Best Nightlife near Husky Stadium

When Northsiders are looking for a homey place to drink and chat with friends, this Phinney Ridge alehaus often springs to mind. (Though it's not directly by the stadium, the venue proves the perfect complement to a day in the stadium.) Appropriately named after the German word for "cheers," the place has the look and feel of an Old World beer hall, from its mural of a lovely Oktoberfest mistress to ornate beer steins. After wetting your whistle with a few liters of the house hefeweizen, check out the menu, which boasts everything from brats and kraut to enormous Bavarian pretzels with spicy mustard.

Dating to the late 19th century, this venue has been restored to the glory it knew as a movie theater in the 1920s. These days, you can catch acts as diverse as Boyz II Men and The Head and the Heart to Sturgill Simpson and The Beach Boys, and there's even the odd speaking engagement, too (think beloved figures from Dr. Maya Angelou to Anthony Bourdain). Enjoy the sumptuous, gilt-edged surroundings as you take in a show. The ambience is decadent; for example, three million crystal beads adorn 218 chandeliers and light fixtures. If dancing is called for, the seating area quickly converts to a stunning hardwood ballroom floor. The "wow" factor here is definitely worth the trip!

Just across the bridge from Fremont, this rustic taproom has an all-American appeal, and its walls are adorned with vintage pictures and collectibles. Sidle up to the bar and sample the many microbrews they have on tap at this neighborhood bar established in 1995. (They feature 14 micros on tap as well as a full bar.) Or, head to the outdoor patio, which offers a pleasant setting (and great people-watching) when the weather's cooperative. The menu features such hearty fare as a multi-pound saloon burger with cheddar and bacon, Lucile's meatloaf and a mixed grill with a marinated mahi mahi filet.

Especially during the university's regular sessions, this upscale watering hole is a favorite weekend haunt for hordes of purple-and-gold-wearing Husky faithful, who crowd in to watch their team on the tube while enjoying house-brewed beers and some of Seattle's best burgers. Shiny brewing machines and exposed brick walls give the place a quintessential brewpub look. A member of the Big Horn Brewing family, the Ram features a handful of colorfully named brews, including the popular Buttface Amber, Big Red Ale, and Total Disorder Porter. Menu items range from sandwiches and salads to comfort foods like meatloaf as well as lighter and even gluten-free options.

If you care to class it up after a day at Husky Stadium, head on over to Eastlake; we've got just the spot for you. Comfortable and unpretentious, Serafina has been a Seattle favorite for years, its cuisine drawing on the rustic traditions of the Italian countryside and eminently satisfying. While dining on dishes like calamari salad and roasted sausage with red wine-braised onions, the happy hour crowds are treated to some of Capitol Hill's more expertly mixed martinis; how does a raspberry cosmopolitan sound? In addition, Friday through Sunday evenings, patrons are treated to live piano, blues, or smooth jazz.

Step into this friendly neighborhood establishment to catch the game, and enjoy a cold beer and a heaping plate of steak and eggs. Two big-screen TVs mean that you'll have a great view of sports action, usually devoted to the Seahawks, Mariners, Sonics or Huskies. Monday nights are dedicated to football and to great food and drink specials. Popular breakfast fare — including favorites like corned beef hash and eggs, omelets, and buttermilk pancakes — is served until 2pm. When the weather's nice, enjoy the back deck at this Fremont spot, where a large screen keeps you tuned into the sports action, even while sitting alfresco.

One of the city's premiere venues for improv comedy, Jet City features a widely talented cast whose wit is as quick as its tongue, leading to numerous pithy quips made at the expense of unsuspecting audience members. The "average" show features six performers who utilize suggestions from the audience to improvise a hilarious montage of quirky scenes, games, and songs that keep the crowd laughing from beginning to end. Although shows are always scheduled on Friday and Saturday nights, additional shows are sometimes offered on other nights too, so call ahead. (Looking to test your skills onstage yourself? Check out the classes on offer at this venue.)

You're in the beery Pacific Northwest, where microbreweries sprout like mushrooms after a rainstorm. If you're interested in place at which to sample suds from a wide variety of those breweries, Brouwer's Cafe in Fremont is pure beervana. Obviously run by hop heads and beer geeks, Brouwer's staff is amazingly knowledgeable about lagers and ales. They had better be. This casual and understated pub offers no fewer than 64 rotating draft selections, along with more than 300 bottled brews and 60-something types of Scotch. And to help soak up some of that beer in your belly, the cafe features a Eurocentric menu of exceptional eats.

A university crowd frequents this local mainstay, which has a saloon-like ambience with lots of dark woods and beer memorabilia. House brews are much-loved, whether they're Big Time standards or specialty creations, and you'll find ambers, oatmeal stouts, and ales among the selection. Hearty pub food like pizzas, chili and sandwiches makes a good complement to the beer and also helps ward off alcoholic discomfort if you indulge a little too much. A CD jukebox offers a host of good music, and there's shuffleboard in the back room. This spot proves a perfect destination for a laid-back evening (especially after an active stadium day).