Radiator Whiskey

We ate at Radiator Whiskey and enjoyed everything from the flat bread with arugula and house bacon, to the slow braised brisket and Apple salad. All of which were exceptional, including the service. Bar drinks are amazing and choices of bourbons to moonshine are great. Prices are reasonable. As most know, the bar area gets busy prior to happy hour so plan ahead. We will be back here for sure.

I had three flights of whiskey here so I can’t say I recall all the usual things a Unilocaler pays attention to at a restaurant. So here are a few notes:
1) place is extremely small, but we were able to get a (standing) table ASAP
2) bathroom not inside the restaurant
3) whiskey going down extremely smooth
4) free, but very salty popcorn
5) the tots were under cooked
6) lots and lots of whiskey
That being said, I’d totally come back here to try out more on their whiskey list.

When asking my boyfriends aunt where to go to eat in Seattle she quickly said Radiator Whisky and she also said tater tots was a must have here.
We arrived early and they got us after 10 minutes. The place was so crowded and the wait for walk ins was about 90 minutes or more (good thing we made reservations a week before).
The server was great even tho she was all over the place since the place was super busy.
The food didn’t disappoint and I’m usually not a big fan of that kind of food.

It was 10:45pm when I got to Radiator Whiskey. I had just landed in Seattle an hour before hand and I was starving. Having heard so much about Radiator, I couldn’t wait to try their food and drinks. I was worried that the kitchen had already closed for the night but, fortunately for me, the kitchen doesn’t close until 11:30pm.
We ordered fried pork shank and tot-​chos. My BF had the pork shank and said it was one of the best pork shanks he has had. The herb aioli really compliments the meat well. Even though I had been warned that the serving of tot-​chos were huge, I still ordered it for myself. I should have heeded the warning. I was served a mountain of perfectly crispy tater tops that were covered with cheese, pulled pork, sour cream, peppers, and green onion. To no one’s surprise, I could not finish my order. It was delicious and quite filling. This dish can be shared between 3 or even 4 – 5 people.
Coming here, I knew I had to get a drink. I just didn’t know what kind. I asked the waiter for recommendations and, with his explanations of rye or bourbon for an old fashion or what a nice and light fruity drink was, it was obvious that he knew his liquor well. I ordered The Piledriver which was a strong fruity cocktail.
With such a friendly staff, tasty food, and unique décor, I’d make my way here again if I find myself back in Seattle.

This place is renowned for its plates of meat and its pig’s head (which I am DEFINITELY coming back to try) but if you’re just a humble party of two looking for a stiff drink and some tasty-​as-​f bar food, never fear! Radiator Whiskey has got your back, too. I should also mention at this point that this place is so popular that you may have better luck getting seats with a smaller party anyway.
Since I’m that idiot who goes to a place with «whiskey» in its name but doesn’t actually like whiskey (I know, I know, shame on me), I ordered a gin drink called a Guns ‘n’ Rosemary. I’m not even a huge gin person but damn it was tasty. Moral of the story is that even if you’re not cool enough to appreciate whiskey, you should still come here cause they do not discriminate. My dinner buddy had the Renegade and a) loved it and b) said it was one of the strongest drinks he’d ever had. Do with that what you will.
We started with the tater tots, which are a must-​order. Definitely drag each tot through the sauce and the hot sauce they provide. Mmm. They’re generously portioned, too. As in, I could just eat the tater tots and call it a meal. But don’t do that, cause there are other yummy things to eat here!
We also had the beef lip terrine, which was tasty and nice and gooey on the inside. The texture is not for the faint of heart, though… ie, try not to actively imagine a cow mouth as you’re eating it. Hah!
Lastly, we shared the beef brisket, which comes with horseradish cream (yum), roasted onions (perfect) and arugula. It all went together perfectly and was just as tender and flavorful as brisket should be.
Service was seamless and quick, and you’d never be able to tell the place was slammed. I will say that the place gets pretty loud, so keep in mind you’re not going to have a romantic date with subdued conversation here.
Pig’s head, I am coming for you!

This restaurant comes in as one of the top 3 places I ate at during my vacation in Seattle. My girlfriend and I were looking for a restaurant to visit before we began our new years eve festivities and we decided that this place was perfect. We called earlier to get a sense of how busy it would be and the waitress said that all reservations were booked. We really wanted to try this place out (I have a pretty unhealthy love of whiskey and meat) so we decided to just walk in and wait for a table. We showed up around 7:30 PM and were surprised at how empty the restaurant was. There were plenty of open tables available so we decided to ask if we could be seated at one of them. The waitress immediately sat us down at one of the tables since it reservation wasn’t for another 2 hours.
Ambiance: The restaurant is located within Pikes Place Market so it can be difficult to find. The best way to find it is to first identify the Starbucks across the street from the market entrance (Huge Pikes Place sign). The restaurant is in the building right across from that Starbucks. Simply enter the building and take the elevator (to the 3^rd floor?) and the restaurant is in one of the upper levels. The restaurant itself is actually quite small with a few standing tables and the bar on the left and some larger tables on the right side of the room. The hardwood floors and wall work really well with the dim lighting to add a nice cozy and rustic feel to the place. The small whiskey barrels along the wall really add some character to the place. The close proximity of the kitchen to the tables really adds an exciting vibe to the restaurant overall as well.
Food: My girlfriend and I decided to order Turkey Drum Confit and I ordered the Fried Pork Shank. Our food came out quickly and they both tasted amazing. The Turkey Drum Confit was moist and flavorful on the inside and crispy on the outside. The gravy on the turkey was absolutely delicious and the potatoes served on the side were good as well. I was very impressed with this dish since I am usually not a fan of turkey. The pork shank was just as delicious and amazing as the turkey. it was nice and crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside. The pork was not overly greasy or overcooked at all and I really enjoyed the flavor of it. The portions on both dishes were huge and just what we needed before a night of drinking. I ordered their maple bourbon old fashioned and it was absolutely amazing. I don’t see many variations on old fashioned’s back in the Bay Area so I had to order this. This drink is everything a whiskey lover would enjoy and it was definitely strong.
Service: Our waitresses were very friendly and helpful. They checked on us regularly without being to overbearing and always made sure our requests were taken care of quickly. I also liked the fact that they were able to seat us in a table despite the reservations being filled.
Overall experience: I loved this restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone whether they are looking for a place to eat, drink or both. I will definitely be visiting Radiator Whiskey when I return to Seattle.

My boyfriend and I came here for NYE dinner. We called earlier in the day and they told us that reservations were full and we could dine here if we walk in and wait. We really wanted to try this place out since my boyfriend loves whiskey and the food here looks yummy. Upon arrival, we were surprised that the restaurant was only ¾ full and was seated promptly. It made me wonder how many customers they turned down on the phone if they told everyone who called that day that reservations were full.
It was a difficult for us to find this place but it is located between the Pike Place sign and the Starbucks across the street. You take the elevator up a few floors and walk down hallway to get here. It felt like walking in an office building which I never experienced or imagined a bar to be at.
Service: We were seated promptly at a table that fits 4. After another party of two left, the waitress asked if we would like to move to the other table for two next to the window with a view. I thought this was nice of them and the view outside our window was the busy 1^st Ave and of course, the strip club across the street.
Food: I ordered a Turkey Drum Confit and my boyfriend ordered Fried pork shank. The Turkey Drum confit was big and cooked very well and was not dry at all! The sauce that was served with it was super delicious as well as the potatoes it came with. It was the perfect portion. The fried pork shank was juicy and meaty.
Ambiance: I liked the tiny barrels around the restaurant. With the dim lighting and individual candle lighted up on each table, it gives a very classy feel.
Overall, I would definitely come back. The food, drinks, and service is outstanding.

Cool bar in the Pike Place area.
They have a Single Malt Irish Whiskey that is very good. My wife got their Whiskey Old Fashion, I tried and I thought it was decent. We also ordered the tots with the over easy egg. I thought that was very good as well.
The bar is up a couple flights of stairs, off the main street. Service was great, and helpful. Very small bar, so expect to wait a bit to sit down.

You definitely need some foresight and make reservations if you want to eat at this place during regular dinner hours.
The food is on the salty side but the portions are bigger than you’d expect. Everything great overall and if you sit by the window you can laugh at all the cheesy messages from the strip club sign across the street.

We go to Seattle every other year for the Apple Cup and only have a few days to explore. We have our usual favorites but this time around I tried to Unilocal some bars & restaurants we might like. I like whiskey & craft beer so Radiator Whiskey shined up at me like a diamond in the rough.
Located right at Pikes Place Market, Radiator Whiskey is a perfect place to have a few drinks and a bite. Apparently locals & visitors alike know this though so I recommend reservations although there is open bar seating. We were shocked how crowded it was only 20 minutes after opening. The bar was fully packed but the lady at the door was super cool and said that if we could be out in an hour or so she could get us a table for a bit. We were seated in a cute nook of a corner. I loved the loud chit chat vibe and energy throughout yet we had quiet privacy at the same time. The lighting is minimal and there’s a rustic, vintage vibe. Barrels of whiskey on the wall mini & big, old books, worn wood and metal garnishings. It was a glorious stop after braving the crowds of the market.
We came during happy hour & ordered some local draft beers. Happy hour is 4 – 6 Monday-​Saturday with tons of deals: $ 1 off draft beers, $ 8 bourbon margaritas, $ 7 bourbon shot with a pickle back etc + food specials. I think it changes but it was a steal. Since we planned on hitting more joints and knew we had to leave soon, we shared a plate from the HH menu: a debris sandwich. Smoked pork, smoked cheddar, and a fried egg on a roll all melty & gooey with cheddar chili Fritos on the side and hot sauce. I actually loved the idea and the simplicity of using Fritos [i happen to love that flavor]. The pork was great flavor wise but I found it all very soft for the sandwich. When you put soft bread, soft meat & cheese, & a fried gooey soft egg it can slightly get off putting. I wish it had a tad more texture or char but again, seasoned beautifully and the cheddar paired well. Throwing the chips on helped texture wise and maybe that was the goal. Loved the local hot sauces she laid out for us!
Our server was really friendly and checked on us often; she thanked us for being so cool about leaving before the res came. The funny thing was that we didn’t feel rushed at all and left early. Somehow time stopped in there, I swear. They bring you free popcorn to munch on and she talked story like old friends.
I think next time we’re in town we may make a reservation and check out that pig head!

This little gem is located right at the corner of Pike Place market; a perfect place to go for dinner if you are showing the town to some friends that are visiting. The atmosphere is always so lively and fun! Open kitchen allows you to emmerse yourself in the smoke and smell !
The first few times I went to radiator whiskey, I could not reserve a pig head so we went with their beef brisket, and grilled goat cheese sandwich with tomato jam soup. Before the food comes out, they give you complimentary popcorn, which was bit salty for me. The brisket came with some grilled onions and it was amazing, moist and flavorful! The grilled goat cheese sandwich was different from anything I tried before, but it had all the success elements for a grilled cheese sandwich, crispy outside and gooey inside. Yum!
On my recent visit back to radiator whiskey, I finally had a chance to have ½ pig head! I personally felt that the meat were too oily as all the fat from the pig’s head was still intact, but my friends loved it! I likes the ear, and the tongue better than the cheek. They offer a free shot if whiskey for people who eat the eyeball and of course, we had to! They have awesome whiskey selection (according to my whiskey loving friends) and offer flights.

This place was amazing. You walk in and the aromas of freshly smoked meats instantly fills your nostrils. Wooden platters of meat and sides fly by. I can’t wait to eat here.
We swung by for some drinks and were thoroughly impressed. Cocktails are delicious. Fresh popcorn upon request. Open kitchen is highly entertaining. I’ll definitely be back for the half pigs head platter and some tots.
Great atmosphere. Not too loud. Great drink selections.

Whiskey and Meat?!
My friend kept asking why I did not pre order the Smoked Pig Head ($ 48)?! But after she saw how big even the half head was, she knew it was mission impossible.
Making our reservation using Opentable was easy. Reservation highly recommended as even at 9 pm on a Tuesday evening, the place was packed.
Popcorn with drinks? Local Whiskey Sampler? And tons of meat!
Fried Beef Lip Terrine ($ 10)
Fried Pork Shank ($ 16)
Heirloom Tomato ($ 8)
And Sampler of Local Flight: Oola Bourbon, John Jacob Rye, Westland Single Malt
Beers on Draft are $ 5/​pint
Unlimited Freshly Popped Popcorn
Now this is what I call a Girl’s Night Out!

First, order the beef lip terrine or the fried chicken liver – or even order both. Just get that out of the way, and you’ll have a solid start on your meal.
All the food and drinks were on point.
Service was particularly good: dropped in without a reservation on a Saturday night just early enough for the restaurant to be full, and they worked really hard to get us seated around their reservations – way above and beyond what they needed to do.
Also kind of fun is that the gentleman’s club across the street has a bright neon sign that gives the restaurant a neat gastropub vibe.

Definitely make a reservation for this very popular bar! If you don’t make a reservation, expect up to a 2-​hour wait on the weekends during down times. I know. 0_​_​_​0 Even with our 7 PM rez, we waited about 15 minutes before our table was ready. (darn you reservation before us!)
We came for the tots. We ordered the tots. We broke the velvety egg yolk and mixed it into the creamy gravy and all over the perfectly fried tots. Verdict: GET THE TOTS.
We also got the cornflake-​crusted chicken livers, which were divinely crispy and came with an oh-​so-​yummy spicy aioli, and a turkey drum confit with smashed potatoes. The turkey drum was the size of Renaissance faire-​turkey leg (I suppose most turkey legs are about the same size so I’m not sure why we were stunned) and had crispy fried skin on the outside and soft tender meat on the inside. The potatoes were good, although it may have been a poor choice considering our tots are also potato.
The apps are large and definitely designed to be sharable. The entrees even bigger. Go with a big appetite or with lots of friends to share with. We will definitely stick with sharable apps next time!
Service was pretty good, although it took our server a little while go get to us. She was super knowledgeable and helped me pick a cocktail off the endless list of bourbon, whiskey, wine, and beer. The Phil Collins is a good one for people who aren’t huge whiskey fans– it’s on the lighter side with a nice lemon flavor. Be warned, gentlemen who clutch tightly at man-​cards, this drink is pink because of the grenadine– so enjoy but hold those cards close!

Went on a Wednesday evening for dinner and drinks. We got lucky that night because we were able to order the pig’s head. Normally you have to place an order ahead of time, but someone must have cancelled so we ordered it and boy was it delish! I even ate the eyeball and got a free shot of bourbon =) We also ordered the watermelon salad which was delicious as well.
I absolutely loved the atmosphere and the service was great. The only downside about this place is that it gets really hot in there. I can only imagine what it’s like during the summer.
With that said… I’m definitely a fan and will be going back!

Unique little spot nestled in Pike Place, but this place has a lot of charm. It’s not easy to find a seat here especially if you don’t have a reservation. The restaurant is very tiny. If you have more than 2 people in your party I would suggest getting a reservation otherwise you may be waiting for a while. Luckily thought Pike Place has a lot of food options.
I am going to state the obvious and say that this place has a fine selection of whiskeys. We chose to taste one of their flights. It gives you a nice variety from smooth to smokey to dry, etc. We had a couple cocktails as well which were all really good. Small portions but they all had a nice kick to it. They offer seasonal cocktails so there is always something new to try.
We of course had to get the infamous Pig’s Head. This dish is more than just the head it had fried pig ears, a cut of loin, pig tongue, roasted peppers, toasted baguette, and a delicious aioli. The head had crispy skin, the cheeks were very tender. As a dare, if you eat the eye of the pig you get a free shot of whiskey! Someone at our table actually did it. Woot!
In addition to our spectacular meal we ordered a spicy watermelon salad (seasonal). The sauce went incredibly with the pig. We also ordered the tots with fried egg and gravy and because that wasn’t enough for our group we ordered a roasted half chicken. This was very good as well. The meant was tender, the skin was slightly crispy, and the flavor was divine.
All around we had an amazing dining experience. This incredible meal fed 7 people and we were are happily full. My one word of advice is to not dress too warm. The space is small and with all that body heat it gets warm fast. The only air ventilation comes from the windows on one wall and they only open part way.

Love, love, loved it here! The food, the ambiance and the service were top notch!
Located on the 2^nd floor of the Corner Market Building in Pike Place Market, Radiator Whiskey is an unpretentious bar/​restaurant with a super cool vibe that serves up amazing food and a huge selection of whiskey and other libations.
*Tater Tots w/​a Fried Egg & Gravy [$ 9] — I can’t stress enough… this is a must!!! I mean how can you go wrong with anything that has tater tots in it? And to top it with an egg with runny yolk and savory gravy… really?!? OMG, heaven!
*Shaved Summer Squash w/​Roasted Lemon Labne, Fried Almonds, Manchego & Fine Herbs [$ 10] — I don’t normally care for squash but I would definitely order this dish again. It was so light and refreshing. The squash was shaved really thin and didn’t taste like squash. I loved the lemony labne which is basically a yogurt sauce and the almonds added nice texture.
*Braised Beef Brisket w/​Roasted Onions, Horseradish Cream & Baby Arugula [$ 19] — The beef was extremely tender, the gravy was tasty & paired well with the horseradish cream, and the addition of arugula added some peppery notes to this dish.
My brother got a «Lapdance» which cost only $ 10. No, NOT what you’re thinking. It’s a signature cocktail made of lapsang souchong tea infused bourbon, lemon, luxardo and chocolate bitters. My brother said it was pretty strong. He’s not typically a hard liquor drinker and I think he got more of a kick out of ordering it than anything else.
Our server was Rachel «Barta» and she was awesome. Overall an amazing experience…5 stars!!!

This review is solely on their happy hour cause, well, I’ve only been here for happy hour. (Not an alchy, I promise!)
Happy hour stop #3 was Radiator Whiskey, which is located on the top floor of Pike Place Market Corner Market Building. Because of the wait at Elliott’s Oyster Bar, we were rushing to catch the end of happy hour at Radiator Whiskey. Happy hour is from 4pm-​6pm!
Happy Hour drink deals:
— $ 1 off draft beers
— $ 8 bourbon margarita
— $ 8 pumpkin mule
— $ 5 select wines
— $ 7 can of beer and well shot
Happy Hour food deals:
— $ 8 debris sandwich (pork, smoked cheddar, fried egg, and fritos)
— $ 8 cornflake crusted chicken livers
— $ 5 tater tots (with fried egg and gravy)
Having drank quite a bit during our first two stops, we decided to just share an order of tater tots and sip on our draft beer. The atmosphere of this place is really awesome, so I’ll definitely be back to check out their bourbon margaritas… and of course, their whiskey drinks. The tater tots come in a huge bowl! The gravy and fried egg was a perfect mix to the crispy tater tots.
We spied a table sharing the pigs head, and we’re really intrigued. Definitely need to order that in advance and try it sometime!

Face it.
Ambience: 5
Food: 5
Drinks: 4
Value: 5
Rarely would a meal be so memorably delicious that one would give it serious consideration for their last meal on earth; the Pig Face at Radiator Whiskey is one.
Not for the timid (or vegetarians), it is literally half of a pig’s head. Slow roasted and seasoned to perfection, its rosy stare (see picture below) from the large serving board dares only the brave to taste its scrumptiousness.
The composition goes beyond the head. There’s fried pig ears, a cut of loin, roasted peppers, toasted baguette, and a nice aioli accompaniment. But the star of the show is the face itself. The skin is crispy savory bites of awesome. The fatty and tender cheek meat underneath are divine. And if you dare, eat the eye and get a free shot of whisky (of course I did it, I’d have done it even without the incentive).
As its name suggests, Radiator Whiskey has a fine selection of whiskeys, some have additional barrel aging on premise for a special treat. They have a rotating selection of house barrel-​aged cocktails and some very interesting mixes (e.g. the whiskey margarita we had). Beer and wine too, if you’re so inclined. But I definitely recommend a whiskey to go with your pig; the extra alcohol cuts through and compliments the oils.
Happy hour runs daily from 4−6pm, enabling you to sample some of their decadent dishes (e.g. tater totes with a fried egg and gravy, hint: swirl the yoke into the gravy). Situated on the top level of the building on the corner of 1^st and Pike, the very first building of Pikes place market, its brick interior and flapping windows are irresistibly cool.
Many tourists will stumble upon this wonderful eatery (as it is one of the highest rated in the city), but rarely will they get to taste its crowning jewel. The Pig Face must be reserved ahead of time (at least a week prior), and it’s well worth the effort; the best almost always are. Face it.

Das Radiator Whiskey ist einer der aktuell trendigsten Läden in Seattle. Er ist etwas versteckt gelegen im Obergeschoss des Eckhauses an der Pike St /​1^st Av. Betritt man den Laden steht man schon mittendrin — es ist nur ein Raum, der etwa 50 Gästen Platz bietet. Will man hier Essen ist frühzeitiges Erscheinen Pflicht oder in jedem Fall eine Reservierung hilfreich. Alternativ kann man sich auch an die Bar stellen.
Der ganze Raum wird dominiert von der offenen Küche und der großen Bar. Gegessen haben wir nichts, aber es sah alles gut aus und auch vom handwerklichen her machte es einen guten Eindruck. Leider wird es durch die offene Küche schnell warm im Raum und es riecht auch stark nach Essen. Das ist an und für sich nicht schlecht, sollte einem aber im Vorwege bewusst sein, je nachdem wo es danach noch hingehen soll.
Die Bar hat den Schwerpunkt ganz klar auf Whiskeys. Natürlich gibt es auch jede Menge andere Drinks, aber der Focus sind die vielen, vielen unterschiedlichen Whiskeys.
Alles in allem ist das RW ein sehr uriger Ort für Essen und Getränke in geselliger Runde. Auch wenn der Laden an und für sich eher trendy ist, sind es die Gäste eher nicht. Es ist eher Hipster-​Casual als Smart-​Casual mit der für die USA typische Offenheit nach oben und unten beim «Dresscode».