Last night was my first, and last, time attending Jazz Open Mic Night at Brother Barrel.Everything seemed fine at first, but things quickly turned when the host persistently approached my friend who was considering performing last night. The host reiterated, not once or twice but multiple times, that my friend HAD to perform jazz if he wanted to be on stage. Mind you, the host had NEVER SEEN my friend perform and therefore had no reason or evidence to conclude that my friend would perform anything BUT jazz.When the host aggressively pursued my friend for a final time, he berated him with, "You have to perform jazz! It has to be jazz! It can't be rap!" And in that moment, you could sense the discomfort permeating the room.So, we left.If Brother Barrel stands by upholding prejudiced and discriminatory practices, then it will remain a place I refuse to return to.I highly encourage anyone looking for an inclusive environment to seek out the plethora of venues in the greater Seattle area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Funmilayo Celestina Ekundayo
Thursday night jazz at Brothers barrel was a delightful and friendly atmosphere.The lady at the bar was warm, and the happy hour menu is perfectly priced for a student's budget.Thank you for the evening, and I look Forward to visiting again for some jazz
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Eric S.
The food is good, but it's all coming from Elliott Bay Brewing next door, so set that as your expectation. Brother Barrel used to have their own food and the restaurant explained in a reply to another review that they hope to restore that service in the future. That would be great as I used to love this place. The service was 10/10. One guy was holding the bar down and he was doing a great job of it. He was friendly and affable, making us feel welcome. The ambiance is good if a bit quiet since this serves as a spill-over spot for Elliot Bay currently. The inside of this space is nicer than the other restaurant visually.
Alex Roush
So glad we visited for Thursday jazz night. Jenna, our bartender was great! Along with the beer, food, and music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
James Coringrato
I will be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Gameetch
So much potential but so poor in execution. Service has been headed downhill for a while. Beer selection also in decline.The host of the Thursday jam session really needs to realize he is not a singer and stick to sax which he does well.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
Robert Nitzsche
**An honest and unfettered review** Does Brother Barrel bring all three customer service experiences together? Some places have great food. Some places have great beer. Some places have great service. Rarely does a place bring it all together.When you walk into Brother Barrel the staff members welcome you as if you’re skiing into your favorite Auntie or Unc’s home. With Jenna leading the way and the rest of the wonderful staff it’s impossible to not have a great experience unless you’re legitimately just a big curmudgeon poopy pants sour puss!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jax Rose
What a friendly venue! Great food, drinks, and Jazz Open Mic Night attracts amazing musicians as well as a tap dancer who is also on staff! So much fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Damien Booth
Waitress was really
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Teresa T.
Friday night for a couple who recently became empty nesters, what to do? We went on a rare date to our only neighborhood cocktail bar! I changed my grubby, dusty labor uniform for something nice (for me, anyway) and cleaned up. I was looking forward to a cocktail, food, and a chat!First the one good thing, so I guess it's worth the one star: the design and ambiance is great. The wood tables and chairs staged next to the hand painted murals combined with the extensive glass-and-mirror bar gives an amazing cozy + modern experience.Walking in with my partner, I both admired the atmosphere while feeling surprise that there was only one table occupied. The bartender made eye contact with me and looked away. No biggie, maybe she needed to finish what she was doing first before acknowledging us?I saw a sign at the front of the establishment saying, "seat yourself". Cool! We chose a table and the bartender approached us. I asked if the menu was a qr code? This is when she informed us that she had given last call 1/2 ago due to the low number of customers.It was 8:45pm.She did tell us that we could go next door to Elliot Bay for food, but no cocktails.Here's the thing, I can understand needing to make the decision to stay open or not based on the numbers. The issue is that she did not give 2 Fs in her tone or words that she cared. I had really looked forward to a night out, and I'm not a beer person. I didn't fancy going to Elliot Bay and felt too deflated & tired to drive around to another cocktail bay? So we went home.I'm still at a loss at how little she cared, No "Hey, I'm sorry guys!" No, "I'd love to have you back, can I tell you about what we can offer you another night?" I had the impression that she was happy to see the back of us? Which is a bummer because I'd've liked to have tried the place again. I'll give a place a second try after disappointed hopes. If I risk losing the entire evening though, If rather try another establishment that is more reliable...and acts like they care.
Brother Barrel used to be an upscale alternative to Elliot Bay Brewing, with a unique menu and separate kitchen. Alas that it no more - they serve the same food as Elliot Bay, which is not bad food, just a disappointment when you're expecting something less pub-fare-oriented. They still have some of the neat sours and barrel aged beers they're named for, but it is a shell of what it was before the pandemic. Three stars because Elliot Bay's food doesn't suck.
Katy Ellis
So glad they’re open again after being closed during Covid! Atmosphere is great, beer is incredible, and the service is warm and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Berrett Pugmire
Got cut off after two drinks because she didn’t feel so comfortable… probably not coming here for her
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Heidi Thomassen
Super fun last night sipping wine and listening to local jazz artists! Check it out on Thursday nights!
Last night was my first, and last, time attending Jazz Open Mic Night at Brother Barrel.Everything seemed fine at first, but things quickly turned when the host persistently approached my friend who was considering performing last night. The host reiterated, not once or twice but multiple times, that my friend HAD to perform jazz if he wanted to be on stage. Mind you, the host had NEVER SEEN my friend perform and therefore had no reason or evidence to conclude that my friend would perform anything BUT jazz.When the host aggressively pursued my friend for a final time, he berated him with, "You have to perform jazz! It has to be jazz! It can't be rap!" And in that moment, you could sense the discomfort permeating the room.So, we left.If Brother Barrel stands by upholding prejudiced and discriminatory practices, then it will remain a place I refuse to return to.I highly encourage anyone looking for an inclusive environment to seek out the plethora of venues in the greater Seattle area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 1
Thursday night jazz at Brothers barrel was a delightful and friendly atmosphere.The lady at the bar was warm, and the happy hour menu is perfectly priced for a student's budget.Thank you for the evening, and I look Forward to visiting again for some jazz
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food is good, but it's all coming from Elliott Bay Brewing next door, so set that as your expectation. Brother Barrel used to have their own food and the restaurant explained in a reply to another review that they hope to restore that service in the future. That would be great as I used to love this place. The service was 10/10. One guy was holding the bar down and he was doing a great job of it. He was friendly and affable, making us feel welcome. The ambiance is good if a bit quiet since this serves as a spill-over spot for Elliot Bay currently. The inside of this space is nicer than the other restaurant visually.
So glad we visited for Thursday jazz night. Jenna, our bartender was great! Along with the beer, food, and music.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I will be
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So much potential but so poor in execution. Service has been headed downhill for a while. Beer selection also in decline.The host of the Thursday jam session really needs to realize he is not a singer and stick to sax which he does well.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 2
**An honest and unfettered review** Does Brother Barrel bring all three customer service experiences together? Some places have great food. Some places have great beer. Some places have great service. Rarely does a place bring it all together.When you walk into Brother Barrel the staff members welcome you as if you’re skiing into your favorite Auntie or Unc’s home. With Jenna leading the way and the rest of the wonderful staff it’s impossible to not have a great experience unless you’re legitimately just a big curmudgeon poopy pants sour puss!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
What a friendly venue! Great food, drinks, and Jazz Open Mic Night attracts amazing musicians as well as a tap dancer who is also on staff! So much fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waitress was really
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Friday night for a couple who recently became empty nesters, what to do? We went on a rare date to our only neighborhood cocktail bar! I changed my grubby, dusty labor uniform for something nice (for me, anyway) and cleaned up. I was looking forward to a cocktail, food, and a chat!First the one good thing, so I guess it's worth the one star: the design and ambiance is great. The wood tables and chairs staged next to the hand painted murals combined with the extensive glass-and-mirror bar gives an amazing cozy + modern experience.Walking in with my partner, I both admired the atmosphere while feeling surprise that there was only one table occupied. The bartender made eye contact with me and looked away. No biggie, maybe she needed to finish what she was doing first before acknowledging us?I saw a sign at the front of the establishment saying, "seat yourself". Cool! We chose a table and the bartender approached us. I asked if the menu was a qr code? This is when she informed us that she had given last call 1/2 ago due to the low number of customers.It was 8:45pm.She did tell us that we could go next door to Elliot Bay for food, but no cocktails.Here's the thing, I can understand needing to make the decision to stay open or not based on the numbers. The issue is that she did not give 2 Fs in her tone or words that she cared. I had really looked forward to a night out, and I'm not a beer person. I didn't fancy going to Elliot Bay and felt too deflated & tired to drive around to another cocktail bay? So we went home.I'm still at a loss at how little she cared, No "Hey, I'm sorry guys!" No, "I'd love to have you back, can I tell you about what we can offer you another night?" I had the impression that she was happy to see the back of us? Which is a bummer because I'd've liked to have tried the place again. I'll give a place a second try after disappointed hopes. If I risk losing the entire evening though, If rather try another establishment that is more reliable...and acts like they care.
Restaurantji Recommends
Brother Barrel used to be an upscale alternative to Elliot Bay Brewing, with a unique menu and separate kitchen. Alas that it no more - they serve the same food as Elliot Bay, which is not bad food, just a disappointment when you're expecting something less pub-fare-oriented. They still have some of the neat sours and barrel aged beers they're named for, but it is a shell of what it was before the pandemic. Three stars because Elliot Bay's food doesn't suck.
So glad they’re open again after being closed during Covid! Atmosphere is great, beer is incredible, and the service is warm and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Got cut off after two drinks because she didn’t feel so comfortable… probably not coming here for her
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Super fun last night sipping wine and listening to local jazz artists! Check it out on Thursday nights!
Best fish and chips in the city!