Liberty

I went here for happy hour and had the best greyhound of my life. Some friends had a couple of different absinthes, which were ok, but I really am not a huge fan anyway. Cool spot, filled with some cool indie kids. That part of it wasn't really my scene, but everyone was really mellow and loving the cocktails...

Pros: Greyhound that will make you want to make love

Cons: Kinda Hipster-y

Posted 05/06/09

This was one of the worst service experience I had in a long time. It took about 10 minutes for us to even order our drinks. We asked for water while we waited for our drinks and we didn't get that until we went up to the bar to ask for water again. We ordered sushi and it took 1 whole hour for us to get our food. The sushi was nothing special. It tasted like average sushi buffet sushi (yuck). The server didn't ask us if we wanted more drinks until we were done with our food. Seriously one of the worst experience ever.

Pros: trendy

Cons: service, food

Posted 04/15/09

cool hipster place. Great drinks and fun people. The sushi is pretty good too! I would recommend it !

Posted 12/05/08

Nice little spot, cozy place with good music, fast and friendly service and a sushi chef that adds value to the pleasant atmosphere. We went for the first time last Saturday and I think that we will be returning soon.

Pros: ambience, sushi

Cons: the music should be little louder

Posted 02/24/08

I truly believe Liberty will be a great spot to just relax for many years to come. Andrew is especially attentive to the customers. The bartenders are awesome; with Justin being quite the Casanova! Sometimes the service is quite slow. Overall great place to bring a date or an out of town guest. My friend from Barbados thought it was nice. Thanks for being there in our walking neighborhood. My brother's pups like it too.

Posted 12/10/07

Back again to Liberty, I live out of Seattle, and found it to be as good or better than the other times I had been there. The food had improved in that there seemed to be more consistency to the portions. The vast array of drinks seemed to be almost unbelievable considering the size of the bar. How can you fault this little place at all. By yourself or with a friend it's the best bet in the neighborhood.

Posted 11/24/07

I'd heard rave reviews from my friends, so my girlfriend and I went there a week ago to check it out. I loved the atmosphere, which I would describe as a cross between comfortable and chic, and the cocktails were great, thanks to the freshly squeezed juices and the talented bartender. The sushi was better than most of the sushi I've had in Seattle, and reasonably priced as well.
The only complaint I have is that my girlfriend told me that the bartender became a little too friendly towards her when I went across the street to buy a pack of cigarettes. I'm sure he was just being friendly and nothing more, but it did make her a little uncomfortable.

Pros: Food, drinks and atmosphere

Posted 11/02/07

The other reviews seem to come to the same conclusion that I got. A great neighborhood bar/cafe. When I feel like I need to get out of the house, this is the place I can go. The great black couches are perfect for reading a book or just having conversation. The staff is always friendly and the sushi is decent. The concept works!

Posted 10/08/07

There are three reasons to go to a bar/restaurant. 1) Because its good food and good drinks beg for your return. 2) Because the atmosphere is congenial and suits your needs. 3) Because if you want to be left to yourself to read or observe, you feel comfortable in doing so. If any one of these three reasons were not part of LIBERTY'S features it wouldnt have rated 5 stars.

Pros: Reasonable, high quality and friendly.

Cons: Can't think of any.

Posted 09/13/07

Liberty is not just any old bar, it's a true neighborhood bar. And the cocktails? Un-F'ing-believable. They actually use fresh squeezed juice, you know. Great sushi too.

Pros: Love the people, love the drinks.

Cons: Service can be slow

Posted 09/01/07

I first noticed Liberty on my semi-regular trips to Sonic Boom. A friend and I decided to get drink there one night and needless to say, I had a great time. Really, who can argue with free internet and alcohol? I can't and certainly won't. This is a great idea...and when you add sushi to this combination--genius.

Pros: happy hour, sushi, free internet

Cons: sometimes "yuppy" atmosphere

Posted 06/19/07

Seriously. Feed me quality liquor, great cocktails and good sushi and I will follow you to the ends of the earth. You don't need to go that far with Liberty already right here on Capitol Hill. I like the overall feel of the place. Friendly staff and folks there seem relaxed enough to talk with strangers, if you happen to go in alone. They're even serving Portland's super Stump Town coffee in the mornings. Oh.. and of course, free wifi!

Pros: Terrific cocktails, great liquor selection, Dynamite sushi.

Posted 05/13/07

My sister and I butt heads...Cap Hill or Queen Anne?! She beats me fair and square with Liberty. I have no problem driving up Denny Way to meet her there...I love sushi but I usually do sashimi or something of that variety. EIther way, they will accomodate you. I recommend sitting at the bar...it's quite interesting to listen to conversation around you. The specialty drinks are fantastic. If you're looking for a "Seattle scene" that is more easy-going and comfortable (with quite a variety of drinks and sushi/sashimi items)...you will love Liberty. This is the reason I drive to my sister's place and walk to 15th. Liberty is the place to be.

Pros: Neighborhood parking, personable service, decent prices

Posted 04/25/07

Whether following a show, meeting up with friends, or heading up as a last minute plan, Liberty is consistently great.
The owner, seen each time I've visited, oversees the space & service as if tending to a personal party, The experience beyond its plain exterior, surprising at first, with great seating, positive space, and good drink & food offerings, Refreshing & welcoming in a quiet neighborhood (with the same old places along 15th).
LOVE the rolls named after it's retail/restaurant neighbors-thanks for not including walgreens-(though what a roll that would be!)
Expect that people will make space to share oversized couches, and be prepared when asked to do the same. The owner is aware & happy to help out with arrangements (so smart!). The staff is attentive, though sometimes overwhelmed, so give 'em a minute & don't plan this if you're rushed.
We hope to frequent this neighborhood jewel & hope its attention to detail continues with its increased popularity. THANKS LIBERTY!

Pros: great food, drink menu, attention to detail

Cons: beer offerings "out" add Japanese beer!

Posted 03/02/07

This is the only place in Seattle I know of where I can get high quality sushi late at night. No more QFC bento boxes--hurrah!

Pros: late night sushi; good beer selection; fun, funky decorations; fun people-watching

Cons: slightly innattentive wait staff; crowded and noisy like any good bar

Posted 02/27/07

I cannot rec this place enough. Come in, get happy on the great drinks, friendly staff and comfy couches and then top it all off (as if it could get any better than this) with some deliche sushi at 1am. Really, need you go anywhere else?

Pros: friendly owner/staff/bartenders---great drinks, great sushi

Posted 01/10/07

The first time I went into Liberty they had just opened a few months earlier. I was walking back from Volunteer Park with a friend on a (rare) hot Seattle day. We decided to drop in for a quick soft drink to cool down and ended up staying for two hours. We started with a lemonade which was made from lemons squeezed right at the bar....yum! Then the sushi rolls tempted us. I have to admit that I was worried that they would be premade but the rolls turned out to be really lovely and each order was made fresh upon request. Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to choose from in the sushi menu.
Then we moved on to the booze, also made with fresh squeezed lemony goodness.
The alcohol is also all meat-free! The drinks are total quality and there is an extensive menu to choose from if you're feeling adventurous or indecisive. Scotch, Tequila, and Whiskey taster menu is also available.

The window advertizes "espresso" but last I checked, their machine, although present, wasn't up and running yet. Don't worry about it, you won't miss it once you try the bar.

It can get crowded mid-late weekend nights but stays very managable during the week.

I went back there again recently (would go more but live about 2,500 miles away) and was really happy to see that they had survived and were obviously gaining in popularity. I always plan to pop in for "one quick drink" and end up staying for a few more drinks and some sushi.

Finally, I have to agree that the staff are really sweet. Apparently they haven't heard that service in Seattle is supposed to be jaded and snotty to be cool. Run over there quick before somebody tells them!

Posted 01/09/07

Liberty is one of those rare places that felt like a neighborhood fixture as soon as it opened. The comfy couches and friendly staff really make having drinks at this place feel like going over to a good friend's and relaxing in their living room, and owner Andrew Friedman clearly wants his guests to be as comfortable as possible. The cocktail list is creative and classy, and the cocktails themselves are memorable, not least because of Liberty's attention to what some might call the "details" of using fresh juices, simple syrup, and top shelf liquor. The sushi is great -- as well as being a great concept. Why hasn't anyone thought of serving sushi until 2 a.m. before??? Plus I swear something about sushi -- the wasabe maybe? -- makes hangovers easier.

Liberty is also a great place to go with a group or alone. Something about Liberty makes all customers check their pretensions at the door, which means people are (gasp!) friendly. Even though Liberty's no longer in my neighborhood, every time I make the trip, I feel like I'm at a neighborhood bar. Something that's sadly becoming a rarity in Seattle. RECOMMENDED.

Pros: Great cocktails, friendly servers, reasonable prices, congenial atmosphere

Cons: When its busy, the wait for sushi can be a little long because there's only one chef

Posted 01/09/07

This is a nice place to unwind with a group of friends or alone while reading a book.....................

Posted 11/14/06

Living nearby, it was difficult for me to avoid Liberty... but I could have easily quit the habit if it weren't for the unbelievable quality of both cocktails and sushi. Time and again, Liberty proves to be the best spot on Capitol Hill for delicious, authentic cocktails and sushi.

The bartenders really know their stuff and the sushi chef - despite working with limited space and ingredients - consistently delivers fabulous rolls (formerly, some might have experienced unevenly cooked rice, but that seems to be a thing of the past).

Liberty has got to be one of only 2 or 3 places in Seattle that serves California Rolls with REAL crab meat. And don't miss the Cascade Roll - delicous.

As for the cocktails, you really can't go wrong. Everything on and off the menu is painstakingly made with juice straight from the fruit. It makes all the difference in the world.

Finally - I don't care if I'm going overboard here - the staff has a rare quality in Seattle's service industry. They make you feel at home.

If you're in the neighborhood, give Liberty a try. I highly recommend it.

Pros: Authentic cocktails in a town of mediocre bartenders

Cons: Really hot in the summer

Posted 09/01/06

I live in the neighborhood (new to seattle from chicago). Went only once but the guys who run the place are really friendly and cool. The place is comfortable and the drinks are good. This is a great option for the 15th ave. strip--check it out!

Posted 07/12/06

Well, I have to admit that I work at Liberty, so please take with a grain of salt my gushing review.

I do not know if you've heard of us, but we're primarily a bar, and we serve fresh-juice cocktails - so none of that headache-inducing sugery mess that goes for cocktails elsewhere. We also have a growing collection of inexpensive but really tasty wines, and good beers both on tap and bottle.

Did I forget to mention the sushi? We serve sushi until 2am seven days a week, so stop on in and let us know how you like it.

In fact, mention Citysearch, and well do something extra-special for you.

See you soon?

Liberty

Posted 06/25/06