Essex

If you’re in the Ballard neighborhood and looking for a cozy spot to enjoy some great cocktails, Essex is a solid choice. The atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, making it the perfect place to unwind or start your evening off right. The staff here is super friendly, and they’re not just about serving drinks—they’re genuinely passionate about creating a great experience. I usually like to ask for a bartender’s choice when I’m in a new spot, and Essex didn’t disappoint. Every cocktail I tried had a little creative twist, which is always a treat. While it’s a great bar to grab a drink at, it’s also a bit of a placeholder for diners waiting on their table for the restaurant next door, so you might get a mix of folks coming and going. It doesn’t take away from the vibe, though—it’s part of the charm. I’d definitely recommend Essex if you’re in the area. Whether you’re just grabbing a drink or hanging out with friends, it’s a great spot that I’ll definitely be returning to.

Sit at the bar and have a fantastic rye Manhattan while waiting for your table at Delancey. If you can't wait, spoil yourself with some of the best Buratta anywhere. One of our favorite things to do in Seattle.

We enjoyed a delicious glass of wine while waiting for a table next door. The bartender was quick and helpful and we enjoyed the easy standing and stool space outside. Thank you!

Went in for a casual date night on a Sunday. Our bartender Harlee and the kitchen was the most knowledgeable and helpful with some dietary restrictions and we were simply blown away. Best service we’ve ever had. Harlee made us the best drinks we’ve ever had as well. 11/10

This is a pet and human friendly place with straightforward cocktails and appetizers set up. The beautiful pizza smells are from the connected cousin next door but there's no dining cross over. However, the apps do not disappoint. We had the meatballs, burrata, and cauliflower. All flavorful, no competing over overpowering flavors or seasonings, and satisfying. That said, the complexity of their cocktails are incredible. I had the local botanical gin-based cocktail, Birch. Fantastic. A second will definitely hit you. 😉. I had a sample of the local gin neat. It's clean, slightly sweeter than a Gray Whale from CA. I would order the gin straight or the cocktail again. The team is incredibly nice! so sorry i forgot to take pics! i was hungry.

I want to like it, but they are understaffed causing poor service. The staff try but it’s not realistic with such low staffing/customer ratio. Drinks are ok. There are so many other cocktail bars to chose from. We have visited a few times, hoping it will be better, but now have taken it off our list.

Cocktails are fine and standard, but the service truly is abysmal. You will wait an indefinite amount of time for someone to acknowledge your presence here. I have sat at both the bar and the tables and had the same experience of waiting. I appreciate the community feel, but the fact that the sole bartender prioritizes talking with their friends annas taking personal photographs over serving you really isn’t cool. Especially considering the automatic 20% gratuity. They know they can do whatever and ignore you and give you poor service because they are gonna get tipped regardless. In all sincerity, do not go here if you are in a rush or if automatic gratuities upset you because you will be disappointed.

One of the best Negronis I’ve ever had. Truly. We popped in while waiting for our table at Delancey. Really lovely vibe, super friendly staff and the drinks … stunning.

A nice little bar (Essex), associated with Delancey. It's clear that the wait for a table at Delancey is frequently long, and they have wisely separated the bar area, and made it independent, so that waiting at the bar (Essex) wouldn't clog the front entrance of Delancey. We ordered munchies and drinks while we waited for our table at Delancey. The bartender / server knew we would be headed to Delancey in 40 minutes or so, and handled things well accordingly. We got a plate of olives (tasty, great finger food) and drinks. The Yonder cider was good, not too sweet. The Martini was tasty. I had two quibbles: The first was with the pricing: the martini was charged as two separate items: 1) gin (I suppose the charge varies by the kind of gin or vodka in your martini) 2) martini (which is apparently the non-vodka or or non-gin part of your drink) While I'm sure this makes it easier to track for the bartender and inventory, as well as for charging, as a customer, it's a little odd to have a mixed drink be a two-part charge. The second was the included 20% automatic gratuity. I don't object to the concept of a standard service charge, I just wish it had been more prominently displayed so that I wouldn't have added a 20% tip on top of that (and my tip was on the amount that included tax, service charge and drinks / food). So, buyer beware ... the service is good, the ambiance is nice, the food and drinks are good -- but the payment / billing is non-standard, and can cause unexpected surprises.

What a cute little cocktail bar! Super impressed with the level of originality and service from the staff. Unique drinks, exciting bites and very accommodating. We came here for drinks while we waited for a table at Delancey (next door) enjoyed some marinated olives and some Scotch. The place was empty when we got there when it opened and shortly after, was named packed! Would highly recommend!

We came here to have drink before dinner at Delancey. I ordered a delicious cocktail with mezcal and the perfect amount of hot pepper heat and sweetness. They don't have a ton of seating, but were able to accommodate us outside right away. We will definitely come back again to try more cocktails.

Came here for some drinks. Almost walked by this place because the sign isn't prominent or well lit. Bar is pretty bright with tables and a bar. It is connected to the pizza place next door. Service was friendly enough. My drinks were $13 each - $9 for Tito's and $4 for the mixer (Rachel's Ginger Beer). For the splash of ginger beer they put in the small drink, seems like a lot for a mixer. Would've probably been better off ordering a full Rachel's Ginger Beer and just ordering the Tito's in a glass with ice. I appreciate they have Rachel's Ginger Beer as it is good quality. The thing that irritates me is the 20% service charge, which they charge sales tax on which literally doesn't make sense to me. I almost always tip 20% so my issue is the way they charge it, they charge you sales tax on the drinks/food you order AND the service charge. Normally the patron should only pay sales tax on the drinks/food. For example, if I ordered exactly $100 of drinks/food pre tax, then I would get charged $10.10 of sales tax and $20 for 20% tip, and so the total out of pocket would be $130.10. However the way Essex charges is $100 food/drink, $20 service charge, and then sales tax on the total $120, so $132.12 total out of pocket. The servers don't get any extra money from this method, our despicable government just gets paid $2+ more or 2% extra sales tax for no reason at all. I know this doesn't seem like a big deal but things like that annoy me. Overall would be a fine neighborhood bar to visit if I lived nearby or if I was waiting for a table at the connected pizza place but this isn't somewhere that I would go out of my way to visit in the future.

A cozy place to have some drinks at while waiting for your table at Delancey. They share the kitchen and appetizers menu with Delancey. It is also perfect for a date night with the candles on the tables. We ordered couple of cocktails which were both great (sadly I can't remember the names but they had rye) along with burrata with pesto. The burrata was not the freshest but it tasted amazing with the pesto and pine nuts. It came with fresh bread. I would like to add that they add a 20% gratuity irrespective of the party size. I'll definitely stop by here again next time I'm waiting for a table at Delancey but would not come here otherwise.

Good place to snack and drink while waiting to get into Delancey for pizza. Great Negroni. Adequate plus service. Make sure you allow servers to clear table before sitting. Menu is mainly apps. Could pull off a first date here if looking for drinks and could energy.

We were waiting for our dinner seats and jumped into Essex for a drink. We were pleasantly engaged in a convo with a regular and we're serviced absolutely incredible drinks by Jono. HE IS AN INCREDIBLE BARTENDER. Essex is a delightful, neighborly, chill place!

A friend and I were going to dinner in the area and wanted to get a quick drink before our scheduled reservation. A quick search for bars pointed us to Essex. It's a small place with a lovely interior and a little outside seating. I ordered the Brooklyn burns ($13) which was strong and bitter and just the way I like my drinks. My friend ordered the piedrita ($13) which was not as spirit-forward and also nice. It was a super chill bar with nice ambiance and in a pretty quiet neighborhood. The outside patio is also pet-friendly!

One of my favorite cocktail bars in the area! The staff are always so welcoming and their concoctions are amazing! Since I live so close, I'm here pretty often and get something a little different each time I'm in. I can't remember the exact names of the cocktails, but dang, all of them are delicious. They have great bar food items, and I hear the burger is a must get. They are constantly changing their menu and offerings. In the past I've really enjoyed the fish sauce wings, chicken adobo, and big ass chocolate chip cookie. Essex is such a great date night spot! If you are on the fence about going, you should definitely just go!!

I'm glad this place is connected to Delancey so I can get a cocktail with dinner, but every time I've gone in while waiting the service is disappointing, even while sitting directly in front of the bartender.

This is a small neighborhood bar restaurant that is adjacent to Delancey (see my other review). So, it's a coin flip as to which place to frequent. That said, it's really kind of easy as Essex is a bit more hopping with a full bar and booths along the wall where there's quite a big happy hour business going on. I didn't have food so now review of food (yet), but it looks really good as they use Delancey pizza oven to put some great char on the burger I saw. The mixed drinks here are top notch and there's a really good vibe going on here where you'll feel relaxed and can stay for a while. The bartender is well trained and you get great drinks at just the right pace and strength. The only challenge is street parking, so you'll need to either campout and wait for someone to leave or circle around a few block radius to find one. Very congested neighborhood street parking so carpooling or using Uber is a smart move.

Good option for a small group if waiting for a table next door. The cocktail list has something for everyone, or trust the bartender like I did and be rewarded by something fab like a whiskey/amaro/all spice number. They know what they're doing here.

Have you ever had a hamburger cooked in a wood fire oven? At Essex they share a kitchen with Delancey Pizza and their wood fired oven. I've been reading about this burger for a few years and finally tried it out. The wood fired burger is $17 and comes with salad. $1 extra for pickles or aged cheddar and $2 for bacon. The 8oz grass fed Skagit River beef burger is simple with just some iceberg lettuce and 2 secret sauces on a grilled sesame seed bun. The ground of the beef is coarse and makes the burger taste more like chopped steak. The outside of the patty has a really amazing char. I'm probably not going to drop $20 on a cheeseburger regularly, but I'm sure glad I tried it. Since the burger didn't come with fries, I added the crispy roasted potatoes with homemade ranch and a homemade lemonade. Delicious! The potatoes are so crispy and creamy inside, with just a bit of sea salt and chives. Essex is a great bar, with a local, relaxed candlelit atmosphere. I enjoyed the service, however there was some mix ups in the kitchen which made the wait for our burgers about an hour. This place is super small, so come early or get ready to wait. Perfect for a drink or drinks while waiting for a seat at Delancey too.

This place is really alright!! Super small - PLUS Solid Cocktails - PLUS Some solid food - PLUS I think I will be back here many more times. Nice option on the North end. Seems to be a waiting point for neighboring Delancey so it gets a wide variety of patrons. Gets packed pretty early. Really worth the trip, not really anything I can be too critical about here!

Finally made it here, after years and years of walking by or just plain being late to dinner at D for pizza. Its a super small space, but we got lucky and found a table. It's dark inside and we had just closed dinner at Brunswick. So this was just a beverage run before breaking up and going home. We had some slushie, which packed a punch. Oh, and we grabbed a cookie, because....uh, we needed a balanced meal? Anyways, one of my friends had raw cookie dough. We didn't try any exotic cocktails. Okay, and maybe a nice resting place before grabbing pizza.

I knew a place like this existed in Seattle. I just knew it. Essex is a small super-club feeling bar that mixes fantastic cocktails and sports a somehow low-key, locals, yet pretty darned sophisticated Seattle crowd. Its a well-lit space, long and lean and with the feel of a skinny Victorian railroad flat, with a slim, narrow bar on the right-side of the long space, and small tables for couples and larger (six people probably max.) groups to the left. Its a tight, cozy fit once inside, but after you find your seat, it feels spacious, congenial, and just delightful. Perfect, perfect spot for a real conversation, cocktails, nibbles, ambiance and romance. Well-lit enough that it feels conversational and buoyant, not moody or overly mysterious. Food highlights include buttery, meaty Castelvetrano olives, cauliflower toasts, cheese and cured meats. Prices are towards the spendy side. A fantastic spot for the craft cocktail set to kick off a great date.

Charming neighborhood cocktail bar with gourmand bar snacks and friendly staff. Not sure why I waited so long to check out Essex, but better late than never. If you head to Essex while waiting for Delancey, beware Essex' charm, you might not want to leave! Essex' menu stands on its own and is by no means an afterthought: - The charcuterie plate with La Quercia prosciutto & coppa and Olympic Provisions salame is simply handsome, and I can never resist snacking on Castelvetrano olives (fave). - The cauliflower toast is well-constructed and nicely charred, making for excellent texture and flavor in each bite. - Say yes to the chocolate chip cookie with gray salt, you won't be disappointed. Cozy bar seats 15-20. Bartenders know a good pour and the cocktail program keeps it classy with Negroni, Manhattan and Americano. Or if tiki is calling your name, Hurricanes on tap. Draft list features local brews from Stoup, Reuben's, Hood River, Chuckanut. Last but not least, housemade bitters and shrub, RGB, Anthem cider, Slate coffee available because Seattle. Will be back!

-Post date night drinks. -$13.00 -Dealers choice; I asked for a drink with bourbon -Bourbon, cherry something, bitters. -Never having been here before I asked for the bartenders choice drink made with bourbon. Ended up being my favorite drink at the table vs the people I was with. The drink was maybe 6 ounces. My drink was mostly alcohol but was made very well so I didn't feel like I was drinking straight whisky. I definitely felt the buzz after one and would have been drunk after two. -The space is very small and every table is jammed in next to each other. The lighting is very dim and the music was just loud enough. -We went at 8:00pm originally but there was no seating so we went back at 10:00pm and had three small tables you ourselves. Would recommend going after a late dinner.

TIKI TUESDAY. I repeat. Tiki Tuesday. Essex is a cute little Italian food and cocktail place that just so happens to have the second best tacos in Seattle. I do have to say that everything was under salted, especially the guacamole which was a big disappointment. But their Al Pastor tacos (Set of 3 $9) set inside wood fired tortillas were a thing of beauty. Perfectly seasoned, not over dressed and nicely charred. AND YOU CAN GET A DRINK IN A PINEAPPLE WITH A FLAMING LIME. The tiki drinks are awesome, if a bit expensive. But don't expect a bunch of sugar syrup here. Everything was well crafted with very mature tasting profiles. Essex did a great job winning my heart with what seems like a gimmick but bodes well for the quality of their regular menu. I will be back!

Was told to dine at Delancey during my Seattle visit as I was staying at an Airbnb down the street. Stopped in and had an hour wait so we decided to go next door to Essex, I am happy we did. Essex is a very small, intimate bar, but full of life. Very busy at 8pm on a Saturday evening. My friend and I both started with the margarita, they have it on tap and it's fizzy. So strong and so great. I had the Hanky Panky next which was not for me but it looked very pretty. Since we were eating so late we got a cookie to share - do not pass this up! Definitely would recommend this spot.

Came here while waiting for Delancey. Drinks were decent, but waited 45 minutes for a charcuterie plate. See the picture attached, very disappointing. No cheese. The bartender said, "the guy is taking his sweet ass time" no apology. We tried to cancel it but he wouldn't let us. Go across the street to Tarasco, immediate service and much friendlier. Better prices.

I hate to write a subpar review especially because this is one of my go-to neighborhood bars--one I've been to many many times. But tonight's experience left such a terrible taste in my mouth I literally left and now sitting at a nearby establishment writing about my terrible experience. Essex is cute, small, intimate, and a great place to kill time while you wait for a table next door at Delancey. Walked in just before 6 (so not crowded) and sat at the bar while waiting for my party to arrive. Got served water right away and asked the bartender for a wet rag to wipe the sticky counter. He was rude in his response basically saying "move to another spot that's not sticky." WTF? I did not move and a gal came by eventually with a bad attitude and didn't even get the sticky spot. I've never experienced this type of service before. Ever. At Essex. So I left after there was no other acknowledgement of my existence. I can't say I wouldn't come back because I adore this place. I won't go if these two are working. Too bad. Such a great place otherwise. What happened to customer service?

My wife and I have been to this place twice now. Both times we had excellent drinks and food. Tonight we described what types of drinks we liked to the server. The drinks that came back were both interesting and spot on. The cauliflower app was really special and the burger was quite possibly addictive. I do think I'll wake up tomorrow thinking about it. It says it's famous on the menu. I'm not sure who said that first, but it's famous in our book. It's a 1/2 pound. We shared it. Not like other burgers. A great little spot. Looking forward to our third trip. Staff was super nice both times. Loved the music. Great atmosphere.

What a warm, inviting place! From jump, the staff were funny and accommodating. We sat at the bar and were greeted by all the staff and immediately attended to by a bartender. All of our drinks were tasty and the bartender offered great suggestions based on our favorite flavors. The food reminds you that are you still in the Brandon and Molly's world--yeah I'm on a first name basis with the owners...just kidding, never met them but obsessed with their food! You've gotta have the wings. They are tangy, spicy, and sweet. I may or may not have licked my plate. Then we had the brussels sprouts. They are roasted perfectly and topped with shaved cheese and a warm sriracha sauce. Get ready for my Essex bartenders, fully intend to come back and hope you just as many inventive drink options as you did tonight!

Came here for some late night drinks at 11pm and they said they were closing shop but were kind enough to seat our party for one round of drinks even though they were closed! Our group of 7 took a seat and we all ordered a round of drips. I don't remember what everyone ordered but all the drinks looked awesome! Would totally come here again. Next time, I'll document what I get.

I can't comment on the food... but the drinks were OUT OF THIS WORLD. Nick, our bartender, crafted cocktails like a boss. Tell him what you like, and he will use his skills to create something spectacular. Four drinks later, we were feeling great. We can't wait to go back and check out the food!

Tiki ....Taco....Tuesday??? My new favorite day!! I've heard about this night but when one has to work a hectic solo 12 hr shift on Wednesdays, drinking tiki drinks in a place not too close to home is not ideal. So glad I rallied!! The tiki drinks were the real tiki style deal. Check out my pics. The Curl in the Burl sips I took along with the Mai Tai and the low alcohol proof drink tiki drink the bartender made for me were phenomenal! I LOVED and LOVE this night of tropical getaway. The bartender is top tiki notch. Flashback to a few months later and another visit in between, the tacos there are great! the Fish ones are yummy and tend to sell out fast, the pork ones were tasty and the carne asada ones were fine. They have a special side dish I think because one night it was shisito peppers and another it was chicharrones. It's a tiny space but packed with so...much...tropical....fun. I need to get the shareable tiki drink that comes complete with giant flames on top one day when I don't have to work 12hrs the day after...Tiki Taco Thursdays perhaps?????

Pickle plate. Cocktails on tap. Always a sparkling rose on the menu. Amazing elephant wall paper (look closely). Did I mention pickle plate?

It's really hard to give such a low rating. I actually really like the bar and the drinks are spot on. However, our experience last night was so odd, that I had to give a review. My husband and I dropped in at 9:15 to grab a couple drinks. Like I said, their cocktails are solid. I've never had any issues, although usually the bartender is male. It wasn't too busy...maybe 5 other groups of 2. The female bartender with her hair piled high on her head (kinda like a unicorn) literally did not acknowledge us for 10 minutes. No menu, no water, no nod, no, "I'll be with you in a sec." Nothing. Were we invisible? She walked past us multiple times, but still nothing. WTF? After 10 minutes, we just walked out. The horrible service will keep me from coming back. Delancey will always have our heart, but Essex (as long as the shitty bartender is there) can suck it.

I adore Essex. It's my favorite neighborhood bar, not in my neighborhood. Whether it's gentle candlelit glow, the cocktails on tap, the outrageously tasty bites from Delancey's kitchen, or the friendly yet attentive service..I'M OBSESSED. (READ: don't everyone start going there and taking my seat at the bar.) I started going here while waiting for my table at the equally fabulous sister restaurant Delancey, but it's such a great experience all on its own that I've started coming in just to enjoy Essex. Whether it's a gorgeous summer day or a stormy Seattle night, Essex is the spot. Here's some tips on what to eat and drink: Food: - Wings...these are not your average bar wings. Full of smoky flavor, covered in a gorgeous Asian style glaze...YUM - Brussel sprouts...How does wood fire take these humble vegetables to little nuggets of flavor explosion. - seasonal toasts...they are hitting seattle like a craze, and Essex is bringing it strong. - SUNDAY NIGHT SNEAK: BURGERSSSSS!!!!!! Drinks: - Love the pamperol (sp?) one of the excellent cocktails on tap - Looooove the beer menu! You really can't go wrong! - Bartender's choice...tell him what you liek and prepare to smile The service here feels like friendly european. The first time you come you're guests, second time your friends...I'm working toward becoming part of the family!

A Review Haiku! The food was de-lish The ambiance is quite nice Bring your wallets though

Oh Essex, how I love thee. Here are just a few reasons: Friendly, neighborhood, bar where you can "become a regular". Handcrafted, custom cocktails made by bartenders who care about their product. (and yes - they might take longer to make than your average bar - but you're waiting (and paying!) for something you'll enjoy) Lots of options for delicious, wood-fired food or just a small snack like a pretzel or bread. (Please, get the Cauliflower Toast) Forget waiting for Delancey - we go only for Essex. I could go on - but the reasons above should be enough to get you there.

This is a great place to grab a drink and a light bite. The bar is small, but there is plenty of seating. It is basically the "waiting room" for Delancey. We came a little later in the evening and the bar, while still busy with Delancey patrons, had room to sit. They have a nice selection of drinks and snacks. The space has an old, well kept feel to it. Our drinks were made well; pricey, but good flavors. We ordered the chocolate chip cookie. We were given the option or cookie dough or baked. Those options led me to believe the cookie was fresh baked, but nope. We got a cold cookie that was a little over cooked. It was not that good. I think Essex is good for what it is a "waiting room", but I don't think it is worth the trip just for the bar.

Essex should try harder... It's basically a full-service waiting room for Delancy. The common 30-60 minute wait is perfect for people to swing over to Essex, have a drink (or two) and a small bite as you wait for your table at Delancy. You can even take your drink with you over to Delancy if a table somehow opens earlier. This is what we did, but even this brief experience at Essex left a bad taste in my mouth. My girlfriend and I snuggled up at the last two seats at the bar to order cocktails. Now, I understand, with a full restaurant and bartenders making craft cocktails, it could take a little longer. Drinks were good, but my issue was with the service. We ordered and a lady next to us ordered after us. She was by herself and obviously a regular/friend of the bartender. After a little while, the bartender produced my girlfriend's drink, then a little while later, the lady next to us got her drink, and finally, a little later my drink came. I would say it was a good 8-10 minutes. To me, this was definitely frustrating and incredibly inconsiderate of the bartender. The definition of horrible service. If you're going to Delancy, I would suggest walking around the neighborhood to kill time or even going to Tarasco across the street - you'll likely get better service there and a better value.

I only had one night to go out while home in Seattle this August, and I chose to spend it at Essex....BEST DECISION EVER! Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of Molly, Brandon, Delancey, and of course: Orangette. I cook from the blog, & A Homemade Life, on a fairly regular basis. I'm a little biased when it comes to these folks. That said: I am a foodie and a cocktail lover, and I live in NYC, where fancy cocktail bars are a dime a dozen. I really do appreciate the ambiance that comes with elegant cocktails, and Essex lives up to my standards, even surpassing them in some regards. My best friend and I came in and took a seat at the gorgeous bar on Saturday evening at around 8:30 p.m. From the moment we sat down, Niah, the bartender, was friendly and attentive. We asked him about the cocktails and he made some recommendations. I ended up with the T-Dock (tequila, watermelon, pixie tangerine liqueur, lemon, egg white, and salt) and my friend had Red Medicine (Rye, Delancey fernet, Rachel's ginger beer, rhurbarb). Both the cocktails were fantastic. I loved the combinations of sweet and savory. Niah also gave us a couple samples of house rye and house fennel liqueur, which were fantastic. I love that Essex makes its own bitters! I had to try one of the pickles, so I went with pickled fennel. UNBELIEVABLE. It was aromatic and tangy, the perfect balance of pickled & sweet. I would order the pickled blueberries next time, too - I'm intrigued! Essex, I may live in NYC, but next time I come home to Seattle, I'll stop by for an evening.

After a recent streak of cocktail bars with sub-par offerings, my wife and I went with a few friends to Essex for food and drinks, and I must say, it was a breath of fresh air. Over the course of 3 or so hours, each of us had a handful of their cocktails and three or four small plates, all of which were delightful. Cocktails are all made with carefully thought out ingredients and prepared masterfully. People can rave about Cannon as much as they want, but honestly, from what I have tasted, I would choose Essex every time (taboo to say, I know - but the truth nonetheless). The food was right on the same level as the drinks. As mentioned before, we pretty much ordered the entire menu and were not disappointed by any of the choices. I loved the bespoke decor as well as the service, which was the perfect mix of attentive but not the "In your face" feel that so many restaurants err on the side of these days. Bottom line: For top-notch cocktails and food without the pretentious atmosphere, Seattle doesn't get much better. Highly recommend.

Great burgers and drinks. Easily best burger in Seattle My experience was phenomenal with great service and food

If I had to write a love letter to a restaurant Essex would get the vote. We just returned from vacation in Seattle and Essex was on the list of "places to try". We fell in love from the minute we saw its location. It is almost hidden and has that tucked away feeling (which we love) not to mention the cozy and local atmosphere that almost begs you to stay awhile and enjoy yourself. Food and drink: both excellent. Well crafted cocktails, sodas (if you don't drink don't despair, the non-alcoholic offerings are brilliant), and the food is quite good. My favorite by far was the cauliflower toasts with harissa and pinenuts. I can't wait to attempt to recreate this at home but it won't be the same. C'est la vie. By far, one of the best restaurants in Seattle and lord, there are too many to choose from but this is definitely a favorite.

Delicious pork shoulder and of course, cocktails. I don't even read the menu. I just ask the bartender to make me something I'll like, and I always do.

We sampled a handful of their drinks over the course of an evening and all were delightful, never overly sweet or harsh. The house sazerac is really fantastic. Service is a little on the slow side, I do agree with other reviewers on that. We look forward to returning for tiki tuesday!

We've lived right down the street for a couple of years now and their Tiki Tuesdays have always been a beacon of yum for an easy mid-week meal. No more! They recently changed their selection for Tuesdays to emphasize the 'Tiki' part instead of their really well-made tacos, and what's left was really quite startling. My husband got the only taco selection they still had left and it wasn't even mediocre; it was just plain bad. First, it took over 30 minutes to get the tacos. They've shrunk in size, the lettuce looked like the type of lettuce you get on a school lunch, and the cheese they put was in large COLD (not even room temperature or lukewarm) chunks just haphazardly placed on meat that tasted like what you'd prepare at home with a taco packet. The mushroom quesadilla I had was mediocre at best. This was especially disappointing as the tacos they used have were beloved by many other frequenters of their Tiki Tuesday. They were varied, well-made, and of quality ingredients. Unfortunately no more. We won't be returning.

Great atmosphere. Delicious drinks. Tasty cauliflower app. Yum. Will go back. Yum yum

Long anticipating the opening, I was delightfully happy to see my expectations met when popping in for a nightcap with friends on my birthday. We snagged a table next to the front window - how cozy with it pouring rain outside as the candles flickered onto the shiny street outside. An intimate bar, we had a lovely waitress who was attentive and super helpful in deciding on cocktails and small plates. What fortune to be in our neighborhood - a new favorite!

Amazing! Came here before pizza next door and had what might be the best baked oyster of my entire life. So good. I love the way this place was decorated. The mood was calm but fun. Will definitely be going back!

We went to neighboring Delancey last weekend expecting that we'd be killing some time over at the local dive, Tarascos, while we waited for our table. We were very excited when we heard that we had an alternative, Essex! The atmosphere is very cool and clean. It almost feels like an old industrial pharmacy with hand labeled mystery jars filled with interesting delights. The taps, tile, tables, shelving, glassware, lighting all carry a similar vibe. There are plenty of small tables and seats at the bar. They have a unique cocktail menu. We only tried a couple but both were really tasty and different from anything we've tried before. We didn't think we'd eat since we were saving room for pizza but when we saw the menu, we couldn't resist trying some nibbles. The pretzel was delicious and the cheese options and accompanying compotes were yummy and came in generous portions. We really want to go back to try some of the larger plates because they looked delightful! The service is spectacular and familiar from Delancey; friendly, knowledgeable and attentive without being annoying. I only have a couple of minor complaints that keep me from a 5 star rating. The tables are very close together. Community drinking/dining doesn't bother me but they are so tightly packed that it's really hard to get to the bench that runs behind them... particularly if you have a decent sized booty :). Also, while we really enjoyed the drink menu and cocktails we tried, I do wish that they offered more varieties of liquor - maybe something with vodka? Overall, Essex is SO much more than a place to wait for your table at Delancey. It can definitely stand on it's own and I'm very happy that there is another great drinking and dining option in the neighborhood. We'll be back soon.

I've only had the pleasure of visiting Essex twice, but was happy with both experiences. I've tried three cocktails, all of which were creative and delicious...the bartenders there know what they are doing! I'm especially fond of cocktails with whipped egg whites, and the T-Dock and Private Eyes exceeded my expectations (not to mention, I was pleased during my last visit that they were mixed and delivered in three minutes flat in spite of a full-house of patrons). The Peter Falk, not an egg white drink, was also incredible...flavorful and smooth. Food delights included Saucisson sec cured meat, Mt. Tam cheese, bread and red onion-currant chutney, and marinated fennel with Burcheron cheese. I'd like to see some additional "plates" on the menu, especially some in the $10-$14 range, and perhaps a couple salads, but I certainly didn't suffer with my "multiple snacks for dinner" spread. An employee walked by with a plate of pork shoulder and a side of grilled spicy peppers (I can't remember the specific name of those little guys) that he's had prepared for his own dinner during a break. He saw us drooling as he walked by and let us each steel a pepper off of his plate. They were divine and I wish those were regularly on the menu as a side. The pork looked amazing too--juicy and flavorful--but there just wasn't enough room in our bellies to justify an order. Our server was the sweetest thing around; she was approachable in spite of clearly being busy and seemed eager to offer suggestions. Seating is definitely a pain, especially when it's crowded, as there is hardly any room between tables to squeeze onto the main bench that runs along the wall (much less space on the bench to set down a purse or coat). Props to the server though who recognized the issue and said it is just fine to scoot tables as needed to comfortably get in/out. :) The space itself is intimate and charming. I mean, really, I was sold upon seeing that whale wallpaper, marble bar, and rows of masking tape labeled mason jar containing boozy brilliance. Things do tend to get pricey pretty quickly--our small plates and three cocktails came to a bit over $70--but the ambience, service, cocktails and food are just so good...

Went here last night and have been here before. Beautifully laid out with terrific selection of booze and food. Had the cauliflower app which was terrific. I really want to like this place more but the acoustical design is a nightmare. Loud. Loud. Loud. Had a few drinks which were really tasteful. We suspect one of the drinks was missing one impt ingredient- bourbon. We learned of this only after ordering and receiving a second of the said drink and the comparison was obvious. We chose not to say anything to the bartender- he looked bothered that we were even there. This is a place of convenience so going back there is tbd.

Outstanding! I went here with a group of friends and was delighted. Each drink was better than the last and the food was tasty. One major bonus was the staff - they were just perfect. Enjoy!

I go to Essex frequently. I live in the neighborhood so it's a short walk. It's a beautiful bar and the drinks are good, if not just a little precious. The food is tasty...the burger delish. What I don't understand is the attitude of the bartender. I brought a friend in the other night and she even commented on how he doesn't seem to like having patrons in there. He doesn't make even casual conversation and when we asked about a drink on the menu he just read exactly what was printed on the menu...didn't even try to describe it further. I've worked in the service industry for years and I get when you have a bad day, but this is a consistent attitude and it's uncomfortable to be around.