Daphnes Cafe

Love this bar. Very small. Very exclusive, if you can get yourself in with your people that is. The bartender is very sociable, respectful, and fun. Once you settle in you are going to have a time of your life. Drinks are great. The price isn’t too expensive. I would take out of town visitors here any day. Great date spot as well, if you get in, that is.

I had no intension of visiting Daphnes. I just left Salt and Iron (see my review) for a happy hour meal and was walking home. As I stepped by the bar I looked in and could hear the sound of merriment. Seriously. I never — ever — expected to write a sentence with the word «merriment» in it, but that is exactly what it was. I found that my feet had stopped on their own. I glanced at my watch. Shrugged my shoulders. Turned around and walked in. I was greeted with cheers!
Now you need a bit of back story. I’ve owned a home in Edmonds for 20 years and I have walked past this spot hundreds of times and I have never been to this bar before. It only got on my radar recently when I found out a woman I work with has a family member who owns the bar. She said I should go in, but not to expect free drinks since even she doesn’t get them there!
As I crossed the threshold, shouts of welcome and greetings came from everyone, but especially the guy behind the bar, who had this broad smile and twinkle in the eye. They wanted to know my name. I gave it and it was repeated back (over and over through my stay). It will not surprise me when I return they will know my name.
The name of the bar keep is Desmond. I grabbed a stool next to a couple and a nice man named Mike, who also lived on the same street as me, though we had never met. A lady next to him, Shawn (yes, spelled S-​H-​A-​W-​N, it was point of discussion), was very gracious and nice. Overall I felt extremely welcome.
OK. That’s four paragraphs with no mention of the actual bar drinks or eats. But you need to know this place is more than a bar before you go in. Do NOT expect to have a quiet drink. It’s a very small space.
So first I ordered a safe drink. Gin and Tonic. Very nice. I watched Desmond as he served other concoctions. His flare behind the bar is the entertainment here. Is there a TV? I didn’t notice with all the action. I asked Mike what is the most popular drink and he said, the Moscow Mule. I got Desmond’s attention and ordered and you could see the delight in his eyes and broad smile my selection brought him. Next I watched him in spectacular fashion combine vodka, ginger beer, lime juice and fresh mint and serve it with ice in a copper mug. This drink is smooth and tasty. I could probably drink them all night, but for the freakishly cold state the copper mug brings to the experience. This is a drink to order in a heat wave!
So who comes to this bar? The clientele skewed older, but there were people in their 20’s and 30’s, too. There is no happy hour. It’s happy all the time, I’m told. I didn’t try any food, but I did see a bread and cheese and fruit plate be brought out from a back room and it looked great. I could have stayed all night, but it was a work night and I found myself in the middle of a cross-​the-​room and shouted conversation that didn’t really bother me but made me aware enough of the time that I asked for the check.
This is a long review for a very small establishment with a big impact on the people who visit. I recommend you do so — at least once.

Daphne’s is a very small simple bar with great cocktails. It’s quite cozy and comfortable and can get very crowded and loud for such a little place. But the magic of this place is Desmund! He is one of the best bartenders ever! He brings life and energy to this little place that is very hard to find.

Moscow Mule… best so far made by Jeff. Aight! Always happy here. My 2^nd stop. Love this tiny gem as I’ve mentioned before. Always chill and no pretense.

Daphne’s is a miniature Disneyland for booze! And Desmond is so beautiful, his eyes could lure a sailor from the sea… he is a siren for the ages… and his Moscow mule’s (and Pink Pussycat’s) are mana from heaven.
Ask and Desmond will regale you with a joke but don’t be sensitive, or do be, but leave. If you are easily offended this is not the place for you.
Yes, they are partial to regulars here… the good news? you get your membership card on your first visit. The devilishly handsome Desmond and his alternate Jeff will always take good care of you.
Ask Desmond about the Cayman…

My boyfriend and I just recently discovered this gem in downtown Edmonds. Desmond is the most vibrant and welcoming bartender, he knows how to make you feel right at home and would put a smile on anyone’s face. The drinks he makes are delicious, our favorite is the Moscow Mule– you must try it! We’ve tasted lots of mules and Desmond’s are by far the best around!

I would consider myself a regular to Daphnes at this point. We’ve been coming here for about a year and a half now. Yes, it’s small. If you are claustrophobic this place isn’t for you. If you want a quiet night out this place isn’t for you. However, this place has soul. If you are having a bad day and need a smile (and a drink) you need to come here. The reason this place has soul? His name is Desmond. He’s a fantastic person and he knows how to entertain people. Not only are the Moscow mules on point the meat and cheese board is delicious. I hope to always remain a regular here as long as I live nearby.

Had an early drink before dinner and it was excellent! Negroni and Manhattan were spot on and great service from the bartender.

Love it here. It’s like Cheers. Everyone knows everyone. The bartender, Desmond, makes killer drinks. I suggest the sidecar. Great ambience. Small and intimate. Small menu, but great food.

DESMOND.
That’s all you need to know. Walk in if you see Desmond have a seat and relax (you’ll know it’s Desmond as soon as you open the door). Salud!

«Be Good or Be Gone» is scribbled on the wall high above the interior door. Next to it, «No couples allowed on Valentines Day», and the phone number to Beck’s Funeral Home. There’s definitely a hint of quirk, a dash of class, and a lot of charm at Daphne’s.
I had been meaning to try Daphne’s for a while, but it’s not often that I find myself in downtown Edmonds and in a cocktail mood at the same time. This time, when a friend and I decided to go out for a drink, I made a point to head their direction.
I had an idea that Daphne’s was small, but I didn’t understand how small until we opened the door to the tiny storefront with dark wooden shades over the door and windows. There’s two small tables and a small wraparound bar that looked completely full (though not hard to do). Luckily, we noticed there was no one occupying the very back and grabbed a couple of stools. We sat cozily between the door to the kitchen and the door to the «Toilette».
I ordered an old fashioned and my friend ordered a Dez 75, which was a little different from the standard French 75. We also ordered the meat and cheese plate and finished with wine. The Old Fashioned was exactly how it should be (which was relieving, considering the last few times I’ve ordered them elsewhere, they’ve been horrific) but I got mixed reviews on the Dez 75. I didn’t eat much of the meat on the plate we ordered but the cheese and fruit spread were divine. I loved it so much that I went out the next day and hunted down the exact fruit spread and cheese they used for another round in the comfort of my home the following night.
What really takes the cake at Daphne’s is the ambiance. You may be (literally) rubbing shoulders with all your neighbors due to the size, but there is also something very private and intimate about it. While couples are not allowed on Valentines Day, this could really be a great date spot to get to know someone over deliciously crafted cocktails.

Genuinely a wonderful, intimate, fun, charming bar with well made cocktails.
I ordered a Negroni, which Des made with an Amari that wasn’t Campari. Being a bit of a traditionalist I wasn’t as impressed, but my wife’s dark and stormy was on point.
More than the drinks is that you genuinely feel invited in the community, space, and fun that’s happening. You can’t not have fun here. This is the sort of interaction you always want to have everywhere you go.

Excellent drinks and a wonderful selection. Speakeasy vibe. Bartender was extremely friendly and fun. Lovely music and great ambiance. Very small and cozy– not claustrophobic at all. Will return VERY soon.

Cannot wait to take my friends to this amazing little bar. It’s like Cheers in Edmonds with sophisticated drinks!!!

FABULOUS drinks. Small place so it can be hard to find a seat but super friendly bar tenders and great drinks. I had a Dark and Stormy and it was quite strong but it was good.
Ok funny story — so I go to use the restroom and I walk in and it is dimly light with a red light. I love all the old décor and 1920s vintage theme and I start looking around when I see above the toilet a picture of a blonde little boy who is dresses in victorian era dress and it WAS CREEPY! I literally ran out of the bathroom and could not pee with little boy staring down at me. It was straight out of a horror movie to me!
My friends ask me what was wrong and I tell them and some regulars across the bar from us start laughing and explain that the owners are European and that is their son which they had painted.
It was really funny and now you have a fair warning too!

Meh. This place caught my attention after arriving in Edmonds from a late ferry. It looked interesting and the posted hours indicated they’d be open awhile. I decided to give it a look. Stepping through the door, I found a small crowd, lively laughter and a few patrons dancing around the far end of a very small bar. The place had a feel of a small craft cocktail bar like The Real McCoy in Bellingham or Hazlewood in Ballard. I felt comfortable. The bartender greeted me, turned to say a few words to a customer then promptly informed me they were done serving and closing in 10 minutes (20 minutes according to Unilocal). I came to the conclusion that it’s only locals after a certain time. That’s my first and last experience here: I won’t be returning.

This cozy pub is MC’d by Desmond who makes you feel like a long lost friend as soon as you walk in. We had a fun time while drinking the best cocktails in town. This will be a regular place for us.

It doesn’t get much better that the atmosphere at Daphne’s. You’ll be greeted warmly and openly from the moment you walk in. You’ll be like old friends in a matter of minutes. You can’t miss Desmond the unforgettable & flamboyant bartender who will take care of your every need. He alone is worth the trip to Edmonds! Very small intimate bar with the perfect amount of lighting. Maybe 10 barstools and two tables inside with about 2 tables outside.
Stop by, have a 21yr old single malt and tell Des Karen sent you! (Tue-​Fri if you want to visit when Desmond is working).
Opens at 3 closes at 12am. Right next door to the theater.

Seriously. Did you know there’s really a place like Cheers? A place where everybody knows your name. Here, in Edmonds. Well let me introduce you to Daphne’s. We were greeted by the bartender, Desmond, who knew we hadn’t been before and promptly told us what he’d suggest. The Moscow Mule. He then shouts to everyone in this tiny place and introduces us and everyone yells «Hi Doug! Hi Joe!» I thought I was in some weird reality but Desmond walks back to the bar tells everyone we’re having the Moscow Mule & nearly everyone in there raised theirs and told us we chose well. He then proceeds to put on a show making the drink asking everyone what do you do with the mint and everyone there slaps their hands together and says «Slap it!»
Seriously — it’s like a show a and Desmond is your host. I’ve been back so many times and have never had bad service and they do make the best damn Moscow Mule I’ve had. Try it out.

Interesting place. It’s very small. About 10 people can sit around the bar and a few more can squeeze in and stand. 2 small tables in the corner and two small tables outside. On a Friday night you might have to wait a few minutes for a table or spot at the bar. Service was friendly but I did not like that the bartender called me «baby.» I also heard him calling other girls honey. Idk, for me, this is really annoying. Otherwise was good, and attentive. The bartender tries to engage people which is nice in such a small place.
Ordered a Moscow mule based on all the reviews that said they were so good. I wasn’t crazy about it. I don’t think that had anything to do with the place but more with me. I’d never had one before but it’s not really my style. I asked if the bartender could make something non-​alcoholic for my husband. He came up with a suggestion quickly and actually made something good. It was better than my drink. I was impressed that he didn’t just pour some pineapple juice in a cup and put a cherry on it like many bartenders have done in the past.
It’s a cute little place. Definitely worth a try.