ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

"It might sound like a luxury hangout at SeaTac, but Altitude Sky Lounge is actually a rooftop bar at the top of the Astra Hotel in South Lake Union. While there’s a lot to boast about atmospherically, like fire pits and a skyline view, it feels pretty cold and corporate with awkward service and mediocre cocktails. Where Altitude succeeds, however, is in the charcuterie offerings that they slice to order, which is a rarity for stuffy hotel establishments. Don’t go out of your way to come here, but should you find yourself roped into snacks and drinks, you’ll be content with a pile of buttery cured meats and a glass of wine while staring at the Space Needle. photo credit: Altitude Sky Lounge" - Aimee Rizzo

"Astra Hotel’s new rooftop bar, which offers sweeping views of the Seattle skyline, started serving drinks and small bites in South Lake Union on September 7. Perched 16 stories above the corner of Terry Avenue North and Thomas Street, Altitude Sky Lounge features an open deck with cushioned armchairs surrounding gas firepits and stools facing the edges of the rooftop, one facing west toward the Space Needle, the other directly facing South, toward a wall of downtown skyscrapers. Even the interior of the lounge offers stunning views — the nearly all-glass walls swing open on sunny days, and patrons can take in the views while sitting at the bar, standing around a couple of counters, or sitting back in the long, couch-like booth in another area of the bar around the corner. The food menu features little bites to be eaten with drinks, like several sizes of charcuterie boards, a serving of Marcona almonds and crispy chickpeas, and various dips (golden beet and dill, albacore tuna dip, pork and carrot rillette, and duck liver mousse.) The bar serves several local beers on draft, a couple of glass-pours each of red, white, rose, and champagne, and a cocktail list with drinks like La Brujeria, made with Mezcal, lime, basil, blackberry, and ginger beer, which run between $15 to $20." - Jade Yamazaki Stewart