Guidebook for Columbia City
Drinks & Nightlife
A nano-brewery tucked away in an old strip mall. Worth a trip if you like trying new beer. They don't serve food, only free pretzels, but you can bring your own take out and eat it there. Definitely order a beer flight. Kids are welcome.
53 locals recommend
Flying Lion Brewing
5041 Rainier Ave SA nano-brewery tucked away in an old strip mall. Worth a trip if you like trying new beer. They don't serve food, only free pretzels, but you can bring your own take out and eat it there. Definitely order a beer flight. Kids are welcome.
They sell good beer by the pitcher, and at a reasonable price. It's kind of a hole-in-the-wall place with nice people and shuffleboard.
28 locals recommend
The Hummingbird Saloon
5041 Rainier Ave SThey sell good beer by the pitcher, and at a reasonable price. It's kind of a hole-in-the-wall place with nice people and shuffleboard.
They sell hoity toity cocktails, with sometimes too many savory ingredients for my taste, but it's always buzzing late with locals and the atmosphere is good.
88 locals recommend
Lottie's Lounge
4900 Rainier Ave SThey sell hoity toity cocktails, with sometimes too many savory ingredients for my taste, but it's always buzzing late with locals and the atmosphere is good.
No movies here. An historic burlesque theater this is a quintessential Seattle music venue that occasionally features surprisingly famous groups. We usually end up here because we have a night off from the kids, and we're like, "I wonder what's playing at the theater?" So we go and sometimes it's an amazing musical discovery, other times not so much. They also still have a regular rotation of burlesque shows, which are a hoot. You should check it out.
102 locals recommend
Columbia City Gallery
4864 Rainier Ave SNo movies here. An historic burlesque theater this is a quintessential Seattle music venue that occasionally features surprisingly famous groups. We usually end up here because we have a night off from the kids, and we're like, "I wonder what's playing at the theater?" So we go and sometimes it's an amazing musical discovery, other times not so much. They also still have a regular rotation of burlesque shows, which are a hoot. You should check it out.
First run movies in the historic Ark Lodge building. Thankfully, you don't have to drive to the 'burbs to catch a great flick. The staff is super nice and it has a very local vibe. Walk down and grab some popcorn, then splurge on an ice cream from Molly Moon's after (next door)
114 locals recommend
Ark Lodge Cinemas
4816 Rainier Ave SFirst run movies in the historic Ark Lodge building. Thankfully, you don't have to drive to the 'burbs to catch a great flick. The staff is super nice and it has a very local vibe. Walk down and grab some popcorn, then splurge on an ice cream from Molly Moon's after (next door)
We have two great choices for ice cream in C-City. Molly Moon's has recently usurped Full-Tilt due to its convenient proximity to the Ark Lodge movie theater.
85 locals recommend
Molly Moon's
4822 Rainier Ave SWe have two great choices for ice cream in C-City. Molly Moon's has recently usurped Full-Tilt due to its convenient proximity to the Ark Lodge movie theater.
My soccer team met here on Wednesday nights before karaoke drowned us out. Otherwise, great spot with a wide beer and spirits selection and darts and pool/ping-pong. Love their brisket poutine!
8 locals recommend
Backyard
3820 S Ferdinand StMy soccer team met here on Wednesday nights before karaoke drowned us out. Otherwise, great spot with a wide beer and spirits selection and darts and pool/ping-pong. Love their brisket poutine!
Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
3820 S Ferdinand StHill City Tap House & Bottle Shop
5303 Rainier Ave SNW Peaks Brewery & Taproom
5718 Rainier Ave SParks & Nature
This used to be an island before they connected Lake Washington to the Puget Sound with the ship canal. The only place in Seattle that hasn't been logged - so also our only old-growth forest. You can run the 2.5 mile path around it, or explore the myriad trails that run through it. Feed the ducks, go for a swim, or let the kids play on the awesome playground (with a zip-line).
477 locals recommend
Seward Park
5900 Lake Washington Blvd SThis used to be an island before they connected Lake Washington to the Puget Sound with the ship canal. The only place in Seattle that hasn't been logged - so also our only old-growth forest. You can run the 2.5 mile path around it, or explore the myriad trails that run through it. Feed the ducks, go for a swim, or let the kids play on the awesome playground (with a zip-line).
If you're headed to Seward Park, pop into the Audubon Center. They have some interesting displays and, sometimes, activities for kids.
10 locals recommend
Seward Park Audubon Center
5902 Lake Washington Blvd SIf you're headed to Seward Park, pop into the Audubon Center. They have some interesting displays and, sometimes, activities for kids.
A short walk north from our house, walk along a gravel path through a meadow to Lake Washington.
28 locals recommend
Genesee Park and Playfield
4316 S Genesee StA short walk north from our house, walk along a gravel path through a meadow to Lake Washington.
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave SJefferson Park
3801 Beacon Ave SEssentials
A very convenient place to get groceries. Excellent deli, pizza, and taco bar for a quick lunch too. If you're driving, know that there is ample space in the underground parking garage in addition to the impossibly small spaces at street level.
243 locals recommend
PCC Community Markets - Columbia City
3610 S Edmunds StA very convenient place to get groceries. Excellent deli, pizza, and taco bar for a quick lunch too. If you're driving, know that there is ample space in the underground parking garage in addition to the impossibly small spaces at street level.
Forget something? This is the closest place to get a lot of stuff one might leave behind.
87 locals recommend
Walgreens
2400 S Jackson StForget something? This is the closest place to get a lot of stuff one might leave behind.
Safeway
2201 E Madison StPCC to organic/expensive for your taste?
So amazing to have a local butcher. With a little heads-up, they'll cut you anything you want.
20 locals recommend
Bob's Quality Meats
4861 Rainier Ave SSo amazing to have a local butcher. With a little heads-up, they'll cut you anything you want.
More than 40 farmers, food & craft vendors populate this Wednesday market early May to mid-October, from 3-7pm.
54 locals recommend
Columbia City Farmers Market
37th Avenue SouthMore than 40 farmers, food & craft vendors populate this Wednesday market early May to mid-October, from 3-7pm.
Getting Around
The station is about 15 minutes walk downhill from our house. Trains run about every 10-15 minutes toward downtown and the airport. Once on the train, the ride to the center of downtown is about 20 minutes.
54 locals recommend
Columbia City station
The station is about 15 minutes walk downhill from our house. Trains run about every 10-15 minutes toward downtown and the airport. Once on the train, the ride to the center of downtown is about 20 minutes.
Food scene
Columbia City Bakery
4865 Rainier Ave SSpice Room
4909 Rainier Ave SWabi-Sabi Sushi Bar & Restaurant
4909 Rainier Ave SEl Sombrero | Family Mexican Restaurant
4868 Rainier Ave STutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria
4918 Rainier Ave SPho Bo Restaurant
4732 Rainier Ave SEmpire Espresso
3829 S Edmunds StCaffe Vita
5028 Wilson Ave SRaconteur
5041 Wilson Ave SLa Medusa
4857 Rainier Ave SFlying Lion Brewing
5041 Rainier Ave S
Super Six
3714 S Hudson StGeraldine's Counter Restaurant
4872 Rainier Ave SBluWater Bistro - Leschi
102 Lakeside AvePagliacci Pizza
1614 W Dravus StTaqueria El Asadero
3513 Rainier Ave SSam Choy's Poke to the Max
5300 Rainier Ave SFull Tilt Columbia City
5041 Rainier Ave S