New eateries add to beer, pizza and laundry on 65th

This section of Ballard is the quiet part, a local's hangout for cheap microbrews and pizza. The only outsiders seem to be grad students and savvy Seattleites who hit the laundromat here because parking is ample and lots of cheap beer can be had between loads.

This area won't be quiet for long, though. In December, this strip of Northwest 65th Street welcomed two new bars and restaurants, first a small-plate joint with a fancy cocktail menu, from the owner of the Tractor Tavern, then another restaurant by the owner of Georgetown's Hangar Café.

It's still not a fur-vest-and-knee-high-boot kinda crowd. But the food got better. Or at the very least, there's brunch now.

When the weather warms, expect to see more bar hoppers on this block. Here's a look at some businesses on Northwest 65th Street, between Fifth and Seventh avenues at the foot of Phinney Ridge.

1. The Dray, 708 N.W. 65th St. Soccer bars have become popular ever since the Sounders FC came to town. This is the most underrated soccer bar in Seattle. Also has the best beer list of any soccer bar in the city. Highlight of the block. thedray.com

2. The Blue Glass, 704 N.W. 65th St. This 'hood was bound to be gussied up at some point. This restaurant and bar features a small-plate menu with a drink list that could have come from a cocktail den on Capitol Hill. Will start opening for brunch on Saturday. Co-owned by Dan Cowan of Tractor Tavern. theblueglass.net

3. Crash Landing Pizza, 702 N.W. 65th St. Locals swear by this pizza. Slices go for $2.20 from 2-4 p.m. on weekdays. crashlandingpizza.blogspot.com

4. Lunar Laundry, 700 N.W. 65th St. Most customers tool around with their smartphones in between loads or wait in the nearby bar with a cold one. Then you have folks who just sit and watch their clothes spin dry.

5. The Sneakery, 612 N.W. 65th St. Lot of Pumas and Macbeth shoes. A place to go for socks. thesneakery.com

6. Molly Maguires Irish Pub and Eatery, 610 N.W. 65th St. It's always a good sign when the bartender knows thenames of most patrons. mollyson65th.com

7. Tin Hat Bar & Grill, 512 N.W. 65th St. Holds a spirited arm-wrestling contest for women every year.

8. The Ridgeback Café, 500 N.W. 65th St. Debuted Dec. 17, from owner Justin Taft of Hangar Café. Similar menu to the popular Hangar, but with more food options and its own line of beer. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com