their happy hour menu though limited has a hummus plate with crackers which are super delish. We stayed beyond the happy hour and had the Mob mistress and the hurricane. For 3 of us and average 4 drinks per person, the pricing was extremely reasonable.
Great happy hour find! Will be coming back to try more of their cocktails, apparently their cocktail menu changes everyday.

Stumbled across this bar one evening while walking through the city. Tried absinthe for the first time and was pleasantly surprised as well as tried a couple other liquors I had no idea existed. The owner, Jim, was very knowledgeable and helpful with finding spirits that we might not have known and liked based on liquors I usually drink.
The fish tacos and popcorn are amazing as well!

Any bar with a reputation as stellar and established as Vessel’s has a lot to live up to, so perhaps my lukewarm response is more about high expectations than anything else. I’m also not (usually) a cocktail drinker, so my experience is more about food, wine, and environs.
I was a bit surprised by the coldness of the space; it’s darkly IKEA-​meets-​industrial, suggesting precision and attention rather than sexy lingering and warm conversation. But no matter; the short happy hour list has a few drinks and small plates (drinks-​wise, three wine and one cocktail — Manhattan — options), and there was no waiting for a table at 5:30 midweek. We shared an assortment of plates: sliders, charcuterie, and the sunchoke hummus. All were good, and I was a special fan of the flatbread crackers that came with the latter two plates: salty, thick, and crispy.
I did find it odd that the four of us weren’t given our own small share plates; instead, we were handed a stack of small black cocktail napkins, the kind you might see at a wedding reception. Water-​saving idea? A Vessel thing? I don’t know, but I can say I’ve never seen that anywhere else in Seattle, and it made the meal feel more like an afterthought than an indulgence. (We ended up having to ask for real napkins once we exhausted the tiny paper stack.)
No real complaints; the wine prices per glass are quite reasonable, and our server was great (though we did have to ask specifically for water, a trend I see more and more around town and which I hate). If you’re in the odd zone of downtown that’s between the Hill and Belltown, Vessel’s an A-​OK stop for drinks and lighter bites pre– or post-​show, or as a break from shopping and sightseeing. At the same time, no real reason I’d come back for a drink or a bite unless I’m already right in the area and need to remain nearby, or unless one of my favorite out-​of-​town bartenders happens to be guesting, which I know is an occasional occurrence at Vessel.

There are few places on this earth at which I will put my complete trust in the artist and simply let them take me on their journey. Vessel is one of these places.
From the onset, the bar can be a little daunting and off-​putting with their dark windows and bartenders who are working quickly, yet giving meticulous focus to every cocktail they mix. But settle up to the bar and start talking to one of the bartenders and you realize quickly that this isn’t your ordinary bartender, but an artist who is knowledgeable, crafty, and (perhaps best of all) completely unpretentious. It is difficult to talk about anything specific as the bartenders create their own unique menus each night. A couple of months ago I had a cocktail called the Root-​Byrrh Float made with Art in the Age Root liqueur, Byrrh, Bundaberg root beer, and Angostura gelato. As that night’s bartender put it, «This drink is ridiculous, you should get it.»
Last night’s bartender was Sophia Marlantes who created cocktails with a summery flair: a gin & tonic with cucumber and watermelon, and a Minha Terra! with Novo Fogo silver cachaca, raspberries, lime, and soda. The cocktails were a nice cool breeze from the warm summer air.
Perhaps the only negative thing (if there really is one) would be the price of the drinks. There’s definitely a fine line between enjoying a couple of cocktails and «hey, where did my paycheck go?» But Vessel is a place where you get what you pay for, and it’s worth every penny. Go and enjoy!

The service is really great here! And I’m not sure, but I think that my second time in, sidling up to the bar, the same guy was sitting there having a drink (I seem to remember his accent?)
Naaah, I’m sure I’m just imagining things. Although, that would be funny, considering Vessel is not a neighborhood bar per se. And so while the service is good, and the drinks are beautiful and delicious, I should say that Vessel isn’t my type of bar in general; and that’s okay, it’s still a good spot to hang for a few when in the area.
I DO like the look of the food prep station on the main level, but I found myself wondering why the food wasn’t covered – with so many people within arm’s reach of it *chuckle*
The other evening, I had the Frog Prince drink, but I’ve got to say that my second choice (the cantaloupe one) was even tastier and it was hard not to take giant furtive swigs from both of my companions’ glasses while they weren’t looking. As far as food goes, I ordered the foie gras popcorn again, and it was not nearly as delicious as the first time I had it. It was so salty, we could barely eat it. And the foie was not evenly coated throughout like it was last time. C’est la vie.
I also ordered the Duck Confit Mac and Cheese with shell noodles. While it was good, and the portion was okay, the lack of duck made me a little sad. Tiny, sparse bits :/​The seared ahi tuna was good; I was so hungry I inhaled it without almost tasting, but I am pretty sure that I won’t order food here again.
I would definitely come back for HH drinks, but I wouldn’t make a special trip downtown to do so.

It’s a fact: Any bar that requires a special industrial hook-​type-​thing to make it’s custom ice is A-​OK in my book. Talk about making sure every detail is just right!
Instead of a menu divided by spirit, Vessel goes a different route and each page of the cocktail list is dedicated to the specialties of a particular mixologist that is currently behind the bar. I personally love this concept, as it makes the talent the star of the show and gives the staff a unique opportunity to learn from one another. On the flipside, if a particular mixologist sucks, there’s no hiding it. If you’re making a drink that has your name on it, and it’s no good, there’s nobody else to blame. Fortunately for our group, this was never the case, as we all loved our drinks!
I don’t think there’s much point going into the specifics of the drinks, as those seem to change quite constantly. The important take away: this place genuinely cares about the craft and the process. They’re all cocktail geeks who genuinely enjoy sharing their knowledge. And, if you want to be left alone and just drink some seriously fantastic cocktails, then you can do that as well!
I hear its chaos during happy hour, but in the evening we were tended to quickly and kindly. Vessel definitely gets the Matt E. seal of approval.

Hooked up with a Denverite Elite that had re-​located here and this was where she picked…
Super nondescript location, from the outside, The lettering of the name of the place is very thin lettering, you have to have an idea of where you are going!
They have a number of different seating options, communal table, small tables, little couches, the bar, etc. Pick your manner of enjoying your beverages!
The cocktail list changes depending on the expertise of the bar tender, so taht can be cool. I had much to do that night, so i stuck to the happy hour wine which was a deal!
I saw something on Unilocal regarding the truffle foi gua (sp) popcorn and when i asked the waitress about she said — «heaven». ok, well that’s a must do!
It was very very good! Probably clogged an artery, but it was happy hour and i had walked alot that day!
Definitely a cute place to pop into and enjoy some time with friends and some delicious drinks!

3.5 Stars? I guess this is one of those times when I simply disagree with Unilocal.You see, I like good cocktails and I love good service, and I received both here. A delicious, tasty craft cocktail made by a couple of friendly, welcoming dudes. I’m not sure what else I’d want in a cocktail bar. Maybe a good setting? Check. In fact, while I was a fan of the drinks at the old Vessel location, the mod interior was always kind of a non-​sequiter to me. This feels a lot more like a cocktail bar.
I hear the food is good but I have yet to try it. Regardless, a tasty cocktail and solid service makes it easy for me to dole out 5 stars.
BOOM!

Went here on a Friday night with one of my friends and wow this place is impressive, from the décor to the chainsaws they use to cut blocks of ice into the correct cube your drink needs!
I think their food menu changes because I can’t find the name of the dish I got online. It was seared tuna covered in sesame seeds and a salad of fried squash, micro greens, and fennel. For only $ 12 the portion size was good for a light meal.
My friend had the mac and cheese which I had a bite of and yum! cheesy deliciousness!
Both the bartenders were friendly and the specialty cocktail menu has two pages one made by each bartender. So each night those pages change reference who is working.
I told the bartender (Jim) what I liked in my cocktail and he made me a delicious rum punch with shaved nutmeg on top. My friend had an interesting drink made with an egg! I’m not adventurous enough to have an egg in my cocktail but it sounded interesting. We then shared a banana and lime based drink that was carbonated using a nifty machine they can carbonate anything in it that way your drink isn’t watered down with soda water.
Vessel also had a great sounding lunch menu for those of you working downtown!

I’m a simple woman… all I ask for in life is a place to rest my head, a meal or two a day and a personalized, three course whiskey tasting flight.
Vessel and I are off to a good start. After a long drive and a hard fought rally, a Seattlite friend o’ mine brought me into Vessel for some well needed whiskey therapy. The first clue that this place is a great cocktail bar? I didn’t order a scotch straight off the bat, in fact, I went for a GIN based cocktail to christen my Seattle excursion! GASP! But the gin fizz looked OH so tasty and i’m a sucker for a traditional fizz… you know, the kind that requires a 15 minute workout prior to serving.
From the get go — Jim (he who will later serve up whiskey magic) was behind the bar chipping down blocks of ice to fit the cocktails he’s constructing. When THAT much attention is put into something as simple as frozen h2o (seriously — peek at «the lab» in the back where they cut their ice down from 300lbs blocks!!), you know you’re in good hands. The fizz did not disappoint. Mounds of fluffy, citrusy deliciousness.
But who are we kidding — half way through the first cocktail, my eyes were already trailing to their impressive whiskey backbar. So cocktail down, I asked for a whiskey suggestion.
*Eyes Light Up*
ALWAYS a good sign in a bartender!
Finding me a wee bit indecisive, Jim asked me what my current poison of choice is (Midletons & Yamazaki… love that Japanese whiskey) and then proceeded to build me a beautiful tasting flight of Asyla, Nikka 15 year & Chieftains 16 year. All lovely compliments to each other with a nice balance between courses and an educated procession of tasting notes. I was indeed, in whiskey therapy heaven.
Once my cohort and I sipped our way through that round, I found myself in the very rare occasion of 100% trusting Jim’s judgement and he poured me two other wee drams before we called it a night. To be honest, I can’t remember what they are but they went down nicely and I left in a happy haze. It’s a true testament when you can content me to the point of shutting me up.
Interesting room (hello leather floors), great selection, skilled bartenders and really nice soap in the bathroom.
Vessel, Jim, Seattle — thanks for the warm welcome!

This bar has opened for over 4 months within walking distance to where I live and I have never noticed it until today. WTF? Let’s check it out.
There are only 3 draft beers and 5 «happy hour drinks» The food menu is really nothing. So if a bar does not offer a good beer tap, not calling itself a «wine bar,» not offering good eats, what makes it a good bar? Must be its mixed drinks. Right?
I think I will go zig zag instead.

First of all, hats off to the new owner… because I did not like this place when it first opened… or rather, I didn’t like the servers b/​c they were snotty, rude, and pretentious.
This space is a) better, b) bigger, and c) better… again.
Case in point: not a lot of bartenders know what a Vieux Carre is, let alone know how to make one (they’re always missing benedictine), outside of Canon.
Vessel does. And they kill it every time.
They have a great selection of brown liquors, as well as every other drink under the sun. Their cheese plate is RAD. Service is top notch. Space is lovely with pretty, dark, colours, and I hear they’re now serving lunch — which I definitely want to try out!
Also, foie gras buttered popcorn — while I didn’t have any, everyone else around me looked like they were fully enjoying it.
If that isn’t reason enough, I don’t know what is!

I think we have another fantastic cocktail lounge on our hands!
Lucky us. :)
I’ve been to Vessel a few times now and while the food menu isn’t really for me (though the hummus and charcuterie plate are good!), the cocktails are fantastic. I’ve been on a daiquiri kick this year, and I love being able to order «something like a daiquiri.»
Great bartenders, fabulous service, and beautiful drinks (in pretty glasses) each time. I haven’t stopped by for a «guest bartender» night, but that sounds like a great time (and a brilliant idea).
Thank you to the people that make Vessel what it is!

I tried this place with a coworker for lunch and it was awful. The food was overpriced and disappointing. We actually went off to a second location afterwards because we were still hungry. I’m not coming back here for food, but may try it out for happy drinks because it is a convenient location and everyone else who has posted a review seems to regard this as a place for drinks.
We ordered the radish and butter, BLT, and tuna nicoise salad. I had thought the appetizer would at least involve some preparation but alas it was simply radishes cut in half with a slab of butter. When asked if we were eating it correctly, the waitress explained that they had also added salt and pepper to the butter. LOL.
Both the BLT and the salad were both deconstructed. The meat for the BLT was pork rilletes but really, it was disappointingly dry and flavorless. The salad was just okay.
Overall, very disappointing.

The Cantaloup Cooler is quite delicious. Really want to try their fancy BLT next time we go.
DETAILS are amazing. Leather floors and leather menus. The super ice that gets hand sculpted for your drink. The beautiful custom metal work. They even kept the amazing RED room. Italian furniture. Yea, they have great taste!
Service was wonderful. You can tell the owners really put some thought into this place. I love how they have a rotation on the amazing celebrity bartenders — including Murray, Nathan, Jim, etc… So awesome!
Must go back again for more drinks, oh, and to try that fancy BLT!

I was anxiously awaiting the re-​opening of Vessel since I liked the previous incarnation so much. Went here a few weeks back with my wife for a happy hour and a little bit of food and came away very impressed. First off — the «new» Vessel is much larger, and the addition of food is very welcome — but it shares a love of mixology that the old Vessel first introduced me to back in 2007.
Let’s start by saying you get pretty much any standard kind of drink here if you want it — they had all the kinds of liquors that I know, lots of bitters, and a reasonable, if small, selection of beer and wine for the non-​liquor drinkers. We only had the charcuterie plate the first time I went, but it was plenty and I liked the pickled vegetables (house-​made, so I’m told).
But what Vessel is about is the «craft» of making drinks. From carbonating their own water, to all the kinds of different bitters, to the drinks that come with hand-​shaven ice (supposedly melts slower — could be a gimmick, but I don’t care, it’s super fun), to the fact that they bring in rotating bartenders who get to design their own drink menu for the night. They’re even willing to make you basically «whatever you want» — tell them what you like and they’ll concoct something to suit.
Think of Vessel as a place that cares as much about drinks as Ethan Stowell does about food — drinks are the star of the show here, with the food there just to ensure you don’t get drunk too quickly :-)
In fact, I liked my first visit so much I arranged to take around 20 people from work here for a happy hour. Was easy to set-​up with the events coordinator, and we had enough people that we could reserve the space in the upper back loft area. We had about 12 plates of hors d’oeuvres and then some folks were still hungry enough that they ordered sandwiches or cheese plates. I think everyone was pretty satisfied, and I thought the service was good — always hard with a group of 20 folks ordering different stuff to get the pacing of service right.
Highly recommended if you’re looking for a place to experience new drinks and get a different experience from your usual restaurant or bar.

When you first arrive at Vessel and walk through the entrance, you might be surprised at how an establishment that has clearly put a premium on experience and ambiance can also feel so welcoming. The wait staff and bartenders are more than ready to get food orders taken, drinks made, or whatever else you might need to get your night headed in the right direction (within reason of course).
During my visit here, there was a constant flow of people coming in and out and there was rarely an empty table to be found. Even so, it never felt too crowded or overly stuffy which is a testament to the great use of space and high ceilings. You can tell this is quickly becoming a go to destination for the downtown after-​work crowd, travelers looking for a place to escape the various Seattle tourist traps, and even the locals like me that just love a good drink or two, or… more.
Even though Vessel is a work in progress, I would still have to place it well above just about any other bar in the downtown Seattle area. The menu is unlike anything you could imagine with creative twists on classic cocktails, rotating specialty drinks that are as creative as the roster of bartenders who make them, and an inventive food selection that will keep you coming back for more. Speaking of coming back, I will be making a return visit as soon as possible to check out their Happy Hour menu.
If you like places that are awesome, you are sure to enjoy Vessel.

Vessel took a year to be built but it is now here. I came with a friend to the soft opening. I’ve been to the space before but still blown away everytime I step foot in here. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the gorgeous bar or the comfy seats to the dining area. I brought many guest with me who also were bartenders and they were also impressed. This will quickly be one of my favorite drinking destinations.
DECOR:
So modern, classy, sleek and cool décor. A lot of thought went into the design of each section such as the black leather floors, red color divider that see shadows of light but not the other side where the hallway entrance to the rest rooms, and bar with so much space to order a drink for at least three to four bartenders. The comfy black sofa if you are waiting for a drinking partner with a table stand to hold your drink. The man machines to cut individual sexy cubes of ice in the back. Multiple stations for food access. The private section through a stairway for private parties.
DRINKS:
The Sexy Old Fashioned was soooo good, not too sweet but stiff like a boner. The menu will cater to each bartender strength which I heard will have a special talented guest bartender on most days to feature a special drink. The bartenders are more than capable to make you a drink of your mood or your favorite adult beverage.
FOODS:
I only tasted the bar snacks since it was only the soft opening but everything I tasted to the cure meats, bar nuts, and olives was very good. I was lucky to have a tour in the kitchen and met couple of the chefs who are going to make some delicious items on the menu.
LOCATION:
Heart of downtown, right next to Pacific Place Mall for easy access of parking or for the shopaholics. I can see how this place will be the hot spot for lunch goers, preparty distinations and after hour spot. Also, a good spot for a date night.
Overall, I love this space for getting my drink on. The service was a tad slow but it was only the soft opening and the staff was ironing out the kinks so no harm. I definitely will bring more friends so I can enjoy tasty adult beverages + great conversation with great friends = memorable time!
Highly Recommended.

It’s hard to believe what once was a place to procure pinatas and party glitter could transform into such a sexy, sleek, and modern space to get delicious adult beverages, but that’s exactly what Vessel is! I meandered in for a quick pit stop /​drink with a friend and in my usual fussy style, decided I was too cool for school and ordered off the menu, you know, JUST to be *that* person to test out the bartenders ;)
well, I’m happy to report that they handled my request quite swimmingly, and I was blessed with an appropriately sweet (but not cloyingly sweet), semi-​fizzy, egg-​white topped cup of awesome. I’m not 100% sure what all went into my cocktail, cuz all I remember was the word gin, and my last memories involve restraining myself from guzzling it all down in one giant gulp.
the food menu isn’t fully locked & loaded just yet, so I’m reserving that last star until I can get a sample of it, but for now I have zero complaints and have a sneaky, sneaky feeling that this might be a dangerously convenient stroll from my office after work, and an even MORE dangerous stone’s throw from pacific place, where I may inevitably make some retail purchases that I normally wouldn’t, after imbibing one too many …