This tour of light rail bars is presented as part of this week’s New to Town issue.
Columbia City Station
If you are a drinker, this is a station you need to know about. Othello Station, by contrast, has lots of great places to eat, but no bars of distinction. The same goes for Rainier Beach Station. The bars in Columbia City, however, include the popular Royal Room (5000 Rainier Ave S), Lottie’s Lounge (4900 Rainier Ave S), and Island Soul (4869 Rainier Ave S). The first bar is a great music venue, the second is relaxed, and the third is just cool. But what I love most about Columbia City (and Hillman City, which is just down the road) is that there are bars aplenty. You arrive at the station, you walk east for five minutes, and there it is: bar after bar after bar.
Beacon Hill Station
If you ever find yourself at Mount Baker Station, don’t bother leaving the train if you are looking for a place to drink. Take the train one stop farther to Beacon Hill Station, step off the train, enter an elevator, rise up to ground level, exit, and walk to the Wine Station (2533 16th Ave S), which is open from Wednesday to Saturday. Run by Luis Rodriguez, owner of Seattle’s most culturally important cafe, the Station—which is across the street from the Wine Station—this bar offers affordable wines, great little bites, live Latin jazz, and an atmosphere that’s perfect for a first date. If you happen to be looking for a place to drink on other days, then visit Baja Bistro (2414 Beacon Ave S), a small bar that is urban and so gay-friendly, it’s part of what writer David Schmader once called Little Castro.
