Retro Restaurant & Lounge

Nice little hole in the wall bar downtown. Away from the hussle of everyone in the heart of downtown. Just a short walk from the busy area of Pikes Market. Food was really good! Portion size was just right. The only bummer was we felt our onion ring portion was really small. But overall, the food was really good! We had fish n chips and burgers, I had the Mushroom and Swiss burger. The clam chowder soup was delicious!

The situation: 2 VERY sleep deprived adults and 2 teenagers.... all 4 can't agree on what sounds good for lunch We arrived in town an hour ago at nearby hotel and searched for a lunch place... Wife found this and it seemed to have a bit of something for everyone. The review: my 17 y/o son and I are passionate about burgers and enjoy trying them at places that claim great burger status. Retro doesn't toot their own horn too loudly about it, but very casually State in the menu that the beef blend is fresh daily from Pike's.... They should be more proud of this burger! Full disclosure I love condiments.... I sometimes use food just as a way to get condiments to my face as it is socially unacceptable to just drink shota of BBQ sauce or wing sauce. The basic burger here comes with just mayo, lettuce, dill slices, tomato, and I got grilled onions on it. They do not try to overwhelm you with an oversized burger to make up for lack of content, they serve you a generously portioned patty ( as thick as my fat thumb) that is cooked to a Perrrrrrfect medium/medium rare.... From edge to edge, not just in the middle, it is perfect (see photo). I took a few bites fully expecting to be grabbing my favorite red and yellow burger condiments for the rest of it, but I didn't. The seasoning and flavor of this patty beg you just to let it speak for itself and it does so. Fries are quite good as well, and it all paired on this 81 degree day with one of their house raspberry lemonades (adult version) perfectly. The wife had a chicken Caesar, and we would also recommend the BLT and onion rings. It's casual. They have great local beers and a full bar. Pool tables and TV's... Check and check. Highly recommend you get your lunch burger fix here anytime! And a special thanks to Floyd the bartender for his guidance and stekar have behind the bar!

Chill place to grab a drink and relax. The prices are much more reasonable than other places in the area. They're open late throughout the week and have a free pool table. The place could use some work though. The pool table room has holes all over, and just looks a little raggedy.

I like to stop by this place because it's around the corner from The Moore Theater. Give yourself extra time if ordering food as the kitchen is on the slower side - they have some signage posted about this. Prices are decent for Seattle. I paid $25 for two draft beers and a BLT with fries.

Nestled in the heart of Seattle, Retro is the dive bar you didn’t know you needed but absolutely can’t afford to miss. From the moment you step through the doors, you’re greeted with a vibe that’s as unpretentious as it is welcoming. This place isn’t just a bar—it’s a community. **Highlights? Oh, where to begin.** Free pool? Check. Whether you’re a seasoned pool shark or just shooting for fun, the tables are always buzzing with friendly competition. The drinks? Legendary. Whether you’re grabbing a classic cocktail, sipping on a cold beer, or indulging in one of their creative concoctions, Retro delivers without fail. And let’s talk about the service—seriously, it’s next level. The bartenders have mastered the art of making you feel like a regular, even on your first visit. But what truly makes Retro special is its heartbeat: the locals. This is *the* spot where neighbors, friends, and newcomers collide in a symphony of laughter, good music, and shared stories. You’ll hear tales of people stopping in “just for one” and leaving hours later with memories—and maybe even a new friend or two. Retro is more than a bar; it’s an experience. It’s where you come as you are, stay as long as you like, and leave knowing you’ve been part of something special. Don’t just take my word for it—come see why Retro is the soul of Seattle’s nightlife. You’d be missing out big time if you don’t. Cheers to great vibes and even greater times! 🍻

The atmosphere was comfortable, with a great friendly vibe. My salmon salad and hand cut French fries were delicious. Good cocktails. I understand they make nearly everything from scratch too. I’ll be back!

Went to this place for the first night of a vacation and the food was DELICIOUS! The guy serving was really nice, and the atmosphere was a little grungy in a fun way! There was pool in the back game room (though we didn't play), but the sandwich I had was delicious and my wife said her burger was fantastic. I would love to go here again next time we're in Seattle!

One of the best restaurants ans bars Seattle has to offer. Love this friendly hospitable staff who feel more like family. All of the food is made from scratch fresh daily. The burgers are my absolute favorite. Awesome beer selection. Ready for my next Retro adventure. Keep up the great work.

This is the dive bar you are looking for! The service was fantastic! The bar tender made us a variety of drinks and was super friendly. The music selection was awesome! We were singing along to so many great tunes. Great vibe, great service, great drinks!

The staff is super friendly and the food is delicious. Very chill vibe. Went in a Monday afternoon, it was quiet, the food came pretty quick and the staff was super attentive.

Stopped by for a quick bite. Upon walking in you can instantly smell cigarette smoke which I didn't care for but it is actually more of a bar. We shared a taco salad which was pretty good the customer service was good as well.

While visiting Seattle, I was looking for a more laid back, low key bar to grab a few drinks. We found the Retro restaurant near downtown that's a bit of a "hole in the wall." Do not expect upscale or even moderately; but for drinks, bar food/ small bites and a quick game of pool, it's a nice stop. We had nachos and regular non-crafted cocktails.

Oh my heavenly hamburger. Happened in just in time to order on a Sunday night and so glad we did. Had an amazing IPA and cheeseburger. It was seriously the best burger I've had in forever and great service too! Highly recommend!

A great local bar with "home cooked" meal food. To start, the atmosphere is lively and there are tables as well as bar seating. The drinks were crafted perfectly and the service was spot on. As far as the food goes, the mozzarella sticks were fresh and crunchy, the meatloaf slider (my favorite) were delicious and the taco salad was a good portion and fresh. Overall, no complaints here. There is a pool table in the back as well as a juke box. If you wanna stop in for a couple drinks or some bites, it's a good low key choice.

We checked Yelp for the nearest dive bar and this gem was in walking distance from our hotel and post dinner at the Hot Pot place... too full to eat more but thirsty for a Stoli Blueberry in soda with lemon. Cozy and quaint. Felt safe inside when someone came in unruly. The walls are decorated with famous paintings, movies and musicians. This place is the longest living old bar in Seattle.

The homemade chili is very good. Just a suggestion! Ask for sour cream if that's what you like. It is a bit spicy.

The food is worth the wait. I tried mom's meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a salad. It was good. My friend tried the hamburger and fries, she enjoyed the burger and fries-hand made patty. The lager was very good. The service was good but it did take a while for our food to arrive. It's a dive. Sit in the dining room not the bar. Would I eat there again? YES!! Not recommended for children.

Pretty much a dive bar. Slow service. Mediocre food that took forever to be delivered and it was not what was promised in menu. Speciality drinks were good, but they didn't know if they could handle simple drinks like a Manhattan, Old Fashion, etc.

We were running out of places to eat on our trip with kid friendly menus and decided to give Retro's a try with our two year old. It was about 5pm on a Sunday so they weren't busy - our burgers and nachos came out before our child's quesadilla which took at least another 7-10 minutes. We also ordered potato skins that were brought out after all the food was, not as an appetizer. They also did not have high chairs or boosters - moral of the story: I highly recommend going elsewhere if you have smaller children. On the plus side, the food was actually pretty good once it finally came out.

I'm not going to lie when we came up to this place and saw a mostly empty restaurant on rainy Monday afternoon, my partner and I almost immediately started looking for other places to eat. Not because this place was creepy or anything but because it just felt like a bar for locals and older guys getting their beer on. After a couple minutes of anxious scrolling we gave up and were like fuck it how bad can it be. We sat and ordered our food, chatted for a bit and slowly succumbed to the charm of this place. The bartender took our order and was extremely sweet and kind to us, something I'm realizing there is absolutely no shortage of in Seattle. When the food came I lunged at our mozzarella sticks and unintentionally did one of those cinematic cheese pulls trying to split the damn thing in half. That bite was heavenly. It was such velvety cheese. So, so delicious. Our burgers after were a wonderful compliment and we sat there just staring at each other with full bellies. I noticed the pool table behind us and the waitress mentioned it was free so we waddled over to the back and I had my partner order us a beer. I had so much fun. This place will now live as a memory of "the good days".

I usually try to find a good dive bar when traveling. Sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it's a miss. Retro was out of the park. The food was so good at amazing prices. We had a party of six and we're seated immediately with our drinks ordered. The cheese sticks and onion ring apps were very good and some of the best onion rings I've had in a long time. The chowder was so good with tender whole clams and hunks of potatoes, defiantly homemade with fresh ingredients. The burger was huge on a soft, sturdy bun. Even well done as I like it was tender and juicy. My wife had the fish n chips that were tender and perfectly fried with homemade tarter sauce. Local beers on tap were cold and tasty. Service was friendly and spot on with great tunes playing in the background. Find another place where dinner and drinks for six is well under $200. Love, love, love!!!

Overall pretty mid/average place. The lowest rated in our Seattle tour for sure. Beef taco salad was underwhelming, burger was decent, and onion rings were okay. We were one of the only folks in the place, very chill. Attentive and kind waitress. Just not great food flavors. Wouldn't recommend.

Good food, nice atmosphere not really that busy, but the waiter and bartender was really friendly. I'd eat here again!

I love dive bars and as rule seek them out, but generally they have something awesome that draws you in. This place wasn't dive bar status just a place with bad food, terrible drinks and even worse service.

Not good, as soon as you walk in you are hit with that sewage smell that seems to be in a lot of places by the harbour but this was overwhelming, could have just been the day. Server was very nice and prices were very reasonable but the food was crap. I had the club sandwich with the greens salad. Sandwich was ok but barely any chicken. The "greens" salad was very bitter romaine lettuce, that's it, no other veggies. I asked for blue cheese dressing and my friend got ranch, you couldn't tell that either of our lettuce had dressing at all it was just like creamy nothing. She had quesadilla, small portion but it is on the small plates menu. The place was kind of dirty too, maybe try a burger if you go, the people next to us had burgers and they looked good. No pics sorry.

Stopped in here for lunch on a Monday around noon. There was only one other person in there and I was relieved because the more touristy areas were packed. There was only one server working but that seemed fine since there was only two total parties there but I'm not sure what would happen if there were a few more people. The food was pretty tasty. We had nachos and a plate of fries to share. The nachos were a little lacking in cheese for my preference but there was plenty of other toppings and sauces. The fries were perfectly seasoned and a great texture. I didn't have any alcohol so I can't say how good those options would be. But I recommend giving this place a try if you want to go a little out of the way of the tourist areas.

We stopped by for a quick dinner and got the chicken sliders with fries. The chicken didn't taste seasoned at all. The fries were solid. It was cheap but it tasted like something you could slap together at home in 2 minutes. All in all, wouldn't go back-- for the food anyway. We didn't get drinks, so we can't speak on that.

We ordered a variety of items, each with varying degrees of complexity. We waited nearly an hour to less than appealing entrees. We chose this place as a fun alternative and needless to say it was below expectations. Give it a try I suppose and potentially prove all of us wrong.

The atmosphere was cozy, and the service was prompt and friendly. The highlight was undeniably the food--fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. The menu showcased a creative selection, and each dish surpassed expectations. A must-visit for anyone seeking a satisfying and enjoyable dining experience.

Great, chill spot with good food. We stopped in here right after arriving in Seattle and this was our very first taste of the city. Walked in here to the sound of an intense game of trivia. Sat down and ordered their signature burger with my own additions such as blue cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, and some other good stuff. It was amazing. Cooked a perfect medium rare and came with a great, soft bun. Even the fries were awesome. Really pleased. Retro definitely has a casual and fun vibe to it. That matched with some solid food and beer, it's hard not to want to stop back in here when you're craving a burger.

Could not have been better. Had the fish and chips. Wife had the quesadilla and salad. Both. Superb. Highly recommend.

Excellent delicious burgers. Huge 1/2 pound very tender meat. Great clam chowder. Nice clubhouse sandwiches too. Super friendly service. Simple dive bar location. Nothing fancy. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Kitchen closes just before 8 so order early.

This is what Seattle used to be like. Belltown in the early 90s. Not in a retro, trying-to-be way. I love love love love this place. Awesome bartender-Nick. Good burger. Great feel.

Retro exceeded my expectations in every way. Not only did it offer a laid-back, cozy atmosphere, but the food was surprisingly delicious. The menu boasted an array of comfort foods that were cooked to perfection. What truly stood out, though, was the impeccable service. The staff went above and beyond to make sure my experience was enjoyable. If you're looking for a hidden gem with great food and outstanding service, this dive bar is a must-visit! Donna,Jeff and Chris were the best!!!!!

Great spot for beer and bar food downtown. We were happy to stumble upon this hole-in-the-wall with ample stylish seating and a decent amount of pescatarian / vegetarian options. Bartenders were funny and always attentive, great service!

The food & cocktails were excellent, ambiance was great, and Morgana was super friendly and helpful.

She was very friendly person , fast,smart and clean Food was very delicious and also everything was fresh I love this place

My boyfriend and I stopped in after walking around Pike Place and the food was amazing! As we were waiting for our food there were lots of people who came in that seemed like regulars and it seemed like a great community comes and goes. Definitely would recommend stopping by :)

I was very pleasantly surprised by the food at this VERY casual establishment. We sat in a room where everyone was drinking and having a fabulous (and loud) time. Might have just been because it was Saturday night. Every table was occupied. That made the experience less than ideal but the service was excellent and the food.... I had their hot meatloaf sandwich (with melted cheese and marinara on a lovely large, soft, lightly toasted hoagie roll.) It came with delicious, flavorful fries and the sandwich itself was huge. I NEVER, EVER clean my plate OR eat all the fries that come with my entrees. But last night I did! Every bite of the BIG sandwich and every single french fry. First time ever, I swear. My dining companion had a BLT and fries and the same experience as me. We both highly recommend the Retro! Don't be scared off by its appearance. Enjoy!

Appears to be a upclassed dive bar. But don't let looks deceive you. This place has a small menu. But very good. They say it's all fresh and some ingredients even from the Pikes Market. I believe it from the taste. It takes a little longer to get your food but worth the wait. Have another beer while you wait. I ordered a dog and fries. Wrapped in bacon and nice bite. Fresh cut fries were awesome. Wife got a half order of nachos. I helped her finish them off. Those were good too. Can't go wrong here.

I am absolutely disgusted with this establishment and hope that no one spends their time or hard-earned money here. I picked up my carry-out order only to realize it wasn't the food we had ordered. I tried to bring it to the attention of the staff but was ignored and unable to do so. I went home with food we couldn't eat extremely upset. My husband took it upon himself to call the restaurant and give them the opportunity to make things right believing that it was just a mix-up in the orders. He even gave them the opportunity to just remake the food instead of requesting our money back. The staff apologized profusely over the phone and invited him to come in and pick up the correct order. So my husband tried to do just that only the second he walked in the door everyone's attitude changed. All of a sudden some woman appeared from behind him and started to accuse him of lying. She asked if he was the one who had made the order, and my husband said yes not thinking to remind them that I was the one who picked it up. The woman then went on to say how that wasn't possible as they weren't open on the day he said he had called in, essentially calling my husband a liar. When he asked if she was accusing him of lying, something anyone would have done. She said, "No, I'm not accusing you of lying", and then stated for them to cancel the order. Three things come to mind here. 1. My husband could have easily gotten the days messed up and not said the correct day of the week when he called. 2. Why would they apologize profusely over the phone and say for him to come down to pick up the order if they weren't open that day? 3. Obviously they are a very unprofessional and prejudiced company. If they had not focused on what my husband looked like they would have remembered it wasn't him that picked up the food originally it was me his wife, so they wouldn't have recognized him when he arrived to pick up the remade food anyway. All I can say is that this is a very disgusting turn of events and not only will I be sure not to ever patronize this company again but I will do my best to make sure no one else does either. The world is full of hate right now and I refuse to idly sit by and allow it to happen to me or my family. I hope no one else has to endure this level of bigotry especially when just trying to do the right thing and let the company correct the mistake they originally made. Needless to say, my husband left without the food and without our refund. We will be seeking legal guidance in this matter.

What a FANTASTIC neighborhood locals spot! If you're looking for a place where the service is amazing, food is amazing, and everyone is friendly then this is your place! I can't give this place enough stars!!!!!

I went in because it seemed like a hole in the wall. It is. Absolutely. Bartenders were charming and funny. Attentive. Food was amazing. Everyone is family. Or will be if you hang out for a minute. Cathy, Skylar, Nick, thank you for a good time. I will definitely visit again. If I'm allowed.

The place is more like a hole in the wall and has its charm. Very simple and straightforward with good drink selection and some food options. Bonus - a game room inside the bar. Pretty cool.

This is a hidden gem! Best burgers and service in Seattle. Music rockstar art and motif is a venue alone. Coldest beers on tap and central to your next destination. Supporting small businesses always a plus

I was disappointed. I thought this place was going to be more over the top retro and not so divey. Not that I have a problem with dives, it's just not what I expected. Worse of all it stunk of cigarettes. Not appetizing at all and started to irritate my sinuses. Seems like a good place to drink and apparently smoke!

Looked up this place on yelp for some good, not overpriced bar food in the area. As we got in the bartender, bald dude with a beard, greeted us and welcomed us. Great sense of humor instantly which makes life just easier in my opinion. As we read over the menu he gave us a few suggestions and we went for them. My wife ordered the hot wings and a salad. They were hot af, just the way she liked them. I decided to have the potato skins and meatloaf hoagie (which came with fries) They advertise that the food is freshly cooked and we could see from our table that was the case. As he brought the food our way, I asked him for ketchup, and out of his pocket he pulls out a bottle!!! BUT... it was HUNTS... I was like 'dude, it's Hunts' and he looks at and says, "what? Do you want me to go to the store and get you a bottle of Heinz57??" I looked at him squarely in the face and said... 'dude that would be awesome' My wife and I started eating and would you freaking believe it... five minutes later he showed up with a bottle of HEINZ57!!! Food-10 Atmosphere-10 Service-50 Hunts-1 Bottle of Heinz57 from the nearby market... PRICELESS. *HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.

This wasn't exactly what I was thinking when I wanted good local fare, but the place was close, the reviews were good and although when we walked in, it was nothing what we expected or thought we wanted. But, we took a seat in the corner by the window, we ordered a couple beers and proceeded to check out the menu. Since everyone was raving about the burgers.......that's what we had. And. They. Were. Really. Good. Like, so good, my husband said it was just as good as his favorite burger spot at home. Well, that's saying something. I had the burger with cheese and giant onion rings. My husband's was cheese and bacon. I had a side salad with mine. He had the fries. Very good. Nice folks. Better than we expected, although still a little divey. Someone said clean dicey, but not so clean to me.... Still enjoyed our meal.

The bartenders are awesome and the food is delicious. There is pool and a tv in the back. A must to visit.

Great service, great food, great prices. Chill vibe, and would definitely come back. Worth coming in for, and can't beat free pool table.

Fun place to stop on the way to my bus. Other places around are too touristy, this is just right.

Junk bar, advertised as open until 2am, tried to walk in just prior to midnight, was yelled at "We are closed" before even crossing the door threshold. Not allowed in even though the rest of our friends were inside. While standing outside waiting for friends to pay their tabs a group of regulars smoking told us a sob story about how the bartender had been hit by a truck a day earlier and this was the reason for the early close. When we mentioned maybe you go to the hospital or maybe don't come to work after being hit by a truck we were judged to be lacking empathy, Seattle has medical leave, use it, not an establishment I will ever attempt to patronize again. I do not lack empathy, if you are injured go take care of it, but don't expect others to make accommodations for you then tell them they are "savage" because you didn't handle your business. The Seattle freeze is in full effect in this establishment. Must have thought we were tourists, tried to send us to Belltown or the market, nah bro not at midnight on a Tuesday.

My friend and I had dinner here last night, my second restaurant meal post-pandemic now that WA State is fully open. What an absolute delight. Delicious high-calorie, high-cholesterol food that I hadn't had in ages. I felt like I was in a buttery, cheesy, salty heaven. Grilled cheese with bacon and a side of french fries - couldn't be better. The bartender / server was great, too. We had fun talking about the bewilderment of people just emerging again based on *my* floundering around when I arrived - where do I sit, where are the menus, do I order at the bar? He helpfully guided me through my confusion. All in all, a fabulous evening with great food and entertaining conversation.

So happy The Retro is open. The health and safety measures they have taken is top notch and their customers are still their #1 concern. Great fresh food made from scratch, delicious craft cocktails, a wide beer selection and super service. You don't even have to be "a local" to walk in and feel this is your neighborhood restaurant and bar. Thanks Retro!

The sliders are good! Location and service are great too. Lots of great options for kids and adults alike.

Was looking for a quick spot to eat and drink before a show at The Moore tonight. This place popped up very conveniently located nearby. It's got a total dive bar feel, but they have a full restaurant. Typical bar food but lots of non-fried foods. The staff was super friendly and the food was quite good. I had the meatloaf sliders with fries. It was all great but those fries were fantastic!!

I've been in Seattle for a short 4 months and haven't found one single restaurant that I can see myself "craving". Well that just changed! I don't know if I'm just excited that I found quality, hot, food or if it really is just that good. I'll go with the latter for the purpose of my review :) The burger I got was sooo good. It was ready in 12 mins and I was amazed at how it tasted fresh off of a BBQ grill. I had about 3 bites left that I couldn't eat. It's huge. I will definitely be a regular and plan to explore different menu items like their wings and such.