Blazing sunshine is hardly a Pacific Northwest staple — which leaves us all the less prepared when the temperature finally climbs. Feeling nostalgic for spring’s drizzle? Chill out at these cool local haunts.
Frosty microbrews (and food) served right to your air-conditioned table while you sit back, relax, and watch campy favorites (Drop Dead Gorgeous, Sixteen Candles) or newer films you missed at the multiplex.
Central Cinema, 1411 21st Avenue (206-686-6684 or central-cinema.com).
Rare tequilas, cold cocktails, and authentic Mexican fare make for one sinful hotspot. Don’t worry, salvation is only a (refreshing) sip away.
The Saint, 1416 East Olive Way (206-323-9922 or thesaintsocialclub.com).
This sublime French bistro serves simple food with elan; produce comes from its breezy rooftop garden. Don’t miss the extravagant chandelier. Or the custom zinc bar.
Bastille Cafe & Bar, 5307 Ballard Avenue Northwest (206-453-5014 or bastilleseattle.com).
Step inside this newly refurbished (and air-conditioned) museum to gaze at more than 200 works by Munich-based artists in addition to contemporary exhibitions.
Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Avenue (206-622-9250 or fryemuseum.org).
Nosh on Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi’s inspired Korean street food in the cool interior or head out back to the twenty-seat patio where the duo hosts whole-animal roasts as part of the Summer Grill Shack menu.
Revel, 403 North 36th Street (206-547-2040 or revelseattle.com).
Splurge on an overnight stay or spa package at this posh downtown hotel and enjoy the most stunning rooftop pool (and, possibly, view) in the city.
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, 99 Union Street (206-749-7000 or fourseasons.com/seattle).
Sip on a generous pour of a perfectly chilled Northwest pinot gris on the patio or head upstairs to the recently revamped and blissfully air-conditioned loft area.
Poco Wine Room, 1408 East Pine Street (206-322-9463 or pocowineroom.com).
Feeling desperate? (Desperately hot, that is.) Rent a pair of ice skates and relive your childhood Olympic figure skating dreams at this year-round ice rink in the Renton Highlands.
Castle Ice, 12620 164th Avenue Southeast, Renton (425-254-8750 or castleice.com).
Perfect your summer swing underground in the basement of Hotel 1000, where the Golf Club features virtual golf on 50 of the world’s top courses. Have snacks and icy drinks delivered from hotel resto Boka for the full experience.
The Golf Club at Hotel 1000, 1000 First Avenue (206-957-1000 or hotel1000seattle.com).
Rent stand-up paddleboards and hit the water. If you prefer to be schooled first, hone your craft at Washington Surf Academy’s on-site classes (just remember, falling in is half the fun).
Surf Ballard, 6300 Seaview Avenue Northwest (206-387-9054 or surfballard.com).
One scoop of Maria Coassin’s unabashedly rich, cream chocolate gelato and you’ll forget it’s sweltering outside. Two scoops and you’ll have died and gone to Italian dessert heaven.
Gelatiamo, 1400 Third Avenue (206-467-9563 or gelatiamo.com).
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