This old school Ballard hangout is sure to deliver for eats, drinks, and the game.

Am I partial because The Loft is an official Gonzaga bar?  Absolutely.  That aside, there’s never a shortage of non-zags in the multi-floor, multi-tooled hangout on the southern end of the Ballard Avenue.  The Loft’s bottom line is a good time, whether it be shuffelboard, pool, darts, or breakfast at 6am on St. Paddys day.

It’s only natural then that the watering hole’s happy hour would reflect the randomness of the establishment.

Must Have Eats:  The appetizers getting the happy hour treatment at $5.50 are on a constant rotation, but the one solid that can always be depended upon in any hour of need, the hotdog, is a menu mainstay.  The Loft actually features seven different dog options, but only the All-American (1/4 pound dog with choice of three toppings, which include anything you might want other than another dog) is available at the discount rate.  Add bacon, colby jack, cream cheese, or honey jalapeno cream cheese for just a buck more.

Must Have Drinks:  Pretty standard issue here with $1 coming off wells, drafts, and bottles.  My favorite little secret are the 24 ounce mugs that if you’re able to lift when full, will surely make your seasonal brew of choice taste that much better, knowing you’re getting the most out of the price-per-weight ratio.  If you happen to easily put two down, don’t be surprised if the bartender asks when you were at Gonzaga.

Happy Times:  Tuesday thru Friday 4 – 7 p.m.; Sunday and Monday 4 p.m to close; Late Night Tuesday thru Friday 10 p.m. – close; Late Night Sunday and Monday 4 p.m. to midnight.

The Ballard Loft | 5105 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle | (206) 420-2737