'''Capitol Hill''' is a neighborhood in Seattle, directly east of the downtown retail core. It is unofficially bounded to the east by 23rd Ave E, to the west by Interstate 5, to the south by E Union St, and to the north by E Interlaken Blvd.

Understand

Capitol Hill is the most populous neighborhood in the city and is the center of the city's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Famous residents include Dan Savage, a popular American gay alternative sex advice columnist, who well represents Capitol Hill's population of hipsters and homosexuals. The neighborhood is not exclusively gay by any means, and there are almost no establishments that aren't integrated with homosexual and heterosexual customers.

Capitol Hill has also has been the center of Seattle's alternative community for decades. During the 1990's, Capitol Hill was one of the birthplaces of the country's grunge movement. Kurt Cobain and other famous grunge musicians frequented Capitol Hill establishments. Capitol Hill is still the center of Seattle's independent music community.

Popular retail districts within Capitol Hill include Broadway, the Pike/Pine corridor, and 15th Ave E. There are a variety of restaurants, bars, music venues, clubs, boutiques, and other shops here. Condominium and apartment buildings surround these areas. There are many grand old homes in "mansionland" to the north, near Volunteer Park. Capitol Hill residents are generally some of the most politically progressive in the country. Many of the 1999 WTO protests spilled from downtown into Capitol Hill.

Get in

From downtown, it's a pleasant walk up the hill on a nice day (the Broadway area is roughly a mile from the retail core). By bus, Metro Transit serves the area with numerous routes [http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/neighborhoods/capitol_hill.html], most of which run frequently. There is currently a light rail station under construction on Broadway, but it is not scheduled to open until 2016.

See

  • '''Museum of Mysteries''' is a small quirky museum on Broadway.
  • Seattle Asian Art Museum. 400 E. Prospect St.. n Volunteer Park. 06.654.3100. ttp://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/visitSAAM.asp. ed?Sun 10 AM?5 PM, Thu 10 AM?9 PM, closed Mon and Tue. 5 (''some'' special exhibitions may be higher, usually $7); free the first Thursday of every month. An offshoot of downtown's Seattle Art Museum, SAAM displays a portion of the permanent collection balanced with rotating, consistently well-curated special exhibitions. The focus is usually on Chinese or Japanese art, where the collection reflects long-established ties across the Pacific, but does include works from as far as India. The Art Deco building (SAM's original home) is an attraction in its own right.
  • '''Cal Anderson Park''' [http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/park_detail.asp?id=3102]is a newly renovated park near Broadway and E Pine St that is very popular on sunny days. It includes a signature fountain and pond, a basketball court, tennis and softball fields, and a playground. Great for peoplewatching, and you can often see groups of people doing activities varying from hackeysack to drum circles to freeze tag to twirling around with colorful scarves.
  • '''Volunteer Park''' [http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/volpark.htm] Designed by Fredrick Law Olmsted, this is the largest park in Capitol Hill and is the site of a botanical conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (above). Bruce Lee and his son Brandon are buried in the adjacent Lakeview Cemetery.
  • :* <do name="Water Tower" alt="" address="at Prospect St. park entrance" directions="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="10 AM - sunset" price="Free">The 1906 tower at the highest point of Capitol Hill has an observation deck at the top, with views from the Cascades to the Olympics interspersed with a series of panels explaining the history of Seattle's Olmstead-designed park system. The views are somewhat obstructed by metal grates, but the clever photographer can work around them. No elevator - the only way up is the staircase wound around the water tank, seven stories high.</do>
  • A '''Jimi Hendrix statue''' rocks out on the sidewalk at the NE corner of E Pine Street and Broadway, though there's no particular historical connection between the location and the man. It is located in front of Everyday Music (a music store), but the statue predated the store.
  • Seattle University. 01 12th Ave. 1-206-296-6000. ttp://www.seattleu.edu/. A private Jesuit university.

    Do

  • '''Hothouse Spa & Sauna''' is a small urban women-only spa with an industrial/basement vibe. Great for a relaxing soak in the tub. Expect to be nude and quiet, and bring your own towels.
  • '''Club Z''' - on the other end of the spectrum, Club Z is a gay male bathhouse with no tubs and a lot of glory holes! Don't walk in if you expect to do any dancing or, um, bathing.
  • '''Seattle International Film Festival''' [http://www.seattlefilm.com/index.aspx?detect=yes] The largest and one of the best film festivals in the country takes place from the end of May to early June every year. Most venues are located on Capitol Hill and downtown.
  • Northwest Film Forum. 515 12th Ave, Seattle WA 98122. 206) 829-7863. ttp://www.nwfilmforum.org. Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) is a Seattle-based non-profit organization dedicated to becoming the nation's leading center for film artists. Our cinemas showcase the best in American and international cinema, 360 days a year, as well as quarterly world premiere live performances.
  • Emerson Salon. 09 E Pike St, Seattle, WA?, 98122. 206) 323-7437?. ttp://www.EmersonSalon.com. Named after Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson Salon is one of the newest salons on Capitol Hill. Provides high quality haircuts and color at reasonable prices.

    Buy

  • '''Twice Sold Tales''', 725 E. Denny Way (at Harvard Ave.), open daily 9 AM - 10 PM. Capitol Hill's used bookstore before the arrival of Half Price Books. A good selection of literature, philosophy and more contemporary reads. Home of numerous cats who appear to have free reign.
  • Eat

  • '''Broadway Grill''', 314 Broadway Ave. E., The Broadway Grill is a casual restaurant and bar that serves its full menu from 9:00 am to 1:30 am. Prices are very reasonable. The Sunday brunch buffet is great. Try the Absolut Mandarin Kamakazi.
  • '''Coastal Kitchen''', 429 15th Ave. E., Coastal Kitchen is a casual restaurant that serves excellent food at a reasonable price. It has specials that change monthly, as they explore the cuisine of a new country each month. Very popular for brunch on weekends, with long waits at peak times, but excellent food.
  • '''Julia's On Broadway''', Located on Broadway at Thomas, Julia_fs serves Northwest cuisine along with good ol' American food, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Average quality, expensive meals and cocktails are prepared in a charming old building that used to house a seriously divey bar (Eileens's) until they gutted it and put in a tasteful interior in 2001. On sunny days Julia's on Broadway offers ring-side seating to the throngs of passers-by. This location is owned by Julia's former understudy and his partner. The location is excellent, but the service can be less than stellar and the bartenders can be rude and recalcitrant.
  • '''Pizzeria Pagliacci''' (On Broadway, across from the Broadway Market) serves unique Seattle style pizza, reminiscent of thin crust, by-the-slice New York pizza, but with an imaginative collection of toppings that change with the seasons. Walk in and ask for two slices of ''primo'' and you won't be disappointed. The ''Pagliaccio'' salad is a good starter. There are branches in the University District and Queen Anne, plus delivery throughout the City.
  • '''Cafe Septieme''', Broadway and E. John, is dark, but has lovely desserts and usually tasty lunches and dinners. Dine with the hipsters.
  • '''Dick's Drive-In''' (On Broadway) "where the cool hang out" (according to Sir Mix-a-Lot's song "Posse on Broadway"); the cool eat gloppy ''Dick's Deluxe'' cheeseburgers, hot fries, and tasty hand-dipped milkshakes. Drive up or walk up, this place will be hopping on a Friday or Saturday night, even if it's cold and rainy outside. Get in line by 1:45am because they slam the order windows shut promptly at 2am. Dick's cashiers have an amazing ability to instantly add up your bill in their head. There are other branches throughout the city (Lake City, Wallingford, Lower Queen Anne), but because the Capitol Hill Dick's is easiest to walk up to, it's also the best for watching weirdos.
  • '''Than Brothers Pho''', 516 Broadway E. Complimentary creampuffs and frighteningly large portions make this an always busy spot. There is plenty of seating though and a nice clean environment, be sure to try the French style coffee. Other locations on Aurora Ave. N. and the University District.
  • '''Pho Cyclo''', 406 Broadway E. serves the most popular pho of the 5 pho restaurants along Broadway. The prices are higher than Than Brothers, but the quality and flavors are superior. Well worth the extra dollar or two per meal!
  • '''Hot Mama's Pizza''' 700 E Pine. Classic New York style pizza by the slice. You cannot go wrong here but the Pesto is particularly popular.
  • Travelers. 01 E Pine St. wo blocks East of Bauhaus Coffee Shop & 3 blocks west of Broadway on E Pine. 063296260. ttp://www.travelersteaco.com. on-Thur 10-7 Fri-Sat 10-8 Sun 12-8. 3.50-$12. Under the masterful command of chef Allen Kornmesser, who has lived in India and speaks fluent Hindi, Travelers offers up home cooked Indian food that is distinct from the typical cuisine found in Indian restaurants around the US. Every month Allen chooses a theme, generally a region of the subcontinent, and creates a unique home style "thali," a platter much more indicative of the food eaten by Indians at home. The thali is served from 1-7 on Saturdays and Sundays, and for $12 you get the "full thali," a meal usually consisting of a curry and vegetable dish, as well as a freshly prepared dal, rice, raita, salaad, saffron kheer, and of course pickle & chutney. Travelers also offers a wide selection of bulk herbs, essential & perfume oils, Indian grocery products, sweets & numkeens, incense, fabrics, clothing, handicrafts, books, jewelry, and many other imported items which are hand selected by the owner/manager on an annual trip to India. The owners and staff are always friendly and accessible, and speak several different languages between them. Give it a try on a weekday when it's quieter, and be sure to try the famous Travelers masala chai, brewed with the best quality spices and tea, and served hot and fresh with your choice of milk.

  • Byzantion. 01 Broadway E. 206) 325-7580. -11pm. 10-$20. Greek food is hard to find on the Hill, but this excellent little place serves up Spanakopita, gyros, lamb, seafood dishes, fresh vegetables, baklava and more. Good wine selection and the staff is quirky, but attentive.

    Thai food

    There are an outrageous number of Thai restaurants in Capitol Hill. Occasionally one goes out of business and like a head of the Hydra, is immediately replaced by another one or more.

  • '''Jamjuree''' on 15th. Quieter and more upscale than Siam, with excellent specials -- try the Lime Light Chicken if you have a chance. On request they can make truly vegetarian Thai food (ie, without fish sauce).
  • '''Ayutthaya'''. 727 E Pike St, corner of Pike and Bolyston. Inexpensive Thai and the quality is very good.
  • Drink

    Coffee

  • '''Insomniax Coffee''', on 15th Ave. E. at Denny Way - Nestled inside the Group Health complex, this coffee house caters to medical professionals and a diverse group of locals who enjoy freshly blended fruit smoothies (try the Big Apple!) and great conversations with the baristas.
  • '''Top Pot Doughnuts''', 609 Summit Ave. E. [http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/] - nestled into the neighborhood and a favorite weekend hang out for locals. Incredible doughnuts (try the feather boa doughnut!) in a very Seattle-y atmosphere. Drip coffee isn't so hot, but the freshly-brewed options are all good.
  • '''Caffe Vita''', 1005 E. Pike St. [http://www.caffevita.com], ''+1 206'' 709-4440. Great lattes (and just about any other drink) complete with latte art, always friendly (and cute) baristas, and a hip yet understated ambiance. The Capitol Hill location also hosts their coffee roaster and HQ, where patrons can see clearly how the coffee beans are roasted.
  • '''Victrola''', 411 15th Avenue E., [http://www.victrolacoffee.com/]. Neighborhood place in a hip neighborhood.
  • '''Espresso Vivace Roasteria''', 532 Broadway, [http://www.espressovivace.com/intro.html]. The best roast in town, founded by an engineer who's been developing progressively more sophisticated roasters for twenty years. Their beans, plus Mighty-O doughnuts, are also available at the sidewalk Vivace at 321 Broadway, between Harrison and Thomas.
  • '''B&O Espresso,''' 204 Belmont Ave. E., 206-322-5028. Great desserts and more recently, great lunches and dinners.
  • '''Bauhaus Books & Coffee''', 301 E. Pine St. At the base of Capitol Hill. A great place to people watch, or just enjoy the view of the Space Needle.
  • '''Pettirosso''', 1101 E. Pike St. Just off of Pike St on 11th Ave on Capitol Hill. Cozy, intimate place full of regulars and good for a quiet conversation.
  • '''Stumptown Coffee''', 616 E Pine & 1115 12th Ave, 206-329-0115. Portland transplant and Seattle newcomer Stumptown serves up delicious high quality drinks at two tastefully decorated, minimalist shops on the hill.
  • '''Online Coffee Co.''', 1720 E. Olive Way (206.328.3731) and 1404 E. Pine St. (206.323.7798). Internet Cafe in the heart of Capitol Hill. Comfortable decor and an half hour of free internet with coffee. Also serve beer (including pop-top bottles of Grolsch) and wine. Small outdoor patio good for people watching in the summer (and other seasons if not cold averse).
  • Bars and Taverns

  • '''The Baltic Room,''' 1207 Pine St. A rather elegant and reliably stupid touristy DJ club (and occasionally a live music venue, though less so than in past years). Just across the I-5 freeway from downtown. Cover varies.
  • '''Bill's off Broadway,''', 725 E Pine St. A strange mix of Capitol Hill old-timers (people who lived here before it was trendy), Punks, and Seattle Central Comm. College Students. The food is Italian inspired bar food (lots of cheese!) and the drinks are stiff. Great place to start a night out (don't stay to late as Bill's closes at 12am).Service can be amazingly slow, so if you're starving you might want to go somewhere else.
  • '''The Cha Cha Lounge,''', 1013 E. Pike St. A weird cross of dive-y bar and trendy spot, the ambiance was successfully transplanted to this location after their former building was razed for yet more condo construction. Your bartender may have had an album in the charts circa 1992.
  • '''The DeLuxe''' Bar and Grill, intersection of Broadway, Roy, and 10th. Dark, but appealing for a beer, stiff drink or bar food (hearty burgers, thick fries, etc.).More restaurant than bar.
  • Garage. 134 Broadway Ave. 06-322-2296. ttp://www.garagebilliards.com. PM - 2 AM. A trendy billiards hall and bowling alley, built in a spacious former garage - no problem handling large groups. Multiple bars with food service, and an outdoor patio (weather permitting).

  • Liberty. 17 15th Ave E. 206) 323-9898. ttp://www.libertybars.com/. Free WiFi, large couches, decent sushi, good drinks and attractive servers conspire to make this one of the better Capitol Hill bars.

  • Smith. 32 15th Ave E. 206) 709-1900. ttp://www.smithseattle.com/. Another bar owned by Linda Derschang of Linda's fame, Smith is the most hipster-infested bar on 15th. They have a reasonably diverse, though greasy, menu. Although Smith regularly becomes packed in the evening, large communal tables in the center of the establishment mean you can usually find a place to sit.

  • '''Stumbling Monk''', 1635 E Olive Way. At the corner of E Olive Way and Belmont Ave E, its dark appearance from the outside make it easy to miss, but worth stepping inside. As the name suggests, you_fll find an excellent selection of Belgian beer strong enough to make your walk home a challenge. The Stumbling Monk_fs unpretentious atmosphere makes it a down-to-earth oasis on trendy Capitol Hill.
  • '''Summit Public House''', 601 Summit Ave. E. A few blocks west of Broadway, the Summit Public house offers many beers on tap and is home to one of the best BLT's in the city.
  • Sleep

  • 11th Avenue Inn (Seattle Bed and Breakfast). 21 11th Avenue East. 00-720-7161. ttp://www.11thavenueinn.com. 79-$179. 1906 8-room bed and breakfast inn on a tree-lined side street two blocks east of Broadway, just north of Cal Anderson Park. Free on-site parking, queen beds, private bathrooms, WiFi. AAA 3-diamond.
  • The Corner House B&B. 02 18th Avenue East. 1 206-323-6039. heCornerHouseBandB@gmail.com. ttp://www.TheCornerHouseBandB.com. 85/night for 2 people, $70/1 person. A small classic B&B on Capitol Hill. Two rooms with queen beds, private baths, generous healthy breakfasts, friendly resident hosts, and a lowest-rates guarantee. Discounts by week and month. Two-night minimum. Cat alert! Make sure no one in your party is allergic or phobic.
  • Seward Suites. 15 13th Avenue East. 1 206-595-8655. ttp://www.sewardsuites.com. pm. pm. 99-110. Recently converted 1907 apartment building, midway between Broadway and 15th Ave. commercial districts. Original woodwork, modern kitchen and bath. Discounts by weekly or monthly.

    Contact

    Wireless Internet is available at nearly every coffee shop in the neighborhood, though some disable it during peak hours on weekends. The '''Capitol Hill Branch''' of the Seattle Public Library, at 425 Harvard Ave. E (at the corner with E. Republican St., one block west of Broadway) has open wireless and a number of dedicated terminals - visitors without library cards will need a temporary pass from the desk.