Al's Tavern

Cool, place. Good service. Chill, bartender let me have a free drink because I ran out of cash and didn’t know it was cash only. My first time. Milan, be blessed.

Al’s is one of my go to spots. Great prices, great service and great people. There’s a lot of regulars that make this place what it is. I always have a great time here. If you’re in the area stop by for a good time. Bring some cash because they’re cash only

Finally made it to the famous Al's Tavern in Seattle. It's not just a place to stop in your post-college journey, but a truly weekend spiritual experience. I only rated the food as a 3/5 by accident, and I'll try the bratwurst when we visit tomorrow with the whole gang. Hope to see Percy again. Watching him serve sixty people all by himself is an experience.

•March 2023• this is my kind of dive bar. Great vibes and a fun time

Great bartender, very friendly. We were out-of-towners just popping in for a pint

Nice cash only dive bar with friendly service and good priced beers.

Great dive bar that's been around a long time. Pool tables, interesting characters, and a friendly staff that stays around. They only have chips, but you can bring in food from the nearby restaurants (Ezell's fried chicken is across the street). Tip well and relax.

This place. I’ve been going there on and off for probably 20 years and it hasn’t changed a bit (that’s a good thing). Cash only, pleasantly dive bar vibe with friendly and welcoming bartenders and regulars. It’s the best of Old Seattle.

Bartender was extremely rude to my girl friend and I from the jump but then treating the other new customers really overly nicely and not checking their ids. It was really weird and made us super uncomfortable, the vibe is way better at the other bars down the street.

I've never been, but constantly hear good things from my guests. So it must be good, but very far out of downtown Seattle.

The perfect local bar to hang out with friends or just grab a drink before heading out. Percy is the sweetest bartender and even helped me decorate for a birthday surprise! We love going there for their classic drinks and to play some pool. Sweetest people working the bar and is always a grand time:)

Friendly people (patrons, staff, and the regulars.) Relaxed atmosphere. Pinball. A great neighborhood bar!

OK now that we're new to the area and walked in here the other night we realized this is one of the greatest local bars I've (we've) ever been to. Cash only is brilliant, we happened to have ours but that ATM was overheating all night LOL. The bartender was amazing, nicest dude you could have behind the bar. Asked our names once then remembered them the rest of the night. What a treasure find and lucky for us we moved just a short-few blocks away. We'll keep coming back, didn't know they allowed dogs, which makes it even better.

Al's use to be one of my favorite spots, however this bartender Dean has ruined it for me. I'll never spend another dollar there again. All the staff has been great, however the last three times I've come in and only ordered two drinks the bartender Dean has just been so rude for no reason. I'm not even trying to talk with him but I guess ordering two rainiers from him is a real struggle and inconvenience. I thought tipping $10 on a $10 tab would help their attitude and still just rude as fuck everytime. I only try to be a great bar patron and never talk to other customers and keep to myself. As far as I'm concerned I'm done with this place forever.

Dank lighting, funky smell, faded formica, vinyl half booths, stale chips, surly staff, stray dogs, irregular regulars, janky pool table. Stay away. You'll just ruin it.

This place is a shithole and it smells weird. It's also spacious and the bartender seems like a nice guy. Look, this place really deserves 3 stars but from a pinball players perspective I can only give it 2 because of the way they jammed the fucking pinball machine behind some booth (see photos) and there was a broom leaning up against it (again, see photos). I don't want to play pinball with some broom leaning against the machine. There was a weird smell. The only machine they have is Dr. Who and they don't have a machine to get quarters. It seemed like a decent place (besides the smell) but not really a great place to play pinball although the machine was in good/decent shape.

Update: I'm going with Brad F's strategy to give it an anti-rating. This bar is too good as it is; too good to be ruined by hordes of kids sullying it with their inanity. This place is as good as it gets. It's a neighborhood bar; lots of regulars; I-Dream-Of-Genie decor; never crowded. The bartenders are cool and you can talk to them. Come in for Sunday football and they'll probably change the channel to what you want to watch. They have a good selection of taps (incl. my running faves from Fremont Brewing Co.). Skinny jeans, goth punk, neighborhood drunks in shorts and cross-trainers, industry types all occupy the same space just fine here. Don't be a douche, dig the low-volume vibe, chill out with your amigos and you'll probably love this place too. Oh, and bring cash. And unless you want some pickled eggs, eat before you come.

Bartender tonight was so kind. I asked if they sold cigarettes, but he informed me that they did not. He came up to me a few minute later and said that a pack had been left and gave it to me. Nice vibe in the bar for a night cap. Thank you. CASH ONLY BAR

Let me be clear on this. I love this place. Might be my favorite bar in the neighborhood. The one star rating is for the good of the bar and it's regulars. How do you think the pain in the ass UW kids find out about places like this? yelp. Al's is about 10 more 5-star ratings from being a bar right off Fremont ave. Do you want that? Preserve the Al's Tavern that's been doing its thing since 1940. Keep a great neighborhood bar great for once.

So I walk in. I'm meeting friends but they aren't there yet. I walk up to the bar and wait my turn. And I wait. And I wait. The bartender repeatedly serves people who have come to the bar after me, without so much as looking at me. Finally she practically snarls at me, asking what I want. I tell her I want the porter. She asks for my ID and it takes me a minute to dig it out, which clearly puts her in so much pain that she nearly dies right there at the bar. Finally I find it, she looks at it, and then asks me what I want again. I tell her the porter. A mason jar of the stuff slams down on the counter in front of me. I offer a card and she stares at me as though I've just crawled out of the sludge and am growing legs right in front of her. "We don't do CARDS here." One of the regulars at this point takes pity on me and points out the ATM, but I have a twenty in my pocket for once and offer that instead. I'm so flustered by her bitchiness that I actually forget to tip and only remember once I'm sitting down...but I decide I'm not too worried. (Of course, when I go for my second jar a bit later, the service is even worse.) The atmosphere sucks. I like a good dive bar, but this place is trying a little too hard. The beer jars suck. Are they the pint size? They feel smaller. I liked that there was a dog in the bar, but I wish that he had been pulling the taps because all dogs automatically get five stars from me. I won't be coming back here. Why would I when there are several places on 45th where the bartenders know my name and actually want my business?

Als is an awesome bar. I love the mural, the bartenders and drinking out of an old jar. I usually go alone and check out the peeps. There are all types. When I do bring friends, they also think its way cool.

When the kids can't get away from their studies long enough to make it to Cha Cha they head to Al's. My assumption was that I would enjoy Al's given that I have a sensible friend who frequents the place. I expected Al's to be an oasis amongst the sad little spots along 45th. But Al's is a serious disappointment. Nothing but hipsters frequent this place and their vulgarities are disarming not to mention countless. I am almost convinced the scenesters here take themselves seriously. At any moment one of them may lean over and confess that it wasn't a choice but rather a way of life. Oh preach on mix tape. No funny ha-ha here a la Cha Cha lounge, oh nay nay. Mocking the patrons isn't a sport at Al's like it is at the Cha Cha. It may be the set-up, not quite sure, but for whatever reason there is no good clean fun to be had at the expense of the ironic set. For those reasons I would never venture to Al's on my own ever. I would never go out of my way to go to Al's or suggest it like it is a good idea or something. However, being the eternal optimist, Al's redeems itself by giving patrons a good pour. At Al's the drinks are strong and cheap. Just be aware of the after affects. One could be vomiting from the alcohol or the Rivers Como impersonators singing Morrissey at the top of their lungs...or both.

Aime Seattle blue grass vibe with great assortment of beverages, especially local IPAs... Service great!

The Ways In Which Al's Tavern Is A Real Northwest Dive Bar And Not A Faux-Dive Bar 1. Non-hipster locals drink there. That is, until they are driven out by mooks in skinny pants around 10pm who come in, try to order a Sparks on their debit card and start bitching iabout the music (that was Neil Young, not Devendra Banhart you doucheflake). 2. The cheap beer of record is Rainer. Someday we will all feel a little stupid that we drank Pabst for so many years just because Dennis Hopper's character in Blue Velvet couldn't shut up about it. 3. The floor under the pool table nearest to the bathrooms has soaked up so much stale beer and god-knows-what over the years that it smells like diaper truck during a heatwave. Only a Paul-Newman-in-The-Color-Of-Money-Esque love of billiards will keep you there for more than two games.

Friendly. If I was in the area, this would be my go-to bar, regardless. Somewhere between dive and swank: this bar is comfortable and not too self-aware. I wish the pinball was fixed, but you might rather play pool or mock-the-hipster.

Really nice people running this place. Great bluegrass jam on Monday nights 10pm.

10pm on a Wednesday my boyfriend and our dogs head to Al's. (I had called ahead to confirm they were indeed dog-friendly.) Even though Al's is right on NE 45th, it's easy to miss. The only sign is a sidewalk easel board. The regulars undoubtedly like it that way. Apparently they give Al's 1-star reviews on yelp so as not to attract new clientele. It's easy to see why the regulars are so fond of Al's Tavern. Established in 1940, the tavern is cozy and kooky. The beers are cheap, and the hipster watching is superb! Read my full (dog friendly Seattle) review here: http://doggoneseattle.com/als-tavern-in-wallingford/

Drinks are strong, clientele is delightfully grizzled and curmudgeonly, bartenders are sweethearts. I love the old mural. Sometimes it gets a little UW-y on a Saturday night (can't those kids stay put?), but go there on most nights and you'll find a decent seat and meet one or two nice old dogs that frequent the place.

If you're a fan of a beverage in a mason jar, then this is the bar for you. Beer or liquor - if they've got a clean jar, that's what you're drinking out of. A cash-only bar!!!! Though if you forget, there is an ATM by the door. Two pool tables in the back. On the occasions where we have played pool here, we haven't had to wait too long for a table - and we've often paired up to play against other fun people. Can get busy, and I've been there on a few nights where there's just been one bartender - but my drink's never run dry.

Hole in the wall. smells like gym but has 2 pool tables and a pacman that may still be working. Staff is nice. Beers come in nice little jars. They have chips when your salt craving hits after too many beers. Cash only, but they have a ATM inside. Also a jukebox. Just one of those cozy lcoal hangouts

Looks exactly the same as it did when I lived in Wallingford 12 years ago. It's not well-marked at all. 50 cent pool table. Pac-man tabletop totally works. Bar is cash only. Very opinionated and excellent but broken jukebox - please fix it?

This bar is making me consider moving to Seattle. A few weeks ago my boyfriend and I went out to Seattle for a funeral. We are both from and live in Philadelphia so one night, we decided to take the bus in the direction of downtown. About 15 minutes from our hotel, we stumbled upon this place. From the outside we knew we were going to like it. Al's Tavern has the same Philly dive bar feel, except everyone is exponentially nicer. The bartender was a sweetheart, all of the people that we met were sooo nice. What a breath of fresh air from the dickheads on the east coast. Go here, SERIOUSLY! cheap drinks and good people.

This was the original UW extension college back in the early to mid fifties. According to my dad who was enrolled at the time this is where he did most of his studying. If you can't make it to the main campus for class have a seat. Later in the eighties when my bball team needed a place to rehydrate and a sponsor (for the league, not the addiction) you couldn't beat 50cent schooners and Herb the bartender. The one with F**K U tattooed on his knuckles. Now I'm a little older, a little stupider but a lot more appreciative of true Seattle iconic landmarks such as the SpaceNeedle and Al's Tavern I can't wait till my kids are old enough to drink there.

I have noticed Rainier literally tastes better here than anywhere else. Maybe it's the mugs. Friendly staff, eclectic music, Animal Planet on TV if you ask for it, and a beautiful mural of Puget Sound. A favorite Wallingford establishment.

Al's is one of those places where it helps to know that it's a dive, it's all about the regulars, and they only take cash. If you can get over that then it can be a good for a few laughs. I recommend going on a Tuesday for the Boozy Doodle sketch night, where big sheets of butcher paper are draped across the tables and they hand out markers and crayons to the patrons to draw with. The bartender on Tuesdays is awesome; he helped to set up the sketching nights. He was playing weird old movies on the TV the night we were there, which added to the kooky atmosphere. Would I go back on a non-sketch night? Not sure, but if I really have to be honest I wouldn't order the food here, and I'd probably stick to bottled beer since when we were there the bartender had to chase down and trap a mouse running around behind the bar. Sorry Al's Tavern fans, I know that this probably doesn't happen all the time, but it's one of those things that doesn't instill faith in the general cleanliness. Go for the cheap beer and the drawing, leave the cheap grub to Taco Time across the street.

Cool dive bar, decent beer selection. Not pretentious and nice bartender always elevates a place in my book! Oh, and a really strong free Wi-Fi signal! That's awesome!

I am in Peace Corps right now and I miss Al's something fierce. So unpretentious it is easy to miss the place (the signage is terrible) Al's is a great place to have a beer in the middle of the day. It can get kinda loud on weekends, but as a weekday haunt it is unbeatable. The barstaff are super friendly and even when the crowds do come, my glass rarely runeth empty. The regulars are great too. I am a big hairy dude, but a lot of my female friends have said they love Al's because they know the regulars (a bunch of big hairy dudes) will take it upon themselves to eject anyone who makes someone feel uncomfortable in "their" bar. Food choices sorta suck, but there are all sorts of options in Wallingford (taco truck is a couple blocks away).

I like this place a lot. We'll see what happens when the U gets back into season. Friendly bartenders, cheap Rainier, nice characters, and all the negatives you'd expect from a bar that you could walk right by w/o even noticing it. Maybe that's the biggest reason I like it?

4 stars greet you on your way in through the front door. dive bar? hipster bar? somewhere in between both, beer in mason jars, 2 pool tables, touch screen game, pinball machine, video game, juke box with an ecclectic range of tunes. i myself have been greeted only by friendly bartenders, but then again i'm not one to piss off bartenders. i love this bar, and the way it stands on it's own,as al's doesn't remind me of another bar so check it out you may find you like it in all its charm. bluegrass jams mondays ladies night tuesdays...probobly more going on other days but i find myself there these 2 days

Upon arriving, it was clear that I had stumbled into the sort of establishment that I was unacostumed to. Carpet was exceptional Staff was most lovely Drinks flowed as milk and honey I recommend

This place is crap. I went down there with a bunch of my frat-boy friends and totally had a lame time. I ordered 10 PB&J shots for my brothers and the bartender rolled his eyes! If you are looking for a run-down dump where IZOD is not appreciated, this is the place for you. If you like the awesomeness that frat-boy bars bring, this is not the place at all. Boo! And, they only accept cash?! How primitive is that?

This is a very cozy dive, with old fashioned games and pinball and good specials; I went on ladies night, and go two dollar pints! Al's is right by Dick's, which is good, because I wouldn't recommend ordering food here, (it seems that they heat it up right in front of you with a toaster oven kept behind the bar.)

The bartenders here remember your name. It is creepy. The clientele is really invasive and talkative.

You know..... I have always loved Al's. It has been a great low key bar to get a good drink and the staff has always been friendly. Until now I would have given it a 5 star rating. Although I went there tonight and took my 56 year old father who just moved here from California. Everyone there is great, but tonight the owner was there and out of nowhere told my father "didn't like him, his mustache or his jacket" said "you look like a gay cowboy." WOW. What a jerk. My father may not be Mr. Hipster but Al's isn't exactly a diamond either. Why the owner ( who also owns the Sunset in Ballard) felt like it was ok to verbally attack an old man like this for no reason, I'm not sure. If he was having a bad day I don't know and I don't care. It was totally uncalled for. I have been consuming libations, paying, and tipping well at Al's for 1.5 years now. I was glad to show my dad a bar that I thought was very friendly and fun, well it didn't turn out that way. Thanks Al's owner-for being a big a-hole. I appreciate it and I'm glad that my money has gone to support YOUR family, jerk.

Awesome bar. Loved the atmosphere and the bartender ruled. Very attentive and friendly. I like dark dive bars and this is definitely one of those. Cheap, strong drinks is just what I like and that's just what they serve. Came here on a Saturday night and managed to find a seat just fine. We will be coming back for sure.

Al's is probably my favorite bar in the 'hood. The bartenders are friendly, cozy atmosphere, cheap dranks, close proximity to Dick's. This place would bee heaven on earth if only they had delicious tots. I realize all of their food is prepared via toaster oven, so I'm not expecting perfection, but Al's would be a major contender if they stepped up their tot game. For the thyme being, when I want booze & snacks, I will have to take my business to Leny's or the Pacific Inn, where the tots reign supreme. Also, the olives here taste like they have been soaking in Windex, maybs when they clean the bar the olives are subjected to cleaning products? 1. get better tots 2. protect the olives 3. profit $$$$$$$$

Al's Tavern is the gem of Walingford. . .it is a fabulous, cozy, unpretentious place to drink a beer out of a mason jar. If you are stuck in old Wallingford and you need a beer, go here and then walk down the street and peer in the windows of the dirty cake store.

Al's is pretty great if you like a good dive. $3.50 drinks, cheap pool, video games, a jukebox stocked with indie and alternative music. Go with a group of friends and don't expect to meet anyone under the age of 50. It's rarely crowded. If you're not careful, you might have to play pool with a woman named Shirley. And she will kick your ass. Bring cash!

Good enough for an average bar. Great set up. laid back. 2 pool tables for only a quarter a game and a TV that has tetris set up on it.

Al's is my cheers! Gail always has a hello waiting for you when you come in. There are plenty of regulars there which means that it's a great little watering hole in my book! Music's great, people are friendly and pool is cheap. I don't want to tell you how much because I like that the tables are fairly open...

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Al's is Seattle's Best Dive Bar. That's right - the best! Beer in mason jars, pool tables, friendly (not surly - like a lot of dives) bartenders. A great place to watch sporting events, when sportsfans are lining the bar. If you're looking for a cozy neighborhood experience, Al's is where it's at!

Favorite bar in seattle. Simple, no frills, stiff drinks, friendly bartenders, and improv bluegrass on Monday nights. Cash only, but totally worth it.

It went down like this: Walk in, bartender immediately asks what we want to drink and introduces himself to us, discover there's a "bonus" happy hour making our pitcher of beer only $9, proceed to get tipsy, order the cheesiest quesadilla ever, shoot pool on tables made for those under 5' 4" but still sucked at it anyway, bartender tops off my beer and provides me with a bag of tortilla chips because clearly, after spending 6 amazing hours there I needed something! I'll be back for another 3-6 hour shift.

Als is one of the friendliest dive bars I've been to. the bartenders all rock, the people there are all approachable and unpretentious. there is a lot of regulars that keep the place interesting and that "everybody knows your name" if you go there semi-regularly.

Beer out of Mason Jars. Pool tables.Old school pinball. Cash only. What's not to love? Not to mention it has one of the best vibes in town, with a bluegrass jam sesh on Sundays.

al's will do now that tony's is no longer open. don't get me wrong- i do love this place. and i love that all of us who have been suddenly left home-bar-less after the tragic loss of our beloved tony's have been able to find another place that we can get a drink from a fun and friendly bartender while listening to great music and playing pool for only 50 cents a game. plus, i have recently learned that i am able to bring my 4 legged friend with me to al's. how can you not love that?!? oh, and check this out: tuesday nights there is a huge roll of butcher paper on the bar with scissors so you can chop yourself off a piece and get your doodle on. i was obviously the new one here as my group and i were the only ones drawing with pens and it seemed like every other table had brought their own markers and colored penciles from home... planning on us leveling the playing field next week- ya all better be on your toes...

I've been drinking here for years. I love this place, it is my favorite bar. The bartenders are so great. Plain and simple this bar is great!