Old Town Alehouse

The Old Town is my favorite bar in Seattle for beer and nice bar grub. As the title states, the Fish is really good. It's fresh cod battered in and deep fried but there is something special about the crust and the tartar. What makes it really great are the fries that are seasoned with a zesty spice and tossed with parmesan. The cole slaw complements the dish wonderfully for the hungry eater. To top it all off; the beer selection is outstanding. The Old Town Ale House features the best that the local breweries have to offer. You can find ale's, IPA's, Porter's, Stouts, Amber's, Reds, Doubles, Sours, Cask conditioned, Belgians and all the great style and differentiation that beer has to offer. The great thing about this place is that you don't have to look for a good beer - JOHN ONLY SUPPLIES THE BEST! If it ain't good it ain't at the Old Town. They let you taste the beer before you buy and they offer take home growlers for that awesome lager you have been looking for. There is also a nice selection of belgian ales on tap and conditioned in bottle. The ambiance is layed back with an up tempo sound so that you feel good when you walk in the door. more

The Old Town is my favorite bar in Seattle for beer and nice bar grub. As the title states, the Fish is really good. It's fresh cod battered in and deep fried but there is something special about the crust and the tartar. What makes it really great are the fries that are seasoned with a zesty spice and tossed with parmesan. The cole slaw complements the dish wonderfully for the hungry eater. To top it all off; the beer selection is outstanding. more

The Old Town is my go-to pub in Ballard! The food is always great and it's not too expensive. On my most recent visit I had the fried eggplant sandwich which was delicious and my fiance had the beef dip, which he loved. The house salad is made with quality greens with fresh-grated parmesan cheese and is a free substitution if you don't want fries (they are incredible though:). The beer selection here is amazing and the staff is actually knowledgable about it. Plus, the service is friendly, fast, and not too overbearing (they don't hover). This place maintains a cool, old Ballard Ave feel (not one of the new B. Ave meat-markets). Perfect for a night out with friends or a date-night. Love it - Highly recommended! more

The Old Town is my go-to pub in Ballard! The food is always great and it's not too expensive. On my most recent visit I had the fried eggplant sandwich which was delicious and my fiance had the beef dip, which he loved. The house salad is made with quality greens with fresh-grated parmesan cheese and is a free substitution if you don't want fries (they are incredible though:). The beer selection here is amazing and the staff is actually knowledgable about it. Plus, the service is friendly, fast, and not too overbearing (they don't hover). This place maintains a cool, old Ballard Ave feel (not one of the new B. Ave meat-markets). Perfect for a night out with friends or a date-night. Love it - Highly recommended! more

Found this place back in 2006, and was instantly a fan. The bar/restaurant is spacious and accommodating for small groups as well as families. The food is above average and reasonably priced. The staff has always been polite and prompt. At times I have thought they could have a little more personality, but overall they are good. All that said the reason to visit Old Town is not the food or the staff. It's the beer! They have a great selection of both local microbrews and Belgium imports. The staff is well versed in the products they sell and clearly understand their portfolio. If you are exploring Ballard and need a good beer, then Old Town is a great spot. Pros: Great Local Beer Selection, Good Food Cons: Loud Inside. more

Found this place back in 2006, and was instantly a fan. The bar/restaurant is spacious and accommodating for small groups as well as families. The food is above average and reasonably priced. The staff has always been polite and prompt. At times I have thought they could have a little more personality, but overall they are good. All that said the reason to visit Old Town is not the food or the staff. It's the beer! They have a great selection of both local microbrews and Belgium imports. The staff is well versed in the products they sell and clearly understand their portfolio. If you are exploring Ballard and need a good beer, then Old Town is a great spot. Pros: Great Local Beer Selection, Good Food Cons: Loud Inside. more

Got a table on a Friday night at 8pm with no wait! Food was delicious and the beer selection was great. Atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Pros: good food and beer Cons: floor is a little slick if you wear heels more

Got a table on a Friday night at 8pm with no wait! Food was delicious and the beer selection was great. Atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Pros: good food and beer Cons: floor is a little slick if you wear heels more

Better than average bar fare. The sandwiches are all very good and the salads are fresh. I've had spotty service though and hope that they get back on track. Most times something is forgotten whether it's a refill on a drink, a salad, etc. Overall it's a good spot to grab a casual bite and they do allow kids. more

Better than average bar fare. The sandwiches are all very good and the salads are fresh. I've had spotty service though and hope that they get back on track. Most times something is forgotten whether it's a refill on a drink, a salad, etc. Overall it's a good spot to grab a casual bite and they do allow kids. more

The beer line up is good. Lots of fresh local beers that cover the spectrum of all the styles. There is porter, stout, hefe, pils, IPA, amber ale, etc. Small but dependable bottle list. The food is pretty good for pub-grub. Some decent items like the fish and chips. The ceaser salad is good and yes you can even get anchovies. The Ballard Brownie is amazing. Pros: Solid beer line up with some good menu items Cons: Hours. Closing at 10? I don't get it. Don't you want to be open and busy? more

The beer line up is good. Lots of fresh local beers that cover the spectrum of all the styles. There is porter, stout, hefe, pils, IPA, amber ale, etc. Small but dependable bottle list. The food is pretty good for pub-grub. Some decent items like the fish and chips. The ceaser salad is good and yes you can even get anchovies. The Ballard Brownie is amazing. The service has always been good. I know of other people and friends that have complained about the service, but I have never had a problem. Everyone has always been prompt and friendly. The only draw back is the hours. They close so early, don't expect to head there after dinner for a drink and some dessert because they will likely be closed. Pros: Solid beer line up with some good menu items Cons: Hours. Closing at 10? I don't get it. Don't you want to be open and busy? more

Quiet, homey ambience, good beer selection, really good lunch/dinner menu suited to the place. An Irish pub in Ballard which easily beats most of the actual Irish pubs I've been to (21 from Dublin to Galway). Quick, non-intrusive service and you can bring the kids! (although most people don't) We've had lots of friendly gatherings here and some informal business meetings. All in all, a fine place if you are anywhere near North Seattle Pros: Ambience, Food, Ales, quiet, friendly Cons: Parking in Ballard more

Quiet, homey ambience, good beer selection, really good lunch/dinner menu suited to the place. An Irish pub in Ballard which easily beats most of the actual Irish pubs I've been to (21 from Dublin to Galway). Quick, non-intrusive service and you can bring the kids! (although most people don't) We've had lots of friendly gatherings here and some informal business meetings. All in all, a fine place if you are anywhere near North Seattle Pros: Ambience, Food, Ales, quiet, friendly Cons: Parking in Ballard more

It's funny. 2 of the other reviews have cited ""poor service"" as a major drawback of the Old Town Alehouse. But I have received great service there. The wait staff is businesslike, sure but they do their job well. The food is good. I have a particular fondness, bordering on unhealthy obsession, for the Sausage sandwich. Good eating! The beers offered are a nice selection of Belgian ales and local favorites. The atmosphere is bright and airy and suitable for all sorts of occasions. Pros: Good atmosphere, non smoking, good food and beer Cons: a bit pricy more

It's funny. 2 of the other reviews have cited "poor service" as a major drawback of the Old Town Alehouse. But I have received great service there. The wait staff is businesslike, sure but they do their job well. The food is good. I have a particular fondness, bordering on unhealthy obsession, for the Sausage sandwich. Good eating! The beers offered are a nice selection of Belgian ales and local favorites. The atmosphere is bright and airy and suitable for all sorts of occasions. Pros: Good atmosphere, non smoking, good food and beer Cons: a bit pricy more

The most rude bartender i've ever had! My wife and I left after our first drink ... they should be in bellevue, not ballard. Pros: beer selection Cons: terrible staff, RUDE, pretentious more

The most rude bartender i've ever had! My wife and I left after our first drink ... they should be in bellevue, not ballard. Pros: beer selection Cons: terrible staff, RUDE, pretentious more

Very Dissapointing Place! Does not belong in Ballard. Clearly belongs in a shopping mall or suburban plaza. Not sure if it's a franchise-chain, but it sure seems like it. The staff is very rude, and the food is average at best. They do have a nice beer selection, but this is seattle ... every pub has a few good beers on tap ... Cons: rude people, bad ambience, high prices more

Very Dissapointing Place! Does not belong in Ballard. Clearly belongs in a shopping mall or suburban plaza. Not sure if it's a franchise-chain, but it sure seems like it. The staff is very rude, and the food is average at best. They do have a nice beer selection, but this is seattle ... every pub has a few good beers on tap ... Cons: rude people, bad ambience, high prices more