Happy Hour Q&A: Where to go in Belltown, North End, or with kids

Happy Hour |

This week, we go to the inbox and voice mail to answer happy-hour quandaries. (Questions were edited for brevity or clarification.)

Q: I have visitors and they want to hit Belltown. Not my scene. I don't want to barhop. Just a quick stop and we're out of there. Can you suggest a place for a good cocktail? Friend suggested Bathtub Gin in Belltown, but I couldn't find it the last time around.

A: Spur Gastropub is an old reliable. Some cool folks like to hit the Trophy Room at Shorty's. But one hour, in one place? I would spend it at Rob Roy, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays when Andrew Bohrer is behind the bar. This cat makes some of the best drinks in the city. Grab a seat outside. Order the John Cameron Cocktail — a hint of orange bitters. Some smoky Ardbeg to smooth out the vanilla notes from the Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth. My favorite drink to end the night.

Rob Roy, 2332 Second Ave., offers happy hour 4-7 p.m. daily (206-956-8423 or robroyseattle.com).

About Bathtub Gin & Co. — it's hard to find because, well, it's supposed to be hard to find. In this trendy cocktail culture, one fad has been the speak-easy style bars, with no signs or lights out front.

Here's how to get there: Blanchard Street, between First and Second avenues. Just about across from Spur Gastropub, there's an alley — Bathtub Gin is the second door in that alley.

Q: Where can I go for a good cocktail in the North End?

A: I assume you have already been to Ballard, where there are lots of good cocktail bars (including Moshi Moshi, Hazlewood, Golden Beetle and Sambar.)

Canlis makes some impressive cocktails. For a great deal, though, hit Oliver's Twist in the Phinney/Greenwood area — craft cocktails for $5 to $7 during happy hour. I still smile when I think of that peppery Manhattan I had one spring evening.

Oliver's Twist, 6822 Greenwood Ave. N., offers happy hour 5-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and all day Sunday. $1 off on food, beer and wine, and $2 off on cocktails (206-706-6673 www.oliverstwistseattle.com).

Q: My three young kids are out of school for the summer, and we're always looking for spots to go for an (inexpensive) early dinner/happy hour. Sometimes Grandpa comes to town, so we're looking at going to early dinner. Is there a place you can point me to where I can take the kids along?

A: How about Ivar's on the waterfront? There is a separate dining area where families can take advantage of the happy-hour prices on such popular standbys as the clam chowder and fish and chips. Your kids will want the cheeseburger and fries. Maybe you can steer them to something healthier, like the blackened Alaska cod tacos with lime cilantro crème fraîche, Napa cabbage, avocado and roasted tomato salsa.

If you park farther out along the street to save money, that stroll along the waterfront offers a killer view.

Ivar's Acres of Clams, 1001 Alaskan Way, Pier 54, offers happy hour daily 3-10 p.m. Discounted food and $3.50 on drafts, wells and selected wines (206-624-6852 or www.ivars.net).

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