Unicorn

Unicorn is a carnival-themed bar on East Pike Street in Capitol Hill, and it is one of the neighbourhood's most playful places for a night out. It is really two bars in one: Unicorn at street level and Narwhal in the basement, which adds an arcade. The two bars lean fully into the carnival theme, and the result is colourful and fun.

The street-level bar is open from 5pm to 1:45am from Sunday to Thursday, and from 2pm to 1:45am on Friday and Saturday. Narwhal, downstairs, opens at 7pm from Sunday to Wednesday and at 6pm from Thursday to Saturday, closing at 1am on most nights and 1:45am at weekends. The kitchen is open every day until 1am, which makes Unicorn a useful late-night food stop.

The menu is fairground-style bar food. Mini corn dogs, made from all-beef hot dogs in a house batter, are the signature, alongside fries, burgers and a Unicorn hot dog. Drinks and cocktails are ordered at the bar, and there is no table service. Downstairs, Narwhal has a claw machine, a photo booth, arcade games and pinball.

The weekly events are a big part of the appeal. The programme has included karaoke on Monday, drag queen bingo on Tuesday, variety shows on Wednesday, trivia on Thursday and a cabaret on Friday. Check the website before you go, as the line-up can change.

Unicorn is strictly 21 and over at all times, so bring ID. It does not take reservations, so arrive early on Friday and Saturday nights, when it can get busy. It suits groups of friends, couples looking for something light-hearted and anyone who enjoys games with their drinks. Allow an hour or two, or longer if you are playing the arcade.

Capitol Hill is one of Seattle's main nightlife areas, and Unicorn is surrounded by bars, music venues and restaurants along Pike and Pine Streets. Canon is a short walk away for a quieter, more serious drink, and Caffe Vita's flagship café on East Pike Street is useful for coffee the next morning. The Capitol Hill light rail station is close by for getting back downtown.