Bar review: Shorty’s

July 9, 4:11 AMBartender ExaminerKathleen Neves

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Bartender Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

If you have coulrophobia, then stop reading this article right now. Coulrophobia is the rare extreme or irrational fear of clowns. If you are afraid of clowns, don’t go to Shorty’s because there are clowns everywhere. Shorty’s is totally worth braving your fear of clowns for though. As a huge fan of dive bars with a decent selection of beer, a full bar, pinball and arcade games, quirky or sometimes downright bizarre decor and a cool jukebox, I’d say Shorty’s has it all.

Shorty’s is located downtown Seattle in the Belltown area. The Seattle Bartender Examiner, Tish Taitano, recommended this place to me on my recent trip to Seattle. I had so much fun at Shorty’s that I came back twice during my five-day visit.

Sitting the middle of Seattle’s Belltown (surrounded by yuppies and condos) sits my second favorite dive bar of all time (Lucky 13 in San Francisco being my number one). On my recent visit here, it seemed to be the most popular bar in the area and there were a lot of other bars nearby. The place is decorated from head-to-toe with clowns and old school arcade-style decor. If you are thirsty, Shorty’s offers a full bar with both bottled and draft beers. I didn’t see a specialty cocktail (AKA: labor intensive cocktail) insight. The drink selection here is very much a shot-and-a-beer-kind-of-place. There is no other way I would want my favorite dive bar to be. The food menu consists of items such as hot dogs, nachos and organic TV dinners (if you ask.) Arcade-type food at it’s finest. Perfect for snacking in-between playing games and drinking beers.

As far as entertainment goes, if you find yourself growing restless watching the bartender serving the other customers and listening to the loud jukebox, there are plenty (like sixteen or so!) of pinball games in the Pinball Cove to play. There are also old school arcade games located in the bar such as Ms. Pac Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga and Mario Brothers. And for those of you who want to rock, there is even a Guitar Hero arcade game complete with two guitar controllers.

The tables in the main room are made from old pinball machines. You can’t play pinball at your table, but the whole table is lit up. I thought these tables were cool and really fit well into the whole funky style of the bar. Very clever!

There is an additional room in the back of the bar called the “Trophy Room.” This room is a whole other room in the back with it’s own full bar. The Trophy Room is only open on Thursdays 8-close, Fridays 4:30 to close and Saturdays 8-close.

Shorty’s is located at 2222A Second Avenue, Seattle, WA
Hours: Noon-2AM, Everyday
(206) 441-5449

Other “Bar Review” Articles:
Boboquivari’s The Steak
Olive
Bourbon & Branch
Gold Dust Lounge
Lucky 13