Touring the Seattle beer scene via Link light rail

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With new rail stations now open, we link you to good beer up and down the line

Last Saturday marked the opening of three new Link light rail stations. With this latest extension, North Seattle now has access to the region’s slowly expanding light rail system. Great for commuters, but also of value to beer tourists. (Image above via Instagram.)

Below, I introduce some of your options for exploring the Seattle beer scene via light rail, sharing information about notable beer destinations within approximately 0.5 miles of each station I mention.

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Columbia City Station

Beacon Hill Station

Pioneer Square Station

Flatstick Pub (0.3 miles)

They call it miniature golf, and it’s different than putt-putt golf. Kind of. That’s the focus here, along with a huge selection of Washington-brewed beers on tap. They invented the sport and built all the games themselves. Food in the form of tacos is usually available. Dogs are allowed, but kids are not. 240 2nd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104. (Flatstick Pub has other locations; this is the Pioneer Square location.)

Collins Pub (450 ft.)

It’s an offline kind of place. You won’t find much about Collins Pub online or via social media. Old school. They shut down for the duration of the pandemic but recently reopened. Not just great beer, but also tasty food that goes beyond typical pub grub. It’s just a few steps away from the station. 526 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.

Westlake Station

Capitol Hill Station

Optimism Brewing (0.5 miles)

This place is gorgeous! And big! The brewery is an active member of the local community, and its taproom serves as a neighborhood hub where friends, strangers, and civic organizations gather to solve the world’s problems, or at least try. As the name implies, they really are brewing optimism. Oh yeah, and they have beer. Food trucks often. Kids are welcome and so are dogs. 1158 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122.

Elysian Brewing (0.6 miles)

This is where it all began for Elysian Brewing back in 1996. A lot has changed since then, but this place remains the same. Sure, a recent remodel spruced things up quite a bit, but the brewery’s flagship location is essentially the same as it ever was. Full menu. Kids are only permitted in the smallish, front section. Dogs are welcome outside when the weather allows for sidewalk seating. 1221 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122.

Outer Planet Craft Brewing (0.3 miles)

Small but colorful, with a sci-fi twist, Outer Planet Brewing serves a crowd of hyper-local beer fans who generally live in the immediate area – the densely populated Capitol Hill neighborhood. Exceptionally friendly staff, board games, neighborhood pub vibe. They’ve got some snacks, but no kitchen. Kids and dogs are welcome. 1812 12th Ave #100, Seattle, WA 98122.

U District Station

Big Time Brewery and Alehouse (0.2 miles)

When it opened in 1988 it was the first brewpub to open in Seattle since Prohibition. The Big Time manages to mark time without being trapped in it, remaining a relevant and vital part of the local brewing scene. The brewery cranks out exceptional beers to accompany pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and other pub grub. Dogs are okay outside but not in. Now family-friendly for the first time ever. 4133 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

Ladd & Lass Brewing (0.3 miles)

Previously, this was the home of Floating Bridge Brewing. Now with new owners, the brewery and taproom will re-open soon. At the time of publication, beers are in the tanks and the grand opening is imminent. 722 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105.

Roosevelt Station

Latona Pub (0.5 miles)

Friendly and immediately familiar, comfy as your favorite flannel shirt, the pub referred to simply as The Latona endures. Comfortable in its own skin, smiling quietly as the world goes by, Latona Pub has served good, local beer since 1987. It still excels at the practice. The kind of place you cannot help but adore. Full kitchen. No kids or dogs. 6423 Latona Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115.

The Westy Roosevelt (500 ft.)

It’s an upscale, all-ages sports bar with exceptionally good food, craft cocktails, and a lovingly curated tap list. It’s a great place to catch a game or get a beer and a meal. Sports bar yes, Bud Light no. The original Westy is in West Seattle, but this one is in the Roosevelt neighborhood, hence the name. About a half-block from the Roosevelt Station. Kids are welcome, dogs are not. 1215 NE 65th Street, Seattle, WA 98115.

Triple R Brewing (0.2 miles)

They refer to the tasting room as the Alley Tavern and that makes sense. It is in an alley, between Roosevelt Way and 9th Ave. NE. This diminutive brewery taproom is beloved by the neighborhood. And why not? A garage, an alley, a neighbor making and selling beer. Very, very Seattle. 916 NE 64th St, Seattle, WA 98115.

Northgate Station

Watershed Pub and Kitchen (0.2 miles)

The beer selection is always superlative, the pizza is creative and delicious, but don’t overlook the outstanding salads on the menu. The Northgate Mall area has changed drastically in recent years and, to be honest, most of the changes were for the better. For example, the addition of this kickass beer joint. If you are headed up to the Seattle Kracken practice facility, this is the beer and food outlet you should not miss. Kids yes, dogs no. 10104 3rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125.

Beyond the Seattle Beer Scene

Admittedly, the local light rail line around Seattle doesn’t offer the broadest scope of options. Our region is pretty late to the rail-transit game. If you are looking for more beer travel options around Washington, we have maps of local breweries all across Washington, including one specifically dedicated to all of Seattle’s breweries and top beer destinations.

*All photos from Instagram unless otherwise noted.

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