Tavern Law

The folks behind Spur Gastropub bring you a new craft cocktail experience

By Rocky Yeh

Tavern Law

1406 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122-3906
(206) 322-9734
www.tavernlaw.com

Tucked away in a condo building on Capitol Hill, Tavern Law is Seattle’s newest addition to the craft cocktail scene. Brought to you by the team behind Spur Gastropub, chefs/owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough, along with bar manager David Nelson, further extend their vision of good food paired with exceptional drink.

Walking in the front door, you are immediately struck by the comfortable woods and long curving bar inviting you to relax and absorb the speakeasy vibe. The tall shelves of legal tomes set the scene to reinforce the name and image while wrapping you in its masculine embrace. An extensive menu heavy on concoctions from the golden age of cocktails makes for great reading as you settle in to decide on your libation of choice. Syrups and tinctures are made in-house, and juice is fresh squeezed for each drink.

Food at Tavern Law is vastly different from Spur, forgoing much of the technique-driven options in lieu of simpler, heartier preparations. Delicious pork belly, almost always the star of any dish, gives way to braised cabbage that stands up and provides wonderful balance. And a generous heap of fried oysters are complemented by a pool of horseradish aioli.

If you can figure out how to access the upstairs bar, the true speakeasy of Tavern Law, you’ll be transported into a completely different space. Truly hidden away, there is no drink menu at Needle & Thread. Simply let the bartender know what spirit you’re in the mood for and surrender yourself to the jaw-droppingly beautiful vintage-draped room while the feel of an earlier era washes over you.