Highlights
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oChef » Benbow Room – Seattle
Benbow Room - Seattle
Photo from Benbow Room
Benbow Room at a glance
Seattle Admiral
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 19 of the guests
#532 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#56 Bar & Pub out of 78 in Seattle
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
220
Reviews
74.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget-friendly
- Fun atmosphere
- Tasty food
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Loud environment
- Hygiene issues
The bar & pub scene in Seattle’s Admiral neighborhood welcomes you to Benbow Room, a casual spot where good times and great company are always on tap. If you’re looking for a lively atmosphere to catch the latest game, this is your go-to destination.
You’ll find a welcoming space perfect for enjoying sports, engaging in bar games, and unwinding with friends. It’s a true local favorite for a relaxed evening out, offering both dine-in and takeout options.
Overview: Introducting Benbow Room
Benbow Room offers a lively spot where many appreciate the engaging atmosphere and the well-crafted drinks. Patrons often highlight the friendly bartender service, with specific individuals like Shane receiving praise for their attentiveness and personality.
It seems to be a place for good times and entertainment. However, some experiences at Benbow Room have been less positive, particularly concerning certain staff interactions, which have been described as unprofessional.
There are also mentions of music volume being an issue, impacting conversation, and occasional concerns about cleanliness.
Good
7.2
out of 10
220
Reviews
74.1%
Satisfaction
49
negative
8
neutral
163
positive
Overall, Benbow Room garners a respectable 7.2 out of 10, with customer satisfaction standing at a solid 74.1%. This indicates a generally positive experience for most visitors.
A standout area is Value (8.7), where guests feel they get a lot for their money, often noting good prices for drinks and games. This positive sentiment is drawn from 220 customer remarks, with 163 positive and 49 negative.
The Ambience (7.8) also receives good marks, praised for its fun and engaging setting, including arcade games and a unique pirate theme. The Food (7.3), particularly the Ma’Ono Fried Chicken, is considered good.
However, Service (6.3) falls into the average category, suggesting some inconsistency in staff interactions, which is an area that could benefit from more attention.
What people like
- Great Value for Money
- Lively Game-Filled Ambience
- Excellent Fried Chicken
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Staff Service
- Excessively Loud Music
- Hygiene Concerns
With a 7.2 recommendation score, Benbow Room presents itself as a place worth considering, especially if you’re seeking a lively atmosphere and good value. It shines for its entertainment options and well-regarded food, making it a solid choice for a casual outing.
However, be mindful that service can be a mixed bag, and the music might be louder than some prefer. If you prioritize consistent, quiet service, you might find aspects disappointing.
For a fun, energetic spot with good food and drinks, it’s generally a good bet.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Benbow Room
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to the grub, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.3 and a solid 75.9% customer satisfaction. Many folks, with 44 positive remarks, rave about the delicious chicken sandwiches and the fantastic Ma'Ono Fried Chicken. Youll also find praise for unique items like "kimchi mac and cheese" and "stout soaked sausage with caramelized onions", showcasing a creative menu and great overall presentation.
However, its not all five-star bites, as 9 less favorable comments point out some areas for improvement. A few experiences mention food poisoning and concerns about food quality being very poor. There were also notes about food arriving cold and a warning about the extra hot spice level being truly intense, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
58
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
9
negative
5
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Ma'Ono Fried Chicken
- Delicious chicken sandwiches
- Creative menu options
What people don't like
- Food poisoning risk
- Poor food quality
- Food served cold
Often praised
- drinksMy experience at this local bar was fantastic. It's a super chill atmosphere with great drinks. They have a lot of pinball games, which was a fun addition.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was overall the best. I found it to be the best hangout spot with friendly customer service, great food, and excellent hospitality. The bartender, Shane, is one of the best.
- beersbeers were refreshing
- chicken sandwichesIt's a big wide open space with a bar and game room in the back. We got a couple of beers, one shot, chicken sandwiches, cucumbers, and fries. We stopped in here before going to a movie around the corner.
- Ma'Ono Fried ChickenMa'Ono Fried Chicken is inside this place and their food is fantastic.
- bar foodThey now offer better drinks and better food, thanks to Ma'ono. If you're in the West Seattle area and looking for a tasty beverage and some great bar food, this is definitely your place!
- beerBeer flowing
- chickenthe chicken is fantastic
- chicken sammiesdecided to give their chicken sammie’s a try. The sandwich was delicious
- chicken sandwichincredible chicken sandwich.
Frequently criticized
- foodfood quality was very poor
- alcohol-free cocktailsasked if they had any alcohol free cocktails
- beer coolerNeed to get beer cooler fixed
- draftWarm draft is not the best
- drinksMine was too strong
- extra hotDon’t get the extra hot unless you are truly brave.
- food poisoningI had the worst case of food poisoning I’ve ever had
- premade cocktailsonly were selling premade cocktails
If youre craving some fantastic "MaOno Fried Chicken or unique bar food like kimchi mac and cheese, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies in food temperature and spice levels, and perhaps avoid the extra hot" if you're not feeling brave.
Service (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 68% of the guests
When it comes to service, many guests had a fantastic time, with 40 positive remarks highlighting the amazing staff and especially the bartenders for their top-notch service and genuine hospitality. The service score averages out to an average 6.3, indicating a generally decent experience for many. On the flip side, 27 negative comments reveal frustrations with the online ordering system, some instances of aggressive staff behavior, and even issues with a bouncer leading to feelings of rudeness.
This contributes to a mixed 58% customer satisfaction, showing clear areas for improvement.
Service
69
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
27
negative
2
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly bartenders
- Top-notch service
- Great hospitality
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Confusing pickup system
- Aggressive bouncer
Often praised
- serviceThe atmosphere was also top-notch, rated a 5 out of 5. Service was equally impressive, also receiving a 5. While parking can be somewhat difficult to find, the overall experience was highly positive.
- staffThe staff here goes above and beyond for the guests
- bartenderI was in the mood for tasty drinks, a fun atmosphere, and classic pinball machines, and this place delivered! Shane was an incredible bartender, such a sweetheart! Come on out Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays to have the pleasure of meeting him!
- bartendersShane and Kat were just absolutely exquisite. Very professional, but life of the party bartenders!
- ShaneShane was a hoot! He was very attentive
- Manager BryanEspecially the Bartender and Manager Bryan!
- barable to talk and manage the bar very well
- bartender ShaneThe bartender Shane is one of the best
- customer serviceFriendly customer service
- decent human beingMy experience at the restaurant was defined by the top-notch service provided by Tony, the bartender. He was gracious and respectful, truly an all-around decent human being.
Frequently criticized
- bartenderbartender that declined him proceeded to come to our table and scream
- staffI've never written a Yelp review before, but after this encounter, I felt compelled to share. Please do not visit this establishment; you will be met with incredibly unkind staff who don't wash their hands after using the bathroom.
- DJthe DJ never showed up
- ID checkshe was too drunk to check ID’s
- bar managerthe bar manager, Danielle, who was absolutely plastered, decided to come up to me and verbally abuse me
- bartender's behaviorbartender’s horrendous behavior!!
- being kicked outkicked our whole group out after 5 minutes
- bouncerBouncer was a total booze-hound and made my whole group uncomfortable.
- customer service skillshad no customer service skills at all!
- employeesno employees are around
The service here is a bit of a mixed bag; while many praise the friendly bartenders and great hospitality, others have faced frustrating issues with staff and systems. If youre seeking a consistently smooth experience, you might want to proceed with caution, but if youre willing to risk it for potentially great interactions, it could be worth a try.
Ambience (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
When it comes to atmosphere, this spot truly shines! With a good score of 7.8 and an impressive customer satisfaction of 84.4%, its clear most folks are loving the vibe. Out of 90 total opinions, a whopping 76 rave about the fun, pirate-themed decor, mini arcade with pinball machines, and the overall lively music and atmosphere that creates a truly engaging space.
However, not everyone is completely charmed. A few of the 13 negative comments mention issues like the music being too loud for conversation, some concerns about the bathroom, and the occasional difficulty with parking. While these are minor points for most, theyre worth keeping in mind if you prefer a quieter setting.
Ambience
90
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
13
negative
1
neutral
76
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun arcade games
- Cool pirate theme
- Lively atmosphere
What people don't like
- Music too loud
- Bathroom concerns
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereI was in the mood for tasty drinks, a fun atmosphere, and classic pinball machines, and this place delivered! Shane was an incredible bartender, such a sweetheart!
- musicThe food is exceptionally good, and they maintain their pinball machines well. The bartender with long red hair has excellent taste in music, contributing to a perfect, relaxing Sunday stop.
- gamesWe even had a nice chat with one of the bartenders on Friday. The arcade is small but really good, and importantly, the games actually work. The Ma'Ono Fried Chicken, located inside, serves fantastic food.
- arcade gamesThe bartender was incredibly nice, and we arrived late. We enjoyed playing pool and arcade games. The late-night kimchi mac and cheese was absolutely delicious and truly made our day.
- barThe slushee drinks are amazing, and the prices are good. I'm looking forward to trying a coney here, and it seems like it will be a great bar with the addition of pull tabs.
- dancingI cannot believe this place is in West Seattle. They have hip hop on Friday and it was so much fun, I was sore the next day from dancing lol.
- decorWe loved the decor
- pinballLove the games, it has it all (pool, darts, pop shot and pinball)
- pinball machinesI was in the mood for tasty drinks, a fun atmosphere, and classic pinball machines, and this place delivered! Shane was an incredible bartender, such a sweetheart!
- pirate themeAnd the pirate theme is legit cool.
Frequently criticized
- musicturn down the volume of the music. My entire party couldn’t hear each other
- bathroombartender also happened to be in one of the bathroom stalls
- boringAnd it was boring
- dog menuthe fact that they have a dog menu is sickening
- dogs allowed insidedogs being allowed inside is sickening
- hand washingproceeded to NOT wash her hands and leave
- hardly no one thereHardly no one there
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- ringing earsleft with ringing ears that have persisted for two hours
- signageif there was some kind of signage
If you're looking for a lively, themed bar with plenty of games and a great atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potentially loud music and a bit of a hunt for parking, but the fun vibe usually makes up for it.
Value (8.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 6% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a fantastic score of 8.7, its clear guests feel theyre getting a great deal. In fact, customer satisfaction is an excellent 100%, based on 3 positive remarks.
People consistently rave about the cheap and reasonable prices, making it a wallet-friendly choice. Whats even better is that out of all the feedback, there isnt a single negative word about the pricing. It seems everyone agrees that the value here is consistently on point, leaving no room for complaints or suggestions for improvement in this area.
Value
3
Reviews
100%
Satisfaction
0
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cheap prices
- Good value
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesThe space is now larger and more open, featuring great decorations and atmosphere. The slushee drinks are amazing, and the prices are good. I'm looking forward to trying a coney here, and it seems like it will be a great bar with the addition of pull tabs.
- cheapEverything's cheap.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your money goes a long way, this is definitely it. The value is consistently praised, so you can expect good prices without compromising on the experience. Its a solid choice if budget-friendliness is high on your list.
How are the prices at Benbow Room?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 19 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at the broader market, while there are definitely cheaper options out there, this price point sits right in the sweet spot where many diners are spending, showing a good mix of budget-friendly and slightly more premium choices available.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 19 most recent reviews.
Comparing value for money against similar spots in Seattle.
For a Bar & Pub in Seattle, we think this pricing feels pretty fair. Its a solid mid-range option that wont break the bank, offering good value for a casual outing.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Benbow Room
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
4
Boring night, nice server
I visited on a Saturday night and found the experience to be quite boring. The restaurant was playing 70s music, and there was hardly anyone there. Despite the lack of atmosphere, the servers were nice.
- 70s music5
- servers7
- hardly no one there2
- boring2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Perfect pint, happy pirate!
I popped in for a pint and it was perfect. Any pirate would be happy to drink here. The service and atmosphere were both rated a perfect 5 out of 5.
- pint10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Hidden Gem with Great Food and Music
I'm surprised it took me so long to visit this place. While the exterior doesn't reveal much, the interior has been significantly transformed since it was Vidiot. The food is exceptionally good, and they maintain their pinball machines well.
The bartender with long red hair has excellent taste in music, contributing to a perfect, relaxing Sunday stop.
- food9
- pinball machines8
- music9
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Unacceptable Bouncer Behavior
My experience at this bar was extremely negative due to the bouncer. He was clearly intoxicated, acting like a "booze-hound, " which made my entire group feel uncomfortable. He was too drunk to properly check IDs and wasn't even at the door when we arrived.
To make matters worse, he kicked our whole group out after only five minutes, despite us having full drinks on our table. I will never return to this bar and strongly advise others to avoid it.
- bouncer1
- ID checks1
- being kicked out1
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious late-night eats and great service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The bartender was incredibly nice, and we arrived late. We enjoyed playing pool and arcade games.
The late-night kimchi mac and cheese was absolutely delicious and truly made our day.
- bartender10
- pool8
- arcade games8
What Benbow Room offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Dancing
- Food at bar
- Hard liquor
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Benbow Room accessible for all guests?
Yes, Benbow Room is committed to accessibility, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for your convenience. You’ll also find free street parking available.
What kind of atmosphere and offerings can you expect at Benbow Room?
You can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying sports and bar games. They offer a full range of drinks including hard liquor, wine, beer, and cocktails, alongside food available at the bar, and free Wi-Fi.
What is the overall rating for Benbow Room?
Benbow Room holds a good overall score of 7.2. Guests particularly appreciate its Value (8.7), Ambience (7.8), and Food (7.3), though Service (6.3) is noted as average.
What kind of atmosphere can I expect at Benbow Room?
You can expect a fun and lively atmosphere at Benbow Room, often highlighted for its classic pinball machines, arcade games, and unique pirate theme. Many enjoy the music and opportunities for dancing.
Are there any common complaints about Benbow Room's service?
While many praise specific bartenders, some patrons have reported inconsistent service, including instances of unprofessional staff behavior and issues with customer interaction.