Seattle Hygge: Where to Find Your Cozy
Fourteen local spots to seek out the Danish concept of coziness
By Kasee Bailey February 2, 2017
Not only did Oxford deem “hygge” one of its Words of the Year, but new publications and books are popping up everywhere, all on the subject of the Danish concept of “cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” Say it with us: “hoo-guh.”
Besides it being one of the most miserable winters in recent memory, there are lots of reasons to seek out hygge, and that often-hard-to-access feeling of contentment and serenity (beyond a trip to a tropical island). We need hygge now more than ever. Here are 14 places in Seattle where you can find it.
Sun Liquor: A cocktail bar on Summit that boasts an intimate space, low-key, welcoming atmosphere and cozy candlelit tables: all hygge musts.
Zig Zag Cafe: Situated near Pike Place, this hip, dimly-lit cocktail lounge is the perfect place for a convivial drink (or two) with friends.
Sorrento Fireside Room: Cozy up to the fireplace in this elegant, homey gathering place and lounge at Hotel Sorrento.
World Pizza: Dark wood booths, red walls, a hot pizza oven and piles of vegetarian pie made from scratch invite diners to stay a while and relax.
Cozy Nut Tavern: The name says it all; a warm, quirky Greenwood hideout with lodge-inspired decor and a rustic feel.
White Horse Trading Company: A tiny pub with worn couches and a selection of books—a hygge best-kept-secret.
Bookstore Bar & Cafe: The ambience of leather and books combines the best of bar and bookstore—pure cozy.
Outlander Brewery and Pub: A house-turned-bar that preserves all the charming, homey aspects of our favorite cozy spots. (We like Tilth for all the same reasons.)
Fremont Coffee: Another converted house with a variety of seating arrangements—including a wraparound porch for warmer days—perfect for catching up on work, your latest pleasure read or chatting with friends. Another option? Moore Coffee. Both cafes satisfy your cozy with warm, inviting atmospheres and piping hot coffee with charming latte art.
Bathtub Gin & Co.: A modern speakeasy tucked in a hidden alley provides a low-key spot to settle in for a relaxing evening with good company and good drinks.
Bottlehouse: The ideal spot for a hygge happy hour; a charming house in Madrona with great wine, beer and tasty small plates. (For more Madrona hygge, don’t miss the Hi Spot Cafe.)
Looking for cozy beyond drinks and dishes? Try the serenity of Pioneer Square’s Waterfall Garden Park, the intimate warmth of Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley or the rejuvenating escape of Fall City‘s Treehouse Point.
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