Pony

Pony is the dive bar that Capitol Hill's gay scene cannot do without — a small, unpretentious room with a legendary jukebox that cycles from classic country to new wave to whatever the current regulars consider essential, and an atmosphere that is the antithesis of the themed event or the destination bar. The crowd is genuinely mixed: gay men, lesbians, non-binary patrons, queer-friendly straights, and the Capitol Hill neighbourhood population that defies easy categorisation. The drinks are affordable by Seattle standards, the interior is dim and unfussy, and the social expectation is simply that you are there to drink and talk. Pony's Madison Street location sits slightly away from the densest cluster of Capitol Hill bars, giving it a neighbourhood-local character — the bar where the staff know your name and you are likely to see people you know. For visitors who have had their fill of themed events and drag shows and want simply a good neighbourhood bar, Pony is the destination.