Zig Zag Café

Tucked discreetly beneath Pike Place Market on the Pike Street Hill Climb, Zig Zag Café has been quietly steering Seattle's cocktail renaissance since its founding in 1999. Renowned as a pioneer of craft cocktails, it’s a place where bartenders are celebrated like artists and every drink tells a story. The bar's setting—the second floor of the historic Fix‑Madore Building—is intimate, bathed in a warm, sultry glow, with both a cozy rail and lush outdoor patio responding beautifully to balmy evenings. Beneath the hum of hushed jazz, cumbia or highlife, the murmur of conversation flows as smoothly as the cocktails themselves. Here, creativity meets tradition. With an impressive archive of spirits and liqueurs on display, bartenders craft classics with their own unique twists—and often free-pour using their instincts, a specialty popularized by legendary bartender Murray Stenson. Signature drinks like the Last Word, Trident, Charm Offensive, and Don't Give Up the Ship are more than menu items—they’ve become icons of the cocktail world. The culinary offerings complement the drinks perfectly with creative small plates and heartier options. Think chicharrones with hot honey, hush puppies, burrata and flat iron steak—innovative, elevated dishes that don’t steal the spotlight but add lush nuance to your night. Live jazz on Sundays and Mondays elevates the experience—making Zig Zag not just a bar, but a ritual for cocktail lovers and night owls alike. Whether you're on a quiet solo outing or a celebratory evening, this is downtown Seattle’s corner bar where hospitality, craftsmanship, and atmosphere converge.