We are fortunate on the Olympic Peninsula that the majority of restaurants feature fresh food from local farmers, foragers, and fisheries. The creativity and use of in-season ingredients is one of my favorite aspects of dining in Port Townsend and beyond. Lucky for us, this applies to our cocktails and mixologists as well.

In honor of Strange Brew Fest this Friday and Saturday celebrating unique, craft beer and featuring Port Townsend’s own Port Townsend Brewing and Propolis Brewing - here are a few of my favorite places to grab a creative cocktail (...or 2!)

Cellar Door

Cellar Door is a cocktail bar and live music venue in downtown Port Townsend.

Sip eclectic cocktails mixed with house-made infusions, syrups, bitters, and tonics. Try the Turnip the Beet with beet vodka, rosemary, lemon, ginger syrup, and honey liqueur or the Nearly Midnight with fig vodka, earl gray tea, lemon, simple syrup, and fennel bitters. Cellar Door also offers an absinthe menu.

In addition to a great drink, Cellar Door hosts live music seven nights a week. Enjoy Americana, prohibition jazz & blues, and rotating groups (ranging from hip-hop to country) on the weekend. And if you want to get in on the action, go on Mondays for open mic night or Wednesdays for karaoke.

Taps at the Guardhouse

Taps at the Guardhouse is located in one of the many historic buildings at Fort Worden.

Built in 1904, the building was a 25 cell jailhouse for for soldiers who breached military discipline. Try the tongue-in-cheek In the Brig with Vodka, Fruit Shrub, Soda, and Lime or Arsenic and Old Lace made with Gin, Dolin Dry, Creme de Violette, Absinthe.

Taps offers a great happy hour Monday - Thursday from 3:30pm - 5:30pm as well themed evenings like Tequila Tuesday and Whiskey Wednesday, respectively featuring tequila and whiskey flights in addition to special “South of the Border” and “Pub Style” dishes and cocktails - including Jalapeno Margaritas and Fort Worden Lemonade made with Benchmark Bourbon.

Alchemy Bistro and Wine Bar

In addition to an excellent menu and extensive wine list, Alchemy Bistro & Wine Bar offers a wide selection of unique cocktails - including a selection of chocolate martinis and wine cocktails.

Enjoy a “smooth” drink like Alchemy’s Bride of Chuncho made with Basil Hayden's Bourbon, Amargo Chuncho Aromatic Bitters, and Amaro Nonino or an “intense and flavorful” beverage such as their Trinidad Sour with Angostura Aromatic Bitters, Orgeat Almond Cordial, Rye, and Lime Juice.

Alchemy is open daily for lunch, happy hour, and dinner and hosts a Sunday brunch.

Quench Waterfront Bar

Quench will satisfy your thirst and provide you an amazing view of Port Townsend. Located upstairs in one of the historic downtown buildings, the restaurant boasts beautiful views of the Puget Sound. Watch the ferry boats come and go as you sip a tropical themed cocktail.

Enjoy drinks like their Pineapple-Hibiscus Cocktail made with Pineapple Vodka, Hibiscus Sun Tea, and Pineapple Juice or a Key Lime Martini with Vanilla Vodka, Roses Lime, and Pineapple Juice.

Quench is open Wednesday - Sunday with a happy hour from 3-5 and for Champagne Brunch on Sundays.

Silverwater Cafe

Silverwater Cafe is located just a few doors down from the With These Rings studio and also provides the food and beverage for the Starlight Room at the Rose (movie) Theatre.

The cafe, open daily for lunch and dinner, has quite the variety of cocktails. Sip on a Blood Orange Rye made with Templeton rye, blood orange San Pellegrino, and a dash of bitters on the rocks with amarena black cherries or The Luna with Pear Vodka, St. Germain, house-made lemon-lime and a splash of Sprite.

On Fridays and Saturdays, the cafe’s Mezzaluna Lounge is open till 11pm.

The Pourhouse

Although technically not serving cocktails, The Pourhouse is the place to go for a unique brew. The craft beer taproom and bottle shop, serves over 200 bottles and cans plus 12 rotating beers and ciders on tap. The Pourhouse also offers a snack menu but also allows you to order take-out food from neighboring restaurants.

In addition to traditional lagers and IPAs, currently on tap The Pourhouse is featuring a Bubonic Plague Sour from Cascade Brewing and a Table Saison with Green Cilantro Seeds from The Commons Brewery.

The Pourhouse is open daily from noon to midnight.