The Benbow Room

It is what it is: a quirky West Seattle bar that has local (unpopular) bands every night — a Seattle standard.

Late night karaōke spot in west Seattle. I don’t eat here, but the drinks are stiff and the staff is fun and friendly

Idiot bouncer and ditsy barkeeps… sucky mixed drinks… but if you are like the 90% of the patrons there who drink PBR, you will be fine. Curly long haired bartender got my order wrong and scolded me. Not recommended.

I was here for the first time last Sunday evening for the live Sessions of She show. I ordered a drink and struck a conversation with a guy at the bar, who mentioned he was the cook. I asked if the kitchen was still open, having felt some hunger setting in, to find that no, it had closed. However, Chris, the cook I was talking to, (I’m pretty sure that is his name) insisted that he go back and make a cold dish for me. Extremely grateful, I happily accepted his offer and a few minutes later he came out with a very delish looking pimento dish with carrots and pita chips. And it was delicious! He told me it was soon to go up on the menu and I loved it so much it is definitely something I would order repeatedly. So, it was a great experience with very friendly and accommodating staff! Will go back for sure.

My husband and I went here for breakfast this morning. Service was quick and friendly. French toast was so-​so. Oatmeal came with cream, brown sugar, and butter. Not even a measly raisin, let alone nuts or fruit. Love the feel of the place and sincerely want this neighborhood breakfast joint to make it. I wish they’d dial up the menu a bit. Really nothing to bring us back.

The beer is plentiful, the bartenders are like family, the food is killer, the scene is getting better and better with every passing month, the building is old and weird, the experience is unique, the pirate ship theme is quirky. This place lays out like a mini-​mall full of neat.
If you can, wrangle the new owners (Ian & Allison) over for a chit-​chat, they’re the best.
If I could, I’d be there right now shooting pool and enjoying a beer.

Great local bar! Love how it’s decorated and all it’s uniqueness!
I came here to see a show. I would have to say it got hotter then hell in there! After being there over a few hours a fan magically appeared! Still even with the heat and stale air still had a great time. The service was fast, beer cold and infused liquors!
I plan to come back for drinks!

On the hottest day of the year in West Seattle this place was sweltering. No fans or air conditioning. The food tasted ok but got the 2 of us sick within 30 minutes. Both of us had to use the bathroom at Bartell Drugs next door becuase the food gave us both the runs at the same time. Never going there again. 41 bucks spent to make us sick. If I could give 0 stars I would.

Previously the Heartland Café and now reborn into the Admiral Benbow, this restaurant and bar has what it takes for a great night out. The fully loaded tater tots are a must with all the typical baked potato fixings. When you head toward the back into the bar (which is a pirate ship!) you know your night is about to get fun. The Benbow is a great music venue that will rock your socks off! The new owners know what it takes to create a fun space. I will definitely return again and again.

Divey in the best possible way. The ship interior, fish tank in the floor, dark ambiance, pee trough. But, more than that, great neighborhood feel. Friendly staff and owners. We walked in to have a beer and the Traditional/​first gen Ska soundtrack had us there for… lots. I admit, I am a reformed dive-​bar junkie (since I’ve been married) but, I’ve pounded down beers in the best of them. This place ranks up there.

This place rocks… great divey atmosphere… Rosemary the bartender is on it and the chef makes some great food… The Mac N’ Cheese, tots, burger and chicken sandwich are all to die for. Wouldn’t think from the outside that this place is so yummy… we will be back.

At another birthday party last night, we talked about the last birthday party we were all last together at.
And wouldn’t you know, it was Benbow.
IT’S A GODDAM SHIP INSIDE. It’s a good dive bar. They have strong drinks, almost no air-​conditioning, and parking is the WORST in that area.
But when someone says Benbow; I go.
Maybe it’s because of the goldfish in the glass floor, swimming around (you know how I love live fishing) or maybe because it’s connected to the Heartland Café where I can put some diner food in my gullet before whatever-​we-​are-​doing-​that-​night sets in.
The tables are awkward for large groups; it’s more of a standing room kind of place. But they have deejays spinning on some nights.
I think I have done the Truffle Shuffle once or twice while I was there.
Good neighborhood bar, worth a visit if you’re not in West Seattle :)

You certainly do feel like you’re sitting inside an old ship, it’s a very dark and divey experience. I felt a bit like a slave being transported across the ocean, but only in the mildest sense of that description. And of course, slaves don’t get served drinks by such a nice lady. Our bartender and server in one was a sweetheart.
My friend and I stopped by for drinks on Thursday and what a happy coincidence that it was Ladies’ Night! All cocktails are $ 2 off for the female folk on Thursdays. We ordered a Pirate Booty Juice and a Wicked Wench. They were strong, reminiscent of what you might find at Earl’s on the Ave. They contained a lot of booze and a lot of mixers and tasted alright, though most of the flavors were muddled. The side of tater tots is generous in size, crispy and satisfying. Feel more like a pirate by using the accompanying mini plastic swords to spear ‘em.
Come for a fun, unique atmosphere and strong drinks. We definitely stumbled out of there.

I went here after a Twelfth Night Productions show, with my family. The server was patient with a great sense of humor, and the chef even came out to say hello! I had a Pirate’s Booty something or other drink, which was tasty and strong. Plus the lamb burger, which was delicious and very filling. But because I was tipsy, I also tried the homemade ice cream (and ohmygoodness was it tasty… especially the apple cinnamon ice cream). I will definitely be coming back!

Ever go to bar, have a couple drinks, go «Those were pretty boozy, but Im good»… And then stand up and realize theypacked more of a punch than you originally thought? That was my experience with the Benbow Room last night. Chill wait staff, patrons that don’t really give a care what you do (as long as you’re not bugging anyone), and some seriously good empanadas coming out of the kitchen= this is going to be my regular spot quickly.

Good on the stand up comedy nights :)
Had a lot of fun here
has nice deemed lights
2 bar section

Little dive bar in west Seattle with cheap drinks.
The bar set up was a bit unusual with several different interconnected-​rooms. –One for games, one for live music, and another with décor simulating the stern interior of a pirate ship. Funky and creative. Bathrooms ok but nothing to write home about. Service? –Hmmm. We had to order at the bar and then bring it back to our seats in the stern of the ship, which seemed weird for an early (slow) Thursday evening.
I’ll have to return when there is some entertainment and a bit more of a crowd to really experience… I bet it can get a bit crazy, wink-​wink!

I love how you feel like you’re in a sunken ship while in this bar. It’s got a close feel to being divey, but it’s nice and the bathrooms are ok to use. Service was pretty fast and consistent, considering we were there on a Friday night. The bar next to them, not sure if they’re the same place — but they are connected. The other side is more of a venue where they put on music shows, and another bar is back there as well. pretty rad!

I must go back here ASAP. The way the bar is decorated makes you feel like you are on a pirate ship. I love everything about this place.
There’s an outside entrance and also a sneaky way in through the restaurant. You can get anything that the restaurant serves. I had the fish sandwich and it was delicious! I have no complaints! Great fries as well.
Go! You will not be disappointed.

Now this, my friend, is a bar.
I like a bar like this.
It’s a pretend ship.
I’ve spent plenty of time on it, when I was a younger gal and now it’s open again and it was still awesome.
We had a server. From a distance, she was dressed like a 14 year old swabby, but up close, she was a hottie. You can’t fool me, Brandy. I know you’re a fine girl.
I know those eyes could steal a sailor from the sea.
Funny specials like Friday is $ 2 tots and discounted beer if you show your tattoo.
Heh. I don’t have one, but now I am thinking where I could get one to show it to Brandy.