I’m what you would call a nervous flyer. Okay, maybe nervous is not a strong enough term….
Even if I am just taking a 1 hour flight, it is a hair raising experience! Although I love to travel to new destinations, I wish I could jump into a Star Trek transporter to get there. I’m not kidding. But no. That option is not quite available yet. Nothing seems to take the edge off like a drink (or 3) before my flight. When I am at the Seattle airport (Sea-Tac), I spend a bit of time at the bar, kicking back a few before I venture off on my not-so-brave jouney.
Nonetheless, I actually have had some fun experiences at the Seattle airport, making small talk with strangers at the bar in Alaska Lodge or the Chili’s Too. Airports are an interesting place to socialize (and take your mind off the flight ahead). Last time I chatted with a nurse from San Francisco, a sales Rep for Dell in San Diego, an Alaskan fisherman, and a Japanese stockbroker. All there on business, and all headed in separate directions. We sat, talked and ate our chicken wings.
I must admit that I have been to nearly every single restaurant inside the Seattle airport, at one time or another. I have spent the majority time at the Alaska Lodge and Chili’s Too, because they are near the Horizon Air terminals. (okay, Chili’s is a bit of a walk, but they have the best chicken). Based on my “expertise”, I’m providing a little guide to the best places to get a drink at the Seattle airport, near your departing terminal.
Layout of the Seattle Airport -
Basically, at the Seattle airport there are 4 concourses (wings): A, B, C, D along with the central terminal. It’s like a big 4-legged spider. As long as you stay in the central terminal, or the same councourse (A, B, C, or D) as your departing flight you should be close to your flight. However, if you are not in this main spider portion of the airport, your flight must be departing from either the “North Satellite” or the “South Satellite“. If that is the case, you should probably stay in your satellite if you have less than 1-2 hours before your flight departs. The majority of the restaurants are in the central terminal.
Concourse A:
Sorry to say, your choices are quite limited. I suggest you head over to the central terminal to get a drink. The bar in concourse A is the Mountain Room Bar. I have not spent much time in here. If you are there in the morning, thank your lucky stars because they have the best breakfasts at the airport. They are open early. But, this is about bloody mary’s and not eggs. Stale atmosphere, nothing special. Head elsewhere for a drink.
Concourse B:
Hope you’re hungry. I personally love Mexican food, so I recommend getting the Ultimate Margarita (or 2)with some enchiladas at the Casa del Agave. They even have salmon enchiladas…yum. Drink prices are also quite reasonable (for an airport)!
Concourse C:
This is where I am really familiar. I think this is the best concourse. After you get a massage and a manicure, head over to the Alaska Lodge for a drink. I’m not a big fan of their food, but the atmosphere is like a cozy lodge amist the hustle and bustle of the airport. The bar is very long, and you should easily find a seat. Great place to relax and have meaningless small talk with strangers. I know they have wings, but I have no idea what other food products they serve. When I get hungry I take a the quick walk over Wolfgang Puck (actually a cheap place to eat) or to concourse D.
Concourse D:
If you are a sports fan, it’s a no brainer. The best sports bar in the airport, The Sports Page Pub, is at your becking call. This is the place to catch the game at Sea-Tac. You’ll also find the Chili’s Too, which has a fun atmosphere and good menu. The actual bar is quite small however. You may find it hard to get a seat at the bar in Chili’s.
Central Terminal:
Central to all, but also a little spendy here. You’ve got Anthony’s, a downsized version of this upscale seafood restaurant. Unfortunatly, their prices are not downsized. The Seattle Tap Room, is similiar to Chili’s Too with a slightly higher pricetag. They do have hand-crafted ales and a big selection of microbrews, so I give them the thumbs up for that. I’m more of a wine-o, so I recommend Vino-Volo, where you can buy tasting flights, glasses of wine, and bottles to take home.
South Satellite:
Ahem. “Where’s the bar!” I can only hope I never fly out of this terminal. There is one bar, Cascades. I have never been there, so I can’t really comment. Either way desperate times call for desperate measures, and I may find myself here one day.
North Satellite:
More promising here, the Edge Sport’s Bar has cheap prices and premium drinks.
So, tell me. Where do you catch a drink at Sea-Tac?
Pamela
