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Rendezvous

4 star rating
based on 44 reviews

Categories: Nightlife, Restaurants  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Belltown
2322 2nd Ave
(between Battery St & Bell St)
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-5823
  • Price Range: $
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: No
  • Takes Reservations: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: Yes
  • Good for: Late Night
  • Music: Live
  • Best Nights: Wed, Thu, Sat
  • Happy Hour: Yes
  • Alcohol: Full Bar
  • Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
  • Coat Check: No

44 Reviews for Rendezvous

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Photo of John S.

 

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John S.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
06/30/2008

Rendezvous is a bar.  If your looking for anything from a PBR to a foo-foo cocktail they can make you one, though it might have more alcohol then you expect.  They also have Lagavulin, so if your a scotch drinker you can feel at home with one of Scotland's best.  The music they play also doesn't suck and I hear rumors they have live acts from time to time.  I'm sure I'll visit this place often in the future.

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26

62

Laura K.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
05/29/2008

I really only like this place when Keith is bartending or when its not very busy. Its a rock and roll bar environment but they have fancy cocktails on the menu. My favorite is of course the St. Germaine Martini with Grey Goose. I love it because it goes down so smooth and not in a dirty way. No I don't work for St. Germaine but it does taste like lychee fruit so the ladies will love it.

BTW-- watch out for the loud, drunk, and fight happy belltown crowd that drifts over from the Viceroy. Yuck!

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Photo of Alex H.

 

8

35

Alex H.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
05/02/2008

Unlike most bars in Belltown, The Rendezvous is worth patronizing regularly.  Large, dark interior with good music.  The clientele is usually mixed and fun (drunk).  You can smoke and drink on the front sidewalk patio.  The high-backed 5-person booths facilitate privacy, unlike the cafeteria-style seating so popular in Seattle bars like Cha-Cha and Redwood.  The bartenders are knowledgeable and efficient.  The draft beers are always super-cold, and the Pabst Blue Ribbon is inexplicably some of the freshest I've ever tasted.  The downstairs grotto w/bar is a cool space, though I've never spent much time there.  There's an upstairs loft area you can rent for private parties.  And I've seen great low-key events in the Jewelbox Theater, including bands, plays, the Salon of Shame.

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Elite '08

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171

Gene D.

Seattle, WA

3 star rating
04/28/2008

That was the worse drink ever consumed. Even the cherry tried to jump out of the glass. Still, that theatre/room in the back is great and the crowd is alive and well.

Next time I will stay with call liquor.

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2

Torence T.

Seattle, WA

1 star rating
04/02/2008

$120 for 3 pitchers and two food items at "Happy Hour."  NO JOKE!  A mistake you say?  we went over it with the waitress for a half an hour. Either she messed up, or the prices are astronomical.  And the waitress was "unable to print out a tab with every item" and gave us just the total, with an 18 percent gratuity just added on to it for "so so" service.  I give every place I go  the benefit of the doubt, but really?  Is this pricing normal for Belltown?Smells more like bullshit to me.

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15

The Corey ..

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
04/07/2008

March 2008 has been the coldest month on record in Seattle.  April so far hasn't been much better.  Cold, rain, and snow have been the norm. While leaving the Rendezvous and Bell town the other night we saw a tall blond walking down the street wearing only a skimpy miniskirt dress and heals, and it was only in the high 30's. She definitely wasn't headed to Rendezvous and this is why I hang out there.

I see people refer to the Rendezvous as a dive bar but I don't think this is incorrect. If one were comparing the ascetics of the Rendezvous to the polished, techno thumping, popular-for-a-second bars that have infested much of the Belltown, I could see how one would think this bar is a dive. These people have obviously never been to the Barnoff on Karaoke night.

The Rendezvous is a poet and artist's bar, a place for people who want to meet friends, drink beer (they also have a full bar), talk, and eat good bar food. It is also one of the last places in the area to house a venue, the Jewel Box Theatre, where anyone with $75 can host an event.

The service is usually spot on but they do have hiccups at times. The prices and drink selection is on par for the area. If you have a large party ( I think 6 or more) the will add gratuity to the bottom line. This happened to us once and the waitress didn't tell us letting us tip even more. After a going here for over a year this has been the only negative experience I can think of.

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Elite '08

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286

Jessi M.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
01/19/2008

I'm feeling deja vou reviewing Rendezvous. Didn't I yelp this before?
..Guess not. Creepy.
 Well. Plain and simple, I dig this bar. My favorite thing about these bars on the "Belltown strip" is that they are much larger than they appear to be. There's so much going on here, from the main bar that screams out dive, and plush cozy booths towards the back, the theater, and the speakeasy downstairs.
This is probably one of my favorite bars in the two block radius.
$5 to catch the end of a show, that was totally worth it (Thanks Betsy), and decent drinks. It's a little bit sexy, a little bit swanky, but not at all pretentious. It's swexy.

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Elite '08

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329

Tammy W.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
02/21/2008

Went to the 'vous last night for a show in the theater, and it was great.  Inexpensive and good food, good stiff drinks, and a theater where you may partake of said food and drink.  I remember the old days of the Rendezvous, when drunks were literally passing out at the tables.  What a difference!

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Photo of Whitney C.

 

4

42

Whitney C.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
01/31/2008

This place is another oasis in a sea of belltown grossness. The atmosphere is cool, the service good, and the food is great and cheap. I had my 25th birthday party in their upstairs "velvet room" and it was free to reserve it, as long as we had a $200 minimum bar tab. which was not a problem at all of course. I also saw Miss Indigo Blue's School of Burlesque graduation show here in the Jewel Box Theatre. Great show, cozy little spot. I would recommend this place to anyone looking to have a gathering who doesn't want to be raped with a $1000 bar tab minimum or some bullshit like that.

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Elite '08

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mel r.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
11/13/2007

The place where the scene of the morbid hell in a hand basket death of my 20's wake took place.

After much searching for a private room, I settled upon their underground speakeasy, the Grotto. It was appealing as it was dark, roomy, plenty of seating, red, I could play my own iPod and they provided my own bartenders to appease the drunken group of guests, otherwise known as Yelpers.

I thought the party went off without a hitch, but then again Bernie gave me a lot of help in the background.

I'd like to give some thanks to Keith, for taking care of me. The bartenders Kevin and Sara, you guys rocked; you were quick, heavy handed and pleasant. I hope you guys had a good night.

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255

Miss Mary Ann D.

Bainbridge Island, WA

5 star rating
11/09/2007

I attended Mel R's Super Fantastic 30th Funeral Cocktail Party at this venue, and let me tell you that party was nearly as Super and Fantastic as the Lady herself.

I say nearly because, honestly, how much Super Fantastic am I expected to handle?

That Mel - she's a handful

Rawr!!

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Elite '08

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225

Mary T.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
11/08/2007

They seem very tolerant. The private party area was quite nice -- dark, some red lights, a very patient bartender. The drinks were good 'n' strong. There was some guy in full Dracula regalia waiting to go onstage at the Jewelbox...I hope.

What do I know? At present, not much!

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111

Dawn A.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
12/11/2007

I recently spent some time in the underground "Grotto" area for a friend's party.  We were amazed that it only cost $100 to rent the area -- which included a small bar and our own personal bartender, lots of seating and the opportunity to play our own music.  I'm not sure what my friend paid for food, either, but there was tons and it was delicious - chicken skewers, tofu squares, mini burgers, etc.  (I'm pretty sure rendezvous catered).  

What a great place that we will surely get a big group together to rent again! :-)

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Elite '08

277

184

Don L.

Bothell, WA

3 star rating
11/09/2007

The location of the big bash for Mel R..I hadn't been here before, but it was a cool little dive. Seating area outside for y'all who smoke (and drink) in addition to the indoor bar for y'all who drink, and a nice cozy "grotto" downstairs for y'all who drink...there was some folks with drinks in line for the bathrooms, so I'm guessing there's drinking going on in there too...I poked my head into the theater area before they started the show, and yep..drinking there also...so pretty much a good spot for having drinks, I'd say!

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Photo of Lindi M.

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148

Lindi M.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
11/13/2007

This place is indeed a pretty tolerant place. Prior to Mel's birthday bash, I had been here a handful of times. It's one of those places you go to escape the Belltown douchebags - though, unfortunately, some of them do happen to end up here as well.

I remember once, I came here and one of those douchebags came and talked to me and wouldn't leave me alone. I'm pretty sure this guy wasn't going to take no for an answer - so I called my friend, who happens to be pretty fucking metal, to rescue me. It was pretty entertaining once he got there - but I was still a bit freaked out. I told myself I wasn't going to go back to the Rendevous, but, alas, I just couldn't stay away.

The next time I came here, I randomly stumbled in with my older brother and his 3 friends. We were already trashed but the girl who was bringing us cocktails was really sweet and put up with the boys' flirting. They were also "kind" enough to make us a round of Prairie Fires (which was I believe was a shot consisting of 151 and tabasco). The server was also "sweet" enough to not tell me what it was or what was in it until AFTER I took the shot. But, hey, my brother did give her money to keep quiet, so I can't blame her. I would've done the same thing. Yeah, they tricked me. But, it was kinda cute that she played along.

Another time I came here, I don't quite remember much. I do have a lot of pictures on my cell phone to help me figure it out. However, it was all a blur. From the looks of it, though, it was a good time! Again, it was one of those places I stumbled into after getting bored or fed up with other bars in the area.

Then, finally, I came here again for Ms. R's birthday extravaganza. I had never been downstairs in the Grotto before and I have to say that this place was perfect. It was totally cute and cozy - AND hidden from douchebags. I really appreciated that we had our own bartenders down there. It would have been bad news if I had to keep walking up those stairs! They were intense, especially after my third drink.

I'm sure I'll be back to the Rendevous - and quite possibly not just by accident or to escape Tia Lous' crowd - perhaps just because it's awesome.

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254

Jasmine M.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
09/25/2007

Good food, good strong drinks, decent staff, not a lot of dicky-pretensiousness, cool booths, love the back loft sitting area and the Jewel Box Theatre.

Prior to the remodel a few years ago this was a spectacular dive, not as awesome of a dive as say the old Frontier Room but almost right there. The bathroom is a leftover from the 'Vous's dive days.

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91

Trevor R.

Seattle, WA

3 star rating
11/20/2007

Just eh. Good beers, reasonably priced, interesting shows (Go, Addictol!), red velvet dive-chic. But do you have to be so dingy? I love a good dive, but some of those red velvet chairs are starting to look a little disgusting even for me.

I wish I could have attended Mel R's 30th Funeral Party in the Grotto, as everyone seems to have been really impressed by the Grotto, but the death of my 20's was happening simultaneously in Mexico. Another time, dear Grotto.

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Elite '08

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278

Peter W.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
07/30/2007

I live dive bars
I hate this street
Give beer to me
I bite the Mac
This drunken form
Where I was born
I now repent

Rendezvous
Rendezvous
Rendezvous

Repent
Re-pe-ent

Give me music
Jewelbox to sit
And foregone
Lets me drink
drink me lets
I will get
What I like

Rendezvous
Rendezvous
Rendezvous

Repent
Rep-pent

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Will L.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
11/09/2007

August 6th, 2005 was a pretty good day.

We had been working pretty hard on our album, from practicing only vocals or only instrumentation for weeks to cramming 12 songs into a marathon 2.5 days of recording. Then mixing, then mastering, then printing, and then finding a venue to do a CD Release party. That part took the longest I think. It's amazing how the scope of a show can change when you, the band, approach the venue rather than vice versa. Suddenly you're required to bring in over one thousand people to a place with a fire capacity of 250 (that literally happened), when you had just been booked and played there and the 30 folks that showed up were considered a success by the venue.

I guess that's why I play in a band, and don't book them.

Local band 'The Sausage Farmers' were playing the Jewelbox Theater, located within the Rendezvous. We had played with them a couple times, and they were gracious enough to share the bill with us. So... here goes a review from two perspectives: One as the performer, back in 2005, and one as a patron from last night at Mel R's Super Fantastic 30th Funeral Cocktail Party. (Oh yeah, forgot to mention, I play with Stay Tuned, a TV Theme rock band. www.staytunedtheband.com)

Last night when I walked up to the Rendezvous, I had a difficult time locating the front door, as I had never entered through that door before. When we played there, we parked in the alley behind and loaded through a little door, down a hallway that reminded me of the underground of one of the venues in Spinal Tap, where the band gets lost trying to get to the stage.

The Jewelbox theater is an old vaudeville theater, I THINK, it sure looks that way. Lots of personality, seats for the audience, with a wee bit of standing room at the stage. The bar is located outside and around a corner. The theater is generally an all-ages venue, though for our purposes it was 21 and over, and drinks were allowed in.

There is a pretty comfy green-room and bathroom for the 'talent' that we made use of, complete with a refrigerator. I'm not sure if the Sausage Farmers supplied the beer or if the Rendezvous did, but we were welcome to it. Nothing like a can o' beer to help calm the nervous butterflies before a show.

We got our gear on stage and set up, sound checked. I seem to remember that we could hear ourselves ok, always a plus. Actually... a necessity. If I can't hear myself, I sing sharp, and that, my friends, results in a sound only slightly more appealing than fingernails down a chalkboard. Back in 2005 our old drummer Fred sang backups as well, so I could fake it by lip synching, which I did a lot. People would say, "My, your voice sounds like a tenor when you sing but you sound like a baritone when you talk" and I'd just smile and say "yes, that was odd how that worked out wasn't it?" Unless Fred had been singing poorly, in which case I was sure to give credit where credit was due. Thanks Fred.

One of the pitfalls of playing for an audience in a venue that forces them to remain seated is that it really looks like they're bored and un-interested. At least when you're playing live music that generally has people on their feet singing along. We did have some inspired dancers when we whipped out our rendition of Golden Girls, but they had to excuse themselves out of their row into the aisle, which was interesting to watch.

We had set up our cd sales area outside the door to the theater. I remember people walking by and turning right to go downstairs instead of turning left to go in the theater, and wondering what that was about. I hadn't been down there since until last night, when I headed down to meet a bunch of the people I'd been reading here at Mel R's SF30thFCP. Silly me, I didn't even look into the theater to see who was playing. You'd think I'd stand and reminisce. Nope. Get me to a drink, quick!

The Grotto is pretty damned cool. Just large enough to fit a good sized crowd. Just small enough to make it difficult not to bump into people, introduce yourself, and yack. It also helps that last night's crowd is a friendly one. Drinks were good -- I had a cran/vodka that tasted great, a black butte beer or two and a glass of scotch with a fellow named Adam. Adam, add me if you read this. (That goes for a whole bunch of the rest of you too).

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83

Abby H.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
12/15/2007

IT WAS MEEE!!! I LEFT THE SILLY LOVE NOTES LYING ALL OVER THE FLOOR OF RENDEZVOUS!

And it was so fun among the red walls and costumed people mixed with the regular tattooed light-lifers. Relaxed, strong drinks, good music, no line for the potty.

My only regret: Not writing a love note to Rendezvous.

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Photo of Joshua O.

 

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22

Joshua O.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
08/30/2007

One of the best bars in Seattle. Cool atmosphere, stiff drinks, top notch bar food, and the only FRIENDLY bar staff in all of Belltown. I kid you not. Plus they rent out their theater for the insanely low price of $75 a night. Sell $5 tickets to your punk rock show to 15 of your friends and you've paid back your fee. What could be cooler?

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Photo of faye w.

 

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2

faye w.

Edmonds, WA

5 star rating
06/29/2007

I have been doiing a show at the Rendezvous for over a year and a half.  I have to say they are very professional and have alawys treated me and all my guests very well.  They pay attention to our needs and also serve some kick butt bar food!  The portions are large and yummy- plus they won't cost you too much.  Cheap Date!  They also rent out the Jewel Box Theater which is what I rent every month- and a bar downstairs called The Grotto Room- you get the whole bar and a bartender for the entire night for a low fee.  I reccomend this for private parties.  I love the Rendezvous because of how old it is and the history it has in Seattle.

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115

Melinda C.

Evanston, IL

1 star rating
09/08/2007

As someone said, this place is "so second avenue".  As in, it's not yuppie and filled with the pretty people who populate the first ave bars.  However, I don't know if "second avenue" translates into grungy and dark, which is what this place seemed to me to be.  I appreciate the good dive bar here and there, but this place just wasn't all there.

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Kimberley D.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
05/08/2007

An enclave of non-wack in Belltown is truly a precious jewel. Tasty food for both vegetarians and meat eaters, a wide variety of good drinks including $2 ones for the broke among you, good music & good events. I wouldn't really agree with previous reviewers that it's dive-y, but it's definitely dive-y in comparison with $10 Belltown martinis and blondes tossing their hair.

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309

Carrie H.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
05/04/2007

I have been here a few times (and soon hopefully for the Salon of Shame which I've been told I NEED to go to), and most times being here was so much fun.  

We had the loft upstairs reserved so we could party down, even reserving it for a post bachelor/bachelorette party to meet up (or RENDEZVOUS, hahahahaha!) with my girls and my husband's guys.  We had to be there I think at 10:00, and we both arrived a bit later, 10:15ish, and they already gave away our loft.  We had enough people to easily meet the drink limit, but they screwed with us. It would have been okay, however the other party that was up there included some really annoying people.  Ugh.

That was my one bad experience, but other times coming here have still been in the loft, with good friends and great drinks.  Very helpful and understanding waitstaff.  I don't know how they remembered whose drink was who's!

Time to head back again at some point...

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Raymond W.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
04/18/2007

The Rendezvous has great atmosphere; very comfortable and unpretentious.  There's a big window near the bar that lets in just the right amount of natural light during the day, but it's also dark where it needs to be without being seedy or divey.  There's almost a sense of grander about the place, but not the type that one feels they have to live up to- kind of like the rich grandma that doesn't flaunt her wealth and still loves you no matter who you are.  Add to that stiff drinks, good food (try the Bleu Cheese Burger!),and  great service, and that makes the 'Vous pretty much the best grandma in the world.

However, I think that Granny 'Vous works much better as a mid-week hangout as opposed to the weekends when it can be too packed for comfort.

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Rebecca B.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
06/20/2007

I've really never had a bad night here. The waitstaff is very quick, very efficient, and very friendly. They'll split checks every which way, even if they are muttering "Fuck you guys" as they walk away.

I went to a birthday hosted in the jewelbox theatre, and it was suuuuper cool. Great chill room. The birthday boy had a kick out of it too.

The atmosphere in the whole place is red red red. And black. It's nice though, very calming. People watching is good.

They have huge booths lining the walls downstairs, and seating generally isn't a problem until late in the night.

The bartenders are friendly and fast. Even the bathrooms aren't too bad, for a bar.

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1

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Tarewyn M.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
03/07/2007

I recently attended a private Oscar night Party here.  Fabulous martini's served up by Babe the fabulous bartender. Delicious food from the inhouse kitchen, including the largest bowl of soba noodles in sesame oil that I have ever seen.  Seriously it was a bathtub.  The Jewel box theatre is lovely and a comfy place to watch the boring
Oscar show.  All in all a great place to hang out.  We'll be back.

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100

Ariel S.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
12/05/2006

I'm writing this review from the perspective of someone who hosts events at the Rendezvous -- specifically the Jewelbox Theater. I've been hosting the Salon of Shame (www.salonofshame.com) there for over a year, and although we've outgrown the venue I refuse to move the event because I LOVE THE 'VOUS! The wait staff and bartenders are awesome, the food is really tasty (fuck me, those yam fries are gooood), and the venue management and rental fees are really fair.

The jewelbox theater has a great homey feel with the red velvet curtain and the retro lighting. Somehow it adds a sense of class and poise to an event -- even a silly one like mine. I'm not an experienced event coordinator or promoter by ANY stretch of the imagination, and yet I've always found the folks at the 'Vous to be easy to work with and helpful.

Then again, I also always make a point to privately tip the waitress who works the theater during my event, so maybe that partially explains the good service. ;)

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Bella S.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
12/12/2006

Formerly known as one of the biggest dives in town, The 'Vous has become a popular watering hole once again. It's still a dive, but who doesn't love that. It's got a tiny outdoor smoking area which is quite delightful in the summer, and awesome booths in the back which are perfect for having someone's head in your lap.
The drinks are well poured, and the Grotto downstairs is the perfect place for a birthday party.
I've spent many a happy hour here and when I'm in Belltown for a drink, it's always the first (and usually last) place I go.

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52

Emily Y.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
02/28/2007

Fantastic bar! I live in Chicago and rank Rendezvous among my top 10 favorite bars in the world. (Probably more to do with my personal tastes than anything quantifiable.)

My friend and I were in town for one night only and managed to make our way to Belltown. We could not have stumbled into a better bar. If I lived in Seattle, I'm sure I'd make a weekly trek to this place.

The interior is beautiful and inviting in a dark and swanky but unpretentious way. Some kind of theatre/music was going on in the back, but we were too taken by the scene up front to explore beyond the bar area. Patrons (who appeared to be regulars) seemed approachable and the bartenders and the doormen were really sweet and accomodating.

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51

Skip B.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
02/27/2007

I keep going back to this place.  Why?   Because it's cool.  I don't eat there often, but they know how I like my drinks, and it's a regular karaoke hang.

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Elite '08

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195

nicole j.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
05/04/2007

Delicioso!

Rendezvous has a great chimichanga that my friend J and I share everytime we go see at show in the Jewelbox Theater.

I do enjoy the decor as well!

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32

Jacquie L.

Seattle, WA

5 star rating
10/23/2007

Luxurious, Cushy, and Delightful old Dive

If anyone remembers how the 'old' Rendezvous used to be it is a complete polar opposite now.  Though very reasonably priced this place feels like you are walking into a swanky high class joint.  The Gilded lofty cielings, set off by the crystal chandelier, the ochre colored velved wall hangings, the high backed booths and deep tones offset by the warm lighting.  The most wonderful thing about the Rendezvous is the clientele.  Not the Preppy first ave Belltown crowd.  The cool crowd hangs out here: Punks, Indie rockers, hipsters, bike messengers, artists, and the inbetweens. Non pretentiousness, Ahhh!!! Like a breath of fresh air.  I love to come here and hang out for some drinks with my friends.  I've even had a couple birthday partys here.  You can reserve the upper Loft for free and of course there is also the Jewel box theatre which features local bands, films, theater, and sometimes even karaoke.  The service is laid back and helpful too.  Come for dinner and drinks, Stay for the show.  I can't recommend this place more.  It has so much to offer for a splendid, casual night out.

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Elite '08

30

383

John H.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
10/23/2006

The Rendezvous was the first bar I ever visited in Seattle.  Back then, it was a complete shithole.  I got to try it again 2 years ago right after they did the remodel for a Burlesque show, and was impressed.  It's nice yet modest, and the servers don't have an attitude which is unfortunately a rarity for Belltown.  A friend of mine rented out the basement for her birthday party, and we had a great time with our own bartender and a private dance floor.  

Update 10/31 - They also throw a bitching Halloween party, with all kinds of performances and Karaoke in the grotto to finish off the night.

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Elite '08

53

117

Lydia P.

Seattle, WA

3 star rating
06/02/2006

This is where I learned a very important lesson years ago:  One should never have a handful of black olives for dinner, then go out and ask a genreous bartender for two whiskey sours with *extra* cherries...  oooohh...  bad idea!!!  A tumbler full of maraschino cherries adrift on a sea of whiskey and not much else.....  gadzooks!  Ah well...  much older and wiser now!

I'm not typically one to walk into a bar on my own.  But this is one place I feel pretty comfortable in.  The staff is friendly,  the drinks are decent and reasonably priced considering the location, and the people watching is great!  The food's pretty good too!

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16

Mary R.

Lynnwood, WA

4 star rating
12/16/2006

To be honest the only reason why I went in Rendezvous was because I was waiting for a private party at another bar to finish up. Our group ended up spending about 2 hours there because of what we found! The drinks are incredibly cheap compared to surrounding places (ex: $5.50 vodka tonics and $3 beers). It was actually very pleasant inside. It looks a little "hipster" which I really hate but it was ok, plenty of places to sit and very attentive bar staff!! Cheap drinks, not too crowded, and a great staff makes it a great place to start your night. The crowd was a little "artsy" I guess....there were at least two men wearing berets (i.e. trying too hard) but everyone is very nice and fun to talk to!

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418

Rick L.

Seattle, WA

3 star rating
10/14/2005

Average drinks, with average music. The decor is lovely, and I really liked some of the crowd there - they were fun, friendly, and easy to talk to. Go if you like the scene, without the scenesters.

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139

Les S.

Seattle, WA

3 star rating
09/29/2005

Assuming that this is the place also known as "Rendezvous" on 2nd, then I give it a full three stars. Ambience-wise, it's fantastic! I love the layout, the loft area above and the snuggly banquettes along the walls. The drawback? Getting a server's attention. I wouldn't recommend going up to the bar - you'll wait in an insanely long line behind someone wearing khakis and CKOne, but once you're at the bar, the bartenders are really quite personable.

Better to sit at your table and wait for a cocktail server to come by, and order a second one when you're halfway through your first, because you may not see that cocktailer again :)

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Ellen C.

Seattle, WA

4 star rating
01/06/2006

Cheap drinks, lots of great spaces to rent out, and the food is solid.  One of the best dive bars in Seattle

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