The backbar at Tavern Law, a craft cocktail bar on Capitol Hill in Seattle, lined with whiskey bottles.
Capitol Hill, Seattle

Reservations at Tavern Law
& Needle & Thread

Two rooms, one address on Capitol Hill. Downstairs is the bar you can walk into. Upstairs is the one behind the vault door. They book separately, so pick the night you are after and we will take care of the rest.

Choose your room

Two ways to spend the evening

The candlelit main bar and leather banquettes at Tavern Law, Capitol Hill Seattle.

Tavern Law

Downstairs · Walk-ins welcome

The main bar. Candlelit and unhurried, built for lingering over seasonal plates and cocktails measured and made to order. We are primarily a walk-in bar and release a limited number of tables each day.

  • Open every day, 5 PM to midnight
  • Happy hour every day, 5 to 7 PM
  • Tables for parties of up to eight
  • Full kitchen, snacks through entrees
  • Walk-ins always welcome
Book Tavern Law

Do not see your time? Come find us anyway. There is almost always a seat at the bar waiting for you.

The wooden staircase leading up to the Needle & Thread speakeasy above Tavern Law.

Needle & Thread

Upstairs · Reservation only

Our speakeasy behind the vault door. There is no printed menu. Your bartender asks about spirit, strength, and the flavors you love, then builds every round from scratch. No two visits are quite the same.

  • Reservation only, parties of one to six
  • Booking opens seven days ahead
  • $15 per guest holds the table, refunded once seated
  • The full Tavern Law kitchen is available upstairs
Book Needle & Thread

Enter through Tavern Law, pick up the antique telephone at the back of the bar, and wait for an answer. The door opens from the other side.

Not sure which one?

Come downstairs if

You want dinner, happy hour, or a spontaneous night out with a group. No reservation needed, though you can lock one in if you would rather not wonder.

Book upstairs if

You are celebrating something, or you want cocktails built around your own taste. Plenty of people do both in one evening, and we recommend it.

A private event set up in the candlelit room at Tavern Law on Capitol Hill.
More than eight guests

Parties larger than eight

Tavern Law seats parties of up to eight downstairs, and Needle & Thread takes up to six upstairs. Anything larger becomes a private event. The speakeasy hosts up to 36 behind the vault door, and a full buyout of both floors welcomes up to 100. Every package includes drinks, catering, tax, and gratuity. One number, no surprises.

Plan a private event
Before you arrive

Good to know

Address
1406 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122
12th Ave between E Pike & E Union
Hours
Both rooms, every day
5 PM to midnight
Happy hour daily, 5 to 7 PM
Age & dress
21+ with valid government-issued ID, passport for international guests. Casual dress, come as you are.
Getting here
Street parking. First Hill Streetcar at Broadway & Pike is a short walk.
(206) 322-9734
Questions

Reservation questions

Do I need a reservation?

Not for Tavern Law downstairs. We are primarily a walk-in bar, though we release a limited number of tables each day if you would rather lock one in. Needle & Thread upstairs is reservation only.

How far ahead can I book Needle & Thread?

Seven days, for parties of one to six. Weekend tables tend to go quickly, so it is worth booking the morning the window opens.

Is there a deposit for the speakeasy?

Yes, $15 per guest to hold the table. It is refunded in full once your party is seated.

How do I actually get into Needle & Thread?

Come into Tavern Law on Capitol Hill and pick up the antique telephone at the back of the bar. Someone answers, and the vault door opens from the other side.

Can I order food upstairs?

Yes. The full Tavern Law kitchen is available in the speakeasy.

There are no tables online tonight. Are you full?

Probably not. Most of the downstairs room is held for walk-ins, so come by and we will find you a spot at the bar.

Can you host a large group?

Tavern Law seats parties of up to eight downstairs, and Needle & Thread takes up to six upstairs. Anything larger becomes a private event: the speakeasy holds up to 36 behind the vault door, and a full buyout of both floors takes up to 100.