Seattle’s bar scene is kicking off the new year with exciting new spots offering everything from underrepresented winemakers to Mexican craft beers. Here are five new bars worth visiting in the Seattle area, each with its own unique vibe and menu.

1. WeRise Wine Bar

• Location: Across from the Moore Theatre, Belltown
• Highlights:
  • Focuses on wines made by women and people of color, both locally and globally.
  • Features 50 wines, with 24 available by the glass, including a popular malbec from Damsel Cellars.
  • Stylish atmosphere with a purple, amoeba-shaped sofa and intimate seating arrangements.
  • Small plate options like meatballs with polenta complement the wine offerings.
• Behind the Bar: Former tech executive Jamila Conley.

2. Bacovino Waterfront Tasting Room

• Location: 80 Yesler Way, Seattle (Pioneer Square)
• Highlights:
  • Specializes in Bordeaux-style reds, with seven wines by the glass ($12-$23) and bottles to share ($32-$62).
  • Offers unique varietals like counoise wine from France’s Rhône region.
  • Ideal for pairing wine with nearby restaurants like 84 Yesler and Tapas Angel.

3. El Sueñito Brewing Co.

• Location: 106 N. 36th St., Suite 100, Seattle (Fremont)
• Highlights:
  • Pioneers the craft of Mexican beer, with brews made in Bellingham.
  • Features a rotating lineup, including horchata milk stout and IPAs with citrus hops.
  • Pairs beer with Frelard Tamales’ Mexican cuisine, such as chicken mole with IPA or a chorizo-cheese tamale with Mexican lager.

4. Rascals Public House

• Location: 10608 N.E. Fourth St., Bellevue
• Highlights:
  • A cozy subterranean bar serving elevated comfort food like fried chicken and country-fried steak.
  • Must-try: tangy six-cheese mac and cheese or a fried bologna sandwich with fried egg.
  • Daily happy hours: 3–6 p.m. and 10 p.m.–close.
  • Perfect for sports fans with several TVs, including a 12-foot projector for big games.

5. Edway Tap House

• Location: 22811 100th Ave. W., Edmonds
• Highlights:
  • A 17-tap tasting room showcasing Washington craft beers from Yakima, Bellingham, and Seattle.
  • Dog-friendly patio and five big TVs for NFL playoff viewing.
  • No kitchen, but food trucks rotate regularly to offer diverse dining options.

Explore these new additions to the Seattle bar scene and enjoy their unique offerings, whether it’s a glass of wine, craft beer, or Southern comfort food.

(Source: The Seattle Times)