Shorty&#x27;s

15 Great Bars With Activities

"Shorty’s is one of the most iconic bars in the city, and it’s where to go if you’re a wizard with two ball flippers and immune to the annoyance of excessive neon lights. This is a pinball bar that serves strong whiskey sours and Chicago-style hot dogs to keep you going as you explore the rows on rows of vintage and new-school machines." - aimee rizzo

The Best Bars In Belltown

"When the inside (and to be honest, also the outside) of a bar looks like it’s one ringmaster short of a circus, you know it’s going to be a good time. Shorty’s is one of the most iconic bars in the city, and it’s where to go if you’re a wizard with two ball flippers and immune to excessive neon lights. They serve strong whiskey sours and Chicago-style hot dogs to keep you going as you explore the rows on rows of vintage and modern pinball machines." - aimee rizzo

12 Seattle Bars With Fun Activities - Eater Seattle

"This 25-year-old Belltown institution is Seattle’s original pinball bar. Clown and Coney Island themed, its outdoor patio draws a cross section of locals, bike messengers, and industry folks. Inside, booth tables are made from vintage pinball machines. There’s Skee-Ball, a claw machine, four player Pac-Man, and other video games in addition to pinball. Fuel up with one of Shorty’s hot dogs or boozy smoothies." - Mark Van Streefkerk

Where to Throw a Bachelorette Party in Seattle - Eater Seattle

"As one of the city’s iconic dive bars, no bachelorette is complete without a trip to Shorty’s in Belltown. Rocking a Coney Island themed interior, the bar is loaded with pinball machines and other arcade games, alongside cocktails and gourmet hot dogs. Those who want a little space for themselves can reserve the Trophy Room for something more private (and slightly more sophisticated)." - Maggy Lehmicke

Ponda Baba

Google

I've been visiting here for over 15 years. I love this place. For pinball nuts and vintage arcade game lovers. Every table is made of a glass top pinball game. Excellent selection old and new. From Stranger Things, Mandalorian to Addams Family and Medieval Madness. A must.

Annelise S

Google

I reserved the Trophy room to host a wedding after party and let me tell you...the night was PERFECT. I'm so glad I chose Shorty's as the location for the after party. Not only was the atmosphere perfect, but the staff were so kind! Mickey served us and made delicious drinks. I highly recommend Shorty's and I can't wait to go back and play some games soon!

Lennon Garcia

Google

Nice dive bar with cheap food and drinks! They have a few arcade games and pinball machines but don't expect this place to be a "full-on" arcade bar because they don't really have a lot of games; they just happened to have some games. I think the tables being an old pinball machine was super cool! The bartenders were chill and nice. Overall a cool little dive bar with good hotdogs!

Jen Lee

Google

Dive bar with games! Well and dogs at the bar who drink out of highball glasses. I like dogs but…gross. Bottle beer it is! One and done.

Samtsung Cohen

Google

Best pinball bar in belltown and second best pinball bar in seattle, it's basically impossible to unseat the Fremont champ. Shorty's has heart and also a way better crowd than any other nearby spot. And they have quite an interesting selection of pinball machines, including safecracker, which seems to have its own hyper localized cult following. Couple of Jersey jack machines which are always unique. Even tho they charge $8 a beer, they managed to have lower than average price as they deigned to throw an imperial stout on tap and pour a full pint at pilsner cost. Never had a cocktail here, but they have a wide selection of liquors and the bartenders seem skilled. And damn the vibe is great, nice mix of vibe and kitsch. An actual bar with an actual personality and scene, unlike most other pinball bars. 50 cent pinball too.

Queen B Jules

Google

What a fun adult place!!! Im a child of the 80s so I loved, loved, loved this creepy clown place. Who doesn't love odd eccentric creepy stuff!?!?!? They had some machines pinball & arcade games I haven't seen in decades! This would be a unique fun date night, you got Pacman, old games, alcohol & food!

Jenny Russell

Google

Came by during a visit to Seattle and definitely glad we did! Bartender was awesome, vibe of the place was great. For sure going to swing back by next time we're up there!

Simar

Google

Shorty's is one of my favorite places to play pinball in the city! They recently renovated the space to add more room and more pinball machines, and im glad they kept the fun creepy clown theme! Aside from the great pinball, my friends also love that they always have two flavors of alcoholic slushies. If you don't like pinball, they have other arcade games as well, like Galaga/MS Pacman. I have tried the food yet, but the hot dogs look good, and there are plenty of food options nearby if hot dogs aren't your thing. Sometimes they can get too busy, and it takes a while to get a drink, but I still highly recommend Shortys if you want a fun but inexpensive place to hang out (an increasingly rare thing in Seattle)!

Rose E.

Yelp

Chill cheesy place for a quick bite and some drinks, and throw in a few pinball games. I loved how affordable this place is, even though they're in the heart of Belltown. We got nachos, two hot dogs, and two beers for about $40, which was pretty cheap tbh. The staff isn't all that "friendly" like others mentioned here, but it's just not that type of place. You order, and that's it. They're not really trying to be "friendly" other than with some of the regulars or with their friends who stop by. It's usually busy, and the booth seating clears out quickly; most are here for pinball. We ordered: (not the most quality ingredients, but loved the quirky take on a classic hot dog) -Chicago Style hot dog - Interesting take on a classic hot dog, it hit the spot! -Chili Nachos - Just what you expect from Chili Nachos -Dumpster Dog - This was such an interesting, unique hot dog concept. It was like they threw everything on it, and the chips were funny. At first, I thought they messed up the order, but no, that's a dumpster dog, haha -Guinness Can - What you expect from a Guinness -Irish Death - Had all the vibes of a Guinness but better imo, definitely looking for this next time and anywhere I go, so good!

Jennifer T.

Yelp

Avoid this place if you see a tall, long haired blonde lady with glasses. She was working last night (Thursday). I wish I got her name but she was condescending and rude AF. We had dinner across the street and needed to kill some time before our rezzy. Right upon entering, from the way she aggressively asked for our IDs, to the way she was annoyed when asked a single question about what liquor the bar had (why work the bar if you hate life?!?), to the way we could hear her lecturing her coworker.....she was mean. I dunno if she continued to be unpleasant because I left to wait outside. The place was pretty empty so would hate to be dealing with her on a busy night. Granted, maybe it was a bad day for her or something happened and she was projecting but SHEESH!!

Abdias H.

Yelp

Very divey looking bar. Prices are very good for a good pour. Service was nice for a Wednesday night. It was pretty quiet but I heard it gets busy during the weekend. Spot is very nice.

Will L.

Yelp

In the 7.5 years since I left my last review, things have changed at Shorty's. First of all, they moved. Just a block away, but to a slightly more spacious and less weirdly laid out venue. Second of all, pinball prices dropped. They run about 75 cents a game, with some machines offering quantity discounts (e.g., 5 games for the price of 4). Third, the food and drink are much better, with a variety of dogs being the staple, any of which can be had with veggie dogs. My girlfriend preferred the Chicago Style; I'm partial to the Spicy Pepper. Small selection of draft beers, but an ample supply of mixed drinks, many much cheaper than surrounding venues. I've been to Shorty's more times this year than I have in the past decade. Sure it's a dive bar still, but it's a comfier hang than before, with better food and cheaper pinball.

Alex H.

Yelp

Extremely rude bartenders! My friends and I entered tonight and there wasn't anyone checking IDs at the door, so we paused when we entered - wondering if someone would approach and ask for ID. Again, nobody did. So we walked further along the bar for an open space to order drinks (again, still prepared and assuming to we would be asked to show 21+ ID upon ordering). Instead, the bartender VERY aggressively and very rudely barked at us to "not take another step." Turned off by this behavior, I told my friends I would rather go to a different bar. The rude bartender interjected our conversation to argue with me, claiming "I asked for ID and you ignored me!" I explained we hadn't heard him and he told me to leave the bar over this! (Although I was already leaving anyway) Maybe he did ask for IDs, but he didn't speak loud enough for any of the five of us to hear him - plus he was a good distance away from the entry and loud music was playing. He also could have simply asked for our IDs when we approached the bar, as is the case at many bars in Belltown. If they wish to enforce ID checks so strongly it's probably a better idea to hire a bouncer at the door. Ultimately we expected to produce 21+ IDs from the moment we entered! Not hearing the bartender was an honest mistake and didn't warrant his extremely rude response! We came in tonight to show our friends from out of town but will never be back again!

Rona S.

Yelp

Im giving this stars for the fun/whimsical decor. I also love that they have a hot dog grill (although we only came in for drinks) We were greeted warmly by the bartender and sat on one of the booths. The booths used an old pinball machine as tables which was super cool. So on the other side of the bar they had a bunch of pinball machines and arcade games. I was annoyed that 2 of the arcade games I went to ate my quarters but the pinball machines were fun. Overall cool vibes and nice place to just chill and drin

Melanie B.

Yelp

We stopped in this little hole in the wall bar to have a couple drinks and enjoyed every minute of the atmosphere!! This bar brought back so many memories old school pin ball machines/video games and a Photo Booth. Even though we were not there long we had a great time!! Fun little claw machine with lot of adult goodies lol so fun!!

Rebecca Q.

Yelp

The Trophy Room is a perfect secluded venue for hosting groups, with a fun bowling game in the corner! Drinks were very affordable and strong, and the Shorty's dog and nachos were both fresh and flavorful. Morgan was the most attentive and awesome bartender!

Ashley O.

Yelp

Shorty's was a fun dive bar with quirky decor that we stumbled across. They have games like ski ball, arcade games, and pinball. We came here looking for a place to have a drink that was relaxed and fun unsteady of swanky and overpriced. The bartenders have a heavy pour and the hot dogs are delicious. The dogs are made on a roller and they have all the toppings you could ask for!

Shawn D.

Yelp

Whoa. Great ambiance, awesome selection of pinball machines, and with a punk leaning. Can't go wrong with that combination. But the bartender was a complete asshole to everyone in our group. One of the most unpleasant bar experiences ever and I'm a self confessed barfly. Short, gruff, sighing, throw stuff at you, while slinging vulgarities, kind of guy. Being a pinball enthusiast there are plenty of other places to play.

Jenn S.

Yelp

A fun little dive hangout with arcade games and hot dogs. It's like a carnival. The Dumpster dog was delicious and they have a good selection of beers.

Ernesto L.

Yelp

Shortys is the kind of bar that instantly feels like a favorite local haunt. The drinks are expertly crafted and never disappoint. But what truly sets Shortys apart is the cool bartender, whose charisma and skill behind the bar elevate the entire experience. It's a must-visit spot for anyone seeking a genuine and enjoyable evening out.

Melissa M.

Yelp

Love the theme of the bar and really enjoyed the pinball machines! I wish I could rate the actual bar/food itself but my group was kicked out for having a vertical ID... that was valid and very real btw (:! I know you may be asking yourself, "what kind of bar turns away a group of 6 over a valid vertical ID?", and to that I say: a goofy one. We have never been denied for a vertical ID, and when asking them why they said, "we just don't". Hmm. Strange. We spoke to the manager outside and asked them, they said that they DO in fact accept vertical IDs, she even checked our ID and confirmed its validity. She was kind enough to offer us a table at their second bar in the back but at this point we felt unwelcome and uncomfortable. She said she would talk to him but after reading reviews, it seems that his behavior has been affecting patrons for a LONG time, and that he doesn't plan on changing it anytime soon.

Sabrina S.

Yelp

Doesn't get better then shorty's bar ! Great pub style /deli foods and great drinks . Excellent and friendly service along with a great atmosphere and fun games ! Don't miss out on a great time at this spot. Black light clowns and photos all Over to join in on the fun with you Morgan and the the other bartender his names begins with a c we're doing a wonderful job keeping a busy bar happy ! Will return next time in town

Patrick B.

Yelp

Quite possible the least attentive, coldest welcoming, no talent bar staff in all of Seattle. Would love to just come in and play some pinball on a day off with a pint or two. However, last two times in the past month was a 5+ minute wait to get even a "hello, welcome in" or "be with you in a minute" Didn't know glassware took priority over a customer with cash literally in their hand with an order ready to go.

Robert K.

Yelp

One of my favorite spots downtown. Grab a slice of pizza at Rocco's and a drink at Shorty's. Play some games it's an excellent spot.

Christina G.

Yelp

So fun! Obviously a local favorite! They sell a variety of hot dogs and other quick foods like nachos and chili. Vegetarian items and non-vegetarian. It's great! I'm pretty bummed out we left this place so early. We had dinner reservations but I told my companion I would of been cool with one of shortys dogs! The bar is decent size and the bathrooms appear scary but they are clean. Again Tons of locals with their dogs. Everyone is so nice and the bartender was solid as well. Not only are the table tops pinball machines but they have a whole other room of filled with pinball machines and probably other stuff. But I just bee-lined it to the bar top for a seat. And didn't really scope the game room out. Put this on the list of places to visit. Well worth it!

Tony J.

Yelp

Saw the pictures and thought this place would be fun to come and have a beer. Turns out this place is a fun place to have a beer. Luckily for me I had come during their 25th anniversary, and Pabst were only one $1.25 each. What a crazy deal. The environment is super fun, plenty of pinball tables, and the bartender is very engaging. He made us feel very welcome. My girlfriend happened to order a margarita but instead of your typical tequila, she switched it for Mezcal and let me tell you it was great. So great they should add it to the menu lol If you're looking for a cool spot to spend some hours and have a great view look no further

Carol B.

Yelp

Love this bar. Excellent pours! Mostly cool people. I would have given 5 stars but there was this really annoying girl named Jenifer yelling at the bartender. She kinda ruined the vibe. Try the Clown Chowder

Isaiah K.

Yelp

Super fun and interesting bar! A ton of fun new and old pinball games!! Perfect date night for pinball connoisseurs!

David A.

Yelp

Came in on a quiet afternoon I couldn't find the cash machine asked bartender instead of pointing me to it (which would have taken a second) he told me to get in the bar line up(?) and not in a nice way. Asking nicely where the bank machine is is not interrupting if dome prudently. Later I asked what was on one of the hot dogs they had advertised at the bar. He pointed up to the menu bar where there were completely different items. All he had to do was tell me what was on the hot dog. I got the message from this bartender; and left wo playing one pinball game. This is early September afternoon visit. I only wish I remembered the date and complained to management earlier.

Shammy S.

Yelp

So let's start with the good: The decor was nice and the pinball machines were pretty sweet. The meh: The beer selection was very very sub par. The poor: The clientelle and riff raff hanging out in and around the bar killed the experience. Don't get me wrong, wierdos are fun to drink with, even more than normal peeps, but this was an abnoxious and creep coven. Maybe an off night?

Isis L.

Yelp

Bar hopping and stumbled on this place. Came in and fell in love with the decor. Lacy was tending the bar. Got a hoody and a hot dog. Will be back

Christopher L.

Yelp

I am feelin' this place in Belltown. The drinks are strong and tasty along with the food that's great for the bar. The Chicago dog is good as well as the Frito Pie that I love. There is pinball too. A great place to stop in to for a bite and a drink. Vaccination cards are required for entry. Mask up and be safe!

Anna X.

Yelp

Tequila/Strawberry Daiquiri Slushy! Sweet bartender Richy served us. They have a few bar food options/the Chicago Hot Dog was our favorite! They have many cocktails and local draft beers to pick from! The arcade vibe is super cool! Must check this place out when in Seattle!!!!!

Brad L.

Yelp

Came in this afternoon for a couple Cadillac Margaritas and the bartender was outstanding. Coming back Tomorrow

Alona W.

Yelp

Fast, cheap, good service in Belltown! I really like the hotdogs and the ambiance of the bar. It's a great place for a Saturday night!

Andrew T.

Yelp

Fun little bar with some pinball machines at a cool upstairs area with a bowling version of ski ball. Would definitely come back to hang out with some friends. Last call is at 1:00 and it closes at 2:00

Mollie C.

Yelp

Cool spot for some beer and games, does get packed though. They have booths, bar seating lots of pinball, one skee ball game and a few other arcade games. Food is nothing to write home about but not bad, good enough for that late night craving

Darryl T.

Yelp

I recently went to Shortys for one night..a few tips I picked up on really quick... 1) go to the designated spots at the bar if you want to be served unless you're actually sitting at the bar..good chance you won't get a drink for awhile and you will receive a far from warm welcome! 2) I really get the feeling they HATE having to serve food..busy as hell and they have to put together 4-5 hot dogs for customers while they are 10 deep waiting for drinks 3) Never yell out a drink order if you're standing towards the end of the bar..you will NOT get waited on 4) never assume anything..within 10 minutes of being there a woman standing next to us at the end of the bar tapped the bar when the bartender was close and said,"I need to order some dogs" The bartender waved her off and went and waited on other customers..when she inquired again he said," you pound on the bar demanding hot dogs and expect me to jump?" It ended up in a heated argument and the bartender telling her to get the f**k out..he admitted he hated making hot dogs..he actually ended up being a really cool guy 5) overall..had a good time..bartenders come off kind of standoffish but seem to be pretty cool after they know you're just there to have a few drinks..but make sure you go to the Coors drink pads or the Rainier drink pads when ordering unless you're sitting at the bar..and know what you want!!!

Jake D.

Yelp

Awesome selection of games to play. Great chili dog. People working were very lid back and attentive. Loved it here.

Chris B.

Yelp

Grunge bar keeping up the urban Seattle Vibes of the 90s. Had a nice alcoholic slushee, full bar has always been good also on other trips. Food here is hotdogs, always tasty. Pinball looked fun. 21plus

Omar D.

Yelp

People from Mexico that is visiting get your PASSPORT to this place as INE is not allowed. Funny the bartender said he is Mexican and should know that INE is a valid ID. Also we have been bar hoping and it's allowed everywhere else but here. Also the place looks sketchy

Keith M.

Yelp

Our first experience at Shorty's was pregaming there before a concert down the street at The Crocodile. We had so much fun and we were treated so well by staff that we went right back for a few beers after the concert. Highly recommend this place!

Ben R.

Yelp

Very cool retro circus theme, friendly staff, amazing hot dog bar and other diner snacks, nice game selection, games are cheap to play. I might give it five stars if it were bigger.

Sean M.

Yelp

Great beer! Great vibes! Great music! Nothing but Future....they should have Future Fridays! Definitely coming back

Anne M.

Yelp

Great drinks, great games, great people, great service. Don't come here if you're easily offended or looking for an "experience". Pro tip: Know what you're ordering by the time you approach the well.

Jayne C.

Yelp

100 million stars for this MONA LISA of a Marg. Shout out Nick. You the bomb.com. Need I say more?

Jennifer M.

Yelp

STAY AWAY! It is NOT SAFE for customers. Prior to walking in, I actually took a minute or so to sanitize my hands at the station placed at the door; as requested by the sign. My partner and I didn't even get a chance to walk in, when the bouncer approached us yelling that you were at capacity and demanded us to leave. As we were waiting for our car to arrive, the bouncer decided to come out and continued to yell at us, using offensive language (called my partner the N word) and said to "take our money somewhere else", even made threats. One of Shorty's regular customers pulled us aside and shared with us that he is on a power trip and often behaves this way; especially customers he feels should not be there. Their bouncer should be fired! This type of poor customer service and erratic behavior concerns me. Employers are responsible for the actions of their employees; but the owners of Shorty's don't seem to care. I have reached out to them on several occasions; still no response. As long as that man continues to work there; it is not safe to be visit this establishment. I highly suggest people to stay away. I would hate for others to find themselves in our situation.

Marie T.

Yelp

Idk if it's because I was already pretty buzzed when I showed up here but their nachos and hot dogs were so good. I love the bar area upstairs, it's more quiet and intimate.

Taylor W.

Yelp

Perfect place to grab a drink with friends and play some pinball! Wasn't to loud like some barcades in this area so that was really nice considering I had my Dog with me! They have a good IPA selection and their strawberry daiquiri is so bomb very friendly staff too. Pinball machines are quarter based and there is a change machine in the back :)

DJ Cowboy T.

Yelp

Meanwhile our Hero Foodie And DJ legend Cowboy finds himself in Seattle again On A Mission And Happen to trip into a Dive Bar Called Shortys In Belltown Kewl People Kewl Kewl Music Kewl Bartender and Might I Suggest A Number 3 With the Sausage but the hot dog seems pretty popular as well this Place Getz Yup Yup

Aris N.

Yelp

I was with my girlfriend recently just trying to enjoy your night and wanting to check out the new location. Not even spending one minute in the doorway before we were approached by this insane security guard. He began yelling immediately at myself and my partner! There were witnesses everywhere and we even have video! I don't not recommend this place to anyone! We live in the area and will NOT be retuning!

Scot A.

Yelp

The most punk bar in bell town, which isn't saying much, if anything. Still, the customer service doesn't exist no one acknowledges you, even if you wait 20 min to order a drink. Consistently time after time. "Punk" is their brand, but it's just another normie Seattleite bar with a facade.

David S.

Yelp

The attitude on the bartenders is unreal, normally i dont care cuz i drink but naw this aint it

Nicole M.

Yelp

Fun carnie themed dive bar. Plenty of pinball and arcade game options to make for a competitive date. Plus a jukebox to set the soundtrack for your romantic gaming time. Take your date here. If she doesn't like it, she sucks and it's not meant to be. Game on!

Alfred E.

Yelp

One of the only downtown places still standing as of early 2022. Cheap draft beers (draft Miller High Life) is $4. They sell hot dogs for $6 too. Two stories. Not blown away though.

Khushboo K.

Yelp

It's a ok ok bar! Very busy but not very fun as such. They have. Pinball games but looks like they are pretty old so few of them will just take your money but won't work.but yeah if u just wanna grab some drinks and looking for a cheap place in Seattle u can hit this bar

Bondr M.

Yelp

Rude staff but okay drinks, price is normal. Venue is pretty good. But one star for the staff being super rude. I've been to many bars here but this one has outdoor sitting that's why I went but staff was rude staring with the door person

Tif H.

Yelp

Myself and a group of friends went to Shortys this past Wednesday night for a birthday celebration. The bar itself is pretty neat, lots of pinball machines and other game options. The drinks were strong, but the service was absolutely terrible. The bartender was clearly pissed to be there, and wanted nothing to do with anyone; other people around us were ordering hot dogs and she aggressively threw them on the bar? It took 15 minutes to get our first round, almost 20 minutes for our second round, and then another 20 minutes to close out the tab. We're a patient bunch, but the hateful demeanor combined with the enormous wait times made it really frustrating. We won't be going back -- we left and went to Ohana and had a BLAST.

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