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Categories: Sports Bars, Dive Bars, Pool Halls [Edit]
Neighborhood: EastlakeMon-Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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Ok, ANOTHER update!
Just wanted to say that I've upped them to a 5. They now have 4 pool tables, the longest shuffleboard in town, pin ball, ski ball (!!), darts AND regular video games all in the same awesome down to earth bar!
Did I mention they have a giant pink (?) paper mache dragon with different colored eyes that blink?
Um, can it get any cooler than that?
I don't think so!
Ok, this place still rocks, and aside from the fact that they don't have a happy hour for us beer… Read more »
Solid 3.5 Stars rounded up
If you are looking for a place to chill out and play some games -- and more than just pool -- this is a good place for you. If you like a bar with an old-school divey feel, this is a good place for you. If you love beer and can live without liquor, this is a good place for you. If you live near Eastlake, this is one of the only bars for you.
If you like nice, clean bars with uber-friendly service and modern amenities, this is NOT a good place for you. The Zoo seems to pride itself on falling into disrepair. I don't think it's been vacuumed in a decade, other reviews mention the sad state of the games, there is random junk piled in the corners, and I'm pretty sure the upper level is gonna collapse any day now. It's like a bar that happens to be in the basement of an abandoned house.
Recently I saw a guy painting the outside of the Zoo. I though that was an interesting decision since certain aspects of the bar potentially pose some sort of health/safety hazard. I wish they'd opt for interior cleaning over exterior painting, but oh well, who am I to judge? I wouldn't want to spend all my time at the Zoo, but I end up there once every few months and that's just the right amount.
If you're lucky Tako Truk will be open next door for late night munchies.
I LOVE THE ZOO!!!
i really do love this place. it's very unpretentious and down to earth. I love going here with a couple of friends to have some beers and shoot some pool. Monday nights = free pool!!! also mimosa mondays for $3, but unless you don't want beer, i would leave it alone...
They only serve beer and wine by the way, but if you have to have some booze, there's another bar right down the way you can have a couple shots and come back to the game....
BTW, they also have one shuffleboard table, two dart boards, big buck hunter, and now a skee ball machine!
i went here on a really chill friday before halloween. maybe it was the pouring rain or that everyone was staying in the night before a big party night...but it was pretty quiet. it sucks that its cash only and only serves beer and wine (thus, as per seattle law, why "tavern" is in the name- if there's hard alcohol served, you can't have it in the name)
but its cool that you have shuffleboard, skeeball, and pool - although lame people were dominating the shuffleboard and only would give it up if we played them for money. lame.
but the barstaff were unpretentious and let me try several samples before i bought a pitcher, so i can't complain.
Ok... Why the heck is this place is still open is a mystery to me. It smells bad, is extremely dirty and the staff is rude. They DON'T take anything but cash which makes you wonder and they charged me $5 for a bottle of Stella.
I will celebrate the day that they loose their liquor license and get torn down and replaced by a commercial/residential condo.
I love the Zoo! I work a block from this place, and I am kind of kicking myself for not going sooner!
I prefer it a little earlier in the evening before it gets super busy. Renea is the best bartender ever (she's the sassy redhead. Give her mad awesome tips.) Music is good, and the patrons that I have encountered have been friendly (though, I've been known to have a little too much fun. I could've met some real obnoxious folks and not remember it, haha).
I suck at pool and shuffleboard, but it's fun to watch others play.
Long story short, I'll be back. Often.
The Zoo is the largest dive bar I've ever seen. I walked in and immediately felt comfortable. I don't know what that says about me but whatever. It doesn't seem that big of a place from the street but its huge inside. Well, larger than most cramp dank dive bars. They have it all except the hard stuff. Shuffle board, pool tables, buck hunter, pinball, darts, beer, and some pretty cool people. Parking is a bit of a stretch, but it is seattle, so no surprise there. The staff was pretty cool, and most of them served in world war I, so much respect. Last call wasn't the typical get your ass out of here, it was get your ass out of here please.
I like this bar, I'm surprised I never found my way in here before.
Well......
fun crowd
varied people
A cover?? Why?/
pool, overdrinking, wildness.. crowd somewhat controlled. Generaly good but VERY loud music. Astute bartenders - they are watchful and pay attention to their crowd. You have ot give them a lot of credit for that.
I have to say If you are looking for a dive Bar, this is as good as it gets! I love this place they have every thing I need here my fave Beer 1454 all the good bar games, a up stares view of the city & I love how it feels like you have steeped back in time!
The Zoo gets more stars if you're really in the mood for some stank. It's a good option if in Eastlake because there aren't many options in the first place. I wouldn't travel far to come to this place but I live in the neighborhood.
I went here with a (bad) date a long time ago but that's what sticks out in my mind. However the good thing is that the Zoo contains a plentiful supply of random things to point at and make comments about. It helps fill awkward spots in the conversation when you really want to run away but want to be polite. Pitchers of beer help as well. And living a few blocks away so that you can stumble away in a flurry. Just make sure your date doesn't follow you home and start stalking you.
Good beer, cash only, no hard A, shuffle board, cheap pool, darts, jukebox. Much bigger than it appears. Random tables and chairs that confuse you when intoxicated. Maybe I'm biased because my bad date tainted the Zoo forever for me, maybe not...
The other day I met Lindsey S here to hide out from the rain, watch the M's game (we bailed on actually GOING to the stadium), and have some beer on a Tuesday night. The whole thing just really hit the spot. I could see Duck Dodge in full swing on the lake, and it made me even more glad I was inside with my pitcher and my friend.
Cash only, no food, just chips and snacks, lots of pool tables, and I even spied decks of cards and other games behind the bar. Pitchers of domestics are just $8.
My dad told me that he and my mom used to come here when they were dating and fresh out of college. I loved that! And I'm certain the decor hasn't changed at all since then.
The Zoo is a great part of Eastlake and makes it what it is. But unless you're a local, or know what you're getting into, this is classic Seattle and might put you off.
Being just a block and a half away, it's a great place to go to unwind with a cheap pitcher. I echo others love for the shuffleboard.
For a good time (don't do this regularly):
- find some acquaintances from Belltown
- insert into environment
- watch: it's like oil and water and they'll tell you how much they hate the place when they leave about 5 minutes later.
If you want a serious drink, don't bother. This dive only has beer and wine. Stick with the beer, the wine tastes like something from the prohibition era made under someones kitchen sink.
Since I'm 200 years old, you can take this on my good authority, naturally.
There is a nice view to be had of downtown in the back of the place, but it is countered with being stuffy and hot even when it is somewhat cold outside.
This place has character in spades as it looks like something, if abandoned, some comicbook supervillain might have taken over to house their henchmen.
Went back to the Zoo a couple weeks ago for drinks, pool and darts, which is exactly why you go to the Zoo. Easy-going atmosphere, large open space that still feels cozy and lots of games to choose from. Pretty good combination.
Only been in the afternoon so haven't really experienced a night out here. A good place for beers… Read more »
I lost my virginity to the Zoo and a pitcher of Rainier!
Yes, it was midnight of my 21st birthday and as I strolled down the hill towards the Zoo I got nervous. I knew, this was it! My first bar experience was steps away and I was gitty.
What a relief! Thursday night, the spot was dim, relaxed and bartender was (to say the least) a bit grumpy! Instantly I got the "can I see id"? I was nervous. Though I had turned 21 two minutes ago, I was sure he was gonna tell me to get out and come back when I'm grown up....(coulda had to do with barely seeing over the bar). He smiled, chuckled aloud and then asked "what'r ya drinkin'?". I paused. I wasn't ready for that! "Uhmmmm"....mind switching to boggled mode and trying to cypher the drinks my rents' took in at home...."I'll have a Merlot"! "Good choice, it's on the house!" The bartender fetched a huge glass, poured what seemed like gallons of wine into it and then slid it down to my pining fingers. No doubt, wouldn't have traded my big 21 experience for anything.
What's been said thus far about the Zoo is true. Great place to have some drinks during the week if you're looking for a really casual, tame time. The peeps can get a little too hip and cool for school on the weekends, prepare yourself. My judgment stems from the Zoo pre-2005. Post, I'd say it has taken on new barkeep to attract a younger crowd of the trendy persuasion. Great things like shuffle board, arcade games, good pool and cheap beer still exist here though. If you were fishing for a good bar, this would be a great catch.
Oh Dive. Oh Divey-dive. I am not a bar girl, I don't like beer, and I SUCK at pool. Why did I come here you ask? Because it is only about 30 steps from my work and I decided to check out the neighborhood since switching workspots from the U-District. I was with some friends who ordered a pitcher of 1554, which was actually pretty good (considering I don't like beer), but the tap was almost empty and it was only enough for three glasses. He only charged us a third of the price, but I saw him pour half the pitcher out because the head was too foamy.
Now, I may not be a bartender nor a beer drinker, but I'm pretty sure there's an angle you're supposed to hold the pitcher at below the tap so that the head doesn't get too foamy. I think it may have had something do do with the empty tap, but who knows...
It is definitely a "tavern" and I will most likely be back because, you know, it's right next to my work and my coworker/friend absolutely LOVES this place (I secretly think that is because it is only two blocks from her house and she can stumble home). Plus, she kicked my butt at pool.
The new Zoo is a lot different than the old Zoo. The new young bartenders are 3904 times more friendly than the old ones, but that's part of the reason I used to love the Zoo- it took hours and hours of sitting at the bar for the old grumpy bartenders to warm up to you- and once they did, you felt like you had accomplished something other than finishing 2 pitchers of beer. However, I'm not saying ANYTHING bad about the new ones- they're young and hip and friendly and that's nice too.
My Zoo Rule: Never bring the animals you meet at the Zoo home with you. I always make new friends when I go, which is great, but I would suggest keeping your new friendships within the Zoo-walls.
I just learned that they have $3 Mimosa Mondays- a new feature now that the staff has completely turned over. Sounds good to me. Add that to a few games of shuffleboard or darts, and you're in for a pretty solid evening of semi-wholesome fun.
Cash only (they have an ATM and change machine for quarters), a few new big TVs and more live music than they used to. I love that they serve bags of chips and pickles since they have to have food- so if you get hungry, go to Pazzos and get a pizza and a cocktail and then head back.
Oh, also, I like that you could write on the walls with chalk- my name is hidden everywhere. It kind of makes me feel like the Zoo is mine. Lord knows I've spent enough time there.
I"m surprised that this place has gotten reviews above 2 stars. I get that this place is a dive bar, but it's a really really nasty dive bar. Instantly when I walked in I got a big wiff of urine. Thinking it was just some werid plumbing issues that was going on that night I decided to go back a few weeks later with a different group of friends and everyone wanted to leave because it still smelt like urine. Avoid.
As if this place needed more reviews...
It is spacious and comfortable and off the beaten path, which really counts for a lot if you have a lot of friends and several cars. Pool tables galore, shuffleboard, couple of video games, and four pinball machines in okay repair (Simpsons PP, IJ, MM, South Park).
There were a few shiny people, but mostly just folks.
This place is all wrong: Interior from 1972, old pool tables, shuffleboard from the Titanic.
What's not to love?
I've spent a lot of time at the Zoo and wouldn't take back a minute.
Great staff that know how to run a bar.
Every time I've gone to this place (ok, just twice), someone has thrown a chair. Not in a "I'm really mad and I want to hurt someone" way. Just in a "this seems like the right time and place, and there's plenty of room to throw a chair safely" way.
Going to the Zoo is a fun time. I love the shuffle board table.
Zoo what happened to you? I realize it's been awhile, but you've let yourself go. Your shuffleboard table was stripped but the bartender was happy to charge $3 an hour for it. We returned the beat up pucks after 1 minute of frowning at the laminate table with wood chips. We switched to pool but the black ball was missing so instead we used a white ball with black marker. We needed nourishment from your pickle jar but the bartender was too busy playing pinball to care. It's OK. I know you'll feel yourself again soon. I'll still come for the beer and the atomosphere occasionally. I'll probably try your cheap dog and chips. But I won't be stopping by on a regular basis until to you can perform your duties with competence.
I'm calling this place out as a Fake Dive Bar! The people are far too pretty and way too dressed up for this to be a dive...
I went here for the first time about a year ago, on a Tuesday night. It was great: empty, a tad sketchy, cheap bevs, pool tables involved, really fun
Now that I'm living here in Eastlake, I wanted to ring in my new neighborhood with a trip to the Zoo and I was very confused.
I was in my really sexy $6 sweatshirt I got on discount at Old Navy and my ratty jeans and flip flops, so I thought it would be perfect. Oh man, there were all sorts of metrosexuals with their hair gel and hoochie girls in heels, jewelry, make up, the works. It grossed me out.
I was disappointed for sure. I'm going to go one night this week to see if this is a weekend thing or what?!?!
Still a great place as far as the sketchy people who work there, cheap beer, cash only, pool tables (although it was way to crowded and pretty back there for me to feel like playing)
Just scroll through the reviews, and you'll pretty quickly get the right idea about this place. The lesson is this: if you're too uptight and too cool for school, go back to Belltown (and, yeah, I like Belltown too). Now if you're still reading this, this is classic dive material. Cheap beer, Cheaper pool, and the classic bar on the corner feel. Don't worry how you dress, cuz nobody else does. If you just want a fun crowd to hang with, this could be your place!
The wine is sold in "small" and "large" tumblers.
Plenty of pool tables and the regulars gladly share them.
The bathrooms aren't nasty.
They've got a view.
You're allowed to smoke 8 inches outside the front door.
They've got the best poster and old photo collection around.
You can kick a chair across the floor if you f-up and cause your team to lose at shuffleboard and not get kicked out.
Five stars baby, five stars.
PS. Don't go on Friday or Saturday night and expect to not see the people who go to dive bars on Friday and Saturday night to be cool.
My favorite bar in Seattle. I like that I can walk 3 blocks and enjoy good cheap beer, play pool/darts/shuffleboard and stumble home. A little disappointed that it is becoming more popular and a little too fratty, and always upset when I have to pay a cover at the frickin zoo tavern - oh, well.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much other than how it was described to me "a local dive with lots of games", and I got exactly what I was expecting. Lots of rich natural wood colors everywhere and more spacious than most pubs, they have an alright beer selection. Seem to be very focused on supporting the local University.
There were tons of folks shooting darts and playing pool. I was surprised that they are a "cash only" bar, which I'm not used to, so I had to use their $2 fee ATM.
It is definitely spacious enough that you could bring a group of 20 with no problem --- that's hard to find.
My only complaint is that I was super excited to see they had shuffleboard, only to find it severely lacking in sand (and people had tried to make up for this by reusing the old sand mixed with wood, lint, you get the picture) and the pucks were busted up pretty badly. Time to invest in some new equipment.
All in all, I would go back - if I was in the mood for a quiet dive bar with lots of games.
The Zoo Tavern is a good, honest-to-goodness old-fashion dive bar with an old-timey crabby bartender and everything. Well, everything except liquor...which is a good thing since I am trying to get a divorce from Jameson. Very reminiscent of the bars one would find in a small town in the midwest.
Personally I prefer dusty places like this or the Quarter Lounge to shiny, uber-clean-place-to-be-seen, $10 a drink-don't ask the third reich looking bartender for an extra wedge of lime-places.
When I just want to drink (a beer) and not care if my hair is looking funny, or that I'm in my slippers...this place is tops. Plus, literally if need be I can just roll my sorry self down the hill to my apartment. If only it had liquor, which is why I gave it only 4 stars. Granted, I might be divorcing Jameson...but its still nice to pay a visit now and then.
I haven't seen a snooker table ANYWHERE in the six years since I moved away from England. But then I moved to Eastlake, and came to this local dive bar of mine, and there it was -- in all its beauty -- a proper English snooker table. Instant cool points.
Then there's two dart boards, which are in pretty decent shape. And Mac & Jacks on tap.
All and all, it's a pretty good bar.
I have a couple of complaints, though. First, it's basically empty most nights of the week. Second, the snooker table pricing is based on number of players multiplied by the time everyone plays, and that's just not fair. If you have four people playing, you're using the table just as much as if two people are using it.
But this place is still great for playing bar games with friends. There's usually a pool table available, and if there's not, there's darts or shuffleboard. Totally laid back, not a pick-up place, just a place for fun.
You know those nights where you really don't want to (or can't!) spend more than ten dollars going out? Or even better, you don't want to spend more than $10 AND you don't want to change out of (insert embarrasingly casual, or just plain ugly outfit here)? Look no further than the zoo! I've gone here looking my best and my worst--and everywhere in between--but I have never felt out of place! Sure they have Manny's and a few other "real" beers on tap...but it's also not frowned upon to drink a pitcher of PBR--$6.50! Or you can spring for Bud Light and it'll cost you only another 50 cents.
I'll see you there!
This is our favorite neighborhood bar. Even if it weren't the only game in walking distance - no, let's make that even if it weren't in our neighborhood - I'd still probably call this one of the first bars in Seattle that I feel like I can call homey. (Hopefully this doesn't make me sound like an alcoholic)
Seriously, though.
You walk in and if you've been there enough they know you and don't have to check your ID, so at least it's a little less like visiting a bar.
Their beers and wines are inexpensive enough that you mgiht as well be drinking at home, but you don't have to wash the dishes and you get all the benefits of draft beer without having to keep a keg on hand.
You check out some darts or the shuffleboard pucks or start up a game of pool, and it's just like playing a game in your own house.
The crowd is mixed, so whatever you're wearing or what you're doing you won't feel out of place. People tend to show up in groups but we've started several friendly games with people who happen to be around.
Regardless of whether it's where you start off, where you end up, or where you spend the whole night, you can always count the Zoo!
What has happened to all my dirty, old man bars. The zoo used to be a place where I could go and be the youngest person in the bar by 20 years. Now its packed with young, attractive people, its hard to find a seat on weekends, and the bouncer gives you a hand stamp. What the hell happened. Pfff, must be the smoking ban.
Despite all the changes the Zoo is still a money bar and you should make a point of going. The bartenders are awesome. It has a solid beer collection, including Manny's and most importantly it has Big Buck Hunter. No dive bar is complete without Big Buck Hunter although they have a new version which is significantly easier than the older version. Damn kids, back in my day...etc, etc, etc.
Thank goodness the reputation of the Zoo has mellowed over the last few years. Once a regular hangout for sailors, construction workers and bikers, it could get a little rough at times and occasionally someone would make the police report in the papers. Nowadays the Eastlake neighborhood is a little gentler and the residents aren't as likely to have a rap sheet.
If you like play pool or shuffleboard with a beer in hand then the Zoo fits the bill.
Dive bar.
You probably won't find me here.
Dart board. Pool tables. Shuffle board. Pinball machines. Local beer brews.
I felt like I was trapped on a small hometown ghetto island walking into an old-timer's sailor/fisherman tavern. The bartender was old enough to be my grandpa and very quiet. Smelled like people always smoking in there. They had quite a few pool tables- almost like the kind you fold up and set on a table in your basement. The equipment was as old as the bartender. They did have one tourney table there, but it was covered. There was also a section up some stairs in the back for additional seating I think...but besides the couple of old guys at the bar, it was just our clan of about 8. Wasn't bad for free/50cent pool and cheap beer.
This has been favorite of mine since the th '92 when I first went there - yes, it could be called a bit of a dive bar, and maybe it's just that... but a nice dive it is - truth be said, it's got good fun inside... with/without a beer. You will always get a game in at the tables and then there's snooker and darts too. It's a great sit down and enjoy a good game and a beer kind of place.
Sit back, relax and smile... this place feels like an open door to anybody (21-101). Enjoy this friendly no pretense place. Drink up and dust up that cue..... 'SMACK' lets roll!
Had a hilarious nightcap at The Zoo friday night after dinner at Serafina. Two pitchers of beer and some darts. The place does smell funny. And, the old guy behind the bar is hilariously old school. They were playing some great 80s tunes on the juke box. Anyway, a fun way to end the night.
Yes,
Pool and beer.
Cash only, no liqour.
Love this place.
Imagine you're in a barn.
Now imagine that the barn was abandoned 15 years ago.
Now imagine that a couple of local yokels 'refinished the place' with all the odds and ends they could find around town and at the local junkyard.
Now imagine there are 4 pool tables.
Now imagine a bar where you can get ridiculously cheap (but still decent) beer.
Now imagine that it's not very crowded and the music isn't very loud.
Now imagine that barn is in the middle of eastlake.
You've imagined the local Paradise that is zoo... and lucky for us, it's real. Go, bring friends, designate a driver, have an overly-fun, overly-cheap night.
***NO CARDS OF ANY TYPE ACCEPTED (if you forget, there's an atm there, so don't worry too much... the 1.75 fee will be made up for by the ridiculously cheap beer)
I was going to give this four stars because I thought to myself "if I give it five stars I'll look like a backwater loser who is interested in his own sister" ... then I thought to myself "who am i kidding... Joanna is SO hot"
Best bar in Seattle and I will defend that statement to the end. This is a "cash only tavern" as the bartender will quickly remind you if you try to use a credit card. Based upon my numerous, and often sloppy, conversations with the bar staff, I've learned that this place is a co-op; all the people who work there are part-owners and, from what I can gather, most of them have been there since the 70s. They might not have changed the beer prices since the 70s either (or the felt on the pool tables or myriad things throughout the bar. No food here and the peanut/cashew machines are likely hazardous to your health. Also watch out for my friend "Drunk Mike" who tends to appear randomly after several (5) shots of Jager at the pizza place up the street. He is also a hazard to your health. They don't serve liquor so you'll have to walk 100 feet up the block to Pazzos if you need something stronger, but again, watch out for Drunk Mike.
That being said, this is a great place to bring a crowd. It is a huge space and has a surprisingly nice view of Lake Union if you dare climb up the stairs in the very back of the bar. Pool, darts, a great shuffleboard table, and video games plus cheap beer = good times. They don't serve liquor and the wine will come in the same glass in whcih a "double" shot would normally be served.
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square
Category: Pool Halls
Neighborhood: First Hill
Category: Pool Halls
Neighborhood: Eastlake
Category: Pizza
Neighborhood: Belltown
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Ballard
Category: Pubs
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