Paper Fan Cocktail Bar
Cocktail bar · First Hill ·
Asian-inspired tea cocktails served in a stylish, intimate speakeasy
Asian-inspired tea cocktails served in a stylish, intimate speakeasy
"Usually, time spent at Biang Biang Noodles on Capitol Hill involves being facedown in a giant bowl of their mala-spiced beef dry mix—but take a moment and look up. Hidden behind red velvet curtains is an intimate loft space decorated with ornate lamps and delicate paper fans. While some of the bar's tea-infused cocktails are a bit medicinal tasting, the Lychee Blossom with green tea, gin, and lemon is light and refreshing. This place is also a fun non-dive bar option in the neighborhood for a first date. We’d just suggest making reservations—it gets busy quickly." - kayla sager riley, aimee rizzo
"A lot of bars try to stand out in lively Capitol Hill, so Paper Fan stands in — way in, deep inside Biang Biang Noodles. But there’s no doubt that this speakeasy is one of the best new bars in the neighborhood, and it’s had trouble staying a secret. In this brightly-colored space, all of the cocktails are infused with tea and are about as Instagram-friendly as it gets (ask about the one that “smokes”). Small bites round out the experience, though the focus here is definitely on the mixology. Seating is pretty limited, and it’s impossible to see how busy it is from outside, so reservations are wise." - Brianna Gunter
"A Seattle bar expanding the top-shelf conversation by incorporating less familiar liquors—most notably blending sorghum-based baijiu into the Game of Ming—helping to normalize spirits like baijiu, rhum agricole, and shōchū alongside classic gins and whiskeys." - BySam Stone
"An 18-seat Capitol Hill speakeasy evoking 1960s Hong Kong, draped in red velvet and decorated with ornate glass lamps and colorful fans in tribute to the co-owner’s grandmother. Snacks like Shin Ramen doctored with mapo tofu or mala beef accompany tea- and baijiu-forward cocktails such as the Game of Ming, which combines passion fruit, jasmine green tea, lemon, fruity baijiu and frothy egg whites; weekend reservations are essential for this intimate, transportive hideaway." - ByBon Appétit Staff & Contributors
"Usually, time spent at Biang Biang Noodles on Capitol Hill involves being facedown in a giant bowl of their mala-spiced beef dry mix—but take a moment and look up. Hidden behind red velvet curtains is an intimate loft space decorated with ornate lamps and delicate paper fans. While some of the bar's tea-infused cocktails are a bit medicinal tasting, the Lychee Blossom with green tea, gin, and lemon is light and refreshing. This place is also a fun non-dive bar option in the neighborhood for a first date. We’d just suggest making reservations—it gets busy quickly." - Kayla Sager-Riley
