Smith Tower Observatory & Bar

When Smith Tower opened in 1914, it became Seattle’s first skyscraper and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, and over a century later, it remains one of the city’s most captivating landmarks. Ride the historic Otis elevator to the 35th-floor Observatory, where a speakeasy-inspired bar channels Prohibition-era charm without sacrificing modern craft. Expertly made cocktails blend the spirit of the Roaring ’20s with contemporary technique, including bold pours featuring in-house barrel-aged spirits. The tower’s lore runs deep, with rum runners, romantic superstitions, and ties to Chinese royalty all woven into its storied fabric. Meanwhile, 360-degree panoramic views take in the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, and beyond, best savored slowly, cocktail in hand, as the sun dips behind the Olympics.