World Cup: Get Set in Pioneer Square
This summer, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood becomes the center of the city’s soccer action.
By Natalie Compagno and Greg Freitas June 1, 2026
This article originally appeared in the May/June 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Pioneer Square is the Seattle neighborhood closest to the stadium where Seattle’s six World Cup matches will occur. The area’s constant reinvention makes it one of the most exciting places to hang out, soccer events or not. Whether you’re planning to attend a match or just want to be where the action is, it’s always smart to go in with a game plan, so we’ve prepared a handy guide featuring the places to stay, play, eat, and grab a drink in the blocks surrounding Lumen Field.
Where to stay
Any talk of reinvention begins with the RailSpur project, which transformed three faded warehouses into the coolest kid on the block. If you can snag one hotel room in the city this summer, make sure it’s at Populus Seattle. The 120-room eco-boutique hotel is one of only five Michelin Key properties in the state. Rooftop bar Firn is Pioneer Square’s first; sundowners here are a must. Order the Sea-Tini. On-site restaurant Salt Harvest is your go-to for meals, the caffeine-and-laptop combo, hotel bar, and creations from chef Conny Andersson. Rooms are plush, with Matouk sheets, Bokser pillows, and Aesop products. Populus is also extremely art-forward, with a rotating selection of recently commissioned works for sale.
A strong backup plan is citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square. The Bonvoy property is modern, hip, and just steps away from iconic Smith Tower. If your main concern is proximity to Lumen Field, booking a room at Embassy Suites or Silver Cloud is a major win. Walking to the stadium and adjacent sports bars is sure to be the best strategy for visitors and locals alike.
What to do
Pioneer Square has reclaimed its spot as Seattle’s de facto artistic epicenter. The First Thursday Art Walk is the main event, when thousands of art enthusiasts visit 50 different galleries every month. Judith Rinehart, of J. Rinehart Gallery, notes that the gallery community is planning post-game art walks for the day matches, and something exciting for the July edition of First Thursday. If you want to visit one gallery unique to the Pacific Northwest, don’t miss Stonington Gallery, which specializes in Indigenous art from the region’s Coast Salish groups.
Forest For The Trees is the art collective located inside RailSpur; it was founded by artist Gage Hamilton and is co-curated with Dom Nieri of ARTXIV. With 15 pieces created to celebrate the international appeal of the World Cup, the project Pioneer Squares will appear around the neighborhood and in the RailSpur alley.
Pioneer Square is also the place to investigate Seattle’s fascinating history. Begin at Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. This witty guided walk explores the original city level—a network of subterranean passages left behind when the town was reconstructed atop the ruins of the 1889 Great Seattle Fire. Then, take the vintage elevator to the top of Smith Tower, the 1914 edifice that was briefly the tallest building in the West. Visit the observation deck for epic views of Elliott Bay, and then hit the Chinese Room for tea or cocktails while admiring the ornate Balinese ceiling.
Where to eat
Pioneer Square has nearly 100 bars and restaurants packed into its walkable footprint, which holds a mix of classic standbys and exciting upstarts. Kick things off with two local favorites: Taylor Shellfish, for the freshest local PNW seafood, and 13 Coins, for indulgent steaks, burgers, and pasta. Pro tip: The bottom level of 13 Coins is also a highly energetic sports bar, with a plethora of screens and game audio. Just down the street, Cone & Steiner has been the neighborhood’s favorite convenience store for years, with gourmet sandwiches, beer taps, and wine and beer to go.
Back at the RailSpur block, superstar local chef Renee Erickson has opened two wildly different but equally yummy concepts. Mio Oh Mio is her upscale Italian joint, and a fitting place to gather should Italy actually qualify for the tournament. Un Po Tipsy couldn’t be simpler: New York-style pizza, by the slice. Foldable, convenient, and oh, so tasty.
More notable nibbles: Rojo’s Mexican Food for vegan, Nirmal’s for Indian, and Il Terrazzo Carmine or Darkalino’s for old-school Italian.
Where to grab a drink
Befitting its rough-and-tumble past, Pioneer Square does not skimp on drinking dens. Caffeine first, of course, as true Seattleites eschew the more famous names for the legit locals.
Caffe Vita, Caffe Umbria, and Zeitgeist are all decades-old strongholds that combine expert roasting with conscientious baristas. Kick off your day with a strong cup of coffee, or keep the buzz going with a little afternoon pick-me-up espresso.
Seattle’s two oldest bars amiably debate who came first. Merchant’s Cafe is an easy stop before the Underground Tour, and the Central Saloon has a rich live music scene, past and present. For a highly underrated locals’ spot, don’t miss the tiny bar in the back of Long Bros. Fine & Rare Books.
Pioneer Square’s mixology scene is constantly evolving, but Damn the Weather has been going strong for 12 years. So has Good Bar, which has one of the best local happy hours. Along one of the rowdier blocks of First Avenue, the Dandy of King Street Crossing is an oasis of calm and good taste. With caviar and champagne flights, it’s the perfect antidote to soccer’s brash lad culture.
If World Cup is the theme, then sports bars are the dream. Fortunately, this is not Pioneer Square’s first rodeo. Lowlander Brewing makes the (Sue) Bird IPA, serves great Seattle Dogs, and has TV screens so big and beautiful you’ll want to order one for home. The Hall on Occidental is the sister bar to Queen Anne Beerhall, made famous as the crowd shot for every big Seahawks or Mariners win. More top-shelf tipples: Flatstick Pub for bar games and trivia, Underbelly for jazz, and Dead Line for craft cocktails.
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