Is there a more alchemical concoction on earth than the root beer float? Simultaneously creamy, frothy, and fizzy, it’s much more than the sum of its parts. Today, August 6, is Root Beer Float Day, so we’ve compiled eight places to slurp unique versions of the foamy, bubbly beverage through a straw—and some are discounted or free!
Cookie Counter
Looking for a plant-based or dairy-free option? This vegan ice cream shop and bakery offers a root beer float with vanilla ice cream on their menu, but will also allow you to choose a scoop in any of their ice cream flavors.
Capitol Hill and Greenwood
Hearth
The Heathman Hotel‘s recently opened farm-to-table restaurant makes their root beer float with vanilla malt ice cream and Crater Lake Root Beer and finishes it all off with toasted meringue for a special touch.
Kirkland
Dick’s Drive-In
Head to Seattle’s favorite classic burger chain for a cold, bubbly float for under three bucks.
Various locations
Full Tilt Ice Cream
In celebration of the day, the Ballard location of the arcade/ice cream shop will give out free root beer floats while supplies last.
Ballard
Li’l Woody’s
The local burger joint will turn any root beer from their sizable soda selection (which includes Dad’s Root Beer and other specialty brands) into a float with a scoop of vanilla Full Tilt ice cream.
Various locations
Little Big Burger
Just for Root Beer Day, the Portland-based burger chain is offering their root beer float (made with Barq’s root beer and Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream) for half the usual price.
Various locations
Shug’s Soda Fountain
If it’s a true retro experience you’re after, Pike Place’s old-timey soda shoppe will deliver with their classic root beer float. Grown-ups can opt for the boozy Adult Root Beer float, made with Not Your Father’s Root Beer and vanilla ice cream.
Downtown
Spark Pizza
Named in honor of Sir Mix-a-Lot himself, Spark’s “Root Beer Floats-A-Lot” consists of a glass of vanilla ice cream topped off with a whole chocolate chip cookie, into which you then tip a carafe of Jones Soda’s root beer and watch as the float fizzes up before your eyes.
Redmond
