Tools

Map

image
+ Enlarge this image

Green star Hattie's Hat (Ballard)

5231 Ballard Ave NW
Seattle, Wa 98107
(206) 784-0175
Website

With stiff drinks and good food, Hattie's is one of Ballard's most beloved dives. The all-American menu has everything from classic burgers with sweet-potato fries to smoked-salmon club sandwiches and buttermilk-soaked fried chicken (with good stuff for vegetarians, too). Be sure to fully appreciate the bar: Hand-carved in France and brought by boat around Cape Horn (or, alternately, made by Chicago’s Brunswick Company—no one's really sure), it was installed right there in 1904, and it's arguably best enjoyed with an excellent and potent Bloody Mary.
Categories: Bar, Restaurant

Restaurant Details

Bar Details

  • Hours: Mon-Thur 3 pm-10 pm; Fri 3 pm-11 pm; Sat 8 am-2:30 pm, 5-11 pm; Sun 8 am-2:30 pm, 5-10 pm
  • Happy Hour: Daily 3-6 pm ($1 off all drinks and $2-$5 appetizers); Mon-Thu, Sun 10 pm-2 am ($2-$5 appetizers).
  • Features: Full Menu and Happy Hour
  • Scene: Cocktail Lounge, Dive and Neighborhood Joint

The Stranger's Reviews of Hattie's Hat

 
 

Average Rating:
  • 2.76000/5 Stars.
Reviews/Comments (17) RSS

Newest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a review of Hattie's Hat
17

Shit Poor Poutine.

Hattie's seemed like a decent place, until I ordered the poutine. Jesus H. Christ! A mound of instant mashed potatoes, covered in a veneer of french fries and gravy is NOT POUTINE. It's like ordering an omelet and getting a fucking scrambled egg, or getting a BLT with bologna. Next time I'm sticking to beer.
Posted by gastrognome on October 13, 2010 at 1:13 PM · Report
16

Good place to take a baby for early dinner Fri or Sat night

We had dinner there about 6 pm and there were not one but two other tables who also had babies with them, all fascinated by the aquarium and with being a freshly minted human. I wouldn't count on a high chair or a kid's menu, and I'd definitely steer clear as the evening wears on. But before the real weekend party action gets going it's not a bad place to go with your shiny new offspring.
Posted by elenchos on January 23, 2009 at 5:40 PM · Report
15

Make up your mind

Are you going to be the solid go-to bar that you once were, or the crappy tap, small portioned, corner cutting over-priced joint that you've turned into in the last 6 months? My last couple of visits were worth no more than 2 stars, at best, but I'm giving you three because I believe in you! you can get back your former glory. The choice is yours.
Posted by hungry on September 29, 2008 at 5:13 PM · Report
14

I really like the neighborhood

I really like the interior of Hattie's

Most of the time, they play quality tunes and serve a deadly slice of pie

But, all the beer tastes the same, like the tap lines are stank

Better luck next time
Posted by CM on September 26, 2008 at 10:58 PM · Report
13

Good food, friendly service

Went to Hattie's last Monday to try out their burgers (all slashed to $5 on Monday Happy Hour) and had a great time. Bartender was fast and friendly, the burger and fries tasted great, and my girlfriend really enjoyed her green salad. Hattie's, with its partitions and booth seating, allows one to disappear into its classical frontier atmosphere. Check out the big wooden flourish behind the bar.
Posted by Ronan on May 23, 2008 at 11:53 AM · Report
12

Good food, good atmo up front

So what about the shark tank. They have reasonably priced beer, and fucking good food. It's dark and homey, and they have a giant smokey mural. I have yet to have bad service here, contrary to the naysayers. The fish and chips are good, the salmon club is good, the chicken-fried-chicken is good, the burgers are good. The bacon is good. The bacon is actually great. I haven't been disappointed with the size of my neat drinks. Haven't really had many mixed drinks, though.
Posted by STJA on March 30, 2008 at 6:51 PM · Report
11

Bring back the old Hatties

When I first started going there about 7 years ago the dinners were awesome. I love the chicken fried chicken. But now, the sides are usually cold and the last time I was there the portion of chicken was about 1/2 the usual size. And the mashed potatoes were not edible. Are they trying to go out of business?
Posted by Sad in Ballard on February 17, 2008 at 9:15 AM · Report
10

eh

Use to go there all the time but enough is enough. I have had my (food) orders screwed up too many times - wrong order, forgotten items, undercooked eggs, etc. What happened to the old Hattie's? and what is the point of the fish tank? At least King's Hardware (next door) knows how to serve a decent drink.
Posted by Blah on February 3, 2008 at 3:21 PM · Report
9

Hattie's Blows

I'll tell ya why. They serve teeny tiny drinks. I thought I was getting ripped off in the airport lounge. Nope. Also, last time I was there, the bartender was playing America's Top Model on the TV and was so engrossed that she barely had time to give me my pencil-thin drink. Oh man, that sucks. Gives me a headache just thinking about it.
Posted by Hatties Haters on September 11, 2007 at 6:49 PM · Report
8

Best Bloody's Yet

I've only been there once and my review is based soley on the bloody mary i had. It was tasty, meaty, and had plenty of fixins. Gotta love the cherry peppers. Also, they're one of the few places left that actually fit your drink with celery. Why is that?
Posted by wellhungover on August 16, 2007 at 10:43 PM · Report
7

Overrated

I've dinnered at Hattie's Hat. Drinks were ok, food was ok. But it's not a place I'd ever choose to go back to; if friends were going I wouldn't say no though.
Posted by Yvette on August 11, 2007 at 2:39 PM · Report
6

Good Breakfast "BAD Drinks"

We go to Hattie's for a greta breakfast but recently stop by for a few late night drinks. No one took more than 1 sip before putting them back on the table with a disgusting look on their faces. The drinks tasted like a mixture of liquid smoke and grandma's ashes. The bartender was extremely rude and we will never be back.
Posted by Moe Doe Snow on August 7, 2007 at 12:30 PM · Report
5

A Fav!

When I make it in to Ballard this place is the night starter. Let's start with dirt cheap parking out back. A great wait staff and some pretty ok food. I hear its not what it used to be bu being new to Seattle I can't compare. For the people that went before me maybe its lost something but to me I love it.
Posted by GuitarSlingerB on July 15, 2007 at 11:26 AM · Report
4

Hattie's Hat

Wonderful food and very inexpensive. The atmosphere is dark & moody totally matching it's name. I loved the experience and it would be a great place for a date.
Posted by emerald1angel on July 12, 2007 at 9:56 PM · Report
3

change is SO bad

I sadly second everything T says here. Hattie's used to be sort of the perfect blend of old and new Ballard, where yuppies and hipsters rubbed elbows with the dedicated old school barflies, and all was harmony and stiff gin and tonics. But now . . . now there is a giant shark tank. And just forget about a drink refill, 'cause it ain't gonna happen.
Posted by gina louise on July 2, 2007 at 3:37 PM · Report
2

Change is bad

I used to LOVE Hattie's. But the new remodel (and new ownership?) was not a change for the better. I always had good experiences before, but when I came in last time I was disappointed. First of all, the remodel caused it to lose all it's dive-y charm. The decor was a little dated, but it was the kind of dated that was cool again. Seriously, A SHARK tank? It's taking up room where there used to be tables. That means a longer wait if it's full. Why did they get rid of the window? it's like a tomb back there now. The alcoholic drinks come in glasses slightly bigger than those found in a children's play kitchen. I am not exaggerating. My pancakes were incredibly burnt and the waitress was too busy talking to the bartender the WHOLE time for me to send them back. They forgot my side order of sausage completely. The service used to be impeccable. What a shame.
Posted by T on June 12, 2007 at 10:31 PM · Report
1

Me likey.

Great breakfast! Great new remodel with huge aquarium in the back. Go early on the weekends to avoid the rush. Veggie friendly.
Posted by David on June 1, 2007 at 12:43 PM · Report

Add a review


Click the stars.

Optional

Hattie's Hat
Nearby and Recommended

Ray's Boathouse (Bar, Restaurant)
Ballard 6049 Seaview Ave NW    phone (206) 789-3770
  • 4.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 5 reader reviews)
India Bistro (Restaurant)
Ballard 2301 NW Market St    phone (206) 783-5080
  • 4.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 8 reader reviews)
The Other Coast Cafe (Restaurant)
Ballard 5315 Ballard Ave NW    phone (206) 789-0936
  • 5.00000/5 Stars.
 (based on 1 review)
Mike's Chili Parlor (Bar, Restaurant)
Ballard 1447 NW Ballard Way    phone (206) 782-2808
  • 3.50000/5 Stars.
 (based on 2 reader reviews)
Portalis (Bar, Restaurant)
Ballard 5205 Ballard Ave NW    phone (206) 783-2007
The Dray (Bar, Restaurant)
Ballard 708 NW 65th St    phone (206) 453-4527
  • 4.50000/5 Stars.
 (based on 2 reader reviews)

Are we missing something?

Need to correct our info about Hattie's Hat?

!Add or Edit
Location

The Stranger Suggests

Critics' Best Bets
Music Arts & Food