Welcome to Seattle, now have a beer
When the FIFA World Cup™ comes to Seattle in the summer of 2026, it will bring many thirsty football fans to the city for the first time. Maybe you are one of those people. We created this guide to help you find the best beer while you’re here. We are in no way affiliated with FIFA. This is an independent guide created by local Seattle beer lovers for visitors to the city.
- Breweries and Pubs Near the Stadium
- Downtown, Near Pike Place Market
- The Ballard Brewery District
- Getting Around Seattle, Transit
- All Seattle Breweries and Beer Destinations
The Emerald City enjoys no shortage of great craft beer, brewed by more than 50 breweries and brewpubs that call Seattle home, not to mention the dozens of other breweries in nearby communities. Whether you like traditional English ales, German Lagers, or just want to enjoy the local styles and flavors, use this guide to discover Seattle’s best beer and the best places to drink it. Whether you call it soccer or football, our local breweries and pubs welcome you!
Beer Festival in Seattle on June 13th
This year, the biggest beer fest in Seattle coincides with the World Cup. Almost. Just before the matches kick off, on Saturday, June 13th, Seattle Center hosts the annual Washington Brewers Festival. The event takes place in the shadow of the Space Needle and features beer from 75 different breweries. It is the largest annual beer festival in the state. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets here. If you’re visiting for the FIFA World Cup™, why not get a taste of real, local beer culture? See our Brewers Festival FAQ here.
Breweries, tap rooms, pubs, and bars near the stadium
The FIFA World Cup™ matches in Seattle will take place at Lumen Field, which organizers will rename Seattle Stadium for the tournament (per FIFA rules). Here is a list of destinations near the stadium that any beer lover should check out.
North of the Stadium
- Occidental Hall is located across the street from the northwest entrance to the stadium. This expansive beer hall offers a broad selection of beers from local and regional breweries. Also, what’s more American than a hamburger? The smash burgers here are legendary. 589 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
- Elysian Fields is a half block north of the stadium. Elysian Brewing will make a specific beer for each team involved in the Seattle matches. Note that Elysian Brewing is owned by Anheuser-Busch and is not an indpendent craft brewery like the other breweries mentioned on this list.
- Lowlander Brewing is about one block north of the stadium. It opened in December 2025. It’s beautiful and prominently positioned on a historic corner (the former home of FX McRory’s). The beer is great, and the food concept comes from one of Seattle’s celebrity chefs, Renee Ericson. 419 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
- Flatstick Pub, Pioneer Square is about .25 miles north of Lumen Field/Seattle Stadium in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The beer selection is fabulous; 100 percent local, Washington-brewed beers only. It is essentially a craft beer bar built around an indoor, a miniature golf course. After 7 pm Flatstick Pub is for grownups only (21+). Golf, yes, but you are more than welcome to only drink. 240 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104.
South of the Stadium
- Métier Brewing at Steelheads Alley – Located right across the street from T-Mobile Park, Steelheads Alley is a baseball-themed taproom and brewery. Métier Brewing brews beer here, as well as at another location farther away. The name Steelheads honors the Seattle Steelheads baseball club that played in the Negro League in the 1940s. 1201 1st Ave S Unit 2, Seattle, WA 98134.
- Fast Fashion Brewing – This brewery and taproom is located about three blocks south of the stadium on 1st Avenue. The service bar and brewing equipment are hidden in the back of the building, and from the street, you might not immediately recognize it as a brewery and taproom, but it is well worth finding. Fast Fashion Brewing is right next to a very visible bar called Hooverville. 1723 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
- Farther afield – Ghostfish Brewing is one mile south of the stadium on 1st Avenue and offers tasty beers and good food at its all-ages brewpub. It’s all gluten-free. This is, perhaps, the nation’s top gluten-free brewery. 2942 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134.
- Farther afield – Seapine Brewing has a lovely all-ages taproom just off First Avenue in a very cool old building. You’ll enjoy the vibe, and you’ll fall in love with the beer. It’s about one mile south of the stadium. 2959 Utah Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134. It’s really good beer.
- For more options for breweries and great beer bars in the city of Seattle, visit our map of Seattle breweries and beer spots.
Breweries, taprooms, and pubs near Pike Place Market
The market is one of the most recognizable destinations in Seattle. Some people would say no visit to the city is complete without a trip to Pike Place Market. As a lifelong resident, I can assure you that those of us who live here think it is awesome, too. Lucky for you, there is great beer nearby.
- Reuben’s Brews Downtown Taproom is located on First Avenue, about four blocks south of Pike Place Market. The brewery itself is located across town in the Ballard neighborhood (discussed below). The downtown taproom offers a broad selection of the brewery’s award-winning beers. They also serve food in case you need nourishment. 1201 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
- Old Stove Brewing at Pike Place Market must be part of your visit to the market. The beer and food are great, but the view is what will take your breath away. Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and beyond. Sip on a beer and watch the ferry boats go back and forth across Elliott Bay. 1901 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98101.
- Cloudburst Brewing is about two blocks north of Pike Place Market on Western Avenue. This is one of the brewery’s two locations. The other one is in Ballard (discussed below). This brewery excels at everything it does, but many people consider it one of the best hop-focused breweries in the area, if not the entire world. If you want an IPA, this is your place, but know they offer more than that at this cozy taproom. 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121.
- Here Today Brewery & Kitchen is about a 10-minute walk north of Pike Place Market. It’s near the Olympic Sculpture Garden, another popular downtown destination for visitors, and it’s a great place to end a stroll along the waterfront. Award-winning beers and delicious food. 2815 Elliott Ave Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98121.
The Ballard Brewery District
The Ballard Brewery District is a neighborhood in Seattle with several breweries and taprooms very close to each other. The neighborhood is about 5 miles north of Pike Place Market and is easily accessible by public transit or rideshare. From downtown, use the D line on Rapid Ride (big red buses) or Metro’s route 28. See our section about getting around Seattle below.
When you get to Ballard, use our map to navigate. Few other places in the USA, or the world, have so many breweries that are so close to each other. We call it the Ballard Brewery District. The neighborhood is home to 12 breweries and taprooms, most within a block or two of each other. It might not be close to the stadium or downtown, but it is accessible via public transportation. If you want to dive into the Seattle beer scene’s deep end, go to Ballard. Learn more about the Ballard Brewery District here.
Getting around Seattle (transit)
Visitors to Seattle can navigate the city using the Rapid Ride, Link light rail, Metro buses, and the Seattle Center Monorail. To pay for your ride, use a credit/debit card or other contactless payment method. You should try to pay/tap before boarding the bus or train at the station kiosk. Look for the card reader. Many buses, especially Rapid Ride buses (shown above), have card readers near the doors. There is also an app: Transit GO Ticket app.
Another option to pay for public transit around Seattle is to purchase an ORCA card. Use this pre-paid, reusable smart card to pay transit fares across multiple agencies in the region, including buses, light rail, ferries, and commuter trains. You can purchase and load your ORCA card at ORCA vending machines around the city.
Three of these ORCA vending machines are very near the stadium. Locate an ORCA vending machine to purchase and load the card ($3 for the card itself). Load the card with a value when you purchase your ORCA card. Typically, a ride will cost $3.
An overview of Seattle beer
Most of the beer brewed around the Seattle area is only available here. You won’t find it anywhere else. In many cases, this means you must visit the brewery itself and enjoy a beer at its taproom. Many of these tap rooms are actually attached to the brewery, while others are nearby. Either way, a brewery taproom serves its own house-made beer exclusively.
Craft beer is a tradition in Seattle. This was one of the first places in the country where it became popular. Today, we have dozens of world-class, award-winning breweries offering virtually any beer style you’re looking for. If you enjoy an IPA or maybe a pilsner, you are in luck. Those two beer styles are particularly popular amongst our local brewers these days. Rest assured that your options do not end there.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seattle beer
Here is a basic FAQ about beer and breweries in Seattle.
Over 60. That’s the short answer. The number includes breweries with taprooms, brewpubs, and production-only breweries.
It is safe to say hundreds of breweries call the greater Puget Sound area their home. There are over 400 breweries in Washington state, and the largest concentration of them is between Olympia and Everett.
Fast Fashion Brewing is about 3 blocks south of the stadium on First Avenue. Lowlander Brewing is directly north of the stadium, about 1 block away. Other beer options include Occidental Hall and Elysian Fields, both of which are right across the street.
Yes! Old Stove Brewing is actually at the market. Cloudburst Brewing is just a couple of blocks north of the market. The Reuben’s Brews Downtown Taproom is just three blocks south of the market.
A few opened before Prohibition, but they are long gone. The most recognizable is probably Rainier Beer, now owned by Pabst and brewed in California.
Redhook Brewery began brewing in Seattle in 1982. It was one of the very first craft breweries to open in the United States. That beer is no longer brewed in Seattle.
Georgetown Brewing is the largest brewery in Washington state. It is located in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood. A visit to the taproom at the brewery is certainly a good use of your time
That depends on who you ask and how you measure something that is so subjective. One thing is for sure: Seattle is blessed with many world-class breweries.
Bodhizafa IPA from Georgetown Brewing probably holds that distinction. You can find it at most restaurants, bars, and grocery stores.
That’s easy. Just head to one of the city’s many breweries or pay a visit to one of the city’s outstanding beer bars. See our list here.
