Highlights
- Sports
- Bar games
- Live performances
oChef » Roam – Seattle
Roam - Seattle
Photo from Roam
Roam at a glance
Seattle Ballard
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#35 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#6 Bar & Pub out of 78 in Seattle
Excellent
9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
183
Reviews
95.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Lively atmosphere
- Attentive service
- Creative cocktails
Frequently criticized
- Side availability
- Service issues
The bar & pub Roam in Seattle’s vibrant Ballard neighborhood offers you a dynamic spot to unwind. You can catch your favorite sports games here, making it a prime destination for fans.
Beyond the screens, you’ll find a lively atmosphere with bar games and live performances to keep you entertained. Whether you’re looking for happy hour drinks, delicious food, or expertly crafted cocktails, Roam provides a casual yet trendy setting for your evening out.
Overview: Introducting Roam
Roam offers a vibrant atmosphere and genuinely attentive service, creating a welcoming space for guests. Many appreciate the thoughtful decor and the overall lively vibe, making it a solid choice for an enjoyable evening.
While the food generally receives praise, particularly the creative cocktail menu, there have been minor hiccups with the availability of some basic sides. However, the overall experience, including the appealing happy hour, presents a compelling proposition.
Excellent
9
out of 10
183
Reviews
95.6%
Satisfaction
7
negative
1
neutral
175
positive
Roam truly stands out, earning an impressive overall Restaurant Score of 9 and an excellent Customer Satisfaction of 95.6%. This strong performance is built on a foundation of 175 positive remarks, far outweighing the 7 negative ones.
Guests consistently commend the lively Ambience (9.4) and the attentive Service (9.1), which contribute significantly to a pleasant visit. The Food (8.9) also garners high praise, with many finding the offerings quite satisfying.
While Value (7.6) is still considered good, it’s a point where some minor concerns about specific items have surfaced. Overall, the feedback paints a picture of a well-regarded establishment that largely delivers on its promises.
What people like
- Lively atmosphere
- Attentive service
- Creative cocktails
What people don't like
- Side dish availability
- Poor service incidents
With a strong Recommendation Score of 9, Roam is certainly a place worth considering. Its vibrant setting, coupled with genuinely good service and an inventive drink menu, creates a memorable experience that many patrons appreciate.
If you’re seeking a lively spot with a well-crafted cocktail program and generally satisfying food, Roam delivers. Just be mindful that while the main dishes shine, there have been minor reports of basic side items being unavailable or inconsistent.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Roam
Food (8.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 87% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot truly shines! With an excellent score of 8.9 and a stellar 95.3% customer satisfaction, it's clear guests are consistently impressed. Based on 82 positive remarks, diners rave about the overall quality, delicious food, and impressive menu variety, featuring everything from Italian-inspired bites to flavorful wings.
However, a few minor hiccups were noted among the 3 negative comments. Some guests experienced disappointment when popular items like fries or chips and guac were unavailable. While not about quality, it suggests occasional stock issues with certain snack options.
Food
86
Reviews
95%
Satisfaction
3
negative
1
neutral
82
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent food quality
- Great menu variety
- Delicious meatballs
What people don't like
- Items sometimes unavailable
Often praised
- foodThe service is really excellent; you can tell they care. They offer a great selection of games, the food is good, and they have a unique menu of travel-inspired cocktails. All the drinks I've tried have been great.
- drinksThey offer a great selection of games, the food is good, and they have a unique menu of travel-inspired cocktails. All the drinks I've tried have been great. The downstairs area is more of a lively traditional sports bar, but the upstairs offers a different, chill vibe.
- meatballsThe meatballs! ... it was all wonderful.
- cocktailsThe food and cocktails were excellent
- wingswings tossed in a spicy Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce were absolutely delicious
- burrata sandwichburrata sandwhich was (excellent - never had burrata sandwhich)
- cocktail menuRoam’s cocktail menu is where the magic really happens
- margaritasSteak nachos and margaritas are my go to
- Burrata Sandwichthis sandwich was the best Sandwich I ever had!!!!
- Caesar saladceasar salad, pasta with chicken - ALL was flavorful, tasty
Frequently criticized
- chips and guacasked for chips and guac and they were out
- chips and salsatried it, giving it a shot. First bite I knew the man was lying and it was weird
- friesordered fries and they were out
If youre looking for a place with genuinely delicious food and a diverse menu, youll likely be thrilled here. Just be aware that a few popular snack items might occasionally be out of stock, but don't let that deter you from the overall excellent culinary experience.
Service (9.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, this place truly shines! With an excellent score of 9.1 and a fantastic 93.3% customer satisfaction, its clear guests are consistently impressed. Based on 28 positive opinions out of 30 total, people rave about the friendly staff, excellent bartenders, and attentive service.
Many describe the team as kind, passionate, and truly caring, making for a consistently awesome experience. However, its not entirely without a hitch. While overwhelmingly positive, 2 negative opinions mention feeling treated like an idiot or having a server sucks.
These isolated incidents suggest that while the overall service is stellar, there might be rare occasions where a particular server's attitude could be an issue.
Service
30
Reviews
93%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Skilled, caring bartenders
- Attentive, fast service
What people don't like
- Poor server attitude
Often praised
- staffThe staff at Roam round out the experience with warm, attentive service
- serviceI've been many times now and consistently find it to have a fun atmosphere and the best bartenders in Seattle. The service is really excellent; you can tell they care. They offer a great selection of games, the food is good, and they have a unique menu of travel-inspired cocktails.
- bartendersThis is easily my new favorite bar in Ballard! I've been many times now and consistently find it to have a fun atmosphere and the best bartenders in Seattle. The service is really excellent; you can tell they care.
- attitudeGreat bartending skills and attitude.
- bartenderthe bartender was great
- bartending skillsGreat bartending skills and attitude.
- dedicated bartenderhaving a dedicated bartender was key for my guests
- friendly bartendera friendly bartender!
- friendly staffFriendly staff and fun atmosphere
- peoplenice people
Frequently criticized
- serverthat server sucks
- servicejust got treated like an idiot and was gaslit
If you're looking for a place with top-notch service and genuinely friendly staff, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The excellent bartenders and attentive team make for a great experience, though be aware of a very rare chance of a less-than-stellar interaction with a specific server.
Ambience (9.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
Wow, if youre looking for a place with incredible vibes, youve hit the jackpot! The ambience here is truly excellent, scoring a fantastic 9.4, and its clear customers absolutely adore it, boasting an excellent 100% satisfaction rate. Based on 58 glowing opinions, people cant get enough of the fantastic atmosphere, lively music, and fun games.
Whats even more impressive is that out of all those 58 positive opinions, there wasnt a single negative word about the atmosphere. It seems this spot consistently delivers a positive and enjoyable environment, ensuring everyone who walks through the door has a great time.
Ambience
58
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
58
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fantastic atmosphere
- Lively vibe
- Free games
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereenjoyed the atmosphere—the art and vibes in the space were on point
- decordecor has a thoughtful touch of personality
- free poolWhile the steak nachos and margaritas are my usual favorites, the wings, vegan tacos, and bean dip are also highly recommended and deserve an honorable mention. They offer a great happy hour every day, and there are plenty of activities like free pool, basketball, corn hole, and board games to enjoy, along with TVs to watch. The overall experience was excellent, with high ratings for service, atmosphere, and food.
- fun atmosphereFriendly staff and fun atmosphere
- lively atmosphereblends craft cocktails, Italian-inspired bites, and a lively atmosphere, Roam is where you want to be
- musicThe music...it was all wonderful.
- night outI can’t say enough about this place. It’s classy and fun, making it a perfect date spot for dinner and drinks, or a great night out with friends. The food is amazing!
- placeWe were sad to see The Loft go away, but now that we stopped by at Roam, the place looks amazing! The food was delicious, specifically the chicken strips and burrata.
- vibethe food, service & vibe are consistently awesome
- vibeswith great music and vibes
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If a fantastic atmosphere, great music, and fun activities are high on your list, this place is an absolute must-try. Youre pretty much guaranteed a lively and enjoyable experience, whether its for a date night or a group outing.
Value (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.6 and customer satisfaction at a good 77.8%, its clear many folks are finding some real gems here. Based on 7 positive remarks out of 9 total, patrons rave about the happy hour before 7 pm, calling it great value for money with prices that are often below average and even cheap food and drinks.
It seems like theyve truly nailed the great HH everyday vibe! However, not every experience is perfect, with 2 negative remarks noted. One customer was quite pissed I spent $10 on a particular item plus tip, feeling the price was too steep for what they received.
While another opinion praised the place as an alternative to overpriced competitors, it still brings up the idea of market comparisons, suggesting expectations for value can be high.
Value
9
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great happy hour
- Excellent value for money
- Prices are cheap
What people don't like
- Specific item overpriced
Often praised
- happy hourFinally, a Seattle bar with an actually good happy hour! The space is cute, and the food and drinks are good.
- cheapI'm hesitant to share this place, but I have to say, my experience was an A+ time. The food was awesome and cheap, and the pool was free. I can't wait to go back.
- great HHGreat HH everyday
- pricesPrices are below average
- value for moneyThe food, beer, and margaritas were excellent. The happy hour before 7pm offers great value for money.
Frequently criticized
- competitorsThe service and atmosphere were both top-notch, receiving a perfect 5 out of 5. This place is a great alternative to pretentious and overpriced competitors up B Ave.
- pricepissed I spent $10 on that plus tip
If youre looking for a place with genuinely good value, especially during happy hour, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful that while most prices are a hit, a specific item might occasionally feel a bit steep for some. Overall, its a strong contender for your wallet!
How are the prices at Roam?
On average, you’ll spend around 25 per person – from 20 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the spread, while the average is 25, a significant number of guests find options in the $11–$20 range, suggesting a good mix of value. There are also some higher-priced choices that pull the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
A comparison of value for money against similar restaurants in Seattle.
Overall, for a Bar & Pub in Seattle, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good range of options, catering to different budgets while maintaining a mid-range average.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Roam
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great Food, Fun Atmosphere, and Good Value
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! Everything on the menu is good, and the staff is incredibly friendly, contributing to a fun atmosphere. While the steak nachos and margaritas are my usual favorites, the wings, vegan tacos, and bean dip are also highly recommended and deserve an honorable mention.
They offer a great happy hour every day, and there are plenty of activities like free pool, basketball, corn hole, and board games to enjoy, along with TVs to watch. The overall experience was excellent, with high ratings for service, atmosphere, and food.
- steak nachos9
- margaritas9
- wings8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Relaxing, Laid-Back, and Delicious!
My experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It felt nice, relaxing, and laid-back. It was a great place overall.
The food was delicious too.
- atmosphere10
- place10
- food10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
9
Incredible live music, didn't want to leave!
I walked by and was captivated by the best freespun live set I've heard in many years. I didn't want to leave.
- live set10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Roam: Best Spot in Ballard!
My experience at Roam has been consistently excellent. It's the best spot in Ballard, and I frequent it often. The environment is always friendly, with great music and vibes.
They offer something fun every day of the week, including free pool and pop a shot. I highly recommend checking it out!
- friendly environment10
- great music9
- vibes9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Blown Away by Roam's Atmosphere and Food
I was lucky to stumble upon Roam through a networking event. Let me just say how blown away I was with the feel of this location. The drinks are carefully thought of along with a very represented food menu!
They have plenty of room and an upstairs that is great for big groups to enjoy.
- feel of this location10
- drinks9
- food menu9
What Roam offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Happy hour drinks
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and entertainment can you expect at Roam in Ballard?
At Roam, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any occasion. The bar & pub is known for its exciting highlights, including sports viewing, engaging bar games, and captivating live performances. You can enjoy a vibrant setting whether you’re catching a game or just hanging out.
What dining and service options are available at Roam, and can you make reservations?
Roam offers flexible service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, and takeout, ensuring you can enjoy their offerings your way. You’ll find a full menu with food, wine, beer, and hard liquor, plus happy hour specials. Yes, Roam accepts reservations, making it easy to plan your visit.
What are some standout features at Roam?
Customers frequently praise Roam’s lively atmosphere, attentive staff, and particularly its creative cocktail menu. The happy hour is also noted for offering good value.
Are there any common concerns or areas for improvement at Roam?
While generally positive, some guests have noted occasional issues with the availability of certain side dishes like chips or fries. There have also been isolated reports of less-than-ideal service interactions.