Merchant's Cafe and Saloon

"SEATTLE Seattle’s Pioneer Square has no shortage of old ghoulish bars, but Merchants Café & Saloon may be its most historic. Dating back to 1890, the dive leans into its allegedly haunted past with a dusty padlocked bar downstairs that looks like a dungeon, a 19th-century portrait of a lady that may as well have eye holes cut out, and even a creepy doll. While the snacks are generally forgettable, it’s still not a bad place to sip on a local draft or stiff bourbon and ponder what spirits may be haunting the backrooms." - anne cruz

"Pioneer Square has no shortage of ghoulish old bars, but Merchants Café & Saloon may be its most historic. Dating back to 1890, the dive leans into its allegedly haunted past with a dusty padlocked bar downstairs that looks like a dungeon, a 19th-century portrait of a lady that may as well have eye holes cut out, and even a creepy doll. For scaredy cats, the best time to visit may be during the day, when the mellow street-level bar is usually filled with tourists and a few friendly regulars watching a game on the big screen. While the snacks are generally forgettable (skip the under-salted fries), it’s still not a bad place to sip on a local draft or stiff bourbon and ponder what spirits may be haunting the backrooms." - Gabe Guarente

"Billed as “Seattle’s oldest restaurant,” Merchant’s in Pioneer Square has some ghostly history. Back in the late 1890s, it served as a brothel and, according to legend, there’s still a “lady of the night” wandering around the premises. Since a private real estate firm recently purchased the property, now may be a good time to visit the old school dive. But given the city’s colorful past, Merchant’s isn’t the only active restaurant and bar with some supernatural vibes." - Gabe Guarente