Downtown Edmonds Liquid Arts
In Edmonds, there is an art to most things, including liquid arts. In this article, we’re highlighting several key players in three libation categories: beer, wine, and cocktails.
Please note: Most (if not all) of these businesses offer more than just the drinks they’re best known for. Same goes for non-alcoholic options. Challenge yourself! Try somewhere—and something—new. Because in Edmonds, pretty much everything is excellent, intentional, and for the art of it.
And that’s something we can all cheers to.
(If you’re wondering about coffee, you can learn more about our Downtown shops here.)
Salish Sea Brewing Co
Beer
Our favorite cozy, English-style pub focuses on both curated craft brews and delicious cocktails (have you tried their Scratch Margarita?!), but since they’re leading with the word “pub,” we’re including them in the beer section. While they’re always offering to pour you one of their 20ish beers on rotating taps, ChurchKey has also invested in making a mean cocktail. Order some pretzels to start, find a seat inside or out, and challenge your group to a few games of steel tip darts—loser buys the new round. You can also come for monthly trivia nights.
Leftcraft is a mid-century-inspired destination for craft beer enthusiasts. With a massive and constantly rotating selection of 26+ regionally-focused drafts, Leftcraft celebrates the Pacific Northwest’s local brewing scene. From crisp West Coast IPAs like the Single Hill Giddy Up and Ravenna Designer Attire to unexpected ales like the Upright Irish Stout and the Kulshan Red Cap Red, there’s a brew to satisfy every palate. The draft list also features local ciders, including selections from Finnriver and Dragon’s Head; hard kombucha; and even Leftcraft’s own draft root beer and kombucha for non-alcoholic choices. Pull up a seat on Main Street, sip a few drinks that look good to you (don’t forget to order food, too!), and lean into Leftcraft’s commitment to delicious hydration.
Our local boutique microbrewery has a dedicated 10-barrel brewing system that produces frothy, hand-crafted ales and lagers. Operating two locations in Edmonds, the downtown brewpub on 5th & Dayton is a go-to for locals and visitors alike, offering Salish’s full tap list alongside a tasty food menu. Their commitment to crafting their own beers allows for a fresh selection every time you pop by. We’re talking about everything from Porters and Ambers to a variety of IPAs, a Pale Ale, a Honey Golden Ale, a NW Red Ale, a Nitro Stout, and even a craft root beer. Pull up a stool and stay awhile!
Put your values where your watering hole is! Maize & Barley’s drinks and bites are rooted in craft beer and sustainable, Caribbean-inspired cuisine. With eleven frequently rotating taps that showcase a curated selection of local beers and ciders, this tropically inspired spot on Main has a top-tier beverage program. And their scratch kitchen that emphasizes fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers committed to sustainable practices is just the icing on the drinks cake. Plus, it is a haven for artists—the space features restored woods, a clay adobe wall, and exhibitions by local makers. Come for a quality craft beverage, stay for the community.
Dusted Valley Wine Bar
Wine
Dusted Valley Wine Bar brings a taste of Walla Walla’s acclaimed vineyards to the heart of our Salish Sea-side city. Just a few blocks from the ferry, this high-ceiling space offers a curated selection of the family-owned winery’s small-lot, hand-crafted wines, including their signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Bordeaux and Rhone-style blends. Our local wine bar extends the Dusted Valley family’s passion for sharing “the good life,” creating a space where sippers and swirlers can savor Washington State wines with all their favorite people.
Formerly known as Vie & Vin, The Fox + Bottle is preparing to open its doors this month in a new location in the heart of Downtown. Helmed by owner Brandon McKerney, the shop boasts a curated selection of approachable wines from France and the Pacific Northwest, available by the bottle, glass, and tasting flight. The Fox + Bottle also has a rotating collection of décor and gifts, including glassware, entertaining essentials, home décor, candles, and even clothing, all of which invite sipping and browsing.
Vinbero is a place where you just want to come and hang out. Right in the corner of Hazel Miller Plaza, you’ll find a delightful combination of a wine bar, retail shop, and café. Founded by local entrepreneurs Kali and Kris Kelnero, Vinbero has a tight list of wines available by the glass and bottle, alongside a selection of beers and non-alcoholic options. Add some gourmet meats and cheeses to your drink order, or come for European café-style food for lunch and dinner (pssst, they also have lots of live music). With a focus on small, craft vendors and sustainability, Vinbero is the ultimate in Downtown Edmonds quality food and beverages.
We love to see our local business owners bring their art to our Downtown. Virtue Cellars, in its tasting room at Main Street Commons, brings its passion for hand-crafting single-vineyard, single-varietal wines from the Columbia Valley to the Edmonds liquid arts scene—and we love them for it. This small family winery, operated by the Mueller and Edens families, produces limited quantities of terroir-driven wines with meticulous attention to detail. Their winemaking philosophy centers on showcasing the distinct aromas and flavors of specific vineyard sites, often highlighting nuances that can be lost in larger blends. Swing in and they’ll tell you all about it while they pour—and make sure to check out their rotating art while you’re there.
Calypso
Cocktails
Bar Americano and Daphnes, both built by Brian Taylor and Louise Favier, offer distinct yet complementary drinking experiences in Downtown Edmonds. Bar Americano, a vintage-inspired full-service bar located on 5th Ave. S, is great for enjoying al fresco cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, beer, wine, and snacks. It has a huge patio and hosts DJ nights and community events. Nestled next to the Edmonds Theater is Daphnes, an intimate (we’re talking 250 sf!) gin-forward joint known for its expertly crafted cocktails, including the legendary Moscow Mule. Despite its small size, Daphnes reputation precedes it, and we have a strong sense Bar Americano’s reputation is growing strongly right behind it.
We live in the PNW cold, so we often need a taste of the Caribbean, especially when we’re not able to be somewhere tropical on vacation. Enter: Calypso. Calypso brings a taste of the Caribbean to Downtown Edmonds, just steps from the waterfront. Sip a tropical-inspired cocktail anytime you want! With late-night hours on weekends, including karaoke and DJ sets, Calypso is one of our favorite places for evening entertainment. Their happy hour specials on select cocktails give you a chance to sample a new concoction, too, making it the perfect place for a taste of the (other) islands right at home.
With ferry and train views from its new deck, Demitris Woodstone Taverna is a legitimate cocktail destination. It’s known for its tapas, but Demetris also features a well-rounded drink menu. You’ll enjoy a huge selection of spirits, including a dedicated offering of Cognac and Brandy, alongside bartender-crafted cocktails like their exclusive Private Barrel Manhattan and Private Barrel Paloma. They don’t compromise on mocktails, either. Order a Cos-no-politan or Faux-groni if you’ve opted out of the sauce.
If you’re looking for a frequent haunt that treats drinks like museum-quality art, you’ll find it at Kelnero. Housed in a former dentist’s office (it works, trust us), this PNW-inspired drinks establishment focuses on quality: creative house cocktails, classic concoctions, a highly curated selection of local beer and wine, and a long list of non-alcoholic options are all treated with equal care and attention. You’ll love the handmade live-edge wood tables and the rustic but refined decor that epitomizes a PNW gem. When it’s warm, take your drinks out on Kelnero’s deck and people-watch. This is a place that allows you the freedom to explore both familiar and more adventurous drinks, complemented by a commitment to fiercely regional and seasonally inspired small plates.
So, Where Are You Cheers-ing Next?
Snap a pic of what you’re drinking and tag us so we can see your sipping spots! We’re @edmondsdowntown on Instagram and Facebook.
By Whitney Popa, photos by Matt Hulbert
