Three Impressions of Rachel’s Ginger Beer on Capitol Hill

RGB's latest iteration wows with fried food, slushy cocktails and, of course, ginger beer

By Seattle Mag July 30, 2015

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There’s a new sibling for the Pike Place Market Rachel’s Ginger Beer store and bar, and it’s situated right in the new 12th Avenue Arts Center on Capitol Hill. We stopped by recently to check out the space and to cool off with some chilly drinks.

The Ginger Beer: As you’d hope, the selection of ginger beer crafted with care and other ginger beer-enhanced drinks is swell. There were nine flavors of Rachel’s available, including the original, and intriguing combos like cucumber tarragon as well as a seasonal special: a light and summerific watermelon and prickly pear. They were $5 for a 12 ounce pour, and $6.50 for a 20 ounce, and 32-ounce takeaway growlers are also available. But that’s just the beginning: There are nine cocktails on tap, plus a “build your own Mule.” The Porch Swing was nice and refreshing, with Rachel’s original, gin and Italian aperitif Aperol. It’s a good choice for intermission, too, if you’re at a play at the Arts Center. You’ll discover a couple of frozen drinks dispensed slushy style from a big machine, too, and boozy floats, including the Dark & Stormy Float, with Rachel’s original, dark rum and soft serve ice cream. Yum.

The Space: Airy, with an high ceiling and lots of room, this RGB has a long, blond wood bar, a number of shareable tables in the middle, and assorted booths and tables along the wall. It manages to feel both industrially cool and artsy at the same time, which is tough, but comforting. The painting behind the bar–of figures frolicking in animal masks–is especially well done and worth contemplating while you sip. Plants on the raised beams midway to the ceiling also provide an earthy touch, while shelves of copper Moscow Mule mugs shine from the wall behind the bar.

The Fried Food: You’ll find an assortment of fried goodness on the menu from Monica Dimas (of Neon Taco, situated in Nacho Borracho), including fries and cheddar fries and fried green tomatoes. Though when we were there there the fried fun was only being intermittently delivered and we couldn’t actually taste them. (I believe the amiable bartender may have noticed that I’ve perhaps had enough fries, and so made a executive decision for my health.) But those that came out sure looked fine, and the vast array of dipping sauces, including honey fennel Dijon and shiitake ketchup, are tempting enough that we’ll be sure to try again in the future.

 

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