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Knee High Stocking Co.
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Nightlife Bars Lounges American (New), Lounges [Edit]
1356 E Olive Way(between Bellevue & Melrose)
Seattle, WA 98122
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
(206) 979-7049
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 1 am
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
314 reviews for Knee High Stocking Co.
Review Highlights
"Awesome drinks, delicious homemade chicken pot pie."
(in 30 reviews)
"For a speakeasy, it's a fun little joint."
(in 99 reviews)
"i chose a classic "gin and ginger", and it was amazing."
(in 16 reviews)
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314 reviews in English
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Review from Anna K.
Seattle, WA
2/6/2012
Our impromptu birthday part of 7 ladies took a chance on Knee High, even though it certainly didn't seem like the kind of place you take a group of people. But they handled us with aplomb and humor and their entire staff was welcoming, funny and sweet. Love the text message reservations, too.
The drinks were EXCELLENT. This is the main reason I wanted to go and I was not at all disappointed. The pot pie was very good, and the vibe was great. Loved the bartender coming over to convince my girlfriend that she did not actually want to order a glass of red wine -- "ordering a glass of red wine here is kind of like going to really great prostitute and just getting a back rub." He wasn't at all condescending about it, just suggested he make her a drink, and if she didn't like, he'd remedy the situation. That, my friends, is service. The man makes an incredible cocktail.
This would be a wonderful date spot. I guess that kind of goes without saying.
I'm very excited to return and look forward to many, many more of Knee High's lovely cocktails in my future. -
Review from Faith Y.
Updated - 2/5/2012
Oh Knee High, it's been far too long since I've stood outside your nondescript door in my super fly cloche perched just so on my head. No seriously, I wore a cloche hat here. I think dressing for the part gets you fully immersed in the speakeasy experience. The gents who come here tend to sport suspenders and casual suit jackets. They even take your coats for you upon arrival. Needless to say, I love it!
If someone asks where there's a place to get unique drinks, I point them in this direction. Besides being cozy and the opposite of what's happening elsewhere in Capitol Hill, they have a killer selection of Prohibition-era style drinks. Take the Love & Violets for example, it's made with St. Germain, Creme de Violette and cherry bitters. That's classy stuff.
However, their speciality lies in these type of drinks, made with care and skilled mixology. I recommend branching out of the traditional ones you might think of like Tequila Sunrises. A friend ordered it as one of her safe choices but didn't like how it was prepared (too sweet she says).
I also get the giggles at the fun language they use in their reservation text conversations. One example I received was "We can seat a party of 5 at 12 am, does that suit your fancy?" To which I replied "Egads! Alas, we may be aslumber by then but thank you very much." Lesson learned, try to text more than a few hours in advance! The place holds maybe 30 people or less including the staff.
The only bummer was that they discontinued their delicious pretzels. Sad. Face.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/20/2010
Hands up if you had to Google what a speakeasy was. Oh wait, was that just me? My bad! Well KHSC… Read more »
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Review from Angelina F.
Seattle, WA
2/1/2012
Everything about this place is fantastic. I'm sure the staff thinks I'm certifiably nuts because of how much I tell them how wonderful it is.
The bartender, Greg, knows (I swear) everything. He presented all our drinks and had something to say about all of them to help us get the most out of the experience (the best drinks come with context.) They were EXPERTLY prepared.
I ordered the Hennessy Sidecar (best sidecar I've ever had. I always begin with it.) Followed by the Widow's Kiss, and the Old-Fashioned French Italian. Later on, I had some Fernet neat, and then Fernet and coffee -- which is now a new-found favorite, all on a LEGENDARY suggestion from Greg. The hostess/server is so sweet and attentive.
As someone who really loves a good cocktail, I certainly do not mind waiting a little bit longer than normal for an exquisite experience.
Also, order the lamb sliders. I DREAM ABOUT THEM.
Every time I leave this place, I leave elated from the truly exciting and unique experience and attention from the (beyond) exceptional staff. And every time I leave, I leave looking forward to the next occasion where I am lucky enough to come back.
If I could rate this at 10 stars, I would. It is a GEM of an establishment. Almost so much that I wish no one would find out so I could keep it all to myself... -
Review from Chris S.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
There drinks are amazing, I usually get the Bookers Perfect Manhattan. Its a strong and tastes good. You really need to try it. For snacks, id get the tater tots and chicken pot pie. The place is small, and hidden, its a windowless "room" with just a black door. text to make reservations, I don't recommend this place for more than 3 people.
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Review from Chris D.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really, really like the feel of this place. From the texting for reservations, to ringing the doorbell for entry, to the hushed enjoyment of the patrons... it all makes for a very cool experience. Plus, the food was very good in that homey, well executed bar food kinda way. Anything with pastry? Get it. Flaky and delicious, even if the secret ingredient in the chicken pot pie was a crap ton of poultry seasoning.
What I didn't like was waiting a half hour (not exaggerated) between getting our drinks and being able to order our food... or another drink. I get there's only one waitress for the place, but it's tiny and it shouldn't have taken that long for her to come back around. I saw her floating around, waiting on other tables, but I just couldn't manage to make eye contact to flag her down. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was purposely avoiding us.
Over the course of our longer-than-necessary time there, we only ended up ordering two rounds. Considering we were living four blocks DOWNHILL at the time, this is at least half of what we would have drunked with decent service. I'd go back, but would probably look to take others along to make the most of it (and hope for better service). They get that ironed out and it *could* be a 5 star joint.Listed in: Thank You Yelp, Seattle Noob
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Review from Corinne H.
Seattle, WA
1/7/2012
I LOVE knee high. Probably the coolest cocktail experience I've ever had in Seattle. The speakeasy style is super fun, the cocktails are imaginative and just plain fantastic! It's small and crowded, but in a good and comfortable way. Service is top-notch.
Tips...make a reservation (it's popular), sit at the bar (the bartender is awesome), order The Stork (if you like gin), and get some tots (because they are delicious). -
Review from Stef M.
1/15/2012 1 photo
I like this place, but if given the choice I'd go to Bathtub Gin instead because it's a bit more intimate and the atmosphere feels more speakeasy-like. Knee High is in a weird spot - first of all, they have windows, and the curtains are really thin so you're constantly reminded of the outside world with traffic passing by.
Second, it's got more of a restaurant layout, which doesn't feel as cozy to me. The tables are WAY too close together - I didn't *want* to be a part of the conversation that the couple next to us was having, but I got to listen to it anyway. We also got a cold blast of wintery air every time the door opened, so if it's cold out, try to get a table further away from the door.
Our waitress did a great job - she was very attentive. Drinks were delicious: definitely the reason I'd come back if I were in the neighborhood. (Although that raises an interesting question: if reservations are required via text message, is it possible to just "stop by"? Maybe you could text them to see if there are any last-minute tables.
Drinks-wise, I tried my husband's "cup of awesome" (Voyager Gin, stout beer reduction, egg white, agave, bitters, shaken twice, topped with nutmeg), and tried a corpse reviver(not on the menu, but very well-made) and an aviation myself (Plymouth Gin, Creme de Violette, Luxardo, Maraschino liqueur with lemon). They were all tasty AND strong! If I return, I will probably try to sit at the bar and see what the bartender could mix up for me.
We also tried some crack corn and a small fried pie for dessert. The corn was tasty but there were lots of tooth-busting unpopped corn kernels at the bottom. You'd think those wouldn't be too hard to filter out of the mix. The pie was amazing, and came ala mode. -
Review from A. B.
Seattle, WA
2/4/2012
cute little place with great drinks & good food to accompany...the lamb minis were a bomb, pork medallions were superb & so was the goat cheese in puff pastry & lumpias...the only thing that was AOK was the flaming goat but no complains for the overall excellent experience.
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Review from Hells Bells P.
Seattle, WA
1/7/2012
We'll come again.
I read that you had to text message your reservation, and I thought that it wouldn't work. But I received a text back within a few minutes, and we exchanged a few texts until we found a time that would work for the both of us. I wasn't left with a "sorry, too bad your requested time won't work out for us tonight, maybe next time" feeling.
When we arrived, I didn't think we had arrived at the right place since it was a house, no lights coming from the window, seemed a bit sketchy. I didn't get to ring the door bell because an employee was standing outside for a smoke break and he actually unlocked the door for us to get in. Kinda cool, made us feel like he was welcoming us into his home :)
Drinks: I thought were a little pricey, seemed out of balance with the rest of the menu. Drink prices are more in line with entree's that are priced in the upper $20's to mid $30's. We ordered the Hot Toddy, came in a brandy glass, which i was a little apprehensive about, cuz of the heat, but it worked out ok, i held the stem. The presentation of the drink was really nice though. BF got the hemingway and the grasshopper. He also gave the drinks two thumbs up.
Appetizer: Olives - it was as expected, good, but nothing special. The Lumpia's were however DEVINE!!! YUMMMMMERS! kinda small servings though. Also ordered the Cheese platter, also nice. good quality cured meats, the toast was grilled with a hint of butter, wasn't 100%. Tasted like it had been sitting out for about an hour. But it was still tasty and crunchy.
Entree: Pork Tenderloin and the Chicken Pot Pie. BF ordered the pork. I had a taste of the brussel sprouts which were really tasty, flavorful, nicely salted, and i think they were either grilled or fried, which helped to keep the bitterness in check. The root 'mush' in the middle was alright, too much texture, not creamy enough. Same with the mashed potatoe, altough the flavor was good. Unfortunately can't comment on the pork. BF ate it all before I could taste any, guess that's a good sign. The Chicken Pot Pie was tasty, but a little salty and the pie crust wasn't flaky, but the presentation again was really appetizing, golden crust, just not flaky as I expected.
Cool ambience, intimate, cool decor, nice people working here. Service was good for us. I just asked for help and I got it. I would bring my out of town guests here.
We'll definately come again. -
Review from Chris A.
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Preeeetty cool if you ask me.
Went here on a Saturday night recently with a friend who had to text them to get reservations. Ok, I'm not gonna lie... I got lost. This is place is so unassuming that I kept walking near and around it without ever finding it.....until I finally saw a little sign that said "Ring Doorbell." I did and thus was granted access to this little gem of a spot. So interestingly enough it was Halloween weekend so everyone here - minus my friend and myself were totally dressed up and costumed out. Made for an interesting evening.
So I'm totally blanking on the names of the drinks (which I usually always remember) but this place does deliver in terms of cocktails. Reminds me a lot of Sun Liquor or Tavern Law. Loved, loved, loved the drinks....the food was good. Very pub-farish and good to get your nibble on. I actually ordered the tater-tots and must say they were pretty tasty.
It was a busy night so service was little slow but they were very gracious and friendly. Very likeable staff. This place isn't big so be prepared to sqeeze in a little and get used to a very intimately close-quartered type of vibe. All in all, great spot. I still probably prefer the old Sun Liquor on Summit if I was to get my speakeasy on in Cap hill. -
Review from Sami A.
Houston, TX
1/9/2012
I just couldn't bring myself to care. Once the mystique of having to ring a doorbell to enter and possibly being turned away because it was too crowded disappeared... I ended up in an exceedingly cramped bar where the fabled popcorn disappointed.
Listed in: Fast & Fun Reviews, Seattle
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Review from Ladna C.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2012
Cup of Awesome? No - it's a whole barrel of Awesome!
Sit at the bar and you'll understand why this is no fast-food place. The bartender is busy, busy, busy and if it takes a little extra time to get your drinks and food to you, know that it's not for lack of busting their butts in and around the bar and the kitchen.
I had a Cup of Awesome, which was more than aptly named. We had the bucket of tots - spicy and all about the comfort - and the Crack Corn, which was as addictive as its name implies. Lamb mini-burgers topped us off - delish.
Don't go if you're in a rush - it's a one-man operation at the bar and a one-woman show in the rest of the house. But if you have some time to sit back and enjoy the company you're with, you can't go wrong. -
Review from Sherah S.
Seattle, WA
12/19/2011
I wasn't too impressed with this place. I came in on a Saturday night with a reservation, and they didn't have a spot for us so they had us share a table (?) with two other people. We had planned to eat, but the service was so slow that we just closed out after one drink. Since we'd planned our evening around our non-materialized reservation, we were starving, so we went to the Saint nearby.
I ordered a Paloma, and it tasted like a drink I could have gotten across the street at the Crescent for $3. I paid about $12 for it I guess, since our bill for two drinks was $24?
I could try it again, but the ambiance, drinks, service, reservation, everything basically, was a bust. The Barrio has 10x better drinks so I'll just go there if I want a Paloma.
Ok, just so I don't leave on a TOTALLY grumpy note, I will say I liked that I could make the reservation via text. Not that it mattered that I even made one. But yeah. -
Review from Jen L.
12/1/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I can't believe that I haven't written about it yet...
First, the staff is lovely! It's great for small intimate groups, 4 or less people. You must get the tater tots. With just enough cajun spice, I absolutely think it's my most favorite thing in the world!!
I live a few blocks away and was there alot in 2009. I really liked it , but recently, I have noticed that the drink quality is extremely variable depending on the night. I recommend Fri or Sat of course.
My faves: Bartender's choice gin cocktail, Gin & ginger, Grapeberry knee high, any St. Germaine cocktail with egg white, pink lady. -
Review from Val B.
Seattle, WA
11/27/2011
I love how you have to ring the door bell before coming in and I love the cozy intimate but still private (if wanted) setting.
The people who work here are very friendly and the drinks they pour are just right. When my bf and I went here, they had home made punch and it was delicious!
At first I felt a little out of place because it seemed as if it was a dressy/casual place and I was in jeans and a sweater. But that didn't matter to anybody but me so that feeling quickly diminished.
They make you feel welcome and it's really as if you're visiting friends who just happen to have a fully stocked bar in their living room.
It's been a while since we've been here but I'm sure we'll be back. -
Review from Alpen A.
Seattle, WA
12/28/2011
We came here for my birthday and I have to say I was very disappointed. Although the drinks were good and the food decent, I found out after I got home that my credit card was charged 4x what my half of the party paid for. I called the manager to find out what happened as surely there was a mistake. He told me a few people in the bar (may or may not have been with our party) did not pay there bill so they decided to charge my credit card as more than likely they must have been part of my party. Of course they didn't tell me this when I was at the bar. It just appeared on my credit card. When I explained that I should not be responsible to make sure that they collected from individuals who placed orders at their bar, the manager was very unapologetic and told me there was nothing I could do to dispute the charge.
I find the behavior completely unprofessional and ridiculous.
I will never step foot in that establishment again and would recommend you not frequent this place.Comment from Jack V. of Knee High Stocking Co. 12/28/2011
It is not possible this person had this experience at Knee… More » -
Review from Abbie Z.
Seattle, WA
11/30/2011
It was really fun and cute. I liked feeling like a part of a super-secret club. :) The cocktail I got (Love and Violets) was delightfully bubbly and a perfect amount of light sweetness.
Unfortunately, the space is tiny and the rules are a little annoying. It would be a sweet date location, because you can sit and have a good chat with your darling over a nice cocktail, but with a party of friends I felt annoyed being told to stay put and don't talk too loudly and all that jazz. I get that it's part of the whole game, but I guess I'm just not that cool.
Overall, though, it was really fun to do at least once and I may go back again with some out-of-town people. Also, the waitresses were nice, and nice to look at! -
Review from brianna s.
San Diego, CA
I heard about this spot well before I ventured in. You text the number on the website for reservation, include the date, party number and time, and boom, you're in.
Walking up, you'd have no idea that there was a swanky little bar behind those doors. It was quiet outside, and seemed pretty residential. We rang the doorbell and inside the cave of wonders we went!
It was very small, dark, and cozy inside. Everything looked the part as a 1920's speakeasy from the bar, dim lights, and the cocktail waitresses. There was a huge misconnect with the music. Salt n Peppa playing overhead. Don't get me wrong, I love me some throw backs. But at a speakeasy, just didn't seem like the right fit.
Our waitress was sweet and went over and above to make sure that we had picked their best out of their signature drinks. Everyone in our party loved the variety, the feel, and the drink selection. -
Review from Anya N.
Seattle, WA
1/21/2012
Such a cute spot! The service was great; the bartender, Kevin, was wonderful and made us fabulous drinks that delighted even the pickiest members of our group. And the tots were delicious!
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Review from Jane K.
9/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wait, professional cocktailing and deep fried tater tots all under one roof? Since when did Seattle get a PDT? And unsurprisingly, I love it just as much as I love its doppelganger in NYC.
With the very best guide steering me around this gorgeous town, I had an opportunity to try quite a few different watering holes and a few (ok, several) beverages during my visit.
If this were glitz tournament, Knee High would have swept the following awards:
1. Most engaging bartender: This dude had skillz and wanted to show 'em off. Loved his crazy-eyed look, super swank outfit and total sense of humor and creativity when it came to the cocktails.
2. Most decadent drink. Like key lime pie? We had it in a drink. And it was even better than the original.
3. Most likely to succeed snack. A cone of deep fried, spicy tots surrounded with creamy dips.
Bravo! The sash is in the mail.Listed in: Mixology, Baby!, Come Sea Me In Seattle…
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Review from Blake B.
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came across Knee High Stocking Co. randomly on Yelp as I was visiting Seattle and looking for a cool place. They had great reviews so I was looking forward to checking it out. Be aware that if you're not looking at the address numbers this place is easily missed. Once you arrive you ring a doorbell like it's someone's home and they will come to get you. I didn't have a reservation but there was room at the bar to sit which was great because I was able to see the mixologist get to work.
It's a relatively small space but I really enjoyed the look and feel. The drink selections were very broad. I started with a Moscow Mule which was very good and packed a good punch. Then I had some food which included the lumpia and The Reuben. Both were really good although the lumpia was a little burned on the outside. For my final drink I requested something with gin as that is my drink of choice and got The Aviation which is gin, Creme de Violette, and Luxardo Maraschino liqueur with lemon. It was very good and something that I wouldn't have tried otherwise.
I love these types of places and was glad to see Seattle had them as well. -
Review from Andy F.
9/25/2011
Knee High is a gem. The cocktails are prepared by a master and there is a lot of charm to the unpretentious speakeasy thing. The absinthe flights are fun but please make plans to let a cab or car service bring you home. It's easy to stick around in this place for longer than you plan. Comfortable and dark.
I like sitting at the bar and watching the different classic cocktails as they're assembled. Short of a class there is no better way to appreciate and learn how to make them on your own.
On my last couple of visits, Greg wasn't behind the bar, and it just wasn't the same though, so maybe the barman's personality is a big part of success for an intimate place like this.Listed in: Drinks
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Review from christine y.
Mill Creek, WA
10/19/2011
A belated review from spring/summer 2011...
The idea is fun. The bar heightens the experience. But while the drinks were nicely crafted, the food was overpriced and not worth it. -
Review from Jen B.
I agree that getting buzzed in makes you feel kind of cool. Intimate and a tad sexy.....
I had the pink lady, which was superb! For food we had the Flaming Goat which was...flaming. But not anything too special- other than the bartender bringing it to your table and swirling the cheese around in a pretty display.
Very charming place, I'll be back. -
Review from Brian P.
West Palm Beach, FL
10/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Knee High Stocking Co. is the first establishment I've ever wanted to give 6 stars. WOW. Our first night (which was the six-star night) we had the distinct pleasure of monopolizing Greg, whose title is officially Best Bartender in the Universe. Custom cocktails, Tom Hanks movies, doorbells, chicken pot pie, absinthe... Everything about this place is absolutely perfect.
Greg, Whitney -- you guys are the cat's pajamas! -
Review from Ian B.
Seattle, WA
9/17/2011
I used to love this place. Amazing drinks. Good food. Nice, quiet vibe. But it's getting old, and frankly, full of itself -- just as the neighborhood is seeing an explosion of wonderful bars with craft bartenders that are just as good. Bad combo. We went last night, and after the interminable wait after hitting the doorbell (Did they hear? Should I press it again? Will they yell at me if I do?) we got seated at a great table. Things went well enough until the waitress started getting obviously agitated as we slowed down on ordering drinks and food. Then, we got kicked out after 2 hours, presumably for not ordering enough (the three of us spent $140 in those two hours).
Three stars because the food is good and the drinks are great, but I'm over the pretentious vibe of the place. Tavern Law, Bathtub Gin, Hazelwood, Zig Zag -- they all have drinks just as good, and better service. I won't be going back to Knee High anytime soon. -
Review from Jeri M.
Seattle, WA
12/9/2011
Color me disappointed.
I came here for my birthday on a Saturday night hoping to enjoy some delicious cocktail and food and to just have a fun experience. I made the reservation the Wednesday night before via text message and they responded, "Wonderful, see you Saturday night!".
Well unfortunately when we got there, the hostess could not find our reservation. She found the text on her phone confirming the reservation but apparently one of the "new people" forgot to write ours down. She seemed confused as to what to do so she left us in the entry way to figure it out. When she returned she asked if we would be all right sharing a table with another party that would be coming shortly. "We are all about making friends here" is what she told. She made me feel like I did something wrong and It seemed that we had no other option so I told her it would be fine. Now, I that I have a problem sharing a table but this was my birthday, and I just wanted to enjoy the company of my group. She then lead us to 'The Lounge". My excited bubble burst as soon as I walked into the tiny room. Sure it would be great for a group of people that want to enjoy and intimate setting, but I wanted to experience a speak easy and watch the bartender skillfully make our cocktails. Instead I felt like I was shut out. It did not feel like a speak easy at all, or anything more spacial than your typical lounge bar.
Now the drinks were delicious and strong. Loved that part.
For the food we got the Lamb Mini Burgers and the Baked Penne and Cheese. Burgers were very delicious. The Penne was bland and over priced.
Our server was super nice and came back frequently to check on us.
I do recommend this place for drinks but not food, maybe confirm reservation day off and don't let them seat you in the lounge unless you have a group of 6-10.
I will most likely not come back. -
Review from David L.
Oakland, CA
9/6/2011
Outstanding cocktails. This will now be our go-to place for treating ourselves to complex-flavored libations. The cocktail menu is so deep that we'll have plenty of reasons to stray from the phenomenal drinks we ordered tonight: High Tea, The Lion's Tale and Ramos Gin Fizz (a truly unique concoction).
For reference, the skill and attention to detail were definitely on par with our favorite mixologists in SF at Heaven's Dog and Beretta. Order the lamb burgers! -
Review from Peter H.
Sacramento, CA
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best Speakeasy in Seattle. We came on a Sunday night, and the bartender served us all night. Our last round, we had him surprise us, and he basically hit all of our preferences on the nose. The cocktails are rediculously labor intensive but so worth it. I was very impressed.
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Review from Maria K.
8/9/2011
This is an excellent find if you are looking for a chill and hip place to grab a drink with friends. Although reservations are required, it is worth any wait to check this place out.
All their drinks are made with such care by the bartender and the berry cocktail I had was super delicious. The lumpia I shared with a friend was great and all their other small plates looked good as well. The staff were all attentive and more than willing to help make the experience even better. A true Seattle gem! -
Review from Julie S.
Seattle, WA
8/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
"Disappointing" is the best word I can think of to describe this place. I am giving it an extra star only because it did have potential...and still could if they make some changes. The idea of this place is really cool, and I was so excited to come here. Yet, when you make a reservation days in advance and get to the door to be told you're not on the list...this is disappointing. 30 seconds later, "oh wait, there you are." You think? That was awkward, but really not a big deal. It was everything else that happened next that killed this place for me.
First, our waitress totally ignored us for quite some time. I already knew, from reading reviews and a disclaimer on the menu, that this place was going to be very slow-paced. And yet I wasn't prepared for another couple, that arrived five to ten minutes after we got there and was awkwardly seated extremely close to us, to receive waters and have their orders taken before we were even acknowledged by our waitress.
It gets worse. I had purchased a Groupon for the Absinthe flight. *Please note* that I have had Absinthe several times before and know what to expect. Our drinks were so watered down that I could taste tap water in our Absinthe. Perhaps this was their way of making more money off the Groupon deal? After realizing what a rip-off these drinks were, along with not being able to find one vegan item (or something that could be made vegan) and only one vegetarian choice on the menu, we were ready to get out of there.
And, as if our waitress hadn't already been snooty enough, she got even snootier once we broke the news that we were ready for our check. Believe me, if the drinks had been halfway decent, and they had a better vegetarian menu, we would've spent A LOT more cash.
My husband and I may have higher standards than some people when it comes to liquor, but I really don't think it's acceptable to be able to taste tap water in your Absinthe. I mean really? -
Review from Marie G.
San Diego, CA
8/7/2011
Sadly, I love hard liquor and while on vacation I finally found a bartender that respects the potent stuff as much as I do. My Yelp! account has lain dormant for several months, so this is a testament to the strong pull of this establishment.
After a long day of touring and gorging ourselves on the fine cuisine of the lovely city of Seattle, our host recommended a strong libation to calm our quivering stomachs. We agreed with this and he promptly made reservations via cellular phone! (what?)
We had a lot of fun, pulling up to a nondescript building and ringing the doorbell. We were greeted by the bartender du noir and I have to say the menu was amazing. Simple, but amazing! Available are cocktails that might stump the current day TG$*'s bar(cough)tender. I ordered a classic Paloma which was so easy on the palate I almost went TG$# on the bartender, wanting a pitcher of the stuff. For someone like me it is just so refreshing to be in the presence of a bartender that cares about the quality and presentation of the beverages he/she serves.
Check out the Yelp reviews and the not-so-local news papers and decide for yourselves. Knee High Stocking Co, you are so on my list for next year's Must-eat-drink-more-of-Seattle-Tour! -
Review from Claire D.
Seattle, WA
4/8/2011
aaaannnnddd....I am officially over the faux speakeasy. I'm a grown-up. Don't make me use a buzzer to get in. C'mon. It's just silly and played out at this point. We went with a group of 10 the other night and I was disappointed.
Maybe we just went on an off night (it was their 2 year anniversary and they were very busy). I just don't have the energy to go back.
PROS:
-super friendly bartender that checked on us frequently, despite the rush. this is the only reason for the 3 stars.
-cozy; intimate space
-extensive cocktail selection
CONS:
-the actual cocktails weren't great. Perhaps I just ordered wrong....3 times? I swear I'm not hard to please, liquor-wise. They were all just a bit overworked.
-overtly annoyed waitress. I know there are 10 of us, but we're all really well behaved and polite. no need to give us that look when we ask for a recommendation
-the food. lord. the food. "gussied up" tater tots and greasy pork egg rolls. I've had better at the rickshaw at 2am.
-they kicked us out after 2 hours (due to the anniversary, we were told). we had to slam our $12 fancy cocktails at the end because they arrived after our bill.
afterwards, we went to a regular ol' hotel bar and i had one of the best manhattans i've ever had. no buzzer....no password....just a well prepared cocktail served sans attitude. -
Review from Lisa R.
Seattle, WA
4/26/2011
I can't. I don't think I can write this review. I love Knee High Stocking Co. too much to put into a review just how much just the sight of this place delights me, knowing all of the loveliness inside. And beyond that, I kind of want to keep it to myself! But it's growing in popularity, and rightfully so, so I must give in and let you know just what you're missing if you've never visited Capitol Hill's best kept secret.
Knee High Stocking Co. is not a typical bar by any stretch of the imagination. This is a small but hopping little speakeasy with the best drink selection I've seen on the Hill. Everything about this place is divine: the way you enter the restaurant (doorbell!), the lovely wait staff (fancy ladies), the best bartender in the world (for serious), and the most exquisite drinks (om nom nom).
I've never ever had anything less than an incredible experience here. The drinks on the menu are really unique, but what's even more fun is when the bartender lets loose and gets creative. If you get the chance, sit at the bar so you can chat with him. He's a tremendously interesting and funny fella with a great knack for making phenomenal drinks. Food-wise, I can't speak highly enough of their mac & cheese! Knee High, you've got this on lock down. Their pot pie is also delicious, along with the lamb mini-burgers. Or if you're not as hungry, you can't go wrong with the roasted nuts, tater tots or pretzel.
My love for this place grows exponentially with each visit. My boyfriend and I really get into the theme of Knee High and dress up for a lovely date night out for fantastic drinks.
I highly recommend this place for your own romantic night out, or if you're looking to indulge in a nicer slice of Seattle. Just make sure to make reservations and read their very reasonable house rules before you visit - http://www.kneehighsto...
You will not be disappointed. Scout's honor. -
Review from Tyler S.
Bellevue, WA
11/11/2011
Knee High is one of my favorite places in Seattle. The pot pies are great and the drinks are fantastic. The atmosphere is very comfortable. The staff are very polite, cheerful, and clever; as are the patrons.
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Review from Grant D.
Everett, WA
10/26/2011
A hidden gem. Make a reservation via text messaging, then to find the place look for a building with no markings and curtained windows, then hit the buzzer to get in. Once inside, the place is small and awesome. The waitress was great, the food was excellent, and watching the bartender do a lap dance for some bachelorette was hilarious. Note: no clothing was removed, thankfully.
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Review from Laura P.
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ding dong... in order to get into this secretive speakeasy you have to ring the doorbell for the lovely hostess to let you in. I love this !! And don't blink when you're trying to find this spot, it's easy to miss - as there is no huge flashing sign reading 'Knee High Stocking Co.' here!!! For my first time in this place I have to admit I was super impressed with everything. My friend and I were immediately sat at the bar and handed menus, the bar tender welcomed us with a friendly and smile and went on to letting us know the happy hour special punch, which is different every day. I can't quote the many liquors he named off that were in this 3$ a glass punch, but it was spectacular - it tasted like Christmas in a cup and instantly gave you a warm fuzzy feeling inside your tummy. Yum! We both got the arugula salad - perfectly small and delicious. Along with the tasty filling Bruschetta & empanadas that were SO yummy! There were so many things on this menu I wanted to order but couldn't so i will definitely be back - lamb sliders.. I can't wait to try those. Not only was the food just what I was waiting for, but the drinks were even better! They have a numerous amount of specialty cocktails, wine and beer.. something for everyone. My friend got the 'Cup Of Awesome' and that it was indeed, spicy and sweet at the same time. I ordered the Pink Lady, which was tasty, but next time I will try something different, or get a cup of awesome myself.
I honestly can't say enough of how much i enjoyed this place, I can't wait to go back. It's great for any occasion - such a quaint, romantic, fun place with an awesome bar tender who obviously knows what he is doing. -
Review from katya l.
3/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to check Knee High Stocking Co out for quite some time. The quiet, darkly-lit, hidden speakeasy concept appeals to me and I was excited about all the delicious drinks I'd heard about. I finally got to check it out one night when my friend and I snagged DealPop certificates for half-price absinthe flights. We made reservations and I proceeded to get psyched up.
We were fifteen minutes late due to my friend's inability to locate the place (I knew where it was but she wandered about the area for a while before she found me) but luckily that wasn't an issue. Strike #1: we were seated at a table immediately by the door, although there were other tables open in the bar, and while the decor was nice and cozy, the hostess's constant coming and going to let people in and the gusts of freezing cold air blowing through the curtains put a significant dent in our enjoyment of our first visit.
The server was sweet, but she was alone in the entire bar and it was beginning to fill up. I understand that the concept of Knee High is to sit, relax and leisurely sip your crafted cocktails (and our host even let us know that we had the table for the next three hours) but my friend and I had a party to attend in two hours. We assumed that an hour and a half would be enough to pay a significant amount of attention to our absinthe tasting and still be able to leave on time. We assumed incorrectly. It was nearly impossible to flag our server down for the bill, then to pick up the bill - strike #2.
We each had a coupon, and made sure that we could use both of them at the same time before making the reservation. We pointed this out to our server immediately and ordered two flights. She brought out one and walked away. Several minutes later, when I realized that my flight was not coming, I had to flag her down and remind her that we had ordered two. She said something about "well, why don't you get started on that one and I'll bring the other one out when you're finishing up" but it was obvious that she just forgot. Strike #3. The absinthes were tasty, but very, very watered down. For a liquor with such a high alcohol content, drinking four glasses of two ounces each should have at least given me a buzz. When I left, I felt nothing. Strike #4.
I left so incredibly disappointed. I really wanted to like Knee High, but all of the above factors made for a less-than-stellar experience. Maybe if we had come with time to kill and ordered cocktails, things would have been different? As it stands, I'm underwhelmed. -
Review from Corinna K.
Seattle, WA
2/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Pros:
-Texted reservations. The best? Probably. Talking on the phone sucks.
-Getting buzzed in. It is nice to pretend to be super exclusive sometimes.
-Pretty waitresses in stockings.
-Strong drinks!
-Good food.
-9 out of 10 sexy people think that triangular bars are sexier than regular shaped bars. That's statistically significant.
Cons:
-It can get really warm in here. Really, really warm. Sit by the door.
-Getting drinks takes foreeeeevvvvvvveeeeerrrrrrrrrrr. Say that word for about fifteen minutes. You still might not have your drink. Order two at once, or just steal your neighbor's.
-Sometimes there is some confusion about who's ordered what and how to work out the checks. It's a pretty small place, I feel like it shouldn't be super difficult to keep that in order.
-If you are a loud person you might feel slightly uncomfortable. It's hard to remember to use library voices when you're drinking.
The pros certainly outweigh the cons, but I wouldn't treat this as the main event during a night out. Save it for a pre-drink or a nightcap, and bring someone who falls into that 9 out of 10. I'm clutching my pearls just thinking about what'll probably happen after that.Listed in: My Girl Wants To Party All The…
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Review from Luchie d.
San Jose, CA
4/24/2011
My rating is more 3.5 stars.
Pros
- The cocktail we ordered was tasty; a Maxfield Parrish. A champagne infused cocktail.
- Great customer service despite being under staffed
- Able to get in; see cons
Cons
- Need a reservations for the weekend (duh, right?)
- Small venue - like SMALL;some people may appreciate that
- Didn't feel hidden - felt like a regular bar on the corner of the block*shrugging shoulders
Suggestions
- For Friday-Saturday, you will need reservations. We were able to get without one on Saturday night but only had the table for 45 mins.
Would I go back? Not sure as there are so many other lounges to check out. However, their menu of food bites looked tasty.
