This weekend, a heated rivalry takes center stage as the Seattle Seahawks face off against the New England Patriots, creating the right kind of tension at Super Bowl LX, between two franchises forever linked by one of the most talked-about championship moments in NFL history. It’s the kind of matchup that goes beyond the field—sparking debates, memories, and loyalties from coast to coast. In the spirit of that Seahawks-Patriots showdown, we’re taking a deep dive into the bar scenes of Seattle and Boston, spotlighting the standout spots that capture the energy, attitude, and game-day culture of each city.

BOSTON

BLIND DUCK

Photo Credit: Blind Duck/Raffles Boston

Blind Duck is a secret bar with pedigree. It’s hidden within the bustle of Back Bay, but within the storied Raffles Hotel Boston — the first Raffles property in North America. Here, this intimate, speakeasy-style bar trades flash for finesse, with a low-lit room, plush seating, and a crowd that’s clearly here for what’s in the glass. The cocktail program leans classic but confident: impeccably chilled martinis, well-balanced Old Fashioneds, and seasonal signatures that play with texture and aromatics without ever tipping into gimmickry. There’s a quiet seriousness to the drinks — spirit-forward, precise, and beautifully restrained — making Blind Duck the kind of place you duck into for “one” and end up staying far longer than planned.

HECATE

Photo Credit: Adam Detour

Hecate sits beneath Krasi like a beautifully kept secret—an after-dark escape that feels distinctly European in spirit and deliberately removed from the noise above. Conceived by Xenia Greek Hospitality, the bar takes its name from the Greek goddess of crossroads and transformation, and the mood follows suit: time slows, senses sharpen, and every detail earns its place. The cocktail program is thoughtful and transportive, overseen by beverage director Lou Charbonneau, whose drinks pull from spice markets, far-flung travels, and culinary technique. The menu walks a fine line between familiar and unexpected—classics reimagined with depth and texture, and original creations that feel confident rather than contrived. The current standout is Snake Oil, a quietly cult-favorite built with Harridan vodka, gin and eucalyptus, buckwheat, cedar smoke, and tobacco bitters—layered, aromatic, and just mysterious enough to keep you thinking about it long after the glass is empty. Inside, the room is intimate and cinematic: dim lighting, rich materials, a vintage-meets-modern sensibility, and a soundtrack that hums rather than overwhelms.

EXTRA DIRTY COCKTAIL CLUB

Photo Credit: Brian Samuels

After quietly reshaping Boston’s cocktail landscape with Farmacia in North Square, the team behind the cult-favorite tasting concept has turned its attention to something even more immersive. Enter Extra Dirty Cocktail Club, the latest project housed within the newly opened Red Fox in the North End. Part cocktail club, part culinary journey, the experience blends modern, technically driven drinks with progressive small plates served in a fixed-price format designed to feel seamless rather than transactional. Here, the evening unfolds as a multi-course narrative—no ordering, no checking tabs, no mental math. Instead, cocktails and dishes arrive in deliberate succession, each pairing thoughtfully calibrated to build on the last. The result is a night that feels fluid and intentional, encouraging guests to stay present, engage with one another, and fully surrender to the rhythm of the experience without ever reaching for their wallet. The debut menu, Act I: A Visit to Italy, anchors the concept in the culinary soul of the North End while paying homage to Italy’s deeply rooted food traditions. Expect comforting yet refined plates—pasture-raised beef meatballs, handmade pasta, and pristine seasonal produce—paired with cocktails that reinterpret classic Italian flavors through a distinctly modern lens. It’s familiar without being nostalgic, elevated without losing its warmth.

*Extra Dirty Cocktail Club is closed on Super Bowl Sunday 

Photo Credit: Liberty Hotel

Clink is exactly as cheeky as its name suggests. Set inside the iconic The Liberty Hotel—a former 19th-century jail reimagined into one of Boston’s most striking hotels—the bar fully leans into its past, building a cocktail menu inspired by famous prisons, both real and fictional. (Yes, even Azkaban gets a nod.) Located at the foot of Beacon Hill, the hotel itself is a masterclass in adaptive reuse: once the Charles Street Jail, now home to soaring cellblock architecture, sweeping views of the Charles River and skyline, and a buzzy mix of restaurants, bars, and event spaces that feel anything but institutional. At Clink, the drinks carry the story forward with a wink. Case in point: the Mayo Martini, their Super Bowl-specific, Patriots-ready riff on a Cosmopolitan, mixed in red and blue hues and finished with a blueberry garnish—equal parts playful and on-theme without tipping into novelty. It’s the kind of place where history, design, and a sense of humor collide, making Clink less about watching the game and more about soaking up Boston’s ability to turn even its past behind bars into something worth lingering over.

SEATTLE

THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE

Photo Credit: The Doctor’s Office

The Doctor’s Office isn’t a bar you stumble into—it’s one you seek out. Hidden in plain sight in Belltown, this moody, speakeasy-style spot feels more like a private consultation than a night out, drawing a well-dressed crowd that knows its way around a proper drink. The cocktail menu leans classic but clever, with immaculately dialed-in martinis (the kind that make you reconsider every bad one you’ve ever had), spirit-forward Old Fashioned variations, and seasonal signatures that showcase rare amaros, fortified wines, and thoughtful house infusions. It’s intimate, low-lit, and deliberately unfussy in the best way—perfect for lingering over a second round and letting the night unfold slowly.

ROQUETTE

Photo Credit: Roquette

Roquette rewards curiosity. This Belltown bar feels transportive without trying too hard — low-lit, softly glamorous, and quietly confident in its point of view. The cocktail program leans global and expressive, with elegant riffs on classics, unexpected spirit pairings, and just enough whimsy to keep things interesting: think brandy-forward drinks with orchard notes, tropical flavors reworked through a more restrained, European lens, and balanced, beautifully built cocktails that don’t shout for attention. It’s a place to settle in rather than rush through — equally suited to a first drink of the night or one last round when you’re not quite ready to go home.

L’OURSIN

Photo Credit: Zac Overman

L’Oursin blurs the line between neighborhood bistro and quietly excellent bar, treating its drinks program with the same intention as the food. Tucked between Capitol Hill and the Central District, it’s relaxed but thoughtful — the kind of place where you come for a glass of wine and end up staying for another round. This week, the bar is leaning into the moment with Les Douze (The Twelve), a Seahawks-themed cocktail built as a layered gin gimlet with blue curaçao and a float of Green Chartreuse, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. It’s playful, purposeful, and still very much on brand. The signature here, though, is the Calva-Tonic — made with a custom Calvados blend personally selected from Michel Huard, stored in the freezer and poured ice-cold into a chilled glass with tonic and no ice, preserving both texture and depth without dilution. It’s deceptively simple, impeccably executed, and exactly the kind of drink that reminds you why L’Oursin’s bar is worth lingering over long after the plates are cleared.

CANON

Photo Credit: Canon

Canon is one of those Seattle institutions that still feels exciting every time you walk in. This Capitol Hill drinkery den, with shelves stacked impossibly high with rare and obscure spirits, is equal parts cocktail bar and liquid library — the kind of place where ordering a drink can turn into a conversation you didn’t expect to have. The menu leans ambitious and playful, from cult favorites like the decadent Truffle Old Fashioned to boozier, more complex builds that layer cask-strength whiskey, amaro, and housemade shrubs with precision. Even the more experimental pours feel grounded, thoughtful, and deeply drinkable. Canon rewards curiosity — not with gimmicks, but with confidence, depth, and a sense that every cocktail has a point of view.

*Canon will be closed on Super Bowl Sunday