Nightlife in Lakewood

With its hand-blown glass light fixtures, beckoning fireplace, and old-growth walnut bar-top, VoVina’ cultivates an old-world elegance. The décor’s chic simplicity carries over into a menu of European- and American-style small plates, such as Angus beef sliders and black truffle tater-tots, crafted to complement dozens of tempting cocktails. The Fountain of Youth blends Bombay Sapphire, St. Germaine, and a touch of green chartreuse, and the Asian Pear arrives shaken and strained over a soft lychee. Further underlining the Jazz Age-feel, the bar touts one of the largest absinthe selections in the area. The legendary spirits are poured plain or blended into beverages, inspiring guests to dance the Charleston atop VoVina’s locally grown, recycled maple tables.

Years spent living in England made their mark on Columbia City Ale House founder Jeff Eagan. The country's particular style of local pubs fascinated him, and when he returned to Seattle in 1991, he recruited chef Jeff Reich to help him re-create that atmosphere by founding the 74th Street Ale House, the first of their triad of Seattle ale houses. The pubs dedicated their taps to local craft beers in a decade where the streets mostly flowed with basic American brews, and caught attention for their beer selection and for a fierce dedication to fresh-prepared pub fare classified as "herbaceous and hot" by the Seattle Times. Eclectic menus regularly updated by chef and Seattle culinary veteran Kathy Christopher boast gumbo with made-from-scratch stock and a breaded-chicken sandwich with garlic oil that claims a Best Chicken Sandwich distinction from Seattle Weekly.

Columbia City Ale House is the latest in their expanding endeavors, and shares with its siblings a dedication to craft brews and an upscale approach to pub fare. English and local beers flow from the 21 taps, half of which change regularly and include favorites such as Fullers' Extra Special Bitters and perennial winners from Fremont and Boundary Bay. On the menu, a grilled Reuben sandwich boasts corned beef braised in Blackthorn hard cider, and flat iron steak rubbed in ancho-chili powder and pepper stars in a southwest steak sandwich. A regular specials menu encourages culinary and libationary adventure with a recommended beer or wine pairing listed next to each dish.

Inside the ale house, light shines through geometric stained-glass windows, bought from a demolished Greek Orthodox church. Squares of the same stained glass decorate the small upper level, and arches centered on a cross stand at the top of the bar. The space reflects the English pub feel with sturdy woods, a mirror emblazoned with an Old Bailey beer logo, and servers who impersonate the Queen Mother between shifts.

Paddy Coyne's shares its name with a sister pub on the west coast of Ireland, but patrons don't need to compare menus to be assured of the bar's Irish bona fides: the menu boasts corned beef with cabbage, fish 'n' chips, and traditional soda bread. Along with the classic eats, patrons can enjoy freshly pulled pints and engage their brains in trivia nights, where participants can win prizes.

The café's eclectic menu offers vegetarian and vegan-friendly fare alongside classic carnivorous creations with fresh twists. Share an order of the green planet dip ($8), or opt for the moonscape bruschetta, a decadent goat-cheese and caramelized-onion-topped option ($8). Daily soups and fresh-made salads entice the veggie-inclined, and a selection of plentiful sandwiches, such as the hummus-based Vega’s vegan love ($8.50) or the big-bang pulled-pork barbecue sandwich ($9), offer handy options for bread enthusiasts. Pastas and personal pizza rounds round out the menu. The baconaut pizza ($8.50) boasts a bounty of fresh bacon, avocado, and cheese, and the mars mac ‘n’ cheese ($10.50) updates classic cheesy fare with a saffron-cheddar sauce. Cleanse the stomach's lining with a freshly mixed Italian soda topped with whipped cream ($3.50), one of the café’s espresso creations ($2.75 and up), or a Tazo tea ($2 and up).

Listed as one of dive-bar aficionado Mike Seely's top 10 watering holes, The Waterwheel Lounge provides nightly events, live music, and a focused menu of celebrated favorites. Bust out the wipes and wrap hands around an ambitiously portioned brisket sandwich served with coleslaw and baked beans ($7.95). Wings, served hot or not ($7.50), hand-cut fries ($3.50), and onion rings ($4) side well with ice-cold suds and expansive patio views. After 4 p.m., indulge in the famous fried chicken, a trifecta of comfort with gravy-smothered mashed potatoes and a side of veggies ($9.95). Feast upon bigger bites such as beer dogs ($1), barbecue ribs ($11.95), or a chef's salad ($6.50) without the fuss of a well-meaning dad who insists he put the Q in BBQ.

Amid exposed-brick and wooden walls, barkeeps at The Living Room blend libations such as Templeton Rye and St. Germain with sodas, fruits, and foams. Chefs whip up light bites, cheese plates, and bocadillo sandwiches to sop up the signature cocktails.

The Living Room's rotating contemporary-art exhibitions add intrigue to the downstairs bar and the upstairs fireplace, where a retired FDR still delivers his fireside chats to anyone who will listen. In addition to hosting Sunday-night trivia, The Living Room makes good on its title as "a beacon of eclectic sonic delights," according to (The Stranger), with a roster of DJs and electronic musicians.