Top 5 List today (and throughout the weekend) is asking soccer fans to vote on the best place to take in a match. From readers and the Sportspress Northwest staff, we have taken an original list of more than 25 establishments and pared it to the nominees you will find below. The bars/pubs are listed in alphabetical order. Some show soccer exclusively, some offer a variety of sporting events. But if you want to watch the Sounders, English Premier League or MLS Champions League, which place is your favorite?
Atlantic Crossing, 6508 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle (206-729-6266)
Many Emerald City Supporters have adopted Atlantic Crossing, operated by Gareth Etchells, as its preferred spot to take in a soccer match. Billing itself as “Your EPL & Sounders Headquarters”, Atlantic Crossing features a vast import beer selection and runs Happy Hour daily from 3-6 p.m. Atlantic Crossing has an outdoor beer garden. Gareth shows all kinds of soccer: English Premier League, MLS Champions League, international matches and, of course, the the Sounders.
Auto Battery Bar, 1009 East Union Street, Seattle (206) 322-288
Auto Battery Bar is one of the newer establishments in Seattles Capitol Hill neighborhood, and one of the more unusual. The “hybrid” sports bar is housed in a former auto shop and retains much of that ambience. It also offers a large selection of specialty drinks, such as the Spark Plug, the Backfire, and the 57 Chevy. The Auto Battery Bar has 10 flat-screen televisions, which show a constant variety of sports events.
The Dubliner Irish Pub, 3515 Fremont Avenue N., Seattle (206-548-1508)
The Dubliner Pub shows all of the major sporting events, including the Sounders, Mariners, Seahawks and Storm. The pub serves home-made dinner specials, and is particularly noted for its Reuben (marinated for 10 days in a special brine and slow cooked). The Dubliner offers a variety of pub fare, including nachos and chicken strips. Happy Hour runs from 3-7 p.m. with $2 pints, wells and wine.
The Dray, 708 Northwest 65th Street, Seattle (206-453-4527)
Located in Ballard, The Dray shows Sounders games, English Premier League matches and the United States Men’s Soccer League (a rundown of upcoming games is posted on The Dray’s web site. The establishment serves good pub grub as well as sandwiches, coffee, tea, soft drinks and all kinds of beer. The Dray is small and narrow with a seven-seat bar.
Fado’s Irish Pub, 801 First Ave., Seattle (206-264-2700)
Located at the intersection of First and Columbia just blocks from Pioneer Square, Fado’s Irish Pub specializes in showing soccer matches — UEFA Champions League, Major League Soccer, English Premier League, FA Cup, the works. The bar is divided into four rooms, giving Fado’s the ability to show a variety of games simultaneously. Fado’s serves a range of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees (including an all-day Irish breakfast) a large selection of beers and whiskeys. Happy Hour runs from 4-7 p.m.
Fox Sports Grill, 1522 6th Avenue, Seattle (206-340-1369)
Sports aficionados and the casual fan alike will enjoy unobstructed sight lines in Fox Sports Grill’s state-of-the-art viewing environment, where multiple plasma and large-scale projection screens broadcast a range of sports and entertainment programming daily. The Grill offers starters, soups & salads, mains and steaks, burgers, pizza and sandwiches and beverages.
Fuel, 164 South Washington, Seattle, 98104
Fuel is a full-service sports bar that features 13 plasma displays plus one 200-inch projection screen. Located in Pioneer Square within easy walking distance of Qwest and Safeco fields, Fuel offers appetizers, pizza, soups & salads, sandwiches, burgers and entrees (Fuel also serves 8 a.m. breakfasts on Sounders day games). Fuel has the entire sports satellite package, including Sky Sports/Fox Soccer channel.
George & Dragon Pub, 206 North 36th Street, Seattle (206-545-6864)
In operation since 1995, George & Dragon bills itself as “Seattle’s British Pub.” Located in the Fremont district, the pub serves cocktails, fine ales and great food (such as fish and chips and bangers and mash). George & Dragon proclaims itself “Home of Football” and caters to both ex-pat and Americans of British football. George & Dragon named one of the top 10 bars in the U.S. to watch “football on the telly” by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Readers of Seattle Weekly have twice named George & Dragon as “Seattle’s Best Pub”.
Market Arms Pub, 2401 NW Market St., Seattle (206-789-0470)
Ballard’s British Pub televises both British and American football (carries Sounders games and lots of European games live) and offers a nice selection of ales, wines and liquor and good pub food. not to mention great pub food, including traditional British Fish & Chips and Shepherd’s Pie. You can play darts and pool. Market Arms is open from 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 a.m.Saturday & Sunday.
Sport, 140 Fourth Ave. N., Suite 130, Seattle (206-404-7768)
Located across the street southeast of the Space Needle, Sport features a full restaurant and lounge and plenty of big-screen televisions. It offers lunch, dinner, desserts, speciality drinks, liquors and beer. Sport also has an impressive collection of display cases that feature fabulous photos of Seattle sports personalities as well as a variety of memorabilia.
Summit Public House, 601 Summit Ave E Ste 102, Seattle (206-324-7611)
Originally known as the Summit Tavern, the Summit Public House opened in 1998 and focuses on serving Washington-born ales, wine, and high-quality imported beers(22 types on tap) from Belgium, England, and Ireland. When the Sounders play on the road, it’s the gathering spot on Capitol Hill to take in the action. The Public House has a variety of appetizers and an extensive dinner menu.
Tap House Grill, 550 106th Ave NE, Bellevue (425-467-1730)
The Tap House has 160 beers on tap — ales, Belgian styles, bitters, blondes, Bocks, Brown Ales, Fruits/Ciders, Lagers, Pilsners, Stouts, etc. The Tap House, opesince 2002, serves appetizers and suchi, sandwiches and salads. It’s open for lunch and dinner, and Happy Hour starts at 3:30 p.m. Lots of HD big-screen sports.
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