Highlights
- Great beer selection
oChef » Big Time – Seattle
Big Time - Seattle
Photo from Big Time
Big Time at a glance
Seattle West Campus
- 🍻 Bar & Pub
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 65 of the guests
#335 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#40 Bar & Pub out of 78 in Seattle
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
419
Reviews
80.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Craft beer
- Pub atmosphere
- Delicious food
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Service issues
- Tip concerns
The bar & pub, Big Time, in Seattle’s vibrant West Campus neighborhood, offers you a truly authentic experience. You’ll discover a fantastic spot known for its great beer selection, perfect for unwinding.
This cozy and casual establishment invites you to enjoy delicious food and drinks in a trendy setting. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed evening, Big Time provides a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Big Time
Big Time has cultivated a loyal following over the years, known for its inviting atmosphere and a solid selection of beer. Many appreciate the quality of the food offerings, finding them a satisfying complement to their drinks, often highlighting the delicious burgers.
However, some guests have noted that the overall price point can be a bit steep, and there have been occasional comments regarding the attentiveness of the staff. Despite these points, Big Time maintains a strong community presence.
Good
7.8
out of 10
419
Reviews
80.9%
Satisfaction
50
negative
30
neutral
339
positive
Big Time generally earns a solid reception, reflected in its overall score of 7.8. Customer satisfaction also stands strong at 80.9%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This positive outlook is supported by 339 favorable comments against 50 critical ones, drawn from a total of 419 customer observations. Digging deeper, the Ambience (8.4) truly shines, creating a welcoming environment.
Both the Food (7.8) and Service (7.8) also perform well, consistently meeting expectations. The primary area for improvement appears to be Value (3.8), which some guests find less appealing.
What people like
- Great craft beer selection
- Inviting pub atmosphere
- Delicious burgers and nachos
What people don't like
- High menu prices
- Automatic tip concerns
- Occasional slow service
For those seeking a relaxed pub experience with quality craft brews and satisfying meals, Big Time is certainly worth considering. Its long-standing presence and consistent positive feedback, reflected in a strong 8.1 recommendation score, suggest a reliable choice for a casual outing.
While some may find the pricing a bit steep or encounter occasional service hiccups, the overall convivial atmosphere and well-regarded food and drink make it a solid option. If you prioritize a good vibe and tasty pub fare, you’ll likely enjoy your visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Big Time
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at a good 79.2%, its clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 212 comments, a whopping 168 were positive, frequently praising the "amazing food, " "quality beef, " "delicious pizza, " and "sizable portions.
"However, its not all perfect, with 22 negative remarks pointing to some areas for improvement. A few experiences mentioned burnt chips, hair in food, and general mediocre food. While these instances are less frequent, they suggest that consistency could be a focus to elevate every dining experience.
Food
212
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
22
negative
22
neutral
168
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing burgers and fries
- Delicious pizza options
- Sizable, quality portions
What people don't like
- Cold, burnt nachos
- Hair found in food
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- foodWe were impressed by the lovely "tree slice" bar tables and learned from the owner, who had also crafted the uniquely turned legs of the smaller tables. We returned two days later with our son for supper and enjoyed very delicious food, including burgers, a turkey bacon sandwich, onion rings, and fries. We already knew the brews were excellent, and they were perfectly matched by the quality of the food and the attentive staff.
- beerMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's an awesome place to hang, offering amazing beer, fantastic food, and super friendly bartenders. It's no surprise they've been around for over 30 years.
- friesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great burgers, fries, and a side salad. While the menu appears standard, they offer an interesting take on everything.
- FoodFood:5
- beersMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the great food, the great vibes, and the great beers. I highly recommend going to try it for yourself; it would be totally worth your time!
- nachosfour different nachos on their menu and they are all excellent!
- pizzaburgers, sandwiches, pizza, everything is fire
- burgersburgers, sandwiches, pizza, everything is fire
- cheeseburgerIt was phenomenal. Big, juicy, and perfectly cooked.
- burgerBest burger beers, burger and beers around town
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food isn’t what it used to be
- nachosThe nachos were the worst I've ever had
- Calzonesbring back the Calzones
- Ruebenbring back the Rueben
- appsstill no pizza and apps
- beerFelt like it had little to no body and then would hit you with hops
- beersdidn’t care for any of their beers
- burnt cheesetoasted chips with some burnt cheese
- burnt chipscold with burnt chips
- champagnereluctantly poured me the champagne I ordered out of a small bottle
If youre looking for a place with generally good food and a wide selection, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While there are a few reports of inconsistency, the overall positive feedback suggests youll likely have a satisfying meal.
Service (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 73% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! Overall, the vibe here is pretty great, with a customer satisfaction of 80.8% and a solid score of 7.8. Most folks rave about the friendly service, especially from owner Rick and the attentive staff, often highlighting a great smile or a warm welcoming vibe.
With 84 positive remarks out of 104 total, it seems theyre doing a lot right! However, it's not always perfect. A smaller number of 18 comments mentioned issues like rude servers, long lines, or slow service, with some even encountering an unnecessarily rude bartender.
While these instances are fewer, they do pop up, suggesting there might be a few kinks to iron out in an otherwise good experience.
Service
104
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
18
negative
2
neutral
84
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Welcoming owner Rick
- Great smiles
What people don't like
- Rude servers
- Long wait times
- Slow service
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was delicious, and the service was incredibly fast and very friendly. I also found the atmosphere to be quite enjoyable, with plenty of seating and a lovely rustic decor that I particularly favored.
- staffI loved the amazing beer and the good vibes. The wonderful staff provided excellent service, and the best nachos in Seattle were a definite highlight. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating.
- ServiceService:5
- ownerWonderful food, service, and vibe. The owner is incredibly kind and intentional about creating a warm and friendly Seattle community brewery. I will definitely be coming back!
- bartenderI asked about beer and received great advice, which even my son agreed with. I tried a seltzer for the first time, as suggested by Glenden the bartender, and finally earned my son's respect. I am so happy and glad.
- bartendersMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's an awesome place to hang, offering amazing beer, fantastic food, and super friendly bartenders. It's no surprise they've been around for over 30 years.
- DannyShoutout to Danny for giving me a bag of ice
- GlendonGlendon is absolutely spectacular
- Rickit’s always a joy to check in with Rick
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
Frequently criticized
- servicethere was no service so one had to go up to the bar
- bartenderbartender hassling me because my $10 tip wasn't enough
- waiting timewait an hour and still no pizza
- attitudeI tip for actual service not attitude
- cashier/server/food runneronly one cashier/server/food runner when we were there
- long linesresult in long lines
- managerespecially by the manager!
- platesservice folks could not wait to remove our plates of unfinished food
- pleasantriesnormal pleasantries and friendliness is too much to ask
- questions about cidersShe could not answer any questions about ciders
If youre looking for a place with generally friendly and attentive staff, youll likely have a good experience here. Just be aware that on rare occasions, you might encounter a hiccup in service or a longer wait, but the positives heavily outweigh the negatives.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
The ambience here truly shines, earning a good score of 8.4 with an excellent customer satisfaction of 92.5%. Guests consistently praise the wonderful vibe, welcoming atmosphere, and the fun events, especially the popular trivia nights. With 86 positive remarks out of 93 total, it's clear people love the overall feel.
However, a few guests noted some minor issues. There were occasional comments about music being a bit too loud and one instance of a cold space. These four negative points are minor compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, which highlights the generally comfortable environment.
Ambience
93
Reviews
92%
Satisfaction
4
negative
3
neutral
86
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great vibe
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Fun trivia nights
What people don't like
- Loud music
- Cold space
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at Big Time was fantastic! The restaurant has a great friendly atmosphere, and they serve great beer and amazing food. It definitely does not disappoint.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- triviaI've been going to Big Time every Wednesday for two and a half years straight to play trivia. It's a 5/5 experience, and I would definitely do it again.
- placeI absolutely love this place
- barThe crowd leans more towards visitors and alumni than students, but a range of people were present. I appreciated the great beer brewed on premises, the beautiful wood-paneled bar with a brass foot rail, and the old school wooden tables and chairs. The place was also nicely decorated for the holidays.
- historyAs a Seattle institution since 1988 and a pioneer in Washington's craft beer scene, Big Time offers a genuinely comfortable, well-loved pub atmosphere that shuns modern trends. The history is palpable, yet the beer remains as fresh as ever. They've expanded their offerings beyond their legendary, bitter IPAs to include options like the Foggy Stardust NEIPA.
- vibeWonderful vibe
- vibesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I loved the amazing beer and the good vibes. The wonderful staff provided excellent service, and the best nachos in Seattle were a definite highlight.
- Chess ClubChess Club, held every Tuesday from 6 pm-11pm
- Wednesday Night Trivialook forward to Wednesday Night Trivia every week
Frequently criticized
- back roomthey wanted us out! Since we went past the allotted time for the back room
- musicMy experience at the restaurant on a Tuesday for the chess club was fun. The music was a little too loud, but they were very accommodating to my service dog, treating her well and providing her with her own water dish. While I wasn't interested in anything on the menu, they did have juice available.
- spacethe space was very cold
- street parkingNot much street parking nearby
If youre looking for a place with a fantastic, lively atmosphere and engaging events like trivia, this spot is definitely worth checking out. The overwhelming positive feedback on the ambience suggests youll have a great time, despite a few minor quibbles.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 9% of the guests
On the bright side for value, one customer did find the price for lunch specials to be pretty good. This positive note, though, is a rare find among the 10 total customer remarks. The overall value experience, unfortunately, received a poor score of 3.8, with customer satisfaction also sitting at a low 10%.
On the flip side, many customers felt the value was a major letdown. Complaints centered around extra charges, a surprising 20% tip automatically added, and the overall price being too high. Specifics like expensive Seattle beer were called out, with some feeling the place was a rip-off.
Value
10
Reviews
10%
Satisfaction
6
negative
3
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good lunch price
What people don't like
- Automatic 20% tip
- Overall rip-off
- Expensive drinks
Often praised
- pricelunch specials were offered at a pretty good price
Frequently criticized
- 20% tipsurprised at the 20% tip that she told me was automatically added
- chargestill charge you for everything
- cocktailsbig on price
- expensive Seattle beerstandard expensive Seattle beer and stuff
- placeI advise UW students, guests, and staff to go elsewhere. This place is a rip-off!
- price$19 for a burger? At a bar? Come on man.
If you're looking for good value, this might not be your spot, especially with concerns about high prices and an automatic 20% tip. While lunch specials might offer a glimmer of hope, be prepared for potentially expensive drinks and other items that many consider a rip-off.
How are the prices at Big Time?
On average, you’ll spend around 24 per person – from 65 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Bar & Pub, that’s comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch on the higher side.
Looking at the full picture, we see a nice spread: many guests find great value in the $11–$20 range, while a good number also opt for the $21–$30 options. This suggests a versatile menu with choices for different budgets, even with a few premium selections available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 65 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Bar & Pub, especially given the variety of price points available. It offers good flexibility for diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Big Time
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Late-Night Spot with Vegan Options
We visited Big Time Brewery around 10 pm when other places were closed. Initially, we considered Cafe on The Ave but found it shut. After a brief deliberation, we decided to give Big Time Brewery a try.
We learned we needed to order at the bar, where a very pleasant gal greeted us with a great smile and warm welcoming vibe. She was patient as we reviewed their extensive menu. I was pleased to find they had great vegan options available for my companion, who is a strict vegan.
We chose the vegan pizza, which she brought to our table, along with cutlery and napkins – a nice touch that I appreciated. The atmosphere was super chill, not too busy, which allowed us to focus on our discussion about our weekly Metal Mondayze. The friendly service and lack of distractions helped us maximize our time.
I highly recommend Big Time Brewery, especially noting that people even play chess there, which is an added bonus. It's an absolute gem!
- pleasant gal10
- great smile10
- warm welcoming vibe10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Food, Good Vibes
My experience at this restaurant was quite positive. I was impressed with the good selection on tap. The place itself is nice, and the events it hosts add to the overall appeal.
Most surprisingly, the food is better than it really has any right to be.
- selection on tap8
- place itself8
- events it hosts8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Nachos, Decent Brewery
My experience at this brewery involved ordering the pork verde nachos along with a couple of beers. The nachos arrived on a massive plate, and I found the portion size to be a bit excessive. The toppings were dominated by a ton of cheese, which was probably the only decent component.
It was melted well onto the chips, offering a satisfying cheese pull with each bite. However, the rest of the dish was not great. I did not enjoy the pork, as it felt quite dry and lacked flavor due to the absence of juiciness.
The chips themselves were acceptable, a little stale but decently crunchy. The salsa verde was truly terrible, tasting like green-tinted water; it was possibly the worst salsa I've ever had. While I generally like this brewery, ordering the nachos led to regret halfway through the meal.
The overall food score was a 2/10.
- massive plate5
- portion size5
- ton of cheese7
- pork verde nachos2
- pork3
- salsa verde1
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Amazing Linguine Shrimp, Will Return!
I went with friends last night and ordered the linguine shrimp, which was amazing. I will definitely go back for the pasta.
- linguine shrimp10
- pasta9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Consistently Great Experience Over Years
I’ve been going here since I was 19, and every week it’s been getting better. The Service, Atmosphere, and Food have all been consistently excellent, each receiving a perfect 5/5 rating. It's clear that this restaurant continues to improve, making each visit a delightful experience.
- Service10
- Atmosphere10
- Food10
What Big Time offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- High chairs
Popular for
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Food at bar
- Food
- Wine
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Seating
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What are the parking options when visiting Big Time Brewery & Alehouse?
When you plan your visit to Big Time Brewery & Alehouse, be aware that finding a parking space can sometimes be a bit challenging. However, you can often find free street parking in the vicinity.
Can I make a reservation at Big Time Brewery & Alehouse?
Yes, Big Time Brewery & Alehouse conveniently accepts reservations. This allows you to easily plan ahead and secure your table for a comfortable dining or drinking experience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Big Time?
Big Time receives a good overall score of **7.8**, with customer satisfaction at **80.9%**. Its **Ambience** (8.4), **Food** (7.8), and **Service** (7.8) are well-regarded, though **Value** (3.8) is an area for improvement.
What do customers particularly enjoy about Big Time's offerings?
Patrons frequently praise the quality of the **beer** and the delicious **food**, especially items like **burgers** and **nachos**. The welcoming **atmosphere** and friendly **staff** also receive high marks.
Are there any common concerns or drawbacks mentioned by visitors?
Some customers express concerns about the **price** of items, particularly cocktails, and the practice of an automatic **tip**. There are also occasional comments about **service** speed or loud **music**.