Hang Like a Local

Dive Bars, Pubs, and Sports Bars in Seattle Southside

Last Updated: September 30, 2025

Sometimes, you just want an ice-cold beer somewhere unpretentious, welcoming, and easygoing. Read on to find the best dive bars and local haunts in Seattle Southside.

Hanging out at local bars is a great way to get a sense of the real personality of an area, whether you drink or not. The people watching alone can be a ton of fun! Getting to those little hole-in-the-wall hidden gems makes it that much more fun and is where the best stories come from. So pull up a stool, chat up the locals, and join us at our favorite places to pick up local flavor.

Drinks and a Show: Lucky Liquor

Lucky Liquor has a storied and colorful local history in the Seattle punk rock scene. This local gem happily refers to itself as a dive bar, embracing the slightly grungy vibe that label brings with it. At Lucky Liquor, there are live concerts at a minimum of Thursday through Sunday of every week, with an emphasis on punk shows and more on the edgier end of the rock spectrum. But don't let that scare you off, because the bar is full of warm and welcoming regulars who are happy to welcome a new face to the scene. Dogs are also allowed here, so your four-legged friends will get a warm welcome too! Plus, most shows are all-ages, so kids are welcome as well up until 11 PM. Combine fantastic live music with cold beer, cocktails, pinball and pull tabs, a beautiful patio to enjoy the outdoors, and you've got yourself a recipe for a fantastic dive.

But what else does a dive need? Why, food of course! While you can get classic pub fare like burgers and sandwiches during the lunch and dinner hours, their brunch is truly a surprise, with breakfast tacos, a chorizo scramble, and breakfast sandwiches that are tasty enough to make a diner jealous. Plus, on Wednesdays, they offer prime rib, which is definitely unexpected for a self-proclaimed dive bar!

Planespotting and Beer: The Sunnydale

The Sunnydale is a quintessential local hangout with lots of regulars. Much like a certain bar in a bygone television sitcom, many of those regulars are greeted by name on entering! But that doesn't mean that the gang at the Sunnydale is cliquish, in fact, it's far from it! This welcoming bunch is especially friendly if you bring a canine companion, as they love dogs. There are doggy regulars here as well, and they're just as much a part of the landscape as the human ones. After all, The Sunnydale has been a SeaTac staple since 1941, before the city was incorporated, starting off life as The Sunnydale Saloon before the name was shortened. Before it was a bar, the building was a feed store, reflecting just how rural the area was when the business got its start. This long history is reflected in the eclectic decor, a collection of gifts from regulars and items from previous owners that showcase a long and storied local history.

Aside from the usual drinks and pull tabs, there's a ton to do here. The menu is hearty pub fare, like burgers and sandwiches, served in impressive portions with a delicious house-made potato salad. Wednesdays are their incredibly popular bingo night, which is always bustling and a ton of fun. And on Fridays, you can pick up a microphone and participate in classic karaoke. Plus on any day, you can take your beer to the outdoor seating in a covered area for perfect planespotting of the runways at SeaTac! Their pool tables are also a great time for anyone skilled with a cue.

Lighting the Beacon: Lighthouse Lounge

You'll see the building and immediately know that this has to be the place - after all, the Lighthouse Lounge the only building shaped like a lighthouse in downtown Des Moines. With food, drinks, and a great atmosphere, the Lighthouse Lounge is a great local haunt with tons of character. Dart boards and regular sports on the TV give this place a slightly more sporty atmosphere. A menu of classic pub eats and tacos ensure that your stomach will have more than just liquor in it, and their extensive list of deep-fried appetizers is impressive, from basics like onion rings and fried mushrooms to the more exotic potstickers and fried gizzards! The real stand-out on the menu here is the carne asada fries, which are almost like steak loaded nachos but with french fries instead of chips.

Gettin' Soulful: Dat Creole Soul

Let's say you want some local flavor combined with flavors from a different locale entirely. Well, then your best bet is to hit up Dat Creole Soul, a little slice of Louisiana in Des Moines. They've taken pains to ensure the feel of a New Orleans bar right here in Washington, and you can tell that comes from a real place of love. The menu is full of authentic Creole cooking and the restaurant is one we regularly feature as a place where you've got to get some grub, but the bar has a special ambiance that's perfect for a night of lounging like a local. The Speakeasy at Creole Soul, as it's known, offers unique cocktails that go perfectly with the fried catfish, or if you're feeling really authentic, you've got to go for the crawfish etouffe special on Fridays.

Epic Times at Ulysses

Ulysses Pub & Pizzeria has been around since 1978, serving up classic pizza in a relaxed sports bar atmosphere conveniently close to the airport. This unassuming little family-owned pub has been offering cold drinks and tasty eats for more than 40 years, and everyone who visits always talks about the stellar service despite the small number of staff on hand. Aside from the pizza, you can also find classic pub eats like burgers, fish & chips, and sandwiches on the menu. You'll find a relaxed vibe and sports on the TV here, along with darts and friendly regulars.

Belly Up to the Sandbar

The Sandbar, located within Waterland Arcade, is the perfect place to grab a beer and let loose. After all, it's in an arcade and you're surrounded by games, from arcade classics to pinball! Plus, the entire arcade has a retro vibe that will leave you feeling like you're in an episode of Stranger Things. While the drink selection is not as broad as a full-service bar, this is more than balanced out by all the fun you can have sipping at your beer and playing Pac-Man. If you're more into your arcade games than you are chatting to strangers in a bar, this is the spot for you.