Here’s a closer look at Seattle’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this fall. The new and renovated Seattle venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
The Pioneer Collective Ballard
Independent co-working space The Pioneer Collective opened a new location in Ballard's Brewery District mid-September, joining locations in Belltown and Tacoma, Wash. The sun-soaked office space is notable for its lofty, wood-lined ceilings and amenities, including bike storage, memberships for individuals and teams, and mail service. Aside from an expansive common space, all three window-lit meeting rooms are equipped with high-speed fiber internet and 4K televisions for connecting to video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Teams, Go2Meeting, and Skype. The Colvos Classroom accommodates up to 20 for meetings, workshops, and trainings, and includes a lounge area. The Shilshole Room, meanwhile, is a boardroom that seats up to 12 while the Rosario Room can fit up to six. There's a three-hour minimum on hourly rentals, with access from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Additional hours are available for an extra fee; inquire within.)
Photo: Taylor Roberts
Hotel Ändra
In August, Hotel Ändra debuted the completion of a $12 million renovation of its historic circa-1926 building. Located in downtown Seattle's Belltown-South Lake Union neighborhood, the 123-room hotel embraces Scandinavian style and the concept of "hygge" or cozy, as seen through the full-height fireplace in the Living Room lobby and overstuffed gold velvet sofas in guest rooms. For events, Hotel Ändra offers the 1,100-square-foot Northern Lights Room (pictured), which can accommodate up to 70 for cocktail receptions or 54 seated guests at round tables in a space notable for its domed copper ceiling, grand chandeliers, and open kitchen. For more intimate gatherings, consider the 700-square-foot Galleri boardroom, which seats up to 30 at round tables. Find a unique event space perfect for team-building activities at the on-site Hot Stove Society, an 1,800-square-foot recreational cooking school helmed by chef Tom Douglas. Here, up to 35 guests can partake in a hands-on demo whipping up martinis or competing Iron Chef-style. For groups that don't want to get their hands dirty, the Hot Stove Society can still be reserved for standing affairs of up to 50. The interactive space connects to Ändra Loft, a 1,500-square-foot bar space overlooking the lobby that can accommodate as many as 60 standing guests. There's also the Monarch Suite, which is meant to feel like a European apartment and includes a marble dining room that seats 10.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Ändra
Altitude Sky Lounge Seattle
For a birds-eye view of the Emerald City skyline, check out the new Altitude Sky Lounge Seattle atop the Astra Hotel. The swanky space debuted the outpost in September after seeing success at its original San Diego location, and can host groups of 13-200 sixteen stories in the sky. Besides the view of the Space Needle, memorable features include gas fire pits outside and windows for walls inside—all with welcoming lounge seating perfect for mingling with friends during a celebration or networking with professionals at a corporate to-do. The menu caters to sharing, with varying sizes of charcuterie boards, Marcona almonds with crispy chickpeas, and no shortage of dips, not to mention craft cocktails, wine, and beer.
Photo: Courtesy of Astra Hotel
Sushi By Scratch
The team behind Los Angeles’ much-celebrated Scratch Restaurants group landed in Seattle in September with the opening of 17-course omakase restaurant Sushi By Scratch. Located behind a nondescript door in the South Lake Union neighborhood, the dining experience begins with a complimentary welcome cocktail in the whisky bar before venturing into the 10-seat dining room (pictured) for dishes like roasted bone marrow nigiri or albacore wrapped in sake-soaked nori. Buyouts are available for private events, but beware as events at Sushi By Scratch require planning far ahead of time as there's currently a 40,000 person waitlist for events this fall alone. Reservations go live at 10 a.m. on the first of each month.
Photo: Suzi Pratt
Gold Bar
Popular South Lake Union hangout Gold Bar made the jump to a new neighborhood in August with the opening of an outpost in Capitol Hill. Gold Bar's space is artsy in design, with black-painted walls, pops of live greenery, eclectic artwork, and a gilded bar that nods to its name. The 2 p.m.-2 a.m. spot boasts a private event space that can host up to 40 standing guests, and is also available for full buyouts. Naturally, craft cocktails are a standout on the menu, with offerings such as the "Blood In, Blood Out" with mezcal and blood orange; the "Pisco Punch" with Barsol Pisco, Giffard pineapple, and lemon; and the "Blue Drank" with gin, creme de violette, and blue curaçao. To accompany the beverages, consider sharing apps, such as the black-eyed pea humus with pita and veggies or the meatball trio. There's also a variety of burgers and sandwiches, with vegan and gluten-free options on order.
Photo: Courtesy of Gold Bar
