4 Best Nightlife in University District, Seattle

Big Time Brewery

With its neat brick walls, polished wood floors, and vintage memorabilia, Big Time Brewery is one of the best places in the U-District for a quiet beer away from the frenetic college scene. Opened in 1988, it was one of the first local brewpubs of the craft beer movement. The brewery offers more than a dozen beers on tap, including cask ales. Skip the mediocre pub grub.

Laughs Comedy Club

This small comedy venue attracts well-known national comedians on weekends and keeps a good flow of local talent and up-and-comers on weeknights. Headliners usually play two shows per night, which makes last-minute tickets easy to find. Box office prices are generally reasonable, though the ticket price doesn't include the two-item minimum order for each person. Unfortunately, the food is not anything worth recommending, so grab a few drinks and plan to eat before or after the show. 

Mountaineering Club

It's all about the amazing view at this rooftop bar that crowns the art deco Graduate Hotel. Windows that stretch to the ceiling surround the exploration-themed inside, while the patio space extends the view from the 16th floor outside. In a neighborhood with few tall buildings, this spot feels truly on top of the world. The drinks and food menus are concise and locally themed, but the bartenders can mix a good classic cocktail upon request.

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Supreme Bar

This dimly lit pizza joint serves tasty frozen slushies and pizza with a few playful gourmet extras from the founder, a former fine-dining chef. With cocktails a step above dive bar levels, and a much cleaner setting than the classic college pub, this spot is a sort of ironic take on the classic New York pizza joint bar. The pizza and scallion garlic knots are very good and worth ordering, too.