Sambar Bar & Lounge

It seems sad to write a review right before it closes, but I have had happy memories here — sitting on the intimate garden patio sipping fancy cocktails, having frites on a drizzly day inside the cozy bar, tasting small plates in such a pretty little place.
Sambar, you will be missed.

Sad they will be closing by the end of June. Hopefully someone will buy the place and do something great. In the mean time, enjoy the garden and the lovely trees. The sole with the tuna was wonderful and the wine by the glass was great. Desserts were terrific as well particular the chocolate mousse thing and also Ye berry parfait. The bar is wonderfully hip and trendy and we loved the ambiance even if it did drizzle on this spring evening in June.
Sorry to see you go sambar!

Absolutely horrible. I’m kind of confused after going there last night and then coming on here and seeing so many five star reviews. I’m honestly hoping we just had a fluke bad waitress.
I went with 5 other friends. ⁴⁄₅ people ordered the same drink and then another guy and I got different drinks. The first annoying thing was that it took her about 25 minutes to bring out our drinks. Are you serious? 25 minutes for drinks? Kind of silly. I ignored the amount of time that it took until I realized she gave me the wrong drink. After telling the waitress that she had given me the wrong drink, she told me that I had ordered the same thing as everyone else at the table. I told her that I hadn’t ordered that drink and she went on to argue with me about how I had ordered the same thing as everyone else. Seriously? You’re arguing with me over something that you screwed up? Say sorry and fix it… it’s not difficult.
I waited another 20 – 25 minutes to get my drink. Everyone had finished their drinks and were ordering more. If you mess up an order, it should go to the top of the list — I shouldn’t have waited more than 5 minutes to get my drink fixed. To top it off, the drink tasted like it didn’t even have alcohol in it.
But wait, there’s more! We ordered more drinks and they brought my friend the wrong drink. My friend didn’t notice it at first and started drinking it. 10 minutes later they brought her the right drink and she realized that she was drinking one of our other friend’s drinks that he had ordered. He was in the bathroom so she jokingly slid the drink over to his space saying that she would just give it to him. The waitress laughed and joked around and DIDN’T REMAKE THE DRINK. ARE YOU KIDDING!!! You let a customer drink something that was half gone?
I think the waitress needs to learn how to own up to mistakes. She messed up a ton with our group. I think I would have been less upset if she would have simply been apologetic and admitted that she was wrong. The icing on the cake was that they didn’t adjust the bill at all — didn’t take any of the mess ups off and didn’t give us any kind of discount. I’m sorry, but if I’m paying $ 12 for a cocktail, I’d like good service to come with it.
The drinks also weren’t that awesome. HUGE disappointment.

I’m really saddened by the news that they will be closing so I stepped up my visitation to this fine little gem.
The food and drink are always top notch. I will miss this place very much when it closes.

Ah-​mazing.
Sadly, this first time I made it here was last weekend, and they close this June :(I will definitely need to make it back before then!
Somehow we got a table right away at 6:30pm. Our timing must have been just right, because the place filled up quickly and stayed that way for the rest of our time there.
First of all, service. Tina was great — gave us lots of space but always made sure that we were completely taken care of.
Next, drinks. So good! Their cocktails come up steep at $ 12 a pop, but they have one of the best bartenders in Seattle, and these drinks reflect it. Both my date and I were super impressed.
Finally, the food! The salad came with a poached egg on top and was delish. I had the soup, and he had the chicken, which came in a hot pot with veggies and sauce that was awesome. The roll on the side was great too, and we found ourselves asking for a few more.
We did ask for «cheese» (they have a cheese platter) and instead got «frites» — I guess they do sound very similar! No matter though, the frites were crispy and perfect so those got demolished too.
Make sure to go here before they close! Sambar, I’m sure you already know this, but you will be missed!

Holy cocktail bar, Batman! Sambar sam-​RULES.
The drinks are no nonsense here. If you’re a fan of a good craft cocktail then this is your spot. And you already know this because you must’ve been searching for good drinks on Unilocal!
Service is great, the space is small but neat and cozy, bathrooms are clean and every detail has been paid attention to. I’m just mad it took me so long to finally get a drink here. This is a fantastic spot to impress a friend, a date, a parent… or someone who enjoys a good drink. Cheers!

So… I was in Seattle for a day. Like literally, only slightly more than 24 hours. So when it was dinner-​time, my friends and I had one hell of a time deciding on a place to eat (the aforementioned friends are Seattlites).
Full disclosure, we originally sat down at Le Gourmand but suffered massive sticker shock at the $ 40+ entrees. Our waiter was extremely gracious (he basically said, «I know right! So expensive! How about SamBar?) So we made the switch. I am SO GLAD we did! I absolutely LOVED it; if I lived in Seattle, I would be here all the damn time.
We all had custom cocktails courtesy of the ingenious bartender on staff there. I said that I like bourbon, a little bitter, a little sweet, and whatever he made fit the bill perfectly. Actually, I had two! But of course the second one is slightly different, the bartender doesn’t like making the same thing twice, which was 100% fine with me!
Our food also was fantastic. I had the chicken dish. When ordering I was a touch hesitant because I was thinking, «but… I don’t like cabbage… *pout*…» Ironically, the cabbage was basically my favorite thing on the plate, I gobbled it up like a madwoman! THAT MIGHT have had something to do that the cabbage was soaked in chicken jus, but stilllllll.
We skipped dessert as there were mountains of christmas cookies at home to devour, but I’m sure the dessert would have been incredible as well.
So, SamBar, til we meet again…

With alcohol such as:
o blackberry-​infused cachaca
o horseradish-​infused aquavit
You know you are in an adult & complex establishment… or maybe I’m just a complex adult for trying these drinks.
We were lucky to have a nice sunny late summer day to «occupy» a table in the patio outside. (the bar quickly became standing room-​only after we arrived). The servers on shift were sexy and stylish. Our server was nice and patient with me and my hill billy ways.
Yeah, that was a bit of an issue. My bro and his wife felt a little bit off here. They are more meat and potatoes/​salt of the earth types… I’m sorta that way, but I like to clean up for city-​mode, too. But yeah, in between the older yuppies drinking wine (why would anyone dare order wine or beer here when you have glasses of magic made by the bartenders?!?) and the younger mumsy & poopsy couple trying too hard to be cool, we felt a little outside of the Sambar circle. But I guess you will get that when a bar like this gets the accolades (well deserved mind you) it’s received, and becomes the «in» place to be — and be seen.
But ok, I’m letting my rant on clientele, sidetrack me on what’s important.
I love this new generation of craft cocktail bars. Whenever a bar takes unique and foreign alcohol and make something creative with it, my eyes get big, and I get adventurous.
: La Luciole: $ 12
Now, I’m not a super fan of aquavit, but I do like to holla to my Danish brethren and partake in this drink every now and again — generally, it’s just as a shot though! So yeah, when I saw how it was infused with something as out there as horseradish, I had to say, «Let’s do this!» (and secretly say «thanks» for not being infused with something pickled!). This drink was definitely unique, and not scary — -for some reason I kept thinking of an Arby’s sandwich drenched in «horsey» sauce. This drink was layered, textured, complex, and yearned to be talked about. My tongue had to step away from me, grab a seat next to me, and have a heart to heart. This sometimes happens in life. My wet, red tongue just has to say «thanks» every once in a while.
: Le Merleau: $ 12
Here the Best Actress was the blackberry-​infused cachaca. I love to listen to bossa nova, dance the samba, and drink caipirinhas. But whenever one can make something new with cachaca, I have to oblige. With tyme syrup, lime, ginger, and amaro, there was a fine cast of supporting actors to make this well-​constructed liquid story.
If you’re like me, blur some of the other people around you. Let the beautiful bartender glow golden. Embrace the drinks before you. And DVR this experience in your memory banks.

OMG. Love this place. I secretly don’t want to post in fear of exposing this jem. But it is deserving…
Really cool drinks, great tasting food, great service. I think my favorite part about this lounge is because it’s so small. I love the idea that only a select few can fit; it made me feel like a VIP.

I admit that I am having a tempestuous affair.
It’s brief, and we only see each other seasonally, because I admit I can be fickle and to be fair, Sambar has many other lovers I’m sure. I certainly know I can’t be the only one who feels like this.
Sitting on the patio, I am immersed in the sweet summer breeze that flows through, knowing it’s lucky to pass through such a lovely space.
The bewitching waitress comes near us, and after a few words, brings us back a glass filled with a sultry and resplendent cocktail called the Transparence Rose and after ingesting, I am immediately blissed, my head and heart both engaged and flushed.
My charming date has En Soleil, which is clearly the matador of cocktails, bold but cunning, it will win with wit over brute strength with a flourish. It brings as much pleasure as the rose, but in a different way.
We order food, the Croque-​Monsieur, frites and Salade du Maraîcher…and as the fork meets our lips, with each bite comes a sigh, a moan, but the other diners don’t even look up, they’re involved in their own affair with the place and know exactly the pleasure it can bring.
I don’t urge you to go, I am a jealous lover when it comes to sharing something this wonderful. But if you are lucky, perhaps I’ll bring you there and you can experience the étonnant sophistication found just on the other side of that gate.

I can’t wait to go back to Sambar. We went last night based on the recommendation of my hair stylist who said we absolutely had to go. We sat outside on the patio and were enchanted by the garden feeling. What’s better than drinking a glass of sparkling rose surrounded by cabbage roses and sitting beneath hanging wisteria?
We also ordered the Frites as an appetizer (we were going out to dinner elsewhere) and they were absolutely delicious. Heavenly.
The only bummer was for my husband, who was disappointed in the beer selection. He’s very much a locavore when it comes to beer (as he feels we have some of the best in the world!) and was let down by the fact that there were no local beers on the menu. The beer he did end up ordering he really enjoyed, however, so it wasn’t a total loss.
We’ll be back!

A tiny boîte that’s not quite a secret anymore but you still feel like you happened upon a hidden gem when you come here. It’s cozy and intimate with maybe 20 seats and a dozen out in the courtyard area. Cocktails are thoughtfully prepared and you’re lucky if you snag one of the four seats at the bar, which is where we sat last night. Try the Flor de Plata which has jasmine-​infused tequila or Le Castor which has Old Tom gin and cremant. Ahhh, sip away and pretend you’re in Paris.

I was there with friends only for drinks last night. Jay is an amazing mixologist with creativity, personality and he’s got skilz. We told him our drink profile and allowed him to create. None of the handcrafted drinks have names. We all loved the St. Germaine/​egg white cocktail.
It’s small and intimate. Maybe seats 25 people… the high stools are kind of unconfortable, but there are purse hooks under the high tables!

Super small and intimate. A cozy atmosphere with a great little drink menu and some tasty apps to mince on.
This is not in the main Ballard area. This is a door located behind, yet still attached to Le Gourmand restaurant.
Wish I lived on this street and could claim this diminutive little gem as my neighborhood bar.

Many years ago, Le Gourmand was my favorite restaurant on Earth. I recall dining there shortly after Sambar opened and walking into the bar after using the restroom and thinking «wow! chic and cozy!» Not being a person that frequents bars just to go to a bar, I never gave Sambar a try. Well, there is irony in age sometimes. My wife and I were given a coupon by our 22 year old daughter for a free evening out while she played babysitter to her three younger siblings. Not having been out late since our latest child was born (he’s going on fourteen months) we wanted to take full advantage. After our virgin dinner at Hunger (yes, review also posted) we asked our dinner companions to join us and give Sambar a try. Parking is easy in the neighborhood, and we were fortunate to arrive just after a four-​top bar table cleared out. Since seating is limited to about fifteen people (indoors) I’ve heard that it can be difficult to squeeze in.
My companions were pretty confident of their cocktail order, but my wife and I were not. She and I started with coffee — at 8:30PM, and as parents of two small children, we were drooping already and needed some kick to carry us through a cocktail or two. The coffee was great! I am a coffee snob. Served in a beautiful, simple carafe, it was smooth, rich, and just the right temperature. Our companions cocktails arrived quickly. I wanted to try something new and had recently been trying to sip cognac as a daily wind-​down beverage and since Le Gourmand is Frenchie French of course Sambar has an impressive cognac and armagnac selection. Not knowing enough to order anything with any level of confidence, I walked up to the bartender and asked if he had anything like a Remy Martin VSOP. I told him I am a cognac newbie and was looking to tread new paths and he apparently took this as a sort of bartending challenge. He made me turn my back while he poured a few sips of three selections. After some time spent sniffing and sipping I was sure that straight brandy was just too hot for me and I needed a mixed drink. They have only one house drink with brandy and when I told him that I just didn’t connect with straight brandy and asked for La Poupe (yes, my friends and I got a big kick out of ordering it) he seemed to lose all respect for me and from that moment on I felt a rather cold shoulder from him and the waitress. While I appreciated the bartender for being knowledgable and generous, I didn’t want to order a drink that I knew I wouldn’t like drinking. La Poupe was pretty good — certainly the right choice. My wife ordered another house drink — Calvados, rum, apple water, and a couple of herbs — and it was delicious.
The atmosphere is very chic but not off-​putting, and it is certainly cozy. I am certain that one can order nearly anything and it will be possible, and the bartender is certainly knowledgable. It got a bit loud when the place filled up, maybe around 11PM. We probably arrived at 9PM and it was pleasantly low-​key. All in all, it was a mixed experience — and I accept that I was partly to blame. I’ll try it again at some point. I would advise anyone dining at Le Gourmand to make extra time for the bar, especially on summer nights when the outdoor seating is open.

You know what I like about Sambar? The drinks. Go figure, right? But wait — give me a second to explain.
Sambar is a small location full of character — in the summer they have a «back yard» open that is perfect for a summer evening. They serve great food from an awesome restaurant next door. The wait staff is knowledgeable (if a bit slow) and always willing to give you their advice. They have a chilled-​out vibe that is incomparable.
All that stuff is great, but I like the drinks. The drinks can be described in one word: perfection. Innovative cocktails mixed and blended perfectly to maximize and highlight the disparate flavors that they are bringing together.
Bring that all together and have you a great hang-​out spot, perfect for pre-​evening-​on-​the-​town activities — or heck, even a destination of its own.
Here’s a tip: Get the steak frites. Always a great dish.
Highly recommended.

Aaaaah, Sambar… Whenever we have a fancy night planned, maybe a nice dinner or going to a show (Benaroya Hall, not the Sunset, mind you), Sambar is usually the first stop on the agenda or where we get a nightcap on the way home.
It’s dinky, and more than once we’ve had to quickly come up with a plan B because there was no space for us. However once you’re seated, settle in and enjoy the experience. The décor is classy yet casual with subtle but distinctive art on the walls and fine attention paid to little details. You can’t go wrong with any of their specialty cocktails, but if you’re looking for something more traditional, the mixology is always dialed in.
During the summer, when they open the patio, it’s super fine to camp out and just enjoy the evening with a nice glass of whiskey or wine and maybe snack on some frites.
We’re lucky to have it in our neighborhood — it’s easily one of the best lounges in the whole city for a little touch of swank in your evening.

This is Ballard’s hidden gem in terms of GREAT handcrafted cocktails.
Located just off of NW Market and 3^rd Ave, right next to Le Gourmand, you almost miss the entrance because the building is so small.
We came on a Thursday night just for a few bites and a drink recently, and it was not crowded, so we easily got a seat. It seemed to get more packed (can happen fast with that small of a space). The waitress quickly arrived and we were able to get our drinks order, and told about the specials that evening. I ended up with a nice bourbon based drink, while my gf got a fall inspired cocktail with pumpkin juice in it. Both were exquisite, and you could tell that these drinks were prepared with skill.
For appetizers, we ordered a salad, which was lightly dressed with some blanched vegetables, that tasted great. I ordered a corn soufflé, which was prepared perfected and tasted just the same. The French inspired menu was obvious and welcomed.
Pricewise, the appetizers were in the 8 – 15 range, which is fine by me after you see and taste the quality of them. Same with cocktails, which were 10 a piece for the house ones.
I’ll definitely be coming back!
You can access Sambar via public transportation via the King County Metro #28 and #44 buses, and is a easy 10 min walk from 15^th and Market.

Another elusive and quaint spot to hit up if you are in the Ballard area. I have never eaten at the restaurant next door, but let me tell you Sambar is the definition of exclusive. You know you’re somewhere good when they have more types of gin than seats in the House.
Michael was a very sweet bartender. Mixing me my flavors of choice for the night. I am not always a cocktail drinking but when you go someplace where the goods are rare, you MUST explode your spirit-​buds.
I think the best part of this experience were the other bar-​goers sitting by me. Not only was everyone friendly and welcoming our conversation turned epic and I literally contemplated my entire life in those 2 hours. Not every bar you go to can let you linger (or is willing to). Great service, great attitude.
Now if I could only meet Sam…

Not necessarily my aesthetic, but that was the only thing about the bar I didn’t absolutely love. Perhaps the most creative cocktail list I have ever seen. And competently executed to boot. I hear the food from the attached restaurant is likewise stunning, but I’ll have to try that next time. At any rate, if you love cocktails, DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE!
Fantastic.

As all lovely things in life, worth the wait.
Sunny late Saturday afternoon.
Glassybaby candles flickering already on the table edges.
Blossoms, flowers, vines twining around wrought iron gates, over fences.
Light gray gravel crunching underfoot in the sideyard patio.
Drinks glistening in the sun rays, tiny spears of rosemary floating amongst the ice cubes, cassis settling at the bottom of the glass.
Lemon twist.
Garlicky aioli, frites wrapped up standing in their wax paper cone, studded with salt crystals.
Calling again…