Barnacle

Bar · Ballard

Barnacle

Bar · Ballard

4

4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

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Barnacle by @TheInfatuation
Barnacle by @TheInfatuation
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Highlights

Amaro cocktails, cured meats, and small plates in a cozy bar.  

Featured in The Infatuation
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4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Get directions

barnacleseattle.com
@barnaclebar

$30–50 · Menu

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4743 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Get directions

+1 206 706 3379
barnacleseattle.com
@barnaclebar

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 21, 2025

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@infatuation

The One-Two Punch: A Date Night Dinner & Drinks Guide - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Yep, the bar’s first this time, because if you’re taking a date to The Walrus & The Carpenter, you’re going to have to wait a while for a table. Put your name on the list for dinner and head next door to Barnacle to pregame with jamon and classy Amaro cocktails mixed by bartenders who seriously know what they’re doing." - aimee rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/seattle-dinner-and-drinks-date-night
View Postcard for Barnacle
@infatuation

Where To Go For Drinks And A Light Bite - Seattle - The Infatuation

"Chances are, you’ve stumbled inside Barnacle, The Walrus And The Carpenter’s sister bar, to pass the time while waiting for a table next door. But we endorse treating this as a destination in itself, especially if you like drinks made with amaro, cured jamon shaved right in front of you, or both." - aimee rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/places-to-grab-a-drink-that-actually-serve-good-food
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@infatuation

The Most Fun Seattle Bars

"Barnacle is definitely a holding area for people anxiously waiting on a table at The Walrus And The Carpenter next door. But even if you aren’t strapping in for a night of slurping oysters, Barnacle is worth a visit on its own. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that pretty much everyone here is anticipating one of the best seafood meals of their lives, but sitting at this big wooden counter (or even better, the big table wedged in the corner) always feels exciting. They specialize in amaro, so sip on a spritz and take advantage of the small snack menu involving cured meats, ricotta toast, and tinned fish." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/best-bars-in-seattle
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@infatuation

The Best Bars In Ballard - Seattle - The Infatuation

"This is the sister bar to The Walrus And The Carpenter, and while we usually find ourselves sipping on amaro here while waiting for a table next door, Barnacle is worth a trip on its own—and dare we say, it's even more fun when you make it your primary destination. They serve snacks like cured meats and cheeses, so it’s a good go-to for bitter-forward drinks and a light bite with someone you’d probably want a second date with." - Aimee Rizzo

https://www.theinfatuation.com/seattle/guides/the-best-bars-in-ballard
View Postcard for Barnacle

Rick Hadsall

Google
Amazing cocktail bar focused on the wide variety inherent in Amari - think things like Aperol and Campari and Montenegro and Averna and many many others, each unique, with a few loose styles. Jeff the bartender uses his encyclopedic knowledge of the range of Amari to craft inventive cocktails. Even if you aren’t normally a bitter palate person give it a go.

Frances Agrusa

Google
service is very friendly and approachable. the place is super cute but the music is a bit loud. good place to go for one drink before dinner or for a night cap but it will cost you upwards of $40 for two people ordering one drink each. drinks are Italian, or italian inspired, but the price pint is not. these drinks would be €8 in italy. very expensive for what it is. i can’t justify returning. (save your money and put it towards that trip to italy you’ve been wanting to go on)

jackkeychain

Google
This is can be your prefunk spot while you wait for a table at The Walrus and the Carpenter! Even if all the bar seats are taken, there's a parallel wall to stand and hang. Most of the drinks are bitter focused. The space is tiny and intimate, so don't expect to have quiet ambience here. Food & drink: (July 2024) I'm not a fan of olives, but it does have the distinct strong olive flavor without the completely wilting texture. The bread service was extremely savor and good chew, so expect the salty whipped butter. The anchovies with butter saltine was a strong sea unami slam. The Preflight Checklist tasted like the description. We got the Italian Fruit Cup, good stuff. The N/A Spritz was a elevated alternative of OJ. The N/A Negroni tasted like alcohol, so don't be surprised. Our bartender Sharon has great energy and we love her!

Dampier

Google
Went on a Sunday night to their bar area while waiting for my reservation for Walrus and Carpenter. They give you free chips while you sip on your drink. Drinks were really good and the spot was so nice. Felt spacious especially with the wide bar area. If you are waiting for your walrus and carpenter reservation definitely stop here. They will also let you know when your table is ready and can bring your drink to the restaurant once your reservation is ready so you never need to rush. Not that the drink menu here is different from Walrus and Carpenter.

Michael Pierre-Pierre

Google
Was served by Nicole and Anna who were absolutely excellent. If you’re in Seattle and have some free time, I would highly recommend spending and hour or two trying some Amaro based cocktails. Staff is immensely knowledgeable of their craft and super easy to talk with.

Michael G. Barash

Google
I love this bar. It's very fortunate that more bars have discovered and offered a nice selection of Amari, but there's nothing else like Barnacle. Barnacle has an amazingly large collection of beautiful complex bitter herbal elixirs to enjoy. This is truly one of Seattle's hidden treasures!

Sahar

Google
The restaurant presents a varied selection of fresh oysters that are carefully sourced and skillfully prepared. With attention to quality and craftsmanship, Barnacle provides a destination where both seasoned oyster connoisseurs and newcomers can savor the flavors of the sea in a refined setting.

Annabelle Veatch

Google
Had cocktails 🍸 while we waited for a table at walrus & carpenter! Spritz Della casa was absolutely lovely.☺️ Highly recommended. The bar seating has beautiful back bar view!
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Katherine Y.

Yelp
I went on a Saturday afternoon just after opening and grabbed a seat at the bar while waiting for my friends. The bartenders were friendly, gave me the lowdown on the menu, and took my drink order (Fresca de March). The space has a low-key yet upscale vibe with tiled walls and warm lighting. We ordered two dozen oysters with the caviar add-on, the sardines, and the whipped ricotta with grilled sourdough. I also got an Aperol Spritz. Everything was delicious and the service was attentive without being overbearing. One of the bartenders, Sharon, even had me try a couple of her shiitake mushroom amaro creations, such a fun touch! I'd definitely come back esp for their happy hour.
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Alex A.

Yelp
My friend and I went to Barnacle while we were waiting for our table at The Walrus and the Carpenter. It's a cute aperitivo bar with a cool, minimalist vibe and a nice selection of drinks. The server was kind and quick, making sure we got our drinks fast so we could relax before dinner. I opted for a gin martini instead of trying something new, and it was well-made and crisp. We didn't stay too long since our table was ready shortly after, but I'd definitely pop back in for another drink next time I'm in the area.
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Theresa D.

Yelp
An Amaro bar that is connected to the walrus and carpenter. I first saw this bar as my bf and I were waiting for the walrus and the carpenter. We had time to kill before our table was ready so why not have a drink? They offer complimentary kettle chips. They do offer amaro flights. My bf was curious about their amaros since there were so many and the bartender was nice to recommend a few to try that fit the flavor profile he was describing. A lovely time spent to wait for our table.
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Sarah S.

Yelp
We went to Barnacle for a drink while we waited for our table at The Walrus & The Carpenter on a Saturday night. We were served chips with our cocktails! I ordered the Preflight Checklist, which was a mezcal-apertivo drink. This was a great way to start everything that we enjoyed after. I love that Barnacle and The Walrus & The Carpenter are connected-we were able to take our time and enjoy ourselves, and wait for our table in comfort. I would definitely come back to Barnacle for more cocktails! They had something for everyone, and their bar features some local PNW spirits as well as the classics. It would be easy to spend any amount of time in their bar-it was comfortable, stylish and the bartenders are friendly.
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Annabelle V.

Yelp
Had cocktails while we waited for a table at walrus & carpenter! Spritz Della casa was absolutely lovely. Highly recommended. The bar seating has beautiful back bar view!
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Pratima M.

Yelp
A lovely offshoot of Walrus and the Carpenter serving up cocktails and tapas -- while we were waiting for a table next door, we were directed to this bar to snag a drink. They transfer your tab over between the restaurants, so it was a super easy process. We could just pick up our drinks and head over when our table was ready. I was OBSESSED with the aesthetic, everything from the logo design to the bar seating to the big shelving with bottles in the back. The servers are very sweet and efficient, and were able to make recommendations. They do cocktails and apps, and we just got a drink to sip on while we were waiting. I'd honestly come back, regardless of if we're going to Walrus or not! The drinks are super unique and are listed from least to most bitter -- I got the Piazza Fiera and also tried The Old Amaro Cape. Both were seriously delicious -- I love the smoky mezcal in the Amaro Cape and the refreshing citrus from the Piazza.
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Cute little bar right next door to Walrus and Carpenter owned by the same people. We had a few drinks at Barnacle as we waited for our table next door. The waitress made us some delicious espresso martinis. The staff was super friendly and recommended a few things to do while we were on this side of town. They offered some delicious chips that we couldn't stop eating. The ambiance is this dark cute library feel

Ali A.

Yelp
Great food and drinks! However, we looked on the website which told us there was an all day happy hour from 4-9 Sunday-Thursday. When we got the bill, were first charged $1 more for each of our drinks than what was on the menu, but also noticed no happy hour deal on the oysters. When we told the server, they took the extra cost off the drinks (apparently the menu had the wrong prices listed) but said there was nothing that could be done about the happy hour as they must not have updated the website to reflect the changed happy hour hours. If your website says you have a happy hour deal, you should honor that and acknowledge the mistake. Especially when you automatically add a 22% service charge.
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Ryen B.

Yelp
This place is so amazing! Friendly staff, fabulous menu, tasty drinks. Great place to come to learn about amaro. Small menu of bites make for perfect pairings. Highly recommend the ricotta toast- thick slice, cream cheese, peppery olive oil, and fresh thyme = perfection. It's small and fills up fast, so get there early if you want a seat.
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Angel C.

Yelp
Came to Walrus and the Carpenter for oysters, it was too packed, so we ducked into the corner for some drinks and those dang oysters. They did not disappoint! We ended up getting two half-dozens of oysters, absolutely delicious. Super refreshing, shucked well, didn't have any complaints there. Drinks were also nice. Would've maybe given a five star, but the octopus carpaccio was not my favorite. It was drenched in olive oil, and it did not taste great. Way too greasy and not enough acids (despite there being a bit of lemon) cut through and have anything but oil residue. Not the ideal way the poor octopus should've ended up. Overall though, good experience, loved the oysters, would come back again!
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Naveed N.

Yelp
Seems to be a great place to have a drink while you wait for your table at Walrus and the Carpenter in the same building- if you can manage to get a spot. Barnacle had been on my list for a while, in an effort to explore more of Seattle's speciality cocktail bars. Overall a great experience, but I'll have to come back to explore a bit deeper and really decide what I think. We initially grabbed a spot standing at the back counter (facing away from the bar) and before we could order, managed to snag a spot at the bar instead. We were not heading to anywhere specific for dinner after so we were not on a time crunch, but we managed to get in and out in a timely manner regardless. The bar staff were friendly and helpful, but we didn't feel enough of a connection, perhaps being that it was a busy Friday night. We were able to get some nice guidance and recommendations - but will need to revisit with more time to let the bartenders provide more of a journey. The tapas style snacks are great, and I wouldn't skip on the fresh bread.. Cheers!
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Jessica C.

Yelp
Average cocktail and app place. I do love that people can come here and wait for walrus and carpenter but we were just stopping by on our cocktail crawl. I wasn't sure what I wanted since they only had three cocktails and none of them had ingredients I was familiar with. Luckily the bartender was nice to explain they were basically their takes on an aperol spritz, a martini, and an old fashioned. I got the Sunstone which was their take on an old fashioned and it was pretty good. It had cynar which is an artichoke based syrup which the bartender let me try a bit and that was what pushed me to order it. I like it because it didn't have a strong bourbon forward taste but instead I love the tequila base. We also got a round of island creek oysters which brought back Boston memories which is nice. I do wish they had more cocktail options and more tapas options. Just the bread, sardines, and olives felt a bit lacking. I see other folks had other options so I wonder if maybe they were ordering from walrus as well which we didn't know it was an option. Might come back again if we want to try out walrus again but otherwise might just skip since it's farther away from the other bars on Ballard row.
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Jackie W.

Yelp
If you're into cozy, no nonsense, I'll have what she's having, stirred not shaken locations then make a point to visit BARNACLE small tapa-like dishes that are elevated. Spanish sardines in olive oil with bits of green olives, salt and pepper. Smokey and rich and so delicious! Sopped the oil up with our bread like heathens haha! That good! We also ordered the prosciutto and watched as they cut our slices right off the bone. The drinks we ordered were amazing although I can't remember the names, nevertheless we fully enjoyed our pre dinner stop here.
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Jason L.

Yelp
Barnacle is a great spot to kill time while waiting for a table at The Walrus and the Carpenter. Run by the same company as Walrus, they are smart to implement a bar next to their famous restaurant to accommodate people waiting for a table. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis and people cycle through pretty frequently. When your table at Walrus is ready, the hostess comes to you and gets you. When we sat down, we saw a huge bone-in jamon serrano looking right at us. It's cool how they hand-shave it right in front of you. That was a definite draw in my eyes so I had to order that with a glass of wine. Needless to say, it was fantastic. It wasn't too salty, has a ton of flavor and has minimal fat in the thinly sliced pieces. There are a number of craft cocktails on the menu for all of the alcoholics out there. A good selection if you ask me. Yes, there will be a wait when you decide to dine at Walrus and the Carpenter. The good news is that you can chill at the Barnacle Bar while you wait for you table so you're not just there twiddling your thumbs.
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Klarke C.

Yelp
I visited on a Friday around 5:45pm and was shocked it wasn't more crowded! The bar sits about 15 people and is tucked in a building behind Marine Hardware and next to sister restaurant The Walrus and the Carpenter. I was immediately greeted when I sat at the bar and the bartender was very helpful explaining the different beverages and recommended the house spritz. I also ordered the shaved Serrano ham, octopus terrine and Spanish sardines. Everything was delicious but the ham and sardines were my fave. The ham is carved freshly in front of you and the salsa verde that compliments the sardines is perfect! I can't wait to return to try other items on the menu
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Mark L.

Yelp
Always love to stop by! Small, good cocktails and spirits list. Just a great setup overall and worth the effort! Staff is courteous and food options are great! They also offer some really nice spirits flights!
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James A.

Yelp
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PLACE!! Cute little bar next to The Walrus and the Carpenter where you can get good drinks and order from a small menu of delicious food. The octopus we ordered was particularly amazing.
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Laura M.

Yelp
My drink had fruit flies in the bottom, it was not consumed and it was not removed from the bill. Poorly handled all around.
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Lynn H.

Yelp
We stumbled upon this place while trying to get a spot at the Walrus and the Carpenter. It's a cute little bar, with nothing else to the room except the counter - There's space to walk behind but not much else. There's beautiful painted tile behind the bar - Has a very Mediterranean feel to it. The bartenders were super nice and had a few recommendations. I opted for something with a coffee liqueur that the bartender recommended. I honestly wouldn't have gotten it otherwise; but it was absolutely delicious. Hubs got the old fashioned and really enjoyed it. We got an app of green olives to enjoy on top of the complimentary Utz potato chips. Good little snack before heading off to get more food!
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Sandee T.

Yelp
Barnacles is right next to Walrus & Carpenter... * PRE - Looong wait for our W&C dinner so we stopped next door into her sister bar * CMP - They have Lay's potato chips for each table, lol * DRK - Gabriel = quite dry with no frills * DRK - Fiano = dry and just what companion wanted * DRK - Grillo = smooth and recommended by bartender, as they do not have sweet whites * DRK - Dirty martinis & cocktails! Our new foodie companions went all-out for her birthday... * GET - Octopus terrine = 2 thinly sliced, beautiful presentation of octopus swimming in olive oil, quite tasty * GET - Bread (from Sea Wolf & Columbia City Bakery) = just b/c I was hungry and needed some carbs; plain, sliced, served with good olive oil * HAA - Huge Serrano ham leg is sitting out at the bar for all to view * YES - Quiet, modern-decor bar with friendly bartenders * YES - Fun times were definitely had with our new "drinking" buddies who had appreciation for sharing great foodie stories * YES - Offers small bites only, no full menu. Only stocks 1 of each liquor type so do inquire. * FYI - Only 1 large table at end, we happened to get it * FYI - Bar seating available * FYI - No reservations needed * FYI - Accepts credit cards
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Grecia A.

Yelp
Barnacle is a tiny little bar attached to Walrus & Carpenter. You can have a drink and small tapas while you wait for your table next door. Good selection of wines and cocktails. Pricey? yes!! Very quite place.
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Kaushik B.

Yelp
We went for dinner at walrus and carpenter and this place came as a surprise while waiting for the seating. They have custom made drinks by the bartenders . The drinks collection is super detailed. We are happy with the drinks we ordered . Bartender Craig is really detailed and helped us understand the drink ingredients.

Anne M.

Yelp
We weren't able to get a table at The Walrus and the Carpenter next door, but luckily were able to walk into Barnacle and get the only booth for four people. They have a very limited menu and we were only expecting to be able to order oysters, but they let us order scallops and steak tartare as well! This was a cute spot and the food was amazing.
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Jennifer M.

Yelp
I wish I would have read the reviews of this place before attempting to get a drink here while waiting for a table at a nearby spot. We could have saved ourselves the wasted time we spent sitting here. As soon as my group walked in and sat down we asked the bartender what time they were closing to make sure it wasn't too late (as we are restaurant people ourselves). We were told in a non super friendly way that they were closing things down but can make some things. She then handed us menus and walked away to help other guests. With our background of restaurant work, we are first and foremost taught customer service, which does not include making guests feel unwelcome. About 10 minutes later we had not been helped, either had a group next to us, so we left and found a great spot down the street where we received great service!
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Clint W.

Yelp
okay, this was a pre funkenstein before heading to dinner somewhere else. it was packed but timing was on our side, as a table opened up just as we were getting there. we talked about getting some nibbles, but you know, the fishies and stuff didn't do it for us. we were talked into trying them but i ended up passing. just not my jam. cocktails were fun, but i need some grub to sit down for a bit.
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Jesse C.

Yelp
Barnacle is the precursor to Walrus and the Carpenter. I say that only because this is the place you'll likely wait at before you're called to your table - and trust me, you will wait because everyone wants to get into Walrus. This little bar room holds its own though, as it is just as elegant as its sister-bar next door. It really has a charming feel that totally sets the stage for what you will get set to experience in a short while. Because it is the smaller bar, this is well suited for grabbing some aperativos along with some small bites. You can start an oyster platter or have a meat and cheese board. Either option would be appropriate here, but if you want neither, they'll supply you with some simple salted chips to snack on. That might end up being a little more gentle on your pocket anyway. We just had some wine and nibbled on those chips while we waited excitedly for our name to be called. Truthfully, that made for a good enough experience.
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Jen C.

Yelp
Next door to Walrus and Carpenter. Great place to wait for the restaurant to open and have a great drink or two. Small bar with limited bar seating but quaint and friendly staff and good ambiance. Drinks are solid and you can place your name in wait list for W & C and they will let u know when your name is called and you can move the drinks over.
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Linda N.

Yelp
Another great addition to the Renee Erickson collection! I love that this one is a more tapas style, cocktail themed place. When I'm wandering around the Ballard area, sometimes I just want to go to go into a place to get a drink and a snack and not have to commit to eating dinner. I went here with a friend and we got jabon (sliced right in front of us, as you can see in the picture!) and a few different types of cocktails. All equally amazing! Highly recommend if you're looking to cocktail bar hop!
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Beldina M.

Yelp
my friend loves amaro so he made us all go here. i'm not into heavy liquor but this place introduced me new flavors i've never experience before. bitter and sweet is exactly what this place is!

Mary Ann R.

Yelp
Creative cocktails, amazing service, beautiful patio--Tiffany and Amanda--the dream team--great times in dreamy Orcas! We will be back!
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Elizabeth L.

Yelp
Hidden gem, literally, tucked between Staple & Fancy and Walrus & Carpenter. A culinary aesthetic, Barnacle is proof of quality over quantity. Cozy, narrow bar with a sole back booth, now serving prix-fixe dinners. Friendly, witty bartenders know their aperitifs like Ballard knows plaid. Barnacle is a Negroni dream come true - an unabashed love affair with amaro. - Mussels on toast, cilantro pistou - personal favorite. Fresh, luscious mussels. An unexpected preparation and absolutely delicious. - Anchovy, calabrian chili butter - intensely savory, chili packs heat, butter to add balance - Duck liver mousse - indulgence nicely done - Octopus terrine, olive oil, lemon - stunning presentation, food as art. Incredibly thin terrine. Will be back for 1001 Negroni nights....flights.
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Christine T.

Yelp
Checked out Barnacle for drinks while waiting for a table at The Walrus and the Carpenter. The restaurant/bar is a cute intimate spot. It's dimly lit, great ambiance, and friendly bartenders. Definitely a good place to come for dates. They serve small plates/tapas. After perusing the menu we were very tempted to order but resisted since we were saving our appetite. The drinks were good. The bartenders definitely know their stuff here. Plenty of craft beers from around the world. Worth checking out if you're in Seattle.
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Brigid T.

Yelp
Really a beautiful bar, located right next to the Whale and the Carpenter. No windows, but with all of the white walls, its actually really bright and inviting. Recently went here on an early Sunday evening, because we saw on the menu outside the bar, that they had happy hour on Sundays from 4-7pm. We sat at the bar and the bartender greeted us and handed us menus. We asked about what the happy hour was and he replied that there was no happy hour. When we inquired about the menu on the door and he just said "Yup," and walked away. I felt that his demeanor was very curt and with myself working in the food industry, I understand that happy hours change, but a short explanation would have been suffice. The food menu is all small plates that the bartenders prepare themselves, so don't go in super hungry. We ordered the cured ham plate, which came with some pickled cherries. The ham was delicious! Barnacle has an extensive cocktail menu, with most drinks being $10 and over. They don't have any beers on draft, but they had three different Italian beers in the bottle. Overall the atmosphere is really upscale, but I felt that the staff was a little rude and the food and cocktails were a little pricey.
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Jean S.

Yelp
My husband and I had an hour to spare before our Staple & Fancy reservation, so we decided to spend it at Barnacle. It's a super cute space, and we were able to find spots at the bar easily. The turnover is fast at the bar, since it's mostly people having a drink while waiting for a table at Walrus & Carpenter. The staff was very friendly and helpful - assisting with the different cocktail options, humoring us to take a picture, serving drinks and food with a smile. Their small plates seem designed more for accompanying drinks rather than to eat a bunch as a meal. We ordered the anchovies with chili and butter served with saltines, and although my husband enjoyed it, I found the fish to be quite strong. We did order the Columbia City Bakery bread, and it tasted better with the bread than the saltines. The drinks are very creative and bitters-based. It was very cool to watch them make the drinks. Good wine and craft beer selection, as well. Overall, a great spot to wait for a table but not necessarily a venue for which I'd go out of my way to eat or drink.
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Katie B.

Yelp
Great bar. Awesome vibe. Serves potato chips for a little snack. I couldn't decide what to order so the bartender asked a couple of questions and invented something absolutely delicious on the spot for me.
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Barry B.

Yelp
I love this place for small plates. Anchovies & saltines, octopus terrine,serrano jamon. Great cocktails and wines, the best aperitivo bar in Seattle!
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Janine A.

Yelp
Seafood is great here and so are the drinks. Don't be silly, you absolutely need a reservation. Eat and drink everything.
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May S.

Yelp
Perfect spot for a Spanish themed HH & highly recommended ESP their hand shaved iberico ham & yummy Spanish cocktails
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Kim C.

Yelp
Such a cute place to get drinks with friends. I love the ambiance here. My friends and I were surprised when they gave us Lays chips to munch on with our drinks. I tried their Donna Brutta drink which was soooo good! We ordered the sliced ham which they freshly slice at the bar counter. The ham was salty and good!! It came with a sweet cherry relish which was the perfect complement to the salty ham. Many people come here as they wait for their table next door at Walrus and the Carpenter. They let you bring your drinks next door if you can't finish too :)
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Ab B.

Yelp
We came here as a result of a long wait at Walrus and The Carpenter (1.5 hrs). Barnacle is a small space with limited seating and by 6pm on a Saturday it was already pretty full. Even though we were seated at Barnacle within a few minutes, it ended up taking a while to get our drinks ordered. It also took quite some time to get our drinks delivered and checked in on. While we understood the handcrafted nature of the drinks (which were pretty good) and the small plates (we had the hand shaved jamón) they seemed a little short staffed for how busy the place was. While the above mentioned is to be expected at a busy spot on a Saturday what really got us in a mood was how rude and pretentious the bartender responded to a question my husband had about a drink. I had ordered a drink that was fairly boozy (I think the space cowboy) and flavorful but it came with loads of crushed ice thus causing it to get watered down quickly. My husband loves that flavor profile but wanted to see if he could get it served with a large cube instead of crushed ice so it wouldn't taste watered down. Rather than accommodating his request, the female bartender with a nose ring and glasses responded in a snarky way "why!? Our bartenders know what they're doing and they made it that way for a reason". My husband tried to explain he liked the flavor before it got watered down and she refused to ask the bartenders to make this accommodation and seemed annoyed we even asked. We know what we like. My husband is also appreciative of creative drinks and didn't feel like he was asking for something out of the ordinary since other well regarded cocktail bars are usually fine with it. EYE ROLLLL. After that she basically ignored us the rest of the night and it look even longer to get our tab. The entire ordeal cost us two hours and to be honest it was NOT worth it. While walrus and the Carpenter was still I good as I remember, I will definitely be skipping barnacle in the future.
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Jeff B.

Yelp
A rare 4.5 stars. We stopped in for a glass of wine on a Thursday about 9pm. (closed at 10pm). It is a bit difficult to find; the building has a different establishment in front. To find Barnacle, one needs to walk down a long hallway under the small sign toward the back of the building. Tips are automatically included in the bill, so no need to calculate. AMBIANCE: 4.5. Very pleasant to sit at the long bar as the stools are not crowded. Great as a couple. There is a also one table at the far end. Upon entering it appeared full, but we found several open seats after walking towards the back wall. Good indie-type music when we were there, at medium volume. Three of us were able to converse comfortably as we sat along the bar. Small chalkboard menus with the glass wines are set on the bar, and there is a separate fuller paper menu. SERVICE: 4.5. Excellent advice on the wines. Professional, prompt, friendly service. DRINKS/FOOD: 4.5. Excellent wine advice - I enjoyed my dark red (La Valentina Spelt) and my partner liked her slightly lighter red (Cabanon Augurio). The serrano jamon was very good. Next time we'll try a few more of the tapas.
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Krystle O.

Yelp
Awesome bar. Came here while waiting for a table at The Walrus and the Carpenter which is just across the way. Barnacle is this little hipster bar that has stools at the bar top and standing room across the walls. I ordered this chocolate-y tasting drink recommended by my waiter and it was delicious and very alcoholic, which was deceiving. It literally tasted like a girl scout Thin Mint cookie. Barnacle is a tapas bar and it very much reminded me of my recent visit to Spain. My boyfriend and I ordered the jamon and sardines with crackers. Boy, did we miss jamon. Loved the tapas and hospitality.
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Benjamin B.

Yelp
$15 for a terrible ice filled old fashioned. Who are they trying to kid here; at least Walrus and Carpenter is good.
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Rena D.

Yelp
This place is the bomb! Drinks are amazing, lots of interesting and unique cocktails. I felt like drinking from their kick ass wine choices but next time, I'm totally trying the option of letting the bartender make up a cocktail! This place is small but that's what I love about it! We went on a Wednesday night and got to meet the owner, he was so great, just another reason you have to check this place out. Tip: don't go here hungry, not much in terms of food but you can always head over to the Walrus and the Carpenter next door!
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Eric K.

Yelp
This is one of my favorite places to eat in the Seattle area. The jamon iberico dish changes slightly everytime, which makes it fun to order. Their octopus dish is also one of the best seafood dishes I've ever experienced. Their cocktails are also great; I especially like the Old Fashioned they make here.
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Amanda D.

Yelp
Be aware that this place is SUPER small. It's essentially a waiting area while you are in line for whales and carpenters. I liked the fact they serve canned sardines... even though it takes no effort in the kitchen.
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Flix N.

Yelp
These people take craft cocktails VERY seriously. Enjoyed watch. Great place to wait for you table next door. Awesome selection of unique appetizers.
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Veronica S.

Yelp
We popped into this little gem after our wonderful meal at the Walrus and the Carpenter. We were pleasantly surprised that they serve Lay's chips to everyone- a fun novelty but a good munch-on snack while you wait for them to craft your artisan cocktails! We tried a couple cocktails and really liked them all - they also can make something to your liking that's not in the menu if you know what spirits and flavors you love. The space is small but it's a pretty long bar that can fit a good amount of 15-16 people and the there is a table in the back that can fit a larger party. A perfect accompaniment to The Walrus, and perfect for an aperitif before dinner or a night cap right after your meal!
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Pauline O.

Yelp
Oh Barnacle, you're probably the only place that was not already planned out. We came to eat next door at Walrus and the Carpenter, but the wait time was 2 hours. The worker suggested a drink next door while we waited. Why not! We were greeted with smiles upon arrival & they also quickly went over their menu. The service was really attentive & friendly, especially the guy bartender. I was tempted to grab a little something to eat, but resisted since we were eating next door. The octopus was the one I was eyeing. They started us off with Lays chips & then we ordered two cocktails. I don't remember the names to the cocktails, but I posted the pictures!