Insider Pages Reviews for Fado Irish Pub & Restaurant - Seattle

2 Stars: Best Irish Pub?! (by OutlawPaganIrish)

OutlawPaganIrish — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Are you kidding me?! Best Irish Pub in Seattle?! Maybe because Fado is a chain and therefore gets Awards for it. By no means is this the best Irish Pub in Seattle. They can't even make Cornbeef and cabbage correctly!!!
They serve shredded cabbage and sliced corn beef and call it authentic?! I'm from Ireland and that IS NOT how you serve Cornbeef & Cabbage. I ordered the same thing at Celtic Swell (Alki Beach), Mick Kelly's (Burien) and at Owl & Thistle ( behind Fados) and it came in the Traditional manner of quartered Cabbage and Chunked Corn Beef. Fado's is a joke. Granted the decor and atmosphere will do any irishman justice, but the cover charge will hurt your wallet. Who gives out these Awards anyway?!

5 Stars: beer (by gfunk21)

gfunk21 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

cant wait to drink some green beer next week. this is my favorite holiday to get drunk and have a good time

4 Stars: Not sure why people are complaining (by DMZilla)

DMZilla — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

I had a Guinness BBQ Chicken sandwich and I'd eat one every day if possible, it was that good. The bar was impressive, but unfortunately they were so busy (during a game) that the waitress was pulling double duty as a bartender and was running all over the place. Luckily she seemed to have energy to spare. This seems like a typical American Irish Pub, and I would have no issues eating/drinking there again though I'd also like to try the Owl n' Thistle around the corner which looks a little more authentic.

My only complaints are that my Guinness was a little expensive and my table was wobbly. Definitely not deal breakers, but worth noting.

5 Stars: Casual atmosphere, good beer, good music... always a fun time!! (by kebbesen)

kebbesen — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

This is one of my favorite bars in Seattle. I don't think I've ever NOT had a good time there! I prefer to go on Saturday nights when they have this two person band that plays cover music. It gets pretty busy on weekend nights to get there early if you want a table.

1 Stars: Skip it--Fado = Faux (by melissajonas)

melissajonas — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Fado is to Irish pubs what Denny's is to American diners. Not bad, but not great. Not authentic. Not worth spending your money in. You can order Guinness anywhere--why get it here? Seriously--there is not a single reason to spend your money in this bar. Go anywhere else on the block--Owl N Thistle, Contour, or up the street to Earth & Ocean's happy hour. Fado is overpriced, cold, and completely devoid of charm.

2 Stars: Plastic Irish T.G.I.F. style corporate generic bar! (by FreeRangeBeefcake)

FreeRangeBeefcake — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

This place is to Irish pubs what Taco Bell is to Mexican restaurants. Everything here seems like it was placed by a committee of people from at the Institute of Irish Cliches & Stereotypes. I'm told there is an identical Fado in dozens of cities around the US, absolutely generic! The food was average and the drinks were a bit overpriced, to be expected in this neighborhood though. The staff was friendly and it's close to the ferry dock, other than that I probably will look elsewhere in the future for a real Irish experience.

3 Stars: Horrible waitress, great music (by JaySolkim)

JaySolkim — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

The menu looked great, but I didn't end up ordering any food because I was so put off by our server's attitude. She threw some menus on the table and then looked at us to get our order. When we asked for a minute to look at the menu, she rolled her eyes and stalked away. She didn't smile once, and didn't respond to our "thank you's". When she came back again and glared at me as I was trying to put in my order, I immediately lost my appetite and just got a beer. I have a feeling that this isn't indicative of the entire Fado staff, but if you get unlucky and get waitstaff like her, it can ruin an otherwise great night.

Their live music was fantastic, and the clientele cleaner and not as immature as other places in the area.

3 Stars: You'll be dissapointed If you go here because of the 5 star reviews. (by BDR3)

BDR3 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

You can get a pint of Guinness anywhere. Alright service but nowhere as good as some of the other reviews claim. Not dingy enough to be an Irish pub. H it or a miss.

3 Stars: Good food, expensive beer, OK place for soccer (by vogler6)

vogler6 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Fado is downtown so it can be a great place after work while being close enough to Pioneer Square if you want to live it up without listening to bad music. The food is great and I have gone just for the rashers. The staff are almost always awesome but you might get unlucky and feel like you're at Red Robin if you get one of the few bad ones. Soccer is on if you don't mind getting a cramp in your neck from watching the randomly positioned TVs. I appreciate that they are opening early for matches but so is every other Irish, English, or Scottish place in town. It is really only worth it if you are close by since the beers are twice as much as the competition.

2 Stars: VERY Mediocre Service (by HelenWS)

HelenWS — Sun, 18 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I've been here several times and I've finally decided to never go again. The drinks are decent and the location is great, so it took me a while to realize that the service is always somewhere between mediocre and hostile. It's as if the wait staff could really care less about the customers. After my last experience at Fado, which was particularly disappointing, I sent an e-mail to management. They responded with a halfhearted apology and no offer of compensation.
I've mentioned this to a few friends and they all mentioned having similar experiences. The only reason this place stays open is because of the great location.

5 Stars: So good I've taken side trips to try some of the other Fado Pubs. (by waldschatten)

waldschatten — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Best corned beef and cabbage I've ever had that wasn't cooked by someone's grandma, and unlike some of the other "Irish" pubs around Seattle they can actually pour a pint. I was so impressed that when I was on a road trip recently I looked up all the Fado pubs that were anywhere near my route and stopped in for dinner and a few pints at all of them, none of them disappointed.

5 Stars: Late night Happy Hour (by love2spend)

love2spend — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Love the new late night happy hour! I can always find a place to eat late on the weekends, but never mid-week. But Fado now serves their happy hour and full appetizers until 1. I love the friendliness of the staff and the pints of Guinness are great! Now even more reasons to hang out there.

5 Stars: Are You Up? (by quietman)

quietman — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

If You're Up, You're Irish is the tagline here and they must be Irish because all the staff are "Up". Friendly, knowledgeable and energetic. I am becoming a regular here for the food, the great beer and my regular lunch time server, Carter. Honestly, I have never had a server who knows so much about beer. I've been in on a Saturday night recently and the atmosphere is a little different but it's Saturday night, the place is jumping and the staff are still smiling!

5 Stars: What A Pub!! (by cekticbhoy)

cekticbhoy — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I Love this place!!!! They have the best Pint of Guiness in town! I went there with four friends, we had a great time. A really cool touch is they have different branded glassware for each beer. Even if the beer wasn't as great as it is I would still go just to be served by Liz behind the bar, she is the BEST!

5 Stars: Anyone for a Pint of Bitter's (by hdeber34)

hdeber34 — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

My wife and I stopped in Monday evening for a bite and a pint. We've been here a few times before and were only disappointed when they charge a cover. My wife ordered the Full Irish All-Day Breakfast which was huge and tastey, I ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage which was also large.... but the cabbage was so bland that I thought it was unseasoned shredded coleslaw that had been boiled to death. I've been to Ireland and that is not how they prepare it for you. It will not be ordered again anytime soon. Great service and a wide selection of beer's on tap. Comfortable atmosphere and easy on your wallet. Overall a great place for a game and a pint.

5 Stars: My Favourite Bar (by patk67)

patk67 — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

As an Irishman living in Seattle I have to say this is my home away from home. Great food, great atmosphere, friendly staff and the best pint of Guinness outside of Ireland!

Sinead behind the bar is enough to make me come back 2 or 3 times a week for a reminder of home.

The best Irish bar in Seattle, without a doubt!

5 Stars: best pint of Guiness (by smilsow)

smilsow — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Great place to watch futbol after work or on the weekends. Friendly service and they know the REAL way to pour a pint of Guiness. The food is very good and reasonably priced as well.

5 Stars: What a PUB! (by macirishgreg)

macirishgreg — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We loved Fado and their friendly staff! The live music was all music we knew and the place was electric on Saturday! We came in and watched soccer on Sunday with Gerry the manager and had a good laugh.
Great before a Mariners game....Fado's happy hour menu was a great deal and really good food!
The best pint of Guinness I have ever had!
Loved it! Thanks Gerry!

5 Stars: One of the BEST pubs in the US! (by daddie)

daddie — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Unbelievable World Cup coverage and a great place for a great pint of Guinness, great food and great staff! We had a great time for lunch and ended up staying all the way through the night! Came back for Brunch on Saturday and loved it.
I travel all over the country and always try to find an Irish pub. Fado was reasonably priced and good fun all the way around! A must see.

5 Stars: Great fries, great tunes, great service! (by patmccroch)

patmccroch — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I've been to Fado's quite a few times over the past year or two and everytime I leave with a smile. The service is always excellent. Whether you are there for lunch or a night out for some live music. At lunch you'll see everyone from business men to tourists, and at night you'll see people from their early 20's to late 30's. Great prices too. I love ending up there for lunch or @ 2am, just a great joint to be.

3 Stars: so-so (by Heather S.)

Heather S. — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 14:25:00 GMT

i give this place 3 stars for a couple of reasons. the place isn't entirely horrible, but i've consistantly found the service to be lacking and unfriendly. this is usually a place i get wine or beer as you know what you are going to get that way. their drinks are usually more filler than alcohol. however, their food is good and they do have a fun decor, especially the dungeon in the back!

3 Stars: It's ok (by Connie B.)

Connie B. — Thu, 09 Jun 2005 23:17:00 GMT

I wish I could go to an Irish pub and feel like I am in Ireland. Fado is not one of them. You can find some hip hop music but I have yet to find an Irish group playing here.