Seattle's Ultimate Coffee Bar Is in the Works

QUEEN ANNE—Aiming to open next to the Seattle Center June 29, Craftworks Coffee wants to become "Seattle's ultimate coffee bar." The concept boils down to an educational coffee drinking experience, rather than just a way to start an intravenous caffeine drip to meet the basic needs of your addiction. While you learn about the product, you'll be able to order from a rotating menu of coffee from Pacific Northwest micro-roasters, some in the form of cold brew and nitro coffee on tap, plus a selection of non-caffeinated beverages.

CAPITOL HILL—Capitol Hill's celebrated Stateside, a member of the Seattle Eater 38, has announced that it will open its hotly anticipated next-door bar, Foreign National, today. Announced back in January, the concept is "small cocktail lounge" with 25 seats and a menu with "an exotic cocktail list and Asian-inspired drinking snacks." The menu will feature five to seven of these drinking snacks that will rotate on a nightly basis, as well as cocktails "emphasizing unusual fresh ingredients as well as familiar products used in unfamiliar ways."

BALLARD—In a surprising turn of events, Tukwila's Odin Brewing Company has purchased Ballard favorite Hilliard's Beer. "This deal will allow us to grow our capacity, improve our packaging capabilities and grow share in an ever expanding market," says Odin owner Dan Lee. Hilliard's founder Ryan Hilliard will leave the craft beer industry rather than join Odin's team as some owners might following a merger, and more changes are coming.