Why famed NYC bar Death & Co is coming to Seattle's Pioneer Square
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Death & Co, the famous New York City cocktail bar, is branching out to Seattle, with a new location in Pioneer Square set to open early next year.
Why it matters: The bar is credited with helping launch the 21st century cocktail renaissance, while also spawning a trio of cocktail books (one of which won a James Beard award).
Zoom in: Death & Co co-founder David Kaplan spoke with Axios about why he zeroed in on Pioneer Square and what patrons can expect once the new Seattle spot opens.
What they're saying: Kaplan said Seattle's thriving food and beverage scene was a major draw, as was Pioneer Square's history and "incredible walkability."
- "It really harkened back and reminded me of New York and the East Village," Kaplan said, referencing the Manhattan neighborhood where Death & Co launched in 2006. "There's that character and that sense of timelessness. We were excited by that."
- Combined with the proximity to Seattle's recent waterfront renovations, the Pioneer Square location "immediately made sense to us," he added.
What to expect: Like Death & Co's other four locations across the country, the Seattle outpost will feature a "beautiful white marble bar," along with underlit liquor steps that illuminate a vast collection of spirits, Kaplan said.
Yes, but: The location will also have a wall with windows, something the bar's original NYC location lacks.
- Local staff will help craft the menu so it feels attuned to the city, said Kaplan, who moved to nearby Bellevue with his family a few years ago.
What's next: The new bar will be located at 419 Occidental Ave., in a renovated warehouse building in the RailSpur development. A spring 2026 opening is planned.