4. Restaurants

Shorty’s

2222 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA, 98121
  • (206) 441-5449
  • Store is closed

Shorty’s Menu

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  • Peggy S.

    Nothing satisfies me better than a long, hot, crunchy hot dog. I mean in terms of food. Shorty's has got it down - the casing of my Chicago dog was crunchy, my absolutely favorite type! It was also generously accompanied by pickles, onions, peppers, neon green relish and tomatoes - how much better could it get? I still can't get over the neon green relish. The owner/bartender was so sweet and lovely, I felt very comfortable having her around! There are pinball machines in the back, totally added to the Belltown character. German Sauerkraut tomorrow? :D

    (4)

  • Brad K.

    Awesome pinball bar!!

    (5)

  • Lizz K.

    I learned a terrible thing about myself visiting this bar, I am terrible at pinball. When you are 8, and loosing your chore money at the local Tilt, you think you might get better at pinball when you're almost 30. It didn't get better. I didn't get better. I still lost all of my chore money to The Adams Family graveyard, but at least I washed it down with a $2 Olympia. I hear their hot dogs are good too, but haven't brought myself to eat them in the shadows of clown decor that fills the walls.

    (4)

  • Aimee F.

    .

    (4)

  • Rix G.

    Pinball and Beer!!! Enough Said!! Okay.. All reality.. Great location, great selection and lots of Pinball Machines. A prefect Local Hangout!

    (5)

  • Sabrina M.

    This is one of my favorite bars of all time. The first weekend that I moved to Seattle from across the country I decided to hit the bars, just me and my puppy. (Yes, they are very dog-friendly. They even let my cute little pup sit up at the bar and fed him hot dogs.) Anyway, that night I met my current boyfriend of almost three years. He invited me to play in a wiffle ball tournament the next day and the rest is history. So you can tell how cool the people are that hang out there. :) The bartenders have always been very friendly and quick with the drinks. There is even a second bar hidden away in the back behind all of the pinball machines. I have had some of my best moment here and no, I am NOT a hipster. LOVE this place!

    (5)

  • Ed S.

    Great bar - we are "old-timers" - wife 60ism and me beyond. Everyone here was friendly, prices good and the pinball machines great. A place to have a few when we visit Seattle.

    (4)

  • Phuong B.

    Not exactly a place that I would normally go to, but it is pretty decent for what it is. The best way I can describe it is it's a cross over between a dive bar and a hipster bar. You might see a hipster or two floating around, but it's a pretty divey place. That being said, they have a really cool smoothie machine. Reminds me of the big long smoothie thing from Las Vegas, but with more alcohol.

    (4)

  • Chris W.

    The pinball is great, the bartenders are nice (and the fancier drinks in the trophy room with Jawn are great!) the general crowd is nice (even if they're not as interactive as the other hipstery, dimly lit places like the Cha-Cha, or next door at the Lava Lounge.) The food is carny fare, exactly what you'd expect, cheap, and may possibly give you a stomachache, but if you're drinking and looking for hot nacho cheese and onions, what are you really expecting? The Valkenvania-ish organ music piped into the bathrooms, blacklight scary clowns, and Keane-eyed children in black velvet round out the decor. Ultimately, if you love pinball, grew up with REAL arcades, and love kitsch, this is a pretty safe haunt.

    (5)

  • kim h.

    they have boozy slushy drinks. they also have pinball and no minors. and those awesomely gross movie theatre nacho cheeze nachos. it gets busy here real crowded; i try to go on the off times. but even with the crowds i do give shortys two thumbs up.

    (5)

  • Tom Y.

    It's a great dive bar with beer and liquor, they are willing to serve you if you got $$$. If you are looking for an apology, a shoulder to cry on, flash your bling, have a great customer service experience or have a tourist experience, this place is not for you. Yeah I am a tourist here but I came here because it looked like a dive bar where I can get a beer at 3pm at a good price from the outside. This place is a dive bar, dive bar with hipsters in it, but it is Belltown so what were you expecting?

    (4)

  • Joan D.

    Good booze & pinball. Unpretentious. Cool place!

    (5)

  • Zulkiffly S.

    I really like this place. Here are some key points of why I like this place... - Beers are cheap. All the beer I had were $2.50. - Bartenders were nice and attentive. - The food menue is simple. Hotdogs and Nachoes - Pinball mechines for your entertainment. - Seatting is plentiful. But her are some things I don't like about the place... - Restroom smells. - Pinball mechines are mostly 75 cents I was expecting 50 cents... 75 cents went by really fast. - The place has a hint of cigarette smoke in the air. But overall it's an awesome place to do something different in the Belltown area. One last thing you must know is that anything under $10 they only accept cash. But they do have a card reader. They just want to swipe only if the bill is over $10.

    (5)

  • Gillian W.

    Now this was a nerds dream! Booze and pinball how can you go wrong? It seems I didn't get better with the more drinks I had but was fun to play all different machines. My favorites were of course the adams family and Indiana Jones, I was bad at all of them and I really thought at one time I was good at Pinball.. WTF was I thinking? Ok maybe I'm better at it sober? LOL

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    I don't drink and I usally advoid the bar scene, So why can you find me at this Hipster circus called Shorty's? It could be the Awesome music, Tasty Chili cheese nacho's, Hot dogs and Wall to Wall Pin Ball machines, The off Beat humor found around like the side show carnival game for the mens open Urinal, I went to the Lava Lounge to use their bathroom that is right next to Shorty's. I like the people watching, I mean not them using the bathroom, i mean at the bar! It's mainly 20-30 Tattooed people who range from Gothy,Alt,Rockers, indie hipsters and at most times feel that I am not hip enough to hang here though I feel like that outside of this establishment but I don't really care so my don't give a crap attitude makes iit ok for me to go into shorty's but there is always the random guys and girls that looks like he just came from the Yatch club that makes me not as noticeable. It's a cool cheap place to have fun and chill with some friends that anyone would enjoy. a note you have to get the Chili Cheese Nacho's there soo Good even for chips that came out of a room temperature bag.

    (4)

  • Honor C.

    Bartendress at Shorty's gave us shit for not tipping on the add even though we tipped in cash! What a bitch! Not going back there.

    (3)

  • Xander S.

    Props to this place for being one of the most unique bars in town. The main entrance area is just like any other bar, wooden seating, a full bar. But then you might notice some blinking likes, pounding of plastic against metal, and a rambunctious roar of people from a small door in the back. Walk in, and you'll find 10-20 pinball machines from times ancient. I was instantly floored; I hadn't seen a pinball table in years, let alone played them... so of course I had to =). Turned out that they're not that fun after all, but props to the owners for coming up with this theme. Connected to the pinball room is another quieter bar area, here the seating is comfy, drinks appropriately strong, and for Belltown, very well priced. This place is a unique gem... if only pinball itself was more fun, I'd be going there lots more.

    (4)

  • Carrie H.

    To the tune of "Low" by Flo-rida: Shorty's had them blended margaritas (ritas) Buck Hunter Pro (Hunter Pro) I was playin' the best, fo sho! I grabbed some quarters (some quarters) Next thing you know Shorty's had mo' mo' mo' mo' mo' mo' mo' mo' Things to do like Pinball games in the back (in the back) I turned around and gave my bartender a check (wha?) He hit the floor (he hit the floor) Next thing you know Shorty's said whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa CASH ONLY, BIATCH!

    (3)

  • Kene E.

    Walked up to the patio and smelled the sweet smell of ganja, Im in the right place. The door guy was cool, took a little while to get drinks but it was a saturday in belltown so cant complain. Drinks could have been a little stronger for the price but again belltown. Good music and pinball, it's like I was 13 again booze and all except it was missing the stuffed animal claw game (you know before they started rigging them). Good atmosphere, the majority of patrons were chill, and the music was mellow. Just not a fan of the 1:30 last call.

    (4)

  • J C.

    Unless you LOVE pinball, this place probably isn't for you. But the fact that they serve bar food until close got them another star. And they have a veggie dog? Point Shorty's.

    (3)

  • Pieter W.

    Pinball. Hot dogs. Booze. A winning combination in my book! Drinks are cheap and strong, food is reasonable, the bar staff is very friendly... Patrons are usually pretty cool, they tend to be a little punk rock but certainly not indie snobsters (they don't seem to leave the hill, do they?) Occasionally dumbf#cks wander into the establishment and start trouble, but they are usually dealt with in a swift manner. I would go to this place much more often if I lived closer and parking were a little easier.

    (4)

  • Jana U.

    I love pinball and was looking for a place to play in town when a friend recommended Shortys. The minute I walked in I was instantly hooked. They have all sorts of games from the classics to fancy modern ones with video screens. Medieval Madness almost always has a waiting line, but the others are great too and usually run 25 cents to 50 cents a game. On weekends the place gets pretty busy. They do offer food, but it's not something I'd recommend. Get food before entering Shortys.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    Man, Shorty's has got it goin ON. Im loving the pinball in this place. I love stumbling in from bar nights with friends for a few rounds of pinball and a tasty cheap hot dog washed down by a PBR. Its my perfect place for a low key no pressure date. Which is the best kind to have IMO. Anyways, it can get really crowded in there at night and more than once have I had some beer sloshed on me. But oh well, its all part of the charm.

    (5)

  • Kenneth and Katie A.

    Live your pinball dreams!! Such a lovely whiff of nostalgia, great set up, was hopping but machines were readily available and the other customers were happy to rotate machines from time to time. Everyone is there to have a good time and IT SHOWS! We saw postings for tournament nights, if that is your thing.

    (5)

  • Amit S.

    The bouncer at this joint (a bull necked guy with lots of tattoo's) is very unprofessional and an absolute hothead. He attacked one of my friends viciously, wrestled him to the ground with the help of another guy and needlessly started kicking him despite my friend being well pinned to the ground. He kept shouting "You are going to jail" at my friend. His girlfriend fearing for his safety tried to get the bouncer to stop assaulting him but he yanked her arm and pushed her aside. The other dude who was on top of my friend made an attempt to handcuff him. My date was also hit in the melee for no fault of her own. We were lucky the police showed up quickly as otherwise things could have easily gotten a lot worse. I will never patronize this joint ever again.

    (1)

  • Greg H.

    Seriously, every city needs a Shorty's. Pinball? Cheap booze? Hot dogs? This place almost made me relocate.

    (5)

  • Matthew L.

    Pinball at a bar? Sweet stuff. Plus they have a variety of hot dog options and three beers on tap I had never tried before. I opted for Flagship Red Alt Ale based on the recommendation of the bleach blonde, bobbed hair, , vintage-clothed, short, chubby, cute, borderline-surly bartendress. It's a full-bodied red ale, more craft-like and less smooth than a Red Hook. Solid, but not bound to become a favorite. I like the use of non-functioning pinball boards as tables.

    (4)

  • Christine W.

    5 stars as far as dive bars go lol. Great spot to grab drinks for cheap and play pinball! They have a pretty good collection of classic and newer machines at reasonable prices. It's nice that some of the pinball machines take $1 and $5 bills too so you don't worry about running out of quarters. Great place to chill with friends!

    (5)

  • Andre W.

    Pretty much a dark dive bar/arcade with a crazy but cool dude behind the bar. Not too far away from the Space Needle if you want to check out a joint that's kinda lo-key. Looks like they have hot dogs here if u are here too long and need to have a bite to eat. The guy behind the bar was cool and a straight shooter. We enjoyed conversation with him, but I can see how he could rub some people the wrong way. Not the ideal place for a tourist but a good joint!

    (4)

  • Christine R.

    The decorations and theme of this retro arcade bar were everything that I was led to believe. They had a full bar and a wide selection of different beers. The only complaint that I personally had was that the gaming selection was limited to pinball machines, three or four shooting games, and a Galaga/Pac-man machine. Overall a great time.

    (4)

  • Cory H.

    Great pinball bar for sure! They have a fair amount of games to choose from in the back room. The location of Shorty's is perfect too. Belltown offers lots of bus stops to access the store and plenty of spacious sidewalks to take a lap if you need a break from pinball. The beer selection offers choices from you're everyday cheapo can to the rotating crafts on tap. I've never gotten a mixed drink so I'm not the reviewer who could tell you how well the drinks are prepared. They offer a very simple, snack based food menu. I usually get their hot dog with cream cheese and Mama Lil's peppers if I'm hungry. While the food is up to typical bar standards as far as options go, I had to give 4 stars because sometimes it's not as hot as I would like it. Not spiciness or anything, just literal temperature. A hot dog that is less than warm is pretty disappointing, but to be honest it's not going to stop me from coming. Or giving the same order another shot for that matter. Why? Because this place is SO COOL! It's refreshing to be in a dive bar that doesn't take itself that seriously. They have a reputation with their clients and the community. There's no need to offer artisanal craft cocktails or organic, locally grown treats here. Just dim lights, cold booze, and great company. Give Shorty's a try before somebody tears it down to put in more freaking condos down there! HURRY!

    (4)

  • Justin C.

    Welcome to Seatown's Coney Island. It's got hot dogs with mutagen green yet deliciously sweet relish; arcade games up front and about a dozen pinball machines in the back neon lit room. The front entrance could pass for a gathering of carneys if it wanted to. Shorty's is nestled along a strip of dive bars along 2nd ave in Belltown that start at the corner with Mama's Mexican Kitchen and ends at The Crocodile. Staff are friendly and you should check out the tables at the booths, made of retired pinball game tops.

    (3)

  • Dawn H.

    This is dive dive dive all the way be prepared to dive right in and play some pinball over there the fThis is dive dive dive all the way...in a good way! There are funky bartenders, with colored hair (er um), some dreadlocks, some faux hawks, and a lot of ink. Sure, they could stand to be a little bit friendlier (I think it's part of the allure), but they pour a wicked mean strong drink on the cheap for downtown Seattle so no complaints from me. Shorty's is definitely pinball-centric! All of the décor, down to the re-purposed machines made into booth tables in the area across from the very long bar in the main room, to the blacK light glowing room in the far back that's filled will classic and new pinball tables...beckoning you in to play. Pinball wizards welcome! The ladies room is just clean enough. I wouldn't eat lunch in there are anything, but they suffice and boy do they like their graffiti; every inch of walls covered from floor to ceiling. One thing I noticed about Seattle is there seems to be some connection, or infatuation, with pinball and people love to scribble on just about anything they can get their hands out - seems like a very welcomed part of "art" - some is actually very interesting - don't think truck stop banter here. So, be sure to keep a Sharpie on hand, so you can leave your mark behind as well. When in...ya' know! ;) Anthony Bourdain said "[Shorty's is] a legendary spot that draws all types of personalities, from professional cooks to hipster douchebags." During his visit, he left after a random guy asked him, "Is there any way you would hold, like, a knife to my throat?" Funny and classic...it is what it is! Very unique and a great place to make a few memories. Don't be leery of checking out Shorty's. I can't personally ensure your safety, but I never felt uncomfortable in any way. Maybe these, all of the variety of them, are just my kind of peeps. Hell, I probably would've asked TonyB a similar question. Talk about a great photo opp! Cheers to weird!

    (5)

  • Alden C.

    I can only comment on the arcade aspect of this establishment. I didn't get any food or drinks here. Shorty's arcade has a fine selection of pinball machines. Most of them I have seen at other arcades in the metro area but a few were new. For instance there was a great Wizard of Oz pinball game. Each arcade you play has various charges to play one game. The older machines are a quarter and the more recent and elaborate they get it pushes towards a dollar to play a game. A bill changer is in the first room. Make sure your bills are neat and not wrinkled because it is picky in that regard. They have a few video games as well also that have various costs to play. While Shorty's wasn't the best arcade place I've hit in the metro area it was still fun with it's games and quirky atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Tony F.

    What can't I say about Shorty's??? Bad things, that's what! Pinball, bad food, great jukebox, beer flowin' - ya know - heaven!!!! And something called "cheese dribble"??? YESSSS!!! Did I mention they have some of my fave pinball ever: Addams Family + Strange invaders??? Awesome!

    (5)

  • Brittany T.

    SUPER FUN!! My husband and I love to play pinball and this place has a bunch. It's kinda a divey bar but it's perfect in my book. Cheap beer, good music, and tones of black light pinball. They have a few snack foods like hot dogs and nachos and a good selection of drinks. This place is defiantly worth a visit if your in the area!

    (4)

  • VR R.

    Do yourself a favor and avoid this place. PROS: *Fun, classic arcade and pinball games CONS: *Mediocre food that does not merit its price *A rude, obnoxious, scuzzy staff *Less than clean conditions (eating area, bathrooms)

    (1)

  • Britney B.

    This is my favorite dive bar in Seattle. Pin ball, outdoor seating, and cheap drinks (relative to downtown Seattle). I love this place.

    (5)

  • Taylor S.

    Shorty's seemed nice when we walked in. There was kind of an eclectic Seattle crowd in the bar and it had some pinball machines. We put our money in the jukebox and requested Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places," a classic bar song and the bartender immediately shut it off and changed the song without offering any type of refund for the machine. I had to approach him for a refund at which point he said "don't pick shitty music." If you have a jukebox, respect your customers' taste in music. Terrible bar, never coming back.

    (1)

  • H S.

    This place embraces the divey esthetic. Garbage food with garbage beer and poor service. The decor and ambience are very interesting though. And games.

    (3)

  • Brian L.

    Hello Vienna Beef! So pleased to know there's a place in Seattle that harkens pretty hardcore to Chicago. As my friend describes it prior to my being there, "it's sort of a weird demented pinball circus theme" to which I replied "I like it already." The hotdogs are on a 7-Eleven like rotisserie, and most of the toppings or sides or whatever are mostly pre-prepared. Fake plastic cheese as far as the eye can see. Fills you up real nice and exits just as quickly. Chicago style dogs FTW. Though there were lots of arcade machines, few seemed to be in use. I did go for happy hour, so it wasn't extremely crowded. There seemed to be a collection of misanthropic punk kids convening outside with some brews and smokes. Great little gem in Belltown.

    (4)

  • Pu B.

    Went in here cause my gf and i were walking through downtown seattle and she wanted a drink. I wanted a seattle hotdog so i went in there and they have an abundance of pinball machines. I got my 'seattle dog' it came with cream cheese tomatoes and peppers and my gf got her beer we stayed to play a couple machines and they have more machines in the back!! The waitress was helpful and nice too!!

    (5)

  • Amanda T.

    Shorty's may be the best bar in Seattle because I know when I walk in I will NEVER hear "classic bar tunes" from the likes of Garth Brooks or Journey. Thanks Shorty's! Great job! #iloveJosh

    (5)

  • Jeremy H.

    Maybe I caught them on a bad night but the staff was kind of rude and didn't really seem interested in serving me. The bartender was perfunctory, which is enough, but the bouncer wouldn't even summon the bartender if he happened to be inside. He actually pretended he didn't work there once("I'm just here to look pretty." Sure you are). If you're into pinball there are a lot of tables but the games in other genres weren't impressive to me. There's some golf game(didn't splurge to get Golden Tee) and some extremely cheap Time Crisis ripoff that doesn't feel at all like a fair test of skill. If you like pinball and don't mind that there are no bargains on tap you might like Shorty's but I think there are better barcades in town.

    (2)

  • Joseph E.

    1. This is going to be long. 2. If you aren't a local, don't go. 3. This is my first ever bad review. I didn't even want to write it, but I can't keep this in anymore. As a barber in Southern California, I understand what it's like to deal with picky or unwanted customers. With that being said, being someone who works in the service industry, I will never ever treat any customer as bad as my brother and I were treated on Sunday June 21st, 2015. This is for the piece of shit Dectective Stabler from Law and Order SVU looking asshole and the stupid skinny stoner metal head bouncer who's too high to put words together. I've seen that people think that some of the one star comments are cool or they are liked. It's probably you, you stupid look alike. You probably get off on bad reviews. My brother kindly asked this Stabler lookalike bartender what was on one of the hot dogs. He then yelled, yes yelled at my brother, that, "it's the same fucking food at 7-11. If you want food, GO TO 7-11." And this is where I got mad, which I hate to be, especially at a dive bar. This is supposed to be a place to get away from craft cocktails and beer snobs. You can yell all you want, but don't yell at my family, and dont be a bully either. I then yelled back at him to, "cancel the fucking order." He proceeded to yell and then I shouted the same command even louder. This is when he shut his fat mouth, because he didn't expect a crazy Mexican dude to yell back at him. At this point he comes up to me and says, "I'm sorry, I lost my mind." "Oh, you lost your mind?" I chugged my beer and slammed it on the bar top and shouted, "I'm sorry, I lost my fucking mind!" I continued to scold him, yes like a child, and after I was done, I grabbed a dollar out of my pocket, threw it at him, and then said, "here's your fucking tip bitch." Ya, I hope you remember me you dick. After this happened, he went outside. I told my brother and my other friends, which some happened to be locals, to finish their drinks. The stupid bouncer comes up to me stoned and says, "I'm sorry, it's not a big deal." Now I'm really mad. I said, "its not a big deal? It is a big fucking deal and it's shame you think it isnt. I came here by recommendation from someone who used to be a regular here to spend money and have a good time on my last night in Seattle and you and your shitty bartender ruined that. That's fucked up, you're fucked up." He just stood there dumbfounded. He then said, "I don't know what to say." And then with a stutter said, "I'm sorry." Then I told him the last words that I will ever speak in that bar, "That's all I wanted you to say, now get out of my fucking face." I have been in some pretty bad situations, but I have never had service so awful. I hated the fact that I had to act that way, but someone really needed to yell back at those guys. I can't stand it when people try to abuse their authority or think they can treat people like shit because they work at a certain establishment. That shit doesn't fly with me and it shouldn't fly with the owner of Shorty's, dive bar or not.

    (1)

  • Ryan N.

    For downtown day drinkin' and a pinball fix, I highly recommend. Seems like an excellent spot for strange nights and questionable decision-making... would love to go back.

    (4)

  • Trisha F.

    I love this bar. I loved coming here while working promotions, but I love it even more as a customer. The staff is all really nice, especially Sammy the door guy with long hair. The patio is really nice, especially when the weather is out but it can be busy and interesting even in the rain. There is a ton of seating inside, from the back bar area with high-back swiveling chairs to the front booths. There are a few varieties of games in the front, and the back has so much pinball. The games are fun and there are many different styles from different times-- surf champ old school pinball to the most recent movie themed games. When we had a problem with our machine the bartender helped us out quickly and was really nice. I still haven't ordered any food here, but hopefully that will change soon.

    (5)

  • Krissy D.

    Cool dive bar with tons of pinball machines to play with! Drinks are cheap and the games are $1 but if you buy 3 games its $2! The machines take dollar bills and quarters. They also have a change machine. This place is kind of small and narrow. So be prepared in bumping into people in the pinball area.

    (4)

  • Lyna N.

    I agree with a lot of the reviews on here. There are people who mean mug you when you come in, like the girl in the glasses sitting to the right of me with her guy or whoever in between us. Or people who think they own the place. Also, me and my friends where the only Asians there, maybe that was why. Idk, atmosphere wasn't nice and I felt awkward. We came only for a drink and ordered some DELICIOUS nachos. That is where all the stars are going to, the nachos. The place was super busy on a Saturday night, I only hung out in the front room. It's not a place where I would chill or kick back and relax. We were just exploring the area and just wanted some drinks and this place had good reviews so we wanted to check it out. Would not come here again, unless I am walking in the area and are seriously craving some nachos, but then again I realized Dog Japon is open late too and is nearby so probably not! Also, $10 min. if you wanna use your card FYI.

    (2)

  • Willy M.

    Pretty cool place, this is one of my stops when I do my HH rounds after work. How do you not like beers & pinball? Totally casual, but with a little grungy/edgy-ish, with some piercings and tattoos etc. So when I walk in there with my work outfit on, I get a pass.....because in the world of pinball, we are all accepted. To me, it kinda looks like a spot where bike messengers would hang out. So I just get me a beer, hit up the quarter machine, then get my pinball on! Anyways, its a great place to grab a drink, play some pinball and get a hot dog after a few. Bartenders are nice and cool! Pretty good priced drinks too! A recommended spot to hit up for HH or a UYE as I went to recently. Oh and Rabbit Hole is pretty much next door. (See my other review)

    (4)

  • Carolina S.

    Many Halloweens ago I met my husband here! This is where the magic happens! How can one not fall in love when the place is dripping with kitschy, creepy clowns, has a collection ofpPinball, cheap pbr, strong frozen drinks, good tunes, chicago style veggie dogs and all your friends!!! One of my favorite places in Seattle. It was a constant hang out when we lived there. And whenever summer hits, the front patio is the place to be in Belltown! Shorty's is a definite Seattle must drink bar! WARNING: There is a definite weekend warriors problem. I used to avoid Friday and Saturday evenings. Way too many people to enjoy your experience. Bottoms up!

    (5)

  • Alex D.

    Shorty's seems the last stronghold for Joe Six-Pack to finally go out for a drink. Cheap tall boy cans, and hot dogs that "seemed right at the time", make this one of my favorite spots. The posh crowd might find it "dingy", but dive bar crowds love it. The only thing that's kind of lame are the speakers in the jukebox. Not worth it because your tune will be lost in the din and cacophony of clinking glasses and hoots and hollers of folks having a damn good time. Great spot.

    (4)

  • jeff v.

    Would give the place a zero but couldn't. Bartender was a complete d*ck and was way to cool to server a drink that wasn't a PBR.

    (1)

  • Robin J.

    Place looked fun but weren't cool enough to hang out apparently. When I asked if there was a drink menu - the bartender told me that there was a drink menu at the bar down the street. Go f yourself cool dude. Also, maybe make better food choices. Thumbs down.

    (1)

  • Stefany V.

    Hyped by a local friend as a spot where Anthony Bourdain used to come and get drunk on beer and play pinball, we had to stop by. It was earlier in the day, so when they didn't carry any of a handful of our preferred brews, we didn't stick around too long. The space itself is pretty cool, with the front area set up like a typical bar with the party in back- a black-light-lit space full of retro pin ball games you haven't played since elementary school. Definitely more of a late night place, and I liked the divey-is-cool-again atmosphere. Staff was also very friendly, would come again.

    (3)

  • Rosie W.

    Creepy clown decor? Check. Tables made of pinball machines? But of course! Outside tables? Indeeeeeeed. Dawgs? You know it, son! This adult circus is kind of Seattle scenester, but not many places can tick all those boxes, so I'd recommend a visit. Wear your leathah and maybe get a temporary tat for your face if you want to roll deep. But I showed up in my customary girlie gear with a side of crows feet and had a fine time, so it's not a firm requirement.

    (4)

  • Vanessa H.

    What a fun bar. It's like a fancy circus dive bar that is sure to lead to a hangover. Drinks are cheap and there's a lot to look at and keep you occupied (and drinking more). The pinball room is amazing and easy to blow through money when you're tipsy. I liked the surly bartenders and J.T in the back bar took care of us and was friendly and entertaining. This place is definitely worth a visit.

    (5)

  • Hedy D.

    Fun, silly dive bar you can have a great time in. With a walking dead pinball machine and Pabst on tap, what's not to love? I also enjoyed the hilarious bathroom wall graffiti banter in the ladies room. Lots of back and forth between women all agreeing that you are a terrible person if you leave tinkle on the toilet seat. Come here with friends or to chill out after work.

    (4)

  • Norelle D.

    When you wait upwards of 15 minutes at the NOT busy back bar, cash out and in the bartender's face, and he doesn't take your order, things are pretty bad. That's how my Friday night took us away from Shorty's as fast as we could get! Last Friday night, my 4 friends and I went to Shorty's and headed to the back bar, since the front one was really busy with only 2 bartenders. All four of us actually got SEATS at the back bar within 5-7 minutes, so that's an indication of how un-crazy things were. 17 minutes later, my friend is still standing there holding cash out, trying to catch the bartender's eye to order. I am seriously not exaggerating, and it was longer than that because I started timing him after we had all gotten seats. The bartender served a couple of customers right when they walked up - after we had all sat down - but didn't even make eye contact or let us know he was getting to us. Then his girlfriend shows up and he went over to cuddle with her - still no drinks for my friends and I. So we walked out. Worst service ever. Normally this is a pretty good dive bar for a Friday night in Belltown, but that bartender should be fired.

    (1)

  • Justin M.

    It's a dive bar. Disregard any review about its cleanliness or weird vibe or food review. The place is usually really busy on any given night so don't expect the Cheers vibe when you want to order a drink. The guy who was checking the IDs at the door was a little douchey but whatever. All you have to know is the place has decently priced drinks, rad variety of hot dogs at like 5 bucks, and has at least 15 pinball machines. Some really good favorites like Theater of Magic and Addams Family. If those last two sentences don't get you excited this isn't the place for you, but if they did, grab some quarters and check it out.

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    Shortys is absolutely classic. The Bar tenders are jerks but it's a joke, they all seem to be enjoying themselves a lot. The decor is amazing, Shortys is a seattle landmark. Perfect for out of town visitors. PERFECT to drop in on a date night, or while waiting for a table at serious pie.

    (5)

  • Julie R.

    Video games and booze, pretty much what you would expect. Always a crowd and you never know who you will meet here. Hot dogs late night if you are feeling a bit drunk!

    (4)

  • Ati B.

    I just love this place. No bullshit. No frills. Their idea of a shot of whiskey is more like a glass of whiskey. You can have an honest to goodness Vienna sausage Chicago Dog. It gets super crowded on the weekends and it's hard to find a place to sit. It's not a standing room only bar because it's so narrow. The bathrooms are gross like all bathrooms in dive bars but you get what you came for.

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    This place sucks, the staff are a bunch of dicks, the bouncer cockblocked me. As a single dude I would not recommend this place. Also the bathrooms are super dirty and the theme is real weird

    (1)

  • Izzy L.

    It's got the dive bar feel and the dive bar crowd. Drinks are priced a little higher than I anticipated. The bartender is like that of any other dive bar. The pinball and arcade games add a nice touch, but some machines weren't working when I visited. The back room has a nice atmosphere about it. But something feels missing. Maybe this just wasn't my scene, but was surely an attraction to see while visiting the area.

    (3)

  • Candi K.

    This is your average divey bar. Cheap drinks and pinball. Convenient because I live near by. I like coming here when I want to do something mellow and not clubbing. Service is always good abs the bartenders are chill. I like the bar in the back with those tall chairs. Those are fun

    (3)

  • ash j.

    This a true dive bar! Bartenders were nice! There draft options were good! The pinball games were fun! There also have buck hunter! I will definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Courtney N.

    This place was interesting. An old friend brought my partner and me to it and said outright it was a dive. Not that that's a bad thing. I had a great vodka tonic and their prices were more than reasonable. For a dive, it seemed pretty classy. The back room is filled with pinball machines. We had a great time hanging out and playing. It's not high end but I enjoyed it way more than my visit to Rob Roy up the street. I'd go and hang out there again for sure.

    (3)

  • David M.

    It's a shame. I really wanted to like this place. If it wasn't for the ponytailed asshole of a bouncer/bartender I might've. Probably the biggest asshole I've ever met thru the service industry, and this is coming from someone in the service industry who wishes they could punch about 90% of the clientele in the face. I hope you get pink eye.

    (1)

  • Attila L.

    I went there because of good reviews, but they ripped me off. If you can avoid this place, do that! The others are substantially better nearby.

    (1)

  • Jessica K.

    Shorty's is one of the premier dive bars in the area. If you like cheap beer and drinks overall, decent hot dogs, and pinball, then this is the place for you! Also, the bartenders are always friendly and provide great service. The only downside? I don't truly enjoy clowns and there is some pretty funky decor that reminds you you're in a creepy circus. If that strikes your fancy, then get. here. now.

    (4)

  • Angel W.

    There are too many great things to say about Shortys! The bar tenders are cute and friendly, there are a multitude of rooms to play and drink in, the pinball machines are super cheap... and they have vegetarian hotdogs! A word of warning, do not participate in a big buck hunter tournament with the bartenders immediately after finishing a beer centurion.

    (4)

  • Tim U.

    Any pinball head knows that this is the place to be for pinball on Seattle. On top of that, Shorty's has a good selection of hot dogs to choose from. Would recommend staying away from the boozy smoothies though. Guaranteed headache the next day.

    (5)

  • J L.

    Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed. In all reality, this is your last stop after a night of drinking. Everything is sticky and getting dirty looks from the door-man is a regular occurrence but they have pinball! Bartenders are always very nice and don't mind making cocktails in a place where customers primarily order boiler makers or pabst. Bathroom always has murdery clown music playing so I always get the feeling the doors about to get kicked down and a clown is about to punch me in the face. Who cares about all that stuff though, you're coming for the pinball room! They've got a wide array and a change machine nearby.

    (4)

  • Susy C.

    Awesome dive bar. Kind of reeks like B.O. but pinball machines everywhere and CHEAP drinks. They also have hot dogs, fries, nachos etc for you to nosh on should you get the munchies. The hot dog was pretty tasty, despite that neon green looking relish. It was kind of suspect but I went along with it. Nothing a bit of good ole Jameson can't fix.. P.S. If you're scared of clowns (like yours truly) then don't look up.

    (5)

  • Derek S.

    If you want to get drunk for a good price, Shorty's is where you need to go! The drinks are strong and cheap and the beer is cheap too. The food is very plain but I didnt come here to eat. The arcade games are pretty cool, Im gonna play some after I finish my pitcher of PBR

    (5)

  • Megan H.

    This is what a dive bar should be. Drinks are cheap. People are friendly. Love the circus clown theme going on. Love the games everywhere. If your looking to have a drink and hangout this is a good spot.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    Solid no frills bar. A few decent beers on tap and all your standards for this part of the country in bottles and cans. Pretty good hot dogs too.

    (4)

  • JM V.

    There is really nothing new that I can say about this place that hasn't already been said. What does this place have? Cheap beer, insanely awesome hot dogs, and pinball. What did I like about this place? Cheap beer, insanely awesome hot dogs, and pinball. I love pinball and am always in the search for bars with some good games to play. While visiting Seattle last year, somebody told me about Shorty's collection, I definitely had to stop in and give it a go. The place was a little crowded (which I had already expected), but that didn't stop me from having a good time. Grabbed a beer and a chili cheese dog first and it was great. The thing was drowning in a sea of chili and cheese sauce, I wasn't even sure if there was a bun. It was impossible to pick up and eat without making a huge mess, so I had to use a fork. It was delicious and unhealthy and I loved it. The collection of pinball machines was grand. I played just about every machine and didn't notice any major issues. It seems like they do a good job at maintaining the machines they have. The service was just as expected for a pretty busy place. It was a little difficult to get the bartender's attention each time or even approach the bar, so you gotta be prepared to be a little (WORD I CAN'T THINK OF. not shy, straight forward. approach the bar with confidence, aggressive, but not TOO aggressive. not afraid to ask somebody to move over a little so you can get thru, etc etc). I went to this bar a few days in a row during my stay and each time was a little different. More or less busy, different crowd, different vibe, etc. Had a chance to talk with the bartender a little on a less busy night, he was very friendly and helpful. Also talked with a couple local regulars who were also very friendly and informative about some other good places in the area. So overall this is a great place. Even if you're not that into pinball, it's a place to go check out just for the sake of trying something new.

    (5)

  • McKenna M.

    My boyfriend and I spent a Saturday night here and had a BLAST! Not only were the drinks affordable and strong, but the vibe was very laid back and no one bothered us. It's obvious that this place was full of regulars but they had no problem with us having a few drinks and playing some games right along side of them. My boyfriend and I will definitely be back and I highly recommend this place for a date night or going out with a group of friends!

    (4)

  • Amy V.

    Was recommended by our hotel but we were left baffled and annoyed by anal guardboy who didn't like my European ID and refused us entry. My photo ID said I was quite rightly 42 but still no access. Wtf?! They really need to ease up and chill out. Fed back the rebuttal to hotel staff and they won't be recommending again. Do they not want non-residents? I don't get it.

    (1)

  • Gilberto M.

    There was a girl bartender last night, she was a total bitch. Rude the entire night and actually asked for a fucking tip. If you're reading this: Be nicer dude, I'll give you like 5 bucks tip per shot.

    (1)

  • Bryan M.

    This place is great, try and make your way to the back bar and snag one of the big chairs at the bar. Great place for a cheap drink or some PBR on tap. People watching is high here as you will see all walks of life rolling through this place. Been to Seattle a lot and always seem to stop at this place for a drink.

    (4)

  • Jerry K.

    My kind of place it's where the locals hang out and they have pinball machines!!! Beer is nice and cold and everyone is super friendly.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    Dirty, dark and dingy. "Service" was the worst I have ever seen. The guy at the counter rolled his eyes, checked my id and threw it on the counter in front of me and looked away. Extremely rude. Not sure if everyone there is like that. Half the machines don't work and will steal your money. Won't be coming back.

    (1)

  • Dan Y.

    I write this review as a very disappointed fellow bar professional. If I could have given zero stars, I would have. Quite possibly the worst service I have ever received. Ever. Long story short, I waited 45 minutes to even be acknowledged by the bartender, then was cursed at by the same "gentleman". So, me and my 12 friends all immediately left. As someone who also recommends great bars around town to visitors, this will not be making the list. I hope for the sake of other good bars, and good bartenders, that this place does not bring the area down in reputation. I would be worried.

    (1)

  • David W.

    Five damn stars for the clientele that atmosphere and the great bartender zak doing a great job!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Will E.

    Gotta love the pinball machines in the back. Favorite spot when I visit the area. Good love the local beer on tap as well.

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    Kinda weird. If you are into old arcade games you will like it. Otherwise, you probably won't

    (3)

  • W E.

    It's a great hang out place. But bartenders could be friendlier.

    (2)

  • Chris D.

    I think maybe I'm too old and crotchety for Shorty's. From bouncers that push you to see if you're too drunk to enter, to bartenders that are so drunk they would fall over during the bouncers test... it's just not a place I would purposefully subject myself to. No me gusta.

    (2)

  • Thai D.

    Pinball awesomeness Beers and frito pie, bitches! The back room kicks ass. #yelphaiku They really have an awesome selection of pinball tables here. Classics like Centaur, Medeival Madness, Addams Family, Champion Pub, and cool new-fangled tables like Avengers, AC/DC, Metallica, X-Men, and Return To Mars with a video screen. They also have arcade games in the front room, too!

    (5)

  • Mim Z.

    The best hotdogs you can get. The pinball is amazing. If you don't like super-crowded places, then the weekend is not a good time to go... and don't expect friendly service.

    (4)

  • Betty C.

    Such a fun little bar in Belltown! We had finished eating dinner at Shiro's down the street and were looking for a fun place to go within walking distance. Shorty's did not dissapoint. The bouncers were really nice and the pinball machines were so much fun! We must have spent close to $20 on that Wizard of Oz machine. Nice fun dive bar, had a good time, obviously not a dress to impress type of place but the hominess of the bar made it charming.

    (4)

  • Brad Y.

    I finally made my first visit to Shorty's. I stopped in after catching a movie at the Cinerama theater last weekend. I can't believe it took me this long to check it out. With its neon clown art and the large blue swivel chairs at the back bar I could not help but think that this could perhaps be the legitimate face of the Joker's evil empire. My friends and I spent a couple of hours playing pinball and drinking. A good time was had by all. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Bill A.

    Pinball Lovers, this is the place for you! Crowd is sketchy at times, but the staff is generally friendly and did I mention Pinball? Some absolute classics here and they are in great shape.

    (4)

  • Adriana L.

    food was medicore ( a hot dog with nacho cheese on it) pinball was nice except some tables were $1 weird whole other bar in the back the clown stuff was cool and creepy bartenders were nice to some people and extremely rude to others, like wont serve them rude overall i felt like this is a place where your mom and her weird friends would come on their vacation to seattle. it felt very touristy and i swear there were only moms and seahawks fans.

    (2)

  • Kendra M.

    clowns, hotdogs, booze. CLOWNS. HOTDOGS. BOOZE. If you are not already on your way, you are dead to me.

    (4)

  • Bill G.

    Great place to start out your night and get your drink on. Pretty laid back and will get crowded since the space at the main front bar is tight. As others have noted, watch out for regulars who think they own the fucking place. Seriously, some of the regulars here need to rethink their life. Other than that, decent selection of beers and the hot dogs looked good too.

    (4)

  • Sarahfina A.

    Let's be honest, I don't have anything new to say. But I, for 1, just got to put my 2 cents in and give 3 cheers to Shorty's It is my favorite bar in the history of ever! Because I really, really love pinball, and long island ice teas that mean business and chicago dogs that are way too messy for me to eat while I play, even though I do anyways. I moved a block away this year, my life is complete......ly sad if being close to booze and games is all that matters. Weird about the reviewers who said if you weren't dressed a certain way people are snobby, I'm do not look like most of the people there and I've never felt like anyone was looking at me sideways. There is one caveat and that is service is slow... it's true, even if there isn't a ton of people around. I should take away a star for that... but I'm not going to because Shorty's is just the shit like that.

    (5)

  • Arielle N.

    I had heard from so many colleagues that Shorty's was one of the hot places in Belltown and while it didn't completely disappoint, it didn't overwhelmingly impress either. Service was decent, but the $10 minimum for credit card charges was frustrating. Atmosphere was grungier than my friends and I expected. But the thing that really stood out that brought my rating to a 3 instead of a 4 is that the men's bathroom has a stall like door from the main bar, so if you're in the wrong spot near the bathrooms, you get a great view of men emptying their systems. It was uncomfortable and smelled like pee in that area of the bar. Not so great.

    (3)

  • Caitilin A.

    If I could give a zeros stars I would! JT is the best bartender ever. He's funny and we got our drinks on time! Seriously, the best ever!!! We will be back!!

    (1)

  • Bradley W.

    This place is great. You can't go wrong with beer and pinball. Plus, there's a back bar with an intimate feel for people like me who like a corner where they can hide out.

    (5)

  • Bevin M.

    We were super excited to check this place out but ended a bit disappointed. Maybe it was that it was a weekday night or maybe it was because the Seahawks had just won and everyone was passed out. Either way, it's just okay. The pinball is a bit expensive- most games .75-$1 a play. I loved the booths, the tables were converted pinball machines. Extra star for offering veggie hotdogs. I got mine loaded with kraut, onions, and "cheese". Next time, I'm checking out the skee ball place next door.

    (3)

  • Sally L.

    Fun dive bar, cheap drinks, surprisingly clean restrooms, a good place to get wasted!

    (4)

  • Colin S.

    Fun place to hang out. Not very friendly staff members, but we didn't interact with them all that much. The games are fun and we found that a lot of the people around us were easy to chat with and would randomly cheer you on in an intense game of pinball. For a Saturday night, it was fairly easy to get in and we weren't waiting for games or anything. We didn't spend a ton of time there, since we were doing a bar crawl, but I'd definitely return to Shorty's.

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    Absolutely love this place. Great veggie dog, great drinks, and awesome pinball machines. My favorite is the Dark Knight one. They make a wicked Long Island. Great atmosphere, great everything.

    (5)

  • Marc M.

    My first visit here went very well although I didn't get to experience as much of the ambiance as I was hoping. As you walk in, you immediately make your way through a gauntlet of patrons with a bar on your left and a row of booths on your right. If you've survived this initial test, you are rewarded with the beautiful sight and sound of many pinball machines putting would be champions to the test. A few will succeed...most will falter....but all will have a great time in this arena of arcade awesomeness. Our group managed to make our way all the way to the very back of the bar where the one and only Trophy Room rewards those fortunate enough to enter with solitude and seclusion from the chaotic and frenzied pinball antics being played out just a few feet away. This room has a very cool vibe with retro styled seating at both the bar and surrounding tables that give off a cool vibe reminiscent of a shagadelic scene from Austin Powers or maybe the type of stylings one would find if they traveled with none other than George Jetson to the previously unseen underworld of Orbit City after a hard days work at Spacely's Sprockets. During our time here, I was witness to the consumption of many delicious looking cocktails, cool refreshing bottles of beer, and even a few hot dogs and nachos for good measure. I can easily say that we all had a great time here enjoying the refreshments and each other's company and I for one will surely be making a return trip to see if I can answer the seductive call of bells, chimes, and flashing lights to emerge either victorious with a new high score to celebrate or to drown the painful sorrow of defeat in ice cold Corona and cheesy chili dogs.

    (3)

  • Tom B.

    Well, alrighty now--it's a bar with a lot of pinball and arcade machines. Does this sound fun? Because that's what it is. If yes, come on in. If no, no subtleties can be revealed about the place that will convince you that you might enjoy it. It's games and it's beers. It's old-school games, at that. I might-should say I've only ever been carried in here by enthusiasms originating from elsewhere in the group--but it's not that I don't enjoy it. I dig the joint, being as I like video games and I like beer. And it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less of a teenage vibe than Gameworks. Obviously. But for me personally, a beer and a video game tends to be a bit more of a home occasion, whether socially or solo. Still, if hitting the arcade and getting a pitcher of beer sounds like fun, Shorty's is your spot.

    (4)

  • Kaitlin F.

    Warning: Alcohol does not make you better at pinball, but it does provide a good excuse for sucking at it. I've been here twice, with about two and a half years between visits, and i had a good time both trips. Had a couple of good, strong, reasonably priced cosmos, and blew a little cash on pinball games. Lots of different kinds of seating to accommodate whateva your needs are. The back room can make you feel very gangsta; those chairs are pretty spiffy. This made a great stop for our UYBC.

    (4)

  • Vincent Y.

    Sure the other bars nearby have things like a Street Fighter 2 machine or a Skeeball machine but out of all the bars in the Belltown area I go to. I go to this bar the most simply because of their impressive pinball collection in the back room (about 10-20 classics and modern machines) The carnival theme is very consistent throughout the entire place and I just love how they repurposed their broken pinball tables as dining tables. Beer is really cheap too as it's a dive bar. I came from Vancouver Canada, and I know Vancouver will not get something anything close to Shorty for a very long time.

    (5)

  • Sandeep P.

    Stopped by here recently for a drink and some pinball before a reservation at Tavolata. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the pinball. Was easy to find a table on a Thursday night, and ambiance wasn't too loud to have a decent discussion in (but it was hardly silent). Definitely will be back here when prowling Belltown one of these days. Great place for drinks before another event.

    (4)

  • Kristin W.

    I mean it's your typical dive bar...with pinball machines. When I got here after work I was really hungry, but hot dogs and nachos did not sound appealing. So I starved and drank instead. LOL. They play horried music in the gross bathrooms, as if a clown is going to pop out and attack you at any second. But if you wanna play pinball or just hang out and grab a cheap drink and cheap eats, this is a fine place.

    (3)

  • Celeste T.

    Shorty's is always crowded. It's one of the best dives in Belltown...but it's still a dive, in Belltown. The back room/bar is a fun place to hang out, if you can make it past the pinball machines. I can't say I ever feel like I dress ironically enough every time I go here. Their alcoholic slushies are dangerous! Definitely do try ONE. I don't recommend any of the food, on the other hand.

    (2)

  • Jodi C.

    The trips to this baller's paradise are few and far between. But whenever I do get up to our northern-bound sister city, I do everything to make a pit stop here. And by pit stop, I mean, we basically stay until they close, until there is not a quarter left in sight, or until my thumbs are cramped and withered from all of the gaming. Neat little front room with some booths and always a fun-loving snarky bartender to be found. Dim lighting with a lot of colorful neon lighting. Loud music, but good music. For food stuffs, they specialize in hot dogs and veggie dogs, with all the traditional fixin's: relish, onion, mustard, catsup. I believe they have a list of specialty dogs as well, but being a veggie, I didn't peruse too far into that menu. Drinks and food are pretty cheap to boot and it's just a couple blocks from the main bus lines. The back room is where the magic happens. What seems like a never-ending row of pinball machines, even some of the old school classics, line the walls of the silver-balled heaven. It can get crowded back here later into the night, so you may have to play a bit of musical machines, switching back and forth from one machine to another. I'm not ashamed to say I get one of my better workouts here... POP. free game. PING. CLICK. ZROOM. EXTRA BALL!!!

    (4)

  • Kyle K.

    I'm a big pinball nerd so before even going here I was biased. I've been going to Shorty's off and on for a couple years and like the regularity of the place; there always seems to be one overworked bartender juggling everything and the clientele are Belltown heroes. The drinks are of average price for the area and generally pretty stiff. Most pinball plays are 75 cents so don't blow all your dollar bills at the strip club. Overall, good vibes, fun pinball and decent people.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    If you've ever dreamed of breathing in 20-something angst whilst being an extra in the latest Pearl Jam video (if it were still 1992), this is the mothership. Wonder where stereotypes originate? This is the primordial soup. I felt like a grandma here, but had a damn good time playing endless games of Indiana Jones pinball and getting smoked on baby Pacman. Unless you love beer and shots, you're pretty s.o.l. in the beverage dept, but it's one of the most unique bars I've been to and I'd totally come back!

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    Shorty's has everything you need for a good bar experience. They have a narrow room full of pinball machines ranging in theme and age. Big Buck Hunter HD machine isn't huge, and actually works! Music box is newer and has an impressive selection. Old cartoon circus music plays in the restroom. Retired pinball machines repurposed as table tops. And best of all: bartender could mix a proper Cosmo! Who knew? Drinks were pretty inexpensive, too. I look forward to my next visit!

    (5)

  • Rich F.

    One of the best dive bars ever. Hot dogs, pin ball, scary clowns. Super creepy bathroom music. Good beer.

    (5)

  • Meg K.

    So rude! It seems to be a trend in Seattle, but so far this is the most rude staff I've run into! We should have walked right by this place! If you are a tourist- don't bother because they don't appreciate your business. I hope the owner realizes how rude the staff is. Anyone who reads my reviews will realize I give a lot of 5 stars because I have recieved excellent service. This place was not even worthy of 1 star. It is sad considering whoever owns this bar is possibly blind to how rude their waitstaff is.

    (1)

  • Kate S.

    Get to the back where the bar stools are like wingback chairs! The bartender JT in the back took care of us after we got brushed off at the front bar. Much better service in the back *and* it's a cooler temperature when it gets muggy. The Chicago Dog was so good and messy I had to stand up at the bar to eat it! Yum!

    (4)

  • Jaclyn Nicole B.

    Some of the best bar staff in the city! Some of the best bouncers in the city! A couple of the most frustrating pinball games in the city that will consume your soul and money! Dangerously cheesy nachos, heavy pours, boozie smoothies, and veggie dogs galore! You got a dog? Bring your dog! The staff might give your dog a dog, too! Too bad you can't smoke outside anymore, but the patio is a perfect place to meet plenty of the Belltown folk and watch the night lie in Belltown pass you by! For every negative review on here I could write a response to in defense of Shortys!

    (5)

  • Delilah R.

    Tear! That is exactly what happened to me as soon as I walked into this joint. I got teary. VG's all over the place!! Had a I been a boy, a cold shower would have been in order. Wall to wall pin ball machines amongst a few other old school arcade games put a smile on my face that lasted pretty much all night. Top it off with some stiff drinks and a cheap hot dog is absolute satisfaction. Ok, well maybe I'm easy but I'm so happy I was introduced to this place on Ian M.'s bday night! One of the best finds I've found so far in Seattle. Now I've got a place to go to work on my pinball skills. YAY!

    (4)

  • Grant T.

    I used to live in Portland, but I fled for Seattle to escape the Hipster-pocalypse. For the last two years, I've been living in mostly hipster-free neighborhoods, but after a movie today, I wanted pinball and beer, and Shortys came up on the search. I was excited. Until I walked in and got disdainful looks from the hipster crowd. Yeah, I'm 40. Yeah, I'm sporting Nikes and Levis. No, I'm not a hipster; that's why I left Portland. Guess Belltown and Capitol Hill are infested, too. At least Capitol Hill has gay people to dilute the hipster vibe. Pin ball was fun. Beer was fresh. Prices were ok. Service slow and hot dogs twirling looked sketchy, but hey, it's a dive bar. Crowd a problem. Not friendly to squares like me. Wah-wah. I'll find a more authentically nerdy place to play pinball.

    (2)

  • Carleen P.

    After reading some reviews below saying the bartenders were rude, I knew that I had to leave my review saying how great they are. About a month ago, some friends from out of town wanted to get their pinball fix at Shorty's. I had only been a few times before and never to play pinball. Well now I'm an addict. I've only been going here a month and the bartenders already got my name down. I've enjoyed sitting around talking to them about pinball related stuff and telling stories. They're really nice, and they make a good drink. I've had lots of great random conversations with other people in there as well. It's really a neat place to go and is now one of my favorite places to un-wind. Plus, chilli dogs!!!!!

    (5)

  • Frank Z.

    Walk into this place and your eyeballs will be assaulted with color and your nostrils will be filled with hot dog smoke. The place is visually overwhelming, which I think is a complement. Its kinda like a Cracker Barrel that is not full of crackers but still has objects of interest hung from every inch of the ceiling and on the walls. Most everything is pinball related, which makes it super awesome. In the back room, they have pinball machines, really good ones. Pinball, pinball, pinball. I went there three times, blew a ton of money on pinball and drank way too much indie beer, which is exactly what I expect from every business I walk into. If you do not provide these services, then you clearly need to re-think your entire business model.

    (5)

  • G S.

    I absolutely love this place, tacky velvet paintings of Elvis singing into hot dog microphones, Indiana Jones pinball, and cheap strong drinks. And you can bring your dog in!

    (4)

  • Earnie C.

    I agree with Bill G. I went there with some friends and was mean-mugged from the time we walked in the door. Fortunately, I'm the kind of guy who couldn't care less about that, but why?? Why are there people there acting like it is their turf? Otherwise, the machines are in fantastic shape. I could set up camp there and play all night. There used to be pinball in every bar you went into, and now you have to seek it out. Shorty's is awesome for that. For info... Jules Maes in Georgetown has a good selection of machines in the back, and I heard they are on loan from Shorty's. They are awesomely playable, as well. Not a plug, just a tribute.

    (3)

  • Jasmine J.

    Use to be a Seattle fav...never again! This is the account of my experience last night: 1.) Yes, my friend was too drunk to come in. Yes I did still tried to get him in for a hot dog and some water with the rest of our party. 2.) After being told no, we respectfully accepted decision. 3.) While in the process of turning to leave the "doorman" yells to his audience of patrons, "WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THIS DRUNK FU** HOME TO SOBER UP!" At this point I turned around and told him how ridiculous that was and that my experience in the bar business has taught me there's no reason to insult and humiliate someone so intoxicated that is complying with your request to leave. Completely uncalled for. 4.) I get told I'm a dumb drunk bi*ch. This infuriates me because I was in no way, shape, or form drunk. I tell him he's a fat piece of sh** and continue to leave while he continues to yell names at me for not respecting him. 5.) The only time his fat lazy a** left his bar stool from the door was to follow me out to the sidewalk and scream at me. I continued to insult him back, and he proceeded to LUNGE AT ME. LUNGE AT ME. THREE TIMES. Are you kidding?? I'm 5'1" and 100lbs...I laugh and ask him "what? are you going to HIT me??" At which point he screams, "I'd fu**ing like to!" After which the uniformed security guard steps in and my party and I leave with him continuing to scream at me calling me names and insulting me. So...no thanks Shory's. You can keep your chick beating sloppy door keeper and I'll enjoy my slice of pizza from Rocco's. Which is sure to have way less e coli and piss poor customer service

    (1)

  • Steve T.

    I was making my way to E.M.P., stopped for lunch and was reading the Seattle Weekly and saw their ad: Beer. Hot Dogs. Pinball. The trifecta of all things good and wholesome in this world. Not much more to say that hasn't been said already other than the fact that you should go.

    (5)

  • Song K.

    I like the place because of the theme and great ideas of food and drinks. . also, the atmosphere of cheap dive is part of the theme itself! The back area where the pinball is could use better sir circulation due to the type of clientele that goes there (like me!) and would be appreciated. very dirty hole in the wall . . great place if that's what you're expecting!

    (4)

  • Stuart M.

    Can't sleep, clown will eat me... But aside from that, Shorty's is one of the more unique bars I've been to in the city, with tables made from old pinball machines, a hotdog cooker working away in the corner, and a couple slushie machines just in case you need a sugar fix (and I can only image they'd be willing to stiffen one up for you). They've got a great liquor and beer selection, excellent prices, and are located around some really fantastic happy hours. Definitely a place to check out.

    (4)

  • Molly M.

    With cheap drinks and great games, Shorty's offers an easy night of fun. Change machine makes getting extra quarters simple.

    (4)

  • Dennis D.

    Dive bar meets circus and goes retro arcade. This place is CRAZY AWESOME! Just beware, if you don't like crowds this place may not be for you. A common place for the college crew, it's packed on weekends (unless it's late on a cold Sunday). And bring your quarters because the games here will have you occupied for hours! And if you manage to drag yourself past the vintage arcade games and pinball machines a visit to the bar in the back is a MUST. Seriously, the bar is lined with captains chairs! Oh and if you despise pinball machines you'll hate the booths. THE TABLES are PINBALL themed to the EXTREME! ^_^ Downside... their menu. Unless you like a wide selection of hotdogs. And while they're not the best hotdogs in town, you won't really care. This place ROCKS!

    (5)

  • Tony G.

    A pretty cool place. I took my girlfriend here to kick her ass at pinball. I epically failed when I gave the bartender $5 for quarters and he walked all the way to the change machine for me. Hey, I didn't see it! Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

    (4)

  • Shila B.

    Third stop was a bar that looked like a funhouse in a horror movie....just not that dramatically scary. The bar was Shorty's which is themed to be like 60's or 70's Coney Island themed amusement park with the deco of old school carnival plaques, memorabilia and other décor. In the back bar are a row of pin ball machines from old school 80's to more modern ones. Prices per play very from 50 to 75 cents, therefore, you can lose almost $5 in less than 20 minutes. It is a dive bar with video games that make you feel nostalgic for a few minutes. Serves it's purpose for a hang out and is cool as a cheap date (depending on if you're date is good at pin ball or not). It does remind you of the lost art of the pin ball machine. The time that is invested in actually constructing and putting together a machine complete with turns, slides and buttons. The back room has some black lights for décor and I am sure it's serves an alternative purpose of making sure that there are no germs around. With that said I advise going to the bathroom and getting soap and a paper towel and just giving a quick wipe down on the tables between machines (if you're putting any bags down) just in case. The bathrooms remind me of CBGB's in NY, however, a notch cleaner. I was still debating on whether I wanted to sit or squat on the toilet, however, at least I didn't feel as though I needed a shower after. Drinks on the menu were cheap. Don't expect high quality customer service, it is what it is. The table tops are made of vintage pin ball machines. This place is cash only which through off some hipsters that walked in as we were leaving. They were probably confused at the life sized machines vs. the games they play on their ipone ap.

    (5)

  • Beau S.

    Wow, this is my kind of place. We went here late night on a Saturday and it was super crowded but, I really love the concept, beer selection and the hot dogs. There is a place in Vegas trying to pull off this and it is a trying a little to hard at being high end and gaming. This is perfect, you have to have that dive bar-ish feel to be able to relax and still have fun. A ton of pinball and other arcade games and a cool looking back bar that I need to try next time. The hot dogs are pretty good but a smidge pricey but the beer prices being not too high equalizes that. My only real complaint is the bathrooms are very sketchy and the service was a little understaffed.

    (4)

  • Andrew T.

    Stop number two for the going away party was the...decidedly less resturanty Shorty's. Let's just say it had ambience...clown dolls hanging from the ceiling, non-functioning pinball table tops, and a really spectacular...uhm...under the sea room in the back, that's easy to be missed. Decked out in blue and black, with old captains chairs and a nice little bar, we camped here most of the night. Definitely a bit louder than Belltown Pub, it still wasn't screaming loud. Service seemed fine, for those being served. Just as with Belltown, they had Rainier tall boys, so we were able to stay class, Washington style. Bartenders let us run a tab, under the instructions that anyone wearing one of the matching, going away party t-shirts could use the tab. We made a pretty cute group, let me tell you. Not sure if I would go back here...but as I've announced before, I'm not much of a bar goer. There's nothing wrong here from a bar perspective, it's just that there's nothing unique to draw me back as someone who isn't going to spend the whole time hammered.

    (3)

  • Kat L.

    Pinball machines & beer. I couldn't ask for more. When it comes to arcades, pinball has always been my favorite. And I love beer. This is a dive bar, so if you're looking for a game and buster feeling, you might want to pass. They have a bar in both the entrance an the very back of the place. The back bar has some super couple rotating chairs that I want to check out sometime. And for the hot dogs. yum! After a night of drinking and pin-balling, these hot dogs totally hit the spot.

    (5)

  • Jennie P.

    This place is pretty chill... but be prepared to be greeted by a strong whiff of BO when you walk in. GOODNESS! A few video game machines along the wall before you reach the bar.. and there are booth seats as well. The tables are PINBALL tables! How clever! In a separate room there's nothing but pinball machines.. SCORE! We played the Family Guy one, it's pretty cool! There's a Stewie Pinball within the Family Guy pinball.. SWEET! $5 for 11 games. WHY THE FUCK NOT? Oh, and this place is generous with their liquor - STIFF DRINKS! We were here twice in 4 days. :)

    (4)

  • Morgan B.

    WOW! SO much fun! Pure heaven for a twenty-something. Cheap booze, amazing service, and what an atmosphere! It was not until I went to the bathroom when I discovered the funky bar in the back as well! Definitely go!

    (5)

  • Ian C.

    Was at the back where there is a small "private" area. The bar stools huge! Super comfy for those sitting in them, but a hassle for those trying to get by them to order a drink. Thankfully, the bartender JT was awesome and took care of us. The back area has a cool vibe with the nautical theme and plenty of spaces to sit and stand. JT alone would bring us back around another time. But the pinball and arcade machines on the way to the back is another great reason that Shorty's is a great place to go if you just want to have fun, drink, and realize how crappy you are at arcade games now. =)

    (4)

  • Katy H.

    When I was younger I used to babysit a lot. My favorite child was this kid John because his parents had all of these awesome vintage pinball machines. I'd put that kid to bed early just so I could waste the rest of the night playing pinball! It had been a number of years since I played. My friends and I decide to hit up Shortys downtown. With plenty of confidence I drive us down there and realize... I suck! I'm the worst at pinball! But Shortys isn't about winning or breaking records. There's an awesome back room with about 15 pinball tables and everyone is waiting around to get a turn. In the front of the bar they have other varieties of arcade games to entertain the non-pinball lovers. They also have booths for people to sit and chat or dine on their tasty hot dogs. I tried the chili cheese hot dog and it was super tasty! Shortys reminded me of being at the circus. It was unlike any other bar I've been to in Seattle. Definitely a great spot to take friends from out of town!

    (3)

  • Michael K.

    I've only been in for a few drinks but it was enjoyable sitting at a booth with a lit up pinball machine as a table. The prices are good and the selection was adequate. The food looks like delicious state fair awesomeness and I imagine I'll try it eventually. Only bummer is it's super cold because the doors are always open. Past Fat Mike would not have minded...

    (4)

  • Annaliese D.

    At first I was hesitant to go here after looking at the pictures on yelp. The decor seemed heavy on the scary clown theme, but I'm glad we looked past that and made a stop at Shorty's. Definitely not the cleanest bar around, and it could use a little facelift. The tables were made out of old pinball machines which was cool, but the seats were beginning to rip and fall apart. Looking past the decor, I was happy to see the drink prices were really reasonable...I got 2 drinks for under $10. It was fun to play a couple of the pinballs even though I sucked. Definitely did not get my money's worth at the pinball machines. Shorty's is definitely a cool, laid back bar where you don't need to worry about dressing up . Just get a drink and play some pinball.

    (5)

  • Samantha E.

    Pinball is awesome. Whoever decided to put a whole bunch of pinball machines in a bar is a total genius. Seating is limited and uncomfortable, but drinks are great, and the bartender with the crazy mustache is amazing-- he does great mixed drinks and shots and is surprisingly friendly considering that he's constantly badgered by the crowd. We had a round of Washington apples and a round of what happened when the birthday girl said "make us something delicious!" and both were tasty. To top it off, it turns out I'm awesome at pinball... who knew?

    (4)

  • Angela C.

    This is the epitome of a dive bar, which is not a bad thing. I fell in love a bit with the arcade theme (maybe not so much with the clowns), and was probably too amused by the pinball machine table that I ended up sitting at. Overall, good prices, crazy decor, and everyone seemed to be having a blast.

    (3)

  • Christine V.

    A pretty lively dive bar that has really cool tables fashioned from former pinball machines!! Too bad you can't actually play pinball on them anymore...but the lights inside it do work :) As many dive bars are ought to have, this one was decorated with lots of flotsam and jetsam: miniature dolls, a large wall mural of running clowns and a decidedly creepy a$$ painting of a little girl in the shadows saying "only 21 and over please." The crowd there was pretty lively on a Thursday night, and my friends and I were having fun just sitting at our table and chatting and drinking it up, even striking up conversation and playing quarters with the table next to us at one point! Shorty's was having a deal on their house tequila (2 shots for $9) and 2 of my friends ended up taking up Shorty's on a round (ahem..or 4 rounds, whatever) to their unfortunate demise. Probably wasn't a good idea to mix wine, beer and questionable tequila. I accidentally dropped my hat and scarf on the floor there and I definitely feel the need to wash them again before putting them back on. The floor was def grimy, but the floors of dive bars usually are. Overall a fun place made for a fun last night in Seattle!

    (4)

  • Daren D.

    I was quickly sold when one of us mentioned pinball and I thought, "ok, hm, I might try some rounds..." We whip out the ID's, stroll through the front bar area, pass the mid-check-point, and into the pinball section. Oh. Cool. Lots. Of. Pinball. Machines. Ah, psh. We turn around and grabbed a bar table. It was just EX, YL, and me, DD, hanging out over some okay bar nachos and dogs in buns. Neat overall game/fun theme... Is it my kinda place? Nope. =P

    (3)

  • Marisa E.

    Never will I go here again. The first time I was drunk and had a good time but the second time it was the middle of the afternoon and we received terrible service. The bartender was consistently a douchebag to me and my friend, the next people he served (unrelated to our group) and my friend for asking for an Old Fashioned. Asked if that was "some sort of girly drink". Come on, you're a bartender, know your drinks. I understand having a bad day, it's fine, but when you were a customer facing job you can't let that impact your service.

    (1)

  • Lauren B.

    Booze and pinball?!?! Don't wake me baby!!

    (5)

  • Nate W.

    Uppers -Old school games everywhere -Sweet memorabilia on the walls -$1 Shorty's stickers Downers -Grungy, this is a dive The Scoop I have to say my first experience at Shorty's was a good one. Not my cup of tea, but fun once every blue moon. One word that comes to mind when thinking of this place is busy. There is sh*t everywhere! Whether it's games (pinball/arcade,) patrons or decor, you will NOT be able to take in all the little details. I agree with Michael that this place was noticeably chilly, since they do leave the door open...One thing to consider with this place, walk around and explore! I was surprised when I stumbled into the back room of this place and quickly realized why so many people know about Shorty's. Check it out, just mind the crowd of crazies ;P

    (3)

  • Seth J.

    PINABALLLLLLLL! and Drinks + Hotdogs . . . Wait, theres an entire other bar in the back with a jukebox? Party on Belltown! Ps its boozy smoothie time!

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    Shorty's is a fun date spot; beer, hot dogs, pinball and a great jukebox. What more could one ask for? My date and I managed to snag a coveted booth by the window. The table was covered with snazzy sparkly vinyl--the sort you would expect to find on the seats of an amusement park ride. The other booths have old pinball machines for tables and the walls are covered with hokey clown art. They've got a decent selection of beer on tap, including PBR, Manny's and Mongoose IPA. My only complaint is that the hot dogs weren't too remarkable and mine was lukewarm that night. Still, they are cheap and hit the spot. Shorty's casual, funky atmosphere makes it a fun place for a date--but it's also a cool spot to hang out or grab a quick bite before (or after) a show.

    (4)

  • Kat R.

    SHORTY'S! You're a total dive, but I love ya! I walked in here and yah, I felt a bit dirty, but cheap beer, nachos and hot dogs? OMG! YUMMY! Plus, the pinball arcade? Good going, guys! Let's do this again! I was on a budget, okay, when am i *not* on a budget, but wanted to take my guy out on a date. I brought him here. Glad I did! With $25 in my pocket, we ate hot dogs, nachos, and beer! So, yah, we didn't stay long, but I'd be back cause its cheap and sometimes you just want fake cheese on chips!

    (4)

  • Shy A.

    Been to Shorty's quite a few times and have always had a great time there...It's filled with tons of games that light up, ding, beep and squeal. Took my cousin and friend there the other night just because Shorty's is so different and I knew that it would be a cool spot for him to check out at least once during his many visits to Seattle. I remember sitting in the back room a few times and always loved their swivelling high back chairs but was in for quite a surprise last night when we entered the Trophey Room. They intoriduced their new Winter Drink menu and it was fantastic! Just a few suggestions: Points of light-whiskey, sparkling wine, bitters. this isn't your pansy frat boy drink. Man up and then order it. Golden moments whiskey apple juice-who knew that this combo would actually work? It's smooth and tasty-but the whiskey definitely packs a punch! Falling awake- tequila and serranos...Holy Moly! It's like a fire pit in your mouth, and reminds me of the Buffalo Sweat shot I once had in Vegas! Very different and packs the heat!

    (3)

  • Kate E.

    The mustached bartender is an asshole. I really like the establishment and the drinks but my first experience here was very tainted by this douche bag of a bartender. Probably the worst customer service I've had in my entire life. Go sit somewhere else if he is in your section. This bring down my rating at least two stars. Other than that the drinks are fine and prices are decent for Belltown. As a pinball fan I was pretty wildly impressed with the options in the game room. They have some amazing vintage pinball machines!

    (2)

  • Eric L.

    I recently had some drinks with one one of my friends here while in Seattle for a business trip. It 's a crazy cool blend of a bar and pinball arcade. They have an pretty awesome circus theme going on inside, and I hear they have really good hot dogs here too. The tables at the booths are the faces of old pinball machines, I thought it was really creative. Anyways, the drink prices were pretty good, and it was a fun time. I can recommend it.

    (5)

  • Kristin C.

    This place has really cheap beer. I probably got hepatitis. But in the end, I don't care. Cuz of the really cheap beer. Plus, there is pinball! Sure, I suck hardcore at pinball, but its still a fun novelty. This place seems super small when walking in, but there is a room in the back that is pretty chill, and makes you feel cool like you are on some sort of guest list. A guest list with hepatitis, but still a guest list. I doubt this is the type of establishment I would usually frequent on my own, but when I was here with a large group of Yelpers, I had an awesome time. If anyone suggests going here again, I would definitely be down. Maybe next time I will even try some of the hot dogs and nachos, so I can get some food poisoning with my hepatitis. Seriously though, I liked this place. Mostly because of the awesome company, and the super cheap beer.

    (4)

  • Kate S.

    I don't like clowns. They tend to give me the heebie jeebies. And creepy clowns abound at Shorty's. Apparently I don't get creeped out when you add cheap beer, an amazing array of pinball machines, and carny food to the mix. Surprisingly it all comes together for a really enjoyable bar experience. True to nature, the only pinball machine I seem to have ~any~ game at is the Indiana Jones one. Archaeologists unite? There are plenty of other pop-culture or standard machines to "totally suck" at as well -- and a fun way to kill some time on a lazy weeknight in Belltown. The Trophy Room in the back is great. Squishy tall-backed booths and seats, dark lighting, and an awesome bartender to give you a drink that is a step above cheap ass beer. I like it here, even with the clowns watching me.

    (4)

  • Kristin B.

    The workers are always dicks but they have veggie hot dogs and veggie chili!!! I definitely prefer Lava Lounge (next door) over Shorty's but when we want cheap food that is filling and bad for you, we venture over to Shorty's. If you're into pinball, this is the place for you! The one consistent thing about this bar is that the bartenders are unattentive and extremely rude. Maybe that is just my perception but it seems to be the consensus with every group of friends I bring here. They treat you like you are below them and definitely not smart enough to be breathing the same air as them. Thanks for the food Shorty's but I'll be next door at Lava getting good service.

    (3)

  • Rachael F.

    Drinks are cheap and poured heavy, pinball room is great fun, bar area is dark but lively and fun to be in. I wish I lived next door.

    (4)

  • Dave C.

    This is the best bar in Seattle! So much fun and it has great prices. When you walk in you can't help feel like you are in the movie Fear and Loathing or at a really creepy circus. The back has two rooms-a pinball arcade, and a mid evil looking type room. The pinball arcade always provided fun to play and people watch, and the mid evil bar section just felt good. The food here was good too. The jukebox is great with classic dirty dive bar music. Everyone should stop in here!

    (5)

  • Melissa T.

    Honestly, I don't know what to write for my review but shit... This place was damn good. On a Tuesday night starting at 6pm, we decided to bar hop and came across Shorty's... The bartender? Awesome! The dude is not shy when he pours. I ordered a jack and coke and I swear he just did a little splash of coke. Kudos to this guy for giving aid in the process of inebriation. Haha. We discovered the juke box and decided to play The Smiths... Just by looking at the bartender, it seems like we made his shift a lot better. So that made the experience even better by just watching him jam out to The Smiths. The locals are very laidback and nice. So that's a plus! I'm definitely coming back whenever I make a trip to Seattle.

    (5)

  • Sarendipity B.

    LOVE. grab all the quarters out of your change jar and head down to Shorty's for some classic dive-bar, cheap beer, pinball action. fun for a date night or just hanging with friends.

    (5)

  • Skylar L.

    pinball is too much fun

    (5)

  • I M.

    5 stars If you love pinball and beer, then you'll probably love this place. This place gets the pinball/arcade vibe right. They service their own machines and if there's something wrong with one, they'll turn it off. They also have really cool tables made from old pinball machines. You can tell they really thought things through and care about pinball. Some other pinball or game places in the area are kind of gross or have a weird vibe. This place does not. It has a very good vibe and other game themed bars could really learn from Shorty's. Their healthy selection of pinball machines include: Indiana Jones: The Pinball Adventure (1993) AC/DC (Pro) The Addams Family The Avengers (LE) Batman Centaur The Champion Pub Elektra Family Guy Medieval Madness Monster Bash Revenge from Mars Speakeasy Surf Champ Transformers (LE) X-Men Wolverine (LE)

    (5)

  • Caitlyn P.

    I've been here a few times with large groups of friends. For some reason I'm always looking for a reason to leave this place, it's super loud and can get crowded to the point where it's difficult to get to the bathroom. The food is super iffy, but good if you've had a few drinks. Overall, its okay and I WILL go back, I just don't look forward to. :/

    (3)

  • Megan g.

    If you fear clowns this is not your place! The walls are decorated with them. BUT if you like strong drinks and pin ball machines its where it is at! We stumbled upon this one Saturday night. After an array of expensive Seattle bars it was nice to find a fun place with good service and strong reasonably priced drinks. The tables are made of pin ball machines and there is arcade games everywhere. It is a really fun atmosphere. I would diffidently go there again!

    (4)

  • Sarah B.

    This place is still my refuge. The #3, a pitcher of Guiness and being part of the early crowd so I can snag a nice pinball table for my crew. It just makes life so good. They have added an extra section in the back with a bar and some beautiful 1960's style chairs. The bathrooms have moved and have this voyeuristic open feel to them, kinky! And there is plenty of fun pinball. So glad they still keep Medieval Madness in good repair. And the ATM in the bar is always working. I'm still always looking for Chucky though.

    (5)

  • Lindsay P.

    Again, came here on the UYBC the other night. By the time we got here, everyone but Cam (poor guy, he was DD) was pretty drunk (or just not caring.) My friend and I did tequila shots, and we had to ask for salt. A good bartender knows you need salt for a tequila shot... We then ordered margaritas, and I'm not sure what sort of tequila they use in their drinks (other than silver, instead of gold) but it was one of the most underwhelming margarita's I've ever had. It was very alcohol-y tasting and very little lime/sour flavor, but it wasn't strong either. The yelp crew all sat in the room at the back where we had our own little bar. It was a cool room, with lots of seating and a few booths so you could cuddle with your sweetie. I might try this place again with another group of people, but it's unlikely that I will drive all the way down to Belltown for this place.

    (2)

  • Alicyn C.

    Dive Bar, Beer and Pinball... what more could one possibly ask for and want. We came here on on a recent trip to Seattle and quite enjoyed the Beer and Pinball. It was a great change from the bars we have in Vancouver. You will not find such a place here yet alone any bar that has multiple pinball machines. The next time I am in Seattle there is a big chance that I'll make it to Shorty's again.

    (4)

  • Migz G.

    Very rude staff, dirty cups. Especially the bouncers very rude to everyone for no reason. Won't ever go back!

    (1)

  • Emily T.

    Shorty's is a bar worthy of being shown off. Not only is it packed wall to wall with pinball, but the place has more personality than it knows what to do with. You may think you've stepped inside a mini carnival when you see the creepy clowns loitering about on the walls and the bar patrons holding a hot dog and an alcohol infused slushee in one hand all the while searching for quarters to play pinball to their hearts content. The music, lights and sounds are all a little hypnotic. Shorty's is the carnie my mother warned me about. Love.

    (5)

  • Erin B.

    Before Jersey Shore, there was Shorty's. This place seems much too kitsch and far too cool for the downtown scene. The first time we went in here I just fell silent for a spell and took in the scenery. Friends that are pinball aficionados say the machines are pretty legit. And the back room that opens later in the night allows for a larger group to kick it in pimp quarters. And lastly, the bathrooms. Partly open to the back room, there is a uncomfortable amount of visibility even within the room. And the carny music that can be heard in different areas of the bar lends a truly eerie air to this environment. A guaranteed good time in general, it is here in the bathroom that the craziness that has been slowly creeping into me really comes out to play.

    (5)

  • Mackenzie F.

    Dear Rude Female Bartender @ Shorty's, I wish you had woken up on the correct side of the bed. Rather than apparently waking up and rolling out of bed into a bee's nest perched on a pile of barbed wire. Because your attitude reflected just that. The other bartender was great, apologizing for your attitude and serving us with a nice, friendly demeanor. But that's not enough. You are just plain rude. Never going back if I see you behind the bar. BOO.

    (1)

  • Alison V.

    So I ended up here one night with some friends. The place is definitely popular as there was no seating anywhere in the place. It had a great atmosphere though and my friends and I managed to squeeze up to a spot at the end of the bar. We tried to order hot dogs but they weren't ready to serve, so our hot dog was substituted for german sausages. I was a bit underwhelmed with my dog, but I'm rarely enthused about them when sober. What I learned from this place: I am *awful* at pinball. They have a ton of great pinball machines and each one seemed to make me play worse. Despite this fact, I still managed to enjoy the pinball room watching the people who are skilled and last more than 30 seconds with each ball. Overall, I'd suggest hitting this place up at least once. And remember, just because there are fun pin ball machines, please leave the little ones at home! Ooohhh and be forewarned - CASH ONLY (or at least on the night we were there, but they have an ATM machine in the bar).

    (4)

  • Lindsey S.

    So. I didn't have the best experience here, but I feel like I *should* like this place, so maybe I'll go back...but maybe not. I walk in with the Boyfriend and Roommate and the bartender lady immediately asked for our ID's, which we hand over. Then we sit directly across the bar in a booth, set my stuff down, and go back to the bar to order food/drinks. She asked to see my ID again. Um, ok. I don't mind, it was just...awkward. I then placed my order for a Porter (YUM) and then wanted to try their Shorty Dog. And then the unthinkable happened.... The bartender lady used her BARE HANDS and man-handled my hot dog and bun. With her hands. Her bare hands. Her hands that were smoking a cigarette outside less then twenty minutes later, which only makes me believe she smoked sometime before touching my food. I was disgusted. And shocked. And just took the food and beer and sat down. Don't ever touch my food with your bare hands. Ever ever ever ever ever. No bueno.

    (1)

  • Morgan L.

    Shorty wanna thug (yeh) Bottles in the club (yeh) Shorty wanna hump (yeh) You know I like to touch (yeh) Had a drink and watched Snooki body slam a sloot on their TV. How could you not enjoy this place? I guess I came on a pretty mellow night. Oh.. the bathroom scared me to. death. Never in my life will I pee there alone again. I walk back to the dark bathroom and I'm all alone and realize they are playing fucked up circus music (Rob Zombie-- House of 1000 Corpses style)!!! Buddy system here ladies. Body system.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    I came here for a happy hour with some coworkers. I was hoping for a fun dive bar and Shorty's delivered in spades. Outside of the bar sports a run-down motif of circus big-top and exudes a feeling of terminal alcoholism. I wondered if it would be filled with depressed hobo clowns with saggy jowls and hang-dog expressions, crying in their beer. Inside looks divey, but feels lively. Waitress was straight out of Jack Kerouac's Bollywood movie. One of my comrades ordered a double whiskey --she placed on the bar with a light hand, full to the brim and nearly sloshing over. I ordered a Chicago dog which was done right including the sport peppers and tomatoes. HH Prices were good - a round for 6 of us and a hot dog was $35 buck including tip. Me likey -- will go back for dogs, beer,, and to show the Missile Command game who its daddy is (500k points baby!).

    (5)

  • Corinna K.

    I suck at pinball. I seriously, seriously suck. Apparently my brother got all the hand-eye coordination and I got...yeah, I don't know. My parents owe me some form of compensation. Anyway, even though I'm pretty un-gifted at the art of the 'ball I'm perfectly content watching someone else bang away at Shorty's. Which is good, because their pinball room makes a lot of people happy. Onto the bar side of things: the drinks are strong enough, although I'd say they're all about $1 too much. The hot dogs are good I guess? I don't know. They're hot dogs. There's not too much to say. What I will say, though, is that the cash only policy can eat my butt with a spoon. Cash only belongs at sketchy ethnic restaurants or places with $2 wells, and (sadly) Shorty's fits neither of those profiles. I'm tempted to bump up to four stars because there's a nearby alley that's good for puking when someone buys you too many drinks, but I don't think Shorty's can really lay claim to that land until they put up a flag.

    (3)

  • Justin G.

    A true dive bar style complete with pinball. Staff was good, but people that go there make this a must NOT. Unless your under 5'5" and have dark hair you will be judged openly and often the second you hit the door. My gf and i were treated so poorly by the locals we had to leave shortly after our first beer. Even though we did nothing but play some pinball. Shame such worthless locals go here, otherwise the bar could have been fun.

    (1)

  • Seage H.

    I want to give Shorty's more stars, but can't as long as they employ the "steam punk" bartender who works the back bar (AVOID THAT GUY) He refuses to make certain drinks so to obtain said drink you have to close your tab from the back bar, then open at the front bar...and bring your drink back to where you're sitting...which if it happens to be IN the back bar then he's a dick about you using the front bar to order the drink HE REFUSED TO MAKE! Eventually he completely REFUSED to serve our table of 10 at all after a few ppl had gotten drinks from the other bartenders (because they would make what you ordered) The establishment itself is pretty rad, that particular bartender just happens to suck at life :/ Found out his name is "Jawn Wakefield", save your time and tip money for someone better.

    (2)

  • Ed G.

    I love this fucking bar

    (5)

  • Sasha W.

    Love, love, love this place. I moved to Belltown and am a block from here and come here all the time. The bar tenders are pretty cool, and make really strong drinks! I always get the chili cheese nachos, but it would be nice if they had other food options besides nachos and hot dogs. The range of games is pretty awesome, and I love the tables are the inside of an old pinball machine. I also love the bar in the back.

    (5)

  • Joseph C.

    This place is really cool. If you like pinball machines, Shorty's has the biggest collection of pinball in the city and you just can't find a bar that is more hip. It really is the essence of cool. The staff are super cool too.

    (5)

  • joe b.

    More of a scene than a bar.

    (3)

  • AJ K.

    "Danggg~ it's hard!!" Yeah, that's what I said when I tried to play Star Trek. Those pinball machines are not as easy as they look, and they don't get any easier after throwing back a few libations. Yes, I tested this conjecture thoroughly. The naked dog is $3 and provides sustenance while enjoying the spirits they serve at Shorty's. To be honest, I didn't think a bar like this would serve decent drinks and prepared myself to fall back on the beers on tap. I was wrong. They have an amazing bartender who makes the best Manhattan I've had in a long time. I also got to try his special Whiskey Press (I think it's my new favorite drink, as long as I can find someone who makes it like him) and witness his maelstrom of a process for making a Bloody Mary. Now... if we can just do something about all these clowns~

    (5)

  • Shekinah S.

    I know I don't need to be the millionth (OK 120th) person to review Shorty's, but I'm gonna. I really dig this place, even though I don't care for pinball. Few noteworthy items: -- My vegan friends like to eat here. -- The secret room in the back is awesome (shh, keep it a secret). -- Some "Boozy Smoothy" drink I had on Fri was very delicious and also surely largely responsible for my extreme state of hungover-ness the next day.

    (4)

  • Khate R.

    I used to avoid this place like the plague, due to a phschotic and miserable bartender named theresa, who would scream at people from behind that bar that they were "cunts" and wouldn't serve people because she didn't "like their energy". This earned her the nickname "Vagina Dentata" due to her outright nastiness to people for no reason at all. I'm amazed that she was allowed to stay there so long and treat people that way. Now that her ass is gone I'm happy to come and support this otherwise awesome business

    (5)

  • Tobi H.

    My favorite bar in Seattle. The locals already know about it, its a staple in Seattle. The drinks are priced very reasonably and they even have "boozie smoothies" and the carnival theme calls me back again and again. Dont be shy, belly up to the bar to order. Jukebox, cash machine, outdoor patio and Seattle's largest selection of well maintained vintage to modern pinball games. Lots of clowns and lights. Definately not decorated over the weekend. An Oasis amongst the thousand trendy overpriced drab Belltown bars.

    (5)

  • Joseph J.

    there were flames coming out of this girls mouth, I swear. I understand a bunch of us came in a half hour before two but what you didn't know was that we were all industry people and that we would have hooked you up if you weren't so short-fused. Instead you get all sour-face and your co-worker had to go around fixing what you messed up. He was awesome, you need to pull the stick out of your ass. It sucks to be a bartender and have to stay late and feed drunk bastards, I know. But you signed up for it and would probably make better money if you just sucked it up and made the best of the sitch. If you're working, peace out! Otherwise, its a really awesome dive bar!

    (1)

  • Michael C.

    This "Punk Pinball Bar" was highly recommended by several bartenders at other nearby bars. This is a somewhat wacky and run-down dive-bar with real Seattle attitude. They have cheap hot dogs, cheap drinks, pinball, and lots of CRAZY people. Don't miss the smaller back bar area past the wall of pinball machines near the bathrooms. Awesome!

    (5)

  • Bridget K.

    Boyfriend: so what's good here? Bartender:...have you tried our Pabst? If you love Pabst or if you're like me and love strong jack and cokes with a side of pinball go to Shorty's. When I first walked in, I fell in love with the place--it was low key, not ritzy or pretentious--everyone was just there to have a drink, stay warm, and unwind from the day. There are hot dogs and snacks for the drunken munchies, the drinks are cheap and strong as hell, it's CASH ONLY, the bartender doesn't give a crap who you are and doesn't really want to engage in small talk, and there's a room full of pinball machines, yes, PIN BALL MACHINES...what more could a girl ask for? This was the first time I had played pinball in ages! Beware, don't be fooled by the 75 cent games, when you're drunk those machines will rape you for your money!!! It's almost worse than gambling in Vegas...I can't tell you how many times I went digging in my purse for more quarters, and when I couldn't find any, I just broke ones and fives--the more drunk I got, the more fun pinball got, the more i sucked, and the more money I spent! I freaking love shorty's.

    (5)

  • Carlin F.

    If you're looking for a good dive bar in an area saturated with trendy, upscale joints, this is the place.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    Shorty's is rad. Good well kept pinball machines and the tables are very charming. We always have a good time at Shorty's although it's best to go a little early or on an off night because it's not the biggest bar.

    (4)

  • Anne Marie C.

    First off, pinball machines are a rare thing. So, the automatically get stars for having such a great big collection of pinball machines. They also had some arcade machines in the front room to play too. I came in there starving, and I was surprised to learn they had food. I got a huge thing of ball-park styled nachos and I was happy as a clam. I asked the bartender, "what's in the slushie machines?" He told me they were daiquiris, and then somehow knew I wanted "a red one." I am a bit of a lightweight but I got good and drunk on one. The crowd was great that night, but I think it had everything to do with it being Labor Day weekend in Seattle. ^.~

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    I can't believe it took me so long to visit Shorty's. I've been living in and around Seattle for ages and initially didn't stop in because its smothered in hipsters and I am not even a wannabee hipster despite my years on Capitol Hill. Then I thought "screw it" and popped in to discover some wonderful bartenders, a tasty liquored up slurpee, awesome hot dogs, and some sweet pinball. Don't talk yourself out of it like I had. Drop everything and go to Shorty's!

    (5)

  • Lauren F.

    This place is awesome. Great atmosphere and a bunch of pinball machines - from old clunkers to new flashy movie based ones. The best being Centaur, some kind of German fantasy metal based game. I dream about this game now. "DESTROY CENTAUR" running through my thoughts at work. It would be great if this place wasn't in another state a miserable 6 hours in a plane away. I would be there constantly.

    (5)

  • Rachel P.

    I'd heard tales of an epic bar in Seattle that had beer and pinball machines, but I thought it was too cool to be true. Oh me of little faith! This place is by far one of my favorite places in the city! (even if they do have creepy carnival music playing in the ladies room!) There is so much to love about this place I don't know where to begin! The atmosphere, the decor, the PINBALL MACHINES!!! Even the booths are pinball machines (no longer functioning but cool all the same). It tends to be a bit crowed as the evening goes on, but how could you expect it not to be seeing as it's such an awesome place! Prices are reasonable. Don't come in search of fine food, it's a dive bar and that is exactly what you will find, dive bar food. Defiantly a great place to meet up with friends for a drink and fun!

    (5)

  • Wickerlady V.

    Went here on a rare weekday pubhop session. We'd never been to this line of bars in belltown, so we decided to go in. The place was a haven for my gamer friend, who was also the DD for the night. For the rest of us, it was piss-watery beers and watered down drinks. I tried 2 beers on tap and both were tasteless, which is rare to find in seattle bars. Ont he upside, drinks were cheap But I'd rather have better beer than cheap beer. The bouncer/ID checker wasn't the greate.st person around, and pretty much made me remove 1 more star from the experience. (we had no underage age-issues or bad behavior issues there). No one needs to be treated like school kids and take crap from someone whose job is to check IDs. Bottomline, I would go there again if my gamer friend offers to be DD again, but I'll probably hang out next door.

    (2)

  • Kira I.

    Belltown's best dive bar: hand's down is Shorty's. It's got everything you need to lead a fun and tantalizing night for your inner child. First off, the amount of pinball machines in the back will have you there for hours just waiting for your turn on the Family Guy, Batman, and Star Trek themed machines. But wait. There's more. In the front is where the mario, donkey kong, guitar hero and of course PACMAN machines live. You'll spend another hour here just to put your name on the high score board (or fail miserably) Not as good as you were as a child? It's okay the beer is cheap enough for you to keep it flowing. When you are done with your PBR and decide to go for the gold, you can try their pre-made DEADLY strong daiquiri and margarita mix from the slushy machine. Don't sip too hard....brain freeze is a bummer and will never help you rescue the princess. Hungry? Grab a hot dog from their menu, which they even carry in vegetarian form for your meat-sensitive palates. They also have big plates of nachos with that yummy horrible-for-you yellow nacho cheese smothered on top. Hello drunk munchies. Another round of pacman and finally your inner child is knocked out with a sheepish grin on his face. And you, just as a young mother would, tuck him away until he wakes up tomorrow night. Ah the joy of parenting yourself.

    (4)

  • Joseph P.

    My favorite bar to have a good time in Seattle. Even if there's no girls, there's a back up plan which is play pinball. For the price of one beer, one can enjoy the science of putting metal balls into holes and trying to get multiball. The pinball choices are terrific. This place is a winner.

    (5)

  • Nadia G.

    Who doesn't love pinball!?! Seriously. I just LOVE pinball. Old, new, pinball is super fun. You bet I was so excited when I found out about Shorty's! First things first, they have more than just pinball! They have old donkey kong and pac-man and other games. They have hot dogs, slushy drinks, and really cool tables made from old games. If you walk through the bar to the back you will find two rooms. To the left are all the pinball machines, and to the right is another much darker, more private bar with really unique comfortable chairs. This bar is so rad, I love it!

    (4)

  • Danielle D.

    I would have liked to be able to review but the bartender, a snooty looking, long haired guy, decided that he didn't like the look of my friend and I after we sat down. We were talking and being friendly to him but he said that he didn't want to deal with us and we should go to another bar. We are 40 something women, it was afternoon, and I have only been asked to leave a bar once in my 20s. We went to the bar next door and spent $60 that I guess this guy didn't think his owners needed. My review is entirely based on the jerkiness of the bartender, not the place itself, but I won't go back or recommend to anyone.

    (1)

  • Chad W.

    Came in on a rainy (go figure huh?) Saturday in March for beer, a dog and some pinball. We were in town for the Dismemberment Plan show and I was jonesin' to forget a 2 week stretch of work and other sordid Sactown drama. It was dead inside, which was perfect for our little crew that was in full on escape mode. I grabbed a dog, a PBR and hit up the Galaga game thinking, "I got this!" And for a while I did. I summoned my monster manual reading eleven year old self from the memory machine and set off for about 30 minutes on the same play. Finally my wrists were shot and it was time to check out the pinball room, the high score still way out of reach. In the pinball room we met the master of Atlantis, a skinny guy with a beard, totally friendly and totally owning this table. He showed me some of the routes, the nudge areas and the scoring secrets and I promptly forgot them all because, well, I suck at pinball. What a cool guy though, and what a cool bar!

    (5)

  • Kiley S.

    If you like pinball, circus decor, and hot dogs this is the place for you. There is a whole room dedicated to pinball, the drinks are great, your typical belltown dive bar i'd say. If clowns and creepy circus doll decorations freak you out then you won't want to come here. The hot dogs aren't as good as the hot dog stands on the street but that goes for most hot dogs, so their better than nothing!

    (3)

  • Avalon Z.

    Simple and fun, there's cheap beer and well liquor, lots of video games and pinball, and the staff ranges from non-offensive mediocrity to friendly and attentive. The scary clowns effectively ward off the less desirable parts of the Belltown crowd. I can't eat the hot dogs unless I'm 4+ drinks in, but once I am, they are drunkenly delicious in that very special meat in tube form way. Nothing to rave about, but certainly worth the money, especially if you're running low.

    (3)

  • Brian C.

    Shorty's is fucking awwsome. The general crowd here tends towards the metal/punk rock type. Which was my first attraction, I was new to seattle at the time and was looking for some bars where cool people hung out. The bar itself is pretty much a 'dive-arcade'. dive bar in the front and pinball in the back. There is also a pretty cool back bar thats open from Thursday-Sunday after 8. I hated pinball as a kid, after my first insta-drain I called bullshit and swore never to play the game again. Which I didnt until I first came to shorty's about 2 years ago now. Shorty's showed me the light and got me hooked on pinball! Now I'm playing in the monthly tournament there every month!(first sunday, + pot luck style brunch beforehand, so much win) The pinball machines here are also probably some of the best maintained games in any public establishment in the area. The drinks here are reasonably priced and probably the cheapest within a few blocks. Jawn no longer works the back bar :( My love for shorty's is only a fraction of what it once was.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Dude! Beer, Hotdogs, Pin Ball? What else do you need? Well there is the hipster ladies hoping you'll notice how intellectual they are, while simultaneously trying not to take anything too seriously. Bar tender was great (and dive bars do serve Rainier in bottles). My kinda joint.

    (5)

  • Jess S.

    This place was right around the corner from the hotel we stayed at. It was a great divey bar that we absolutely had to stop in. So we popped in, and were pleased to find an awesome atmosphere, a ton of grungy locals (lots of bike messengers, yay), and a decent beer selection. And even though clowns usually scare the crap out of me...somehow this was, well, artfully done, for a dive bar. The clowns were only semi-horrifying. But the icing on the cake was the back room, that isn't initially visible. Lined wall to wall with pinball machines, we definitely drank a few beers and wasted -nay...invested- a ton of quarters back here. great place, and we'll definitely be back. Next time around, we're going to have to try the late night dogs available there to, especially since they were veggie friendly (i'm pretty sure i remembered that last part correctly).

    (5)

  • Danielle S.

    fun dive bar with a room full of pin ball machines in the back. Our bartender was grumpy and started aggressively moaning about the fact tons of customers had come in at once and were all "staring meanly" at him. Whatever dude, stop trying to sound like scrooge. Nobody cares! The girl at the bar next to us bought me and my boyfriend the drinks I ordered as we were from out of town. What a lovely thing to do, that would never happen in London! We enjoyed numerous things about this bar, heck, I even kind of liked the bartender's attitude, but the highlights were definitely the pin ball machines, and the fact that there were two Chihuahuas hanging out (& one of them was a teeny tiny puppy!) this place was pretty busy, even for a Wednesday night, I'm sure it is consistently like this, and it is definitely the kind of place I would frequent back home.

    (4)

  • Olivia T.

    "Are you sure you want to go to Shorty's?" The nice guest service from The Edgewater Hotel asked me. I wanted to ask him why the hell not, but then again I realized that maybe not very many guests at this swanky hotel wanted to go there or ever requested a shuttle to drop them off there. "Of course. I love dive bars." I replied with a smile. :D. The nice man drove my DL & I on the shuttle right to the front of Shorty's. I felt right at home when I walked in to the bar. They have PINBALL machines!!! Not one or two, but they have about TEN of them. From retro machines to new ones. It cost between 50 cents - 75 cents per game depends on the machine. I love this place. It made me want to move to Seattle. They have comfy seating sections including outside patio. They are supporting the Circus theme here. I love love love it. It's a cash only bar and they have cheap beers. Two beers for $6 is very reasonable for Seattle. Someday, if I lost my mind and hating Portland, I might move to Seattle so I can just to be close to Shorty's. Please stay the same, Shorty's. :-)

    (5)

  • Kimberley D.

    When one needs a reasonably priced veggie dog with spicy peppers & tomatoes + beer + pinball, Shorty's is there for you. During Santacon, the friendly & cute curlyhaired bartender gave us free drinks for not being "like the rest of those obnoxious Santas". Awww!

    (4)

  • Jeff S.

    This is a strange yet interesting place. The selection of Pinball games was good. All the clown decor was weird (at least one person in our group HATES clowns, go figure). Clientele and staff a bit hippy-ish but friendly. Good strong drinks though.

    (3)

  • wendy b.

    I love pinball. But alas, I am not a ninja pinball master..but really, who gives two shits when I can come here, drink a frosty, play my hearts content. All thanks to my sweetie who surprised me! The people who visit are really fucking cool, and some of the spinball magic masters will be kind, pity your sorry ass, and give hints. I'm assuming, of course, that they got tired of witnessing the slop, and maybe wanted pinball to get more respect. I tried fellas...I really tried. Heres the kicker, I was soo involved with the arcade, I did not know there was a backroom. There will be a next time, and I will be checking that out. If anything, to at least spare the pro's my enthusiastic monkey shines.

    (5)

  • Kelly B.

    I'm from Philadelphia and went here based on a suggestion of a friend....my friend got a high five for this one! The drinks are cheap, dive bar vibe and there's a room filled with pinball machines!

    (5)

  • Scott O.

    Great place to relax & hang out. They have about a dozen pinball machines and several classic arcade games. We went for the pinball, and found some enjoyable, others were a bunch of noise and lights - to each his/her own.

    (3)

  • Jennifer R.

    So arcades are a dying breed, right? The era where a bunch of people got together at a place with a bunch of video game machines is over. Sort of. Apparently nobody at Shorty's got the memo. That's the idea behind Shorty's. This place is like the midway at a local fair paired with a dive bar. They have a very impressive selection of pinball machines (from one based on Tron: Legacy to completely mechanical games from the 70's) and some classic games at the front of the bar, like Joust, Missile Command, and so on. These games are pretty notorious for eating quarters and to be honest, I swear that the difficulty was higher on these machines than I remember them normally being. The food here isn't anything to write home about, since it generally is limited to hot dogs and nachos. Just don't go in expecting a real meal.

    (4)

  • Quani C.

    If you spent any significant amount of time with me (or, almost any time at all, actually) while I was in Seattle, you know that this was my FAVE place to go! Which is why I've waited to review it... as my superspecial 200th review! I spent many an evening here over my duration in Seattle. I pleaded with everyone I hung out with to come here and to come here often. In the past almost year, I've become a bit of a pinball enthusiast which is why Shorty's became a staple for me. The combo of pinball, tasty beer (try the Manny's!), and equally tasty hot dogs is a trifecta. I still find myself craving a good ol' Shorty's hot dog, especially the Number Three Dog... something I have yet to find here in Austin. They also have a pretty decent selection of liquor, but I always felt compelled to drink the beer. Dfens Dan is right, the clowns do like to talk to you after a few drinks, but I accepted and eventually became friends with the clowns. And, since it is in Belltown, you occasionally run into the douchebaggery of hipsters trying to ruin your otherwise fab game of pinball by elbowing you and getting into your pinball bubble. But those occurances are usually few and far between, making this an awesome place overall... whether you remember leaving or not. I've done both. And loved it.

    (5)

  • Sara D.

    awwwww yeah! This was the first place we parked our behinds the night we got into Seattle and I am glad we did. We sat down with a couple beers and a few hot dogs and all was well with the world. And the indigestion later that night was worth it (wink). They have a couple rooms in the back worth taking a gander at. One is a room full of colorful and oldie but goodie pinball machines and the other was a second bar area with a slightly more chill vibe. If you can appreciate a creepy circus clown motif, tables constructed from old pinball machines, tasty hot dogs and a good game/s of pinball, try this place for yourself.

    (4)

  • Tyler B.

    Had a great time here last night great setup in the back room, and so many great Pinball machines to choose from. We'll be back again the next time we visit Seattle.

    (4)

  • Scott K.

    Ever since I was a young boy I've played the silver ball From Soho down to Brighton I must have played them all But there isn't anything like me In any amusement hall I may be a half blind kid But I sure play a mean pinball! I stand like a statue Becoming part of the machine Feeling all the bumpers Always playing clean I play by intuition The digit counters fall I sure play a mean pinball I'm a pinball wizard There's got to be a twist A pinball wizard I've got such a supple wrist How do you think I do it? (I don't know) What makes me so good? I ain't got no distractions Don't see all the lights a flashin' I practically play by sense of smell I always gets a replay Never tilt at all I rock a mean pinball! You thought you was The Bally table king But I'm always going to win Even on your usual table I can beat your best My disciples lead me in And my magic fingers just do the rest I've got crazy flipper fingers You'll never see me fall Maybe I'm a half blind kid But I play a mean pinball! Shorty's is hands down the best pinball hall in the city! Whenever you're up for the challenge, let me know!

    (5)

  • Angie P.

    I was told to meet at Shorty's for a little friend reunion. I was given directions and I embarked on my adventure to find this bar. I walked for a while and started wondering if I had passed it, but then I saw a man in a circus uniform and a bunch of obvious "look at me!!" hipsters and knew I must have found it. When I walked in my eyes were bombarded with blinking neons, signs, and game lights. I could've fallen to my knees in both exhaust from walking (I walked here from the U district) and from an overwhelming amount of love I felt for the owner of this amazing place. I felt a wave of memories fill my brain of all the fun times I've ever had at a "Circus Circus" (it was like a Chuck E. Cheese, but without the angry moms starting fights) and I rushed to the quarter machine. I played some pinball and some shoot-'em-up games for a bit before my friends arrived. I must say, the interior is so awesome! I couldn't stop looking around. The lighting was really swell! It was all from the overhead game lights and the vintage pinball tables that have been made into tables for the booths. The bar is fully stocked and the food/drinks are good and inexpensive. After a certain time they open the back bar where the bartender dressed as a circus ringleader works. I didn't go back there, but it has a lounge feel with blue lights. I felt as if there should be a small freak show performance back there. Perhaps they should get a lady in a huge fish tank to put on a mermaid outfit...just sayin'. Anyways, I could ramble on and on about this place. The point of this blurb is to tell you to go see this place. If you are hungry they have hot dogs and nachos. I recommend the nachos. Hands down they were the best I've ever had. The cheese is so mouth watering good. Okay. Now, stop reading this and go tonight. The crowd is a little, um, "wonky" but don't let that stop you. If anything, just imagine them as a part of the circus theme. I pretended that they were a part of the freak show with their odd fashions. I loved it. Go. Now! I love you Shorty's!

    (5)

  • Dan T.

    *********************UPDATE********************** To emphasize the point of not using the restroom here, I was standing in the hallway by the back room minding my own business and I could hear everything going on in the restroom. Out of disgust I snapped this photo of one of our esteemed yelper colleagues going pee... guess who it is and I'll buy you a beer yelp.com/biz_photos/JTAk… **************************************************­*** What can I write about Shorty's that hasn't been written before. We all know that they got cheap pitchers, $3 hot dogs, pinball and video games so let's get down to business. Here's some secrets about Shorty's that you might not know: If you put down enough beers, the clowns on the wall will start talking to you. The other night I had "Cleo the Master Psychic Clown" who told me that I was a drunken failure. That dumb clown.. I already knew that!!! Psychic that dumbass!!! Do not ever go near the restrooms. They are short swinging doors and when you walk by you can see everything! It's really troubling when you walk by the women's restroom and see business being taken care of and feel obligated to toss a dollar bill on the floor because you got to see more skin than I did at the O'Farrell Theater! You can eat as many hot dogs as you want. You can drink all the beers you want. But downing pitchers of beer and hot dogs is like crossing streams! DON"T DO IT!!!! Some benches in the Main Room are broken. In fact I almost fell on my ass as the bench next to the bar fell apart as I sat on it! This is the dive bar you have to visit once in your lifetime. It does get completely filled on Friday and Saturday night but come on a slow day and you won't regret it! Beers, hot dogs, video games and clowns? What else could you ask for? Douchey guys and hot girls? Oh they got those too!!

    (5)

  • LISA S.

    Somebody call 911 Shawty fire burning on the dance floor Whoa I gotta cool her down She won't bring the roof to ground on the dance floor Whoa She's fire burning, fire burning on the dance floor That little shawty's fire burning on the dance floor Shes fire burning, fire burning on the dance floor That little shawty's fire burning on the dance floor Coulrophobics beware---- sHorty's is my happiest place on earth. Where else can you eat vegan hotdogs smothered in plasticine cheeze sauce, washed down with Schlitz in a can, and do so whilst dining on a vintage pinball machine? ...and that is just the front bar area. The back bar keeps it classy with teal highback captains chairs and vintage glass lighting fixtures. It is dark and retro-spaceagey. Think "Swingers Pad on the Starship Enterprise." These two awesome bars are separated by a comprehensive pinball alley. Eff yes. Bring cash, you're gonna need it. Every time I go to Seattle, I don't find that it is necessary to go anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Brad C.

    Great Great Great Place. Really fun! Stop in here on the recent trip to Seattle. I love drinking and I enjoy playing pinball (even if I do suck at it.) Why wouldn't I love a place that has both of them in great supply. Kick-Ass pinball selection and really good beer selection.

    (5)

  • Megan D.

    For a fun bar, they have it ALL: Strong drinks, a pinball hall, and arcade games inclusing Pac Man, the original Donkey Kong, and my personal favorite - Guitar Hero! Stumbled in here on a Monday night and although a bit quiet, there was plenty to do! I couldn't get my change out quick enough!! The only classic arcade they were missing was Millipede, but I won't hold it against them... I ordered a Rum and coke which was really a glass full o' rum with a splash of coke and my fiance ordered a beer. Together it was $6 and a smile from our lovely bartender lady (thank you bartender lady!) I would love to go back and next time will be prepared with more quarters or crisp dollar bills (their old ass change machine is rather old and discriminating.) Overall this place is fun, cheap, and will get you loaded - a combo of heaven, really....

    (4)

  • Alex M.

    I've been here so many times. I'm not a pinball wizard though my house mate is. It's great if you're in love with that sort of thing. I come for the handsome man in the back who makes all the delicious drinks. Whatever is your favorite cocktail will be kicked up a notch if you ask him to make it. So get on it.

    (4)

  • Ed C.

    Pinball machines are abound at this place. Heck, even the booths have pinball machines (though you can't play with them). Anyway, I must say that this place brings back memories as a child trying to win tickets from the machines at Chuck-e-Cheese. Though I can't win tickets, I can still play pinball AND drink at the same time. What's not to love? It's too bad I haven't found a place in Los Angeles to get one million points and be a bad ass. With $2.50 pints of Pabst Blue Ribbon, the arcade is finally made for grownups. By the way, the bartender who looks like the bassist from Silversun Pickups is a darling (please tip her generously!).

    (5)

  • Patrick L.

    Went here a few times back in the day and I think it's great that we have something like this in the area. Since I'm not into pinball machines, and wasn't when I was younger, I guess the novelty wore off on me pretty quickly. Still, it's a pretty cool place as far as hipster bars go, a good chill place to grab a few beers.

    (3)

  • Shannon C.

    Ahhh....... I can only wish that I had a Shorty's in my hood. I came here with family while visiting in Seattle and fell in love. So few bars have the kind of personality that this place relishes in. It's actually more like three bars in one. In the front, you've got your standard dive bar with with a friendly bartender and friendlier drinks. In the second room, PINBALL! And not just one or two lame machines, but a whole room of kitschy, kick-@ss characters. And in the back... the corniest, unashamedly pimpingest lounge I've ever entered (we're talking high-back button leather chairs, folks). There's no other option, I must spend one night at Shorty's every time I go to Seattle.

    (5)

  • Diana L.

    When I was drinking I was a creature of habit; I did my seedy, underbelly of humanity boozing on the hill and my fancy pants binge and blow drinking downtown. So I never hit this place - wrong atmosphere for the area's designated activities - my very first time was Friday with the delicious Mel. All I can say is this - what the fuck was wrong with me? Why would I dismiss this place because it didn't fit into my "downtown beautiful people" activity set? *SIGH* I was truly a fucktard back then. I would have LOVED drunken pinball and Ms. Pac Man. I would have loved the morbid carnival theme. LOVED. Oh wait - I can love it now with a fake beer - they have the St. Pauly's Girl version, a special treat as it's rarity. And I can love it without having to wake up next to someone I don't recognize and wonder where the fuck I am. That's better love, right? I say yes.

    (5)

  • Marika B.

    The secret to Shorty's success? Hot dogs with cream cheese on them. Don't worry, I made that EWWWW face, too--but I got over myself and ordered one. And after inhaling it, life seemed... different, somehow. Sweeter. I felt as though I'd matured. I had a new appreciation for the world around me. Pretty good for three bucks. Also, pinball (Monster Mash is a favorite), nachos (eat 'em quick, they get cold fast but it's worth it), and cheap beer. Don't forget the classic video game, Big Buck Hunter, for all of you folks who wondered what killing a deer felt like. Personally I'd rather kill a moose, take a picture with it, and run for vice president, but I don't have that kind of time. Always bring cash, because their ATM is a generic one that will charge you 2306258264 fees. A word to the wise: these bartenders, much like the tougher bars in Georgetown, don't take any shiz and appreciate quick and clear bar orders; I know that's the case for most bartenders, but when I've been quiet or taken too long, I've paid for it. Cons (for me): Loud, scream-y music that you can barely talk over, and you have to walk THROUGH the smokers to get in and out of the bar. 25 feet, my Aunt Fanny.

    (4)

  • Andrew B.

    Every minute they are open every thing is great. There are all of the characters that go along with the great dive bars, and the hot dogs (also served late) to keep you awake. When the place is packed its super fun and its also fun to listen to This American Life on your ipod at noon on a weekday with a beer and a pinball machine. I also long made this the first stop before i do laundry: quarters for pinball and the wash. There are several classic and modern rotating pinball games, myself a novice player, feel great joy when i win a free game and those around me cheer.

    (5)

  • Todd L.

    "Ladies and gentleman, for tonight's bout, weighing in at 350 pounds, at seven feet one inch, in from the outer plains of hell, we have the Undertakerrrrrrrrr" *screams* cheers* "...and in the opposing corner, defending the world heavy weight championship, weighing in at 325 pounds, the cerebral assassin, the game....Triiiiiipplllllle H!" *more sreaming* more cheering* I look over at my group of wasted dipshits. " dude, another dog for me *(burp)*" "Get me a beer" "yea, beer" "beer" "beer" Wrestling night here was a Thursday ritual a couple of years back in the mid nineties. Now a couple of games of pinball and beers is always a good idea. Soy dogs for the lady, extra everything for me......... ......I was feeling nostalgic........thanx for listening.

    (5)

  • Heather J.

    I've always wanted to go here, but then its probably because I am a pinball fan and something just says alcohol and pinball should go together. However it is hard to drink and play pinball at the same time. A wide variety of machines although not all of them seemed to be in the best working order. I was very tempted to try a veggie dog as well, but did not, maybe next time. The backroom was nice, I loved the chairs at the bar and it was much cooler temperature wise then compared to the front of the bar. I did feel I was sitting a little too close to the men's bathroom and wasnt sure what I might see behind that door. My favorite part were the tables made out of old pinball tables. Definetly a place I want to go back to, if I didn't despire belltown so much I might go here regularly.

    (4)

  • Lisa H.

    PINBALL!!! Are you kidding me? There is a whole room with pinball machines? That was my reaction when my husband told me we could play pinball. I don't know why but I LOVE pinball!!! So off to Shorty's we went. When we walked in I have to say I wasn't that impressed. The front outdoor entrance was pretty full with smokers packed right by the door. I dislike that and I know it's not 25' from the entrance, but I guess I'll hold my breath. But once inside I realized I really needed to hold my breath! The smell reminded me of a teenage boys room that has not been ventilated. It hits you hard, but after you hang in it you get used to the smell. I looked at my husband with the "where the heck are the pinball machines" eye. I was really hoping he wasn't lying to me just to get me inside. We walked past a long cafe style bar counter that had a good amount of seating. There was also a wall of table that were made out of old pinball machines. Not going to lie I thought that you could play the tables which got me excited, but no they were retired machines turned into tables. Finally we get to the back and it was like hearing angels sing! There was about 20 machines back there! Even better is that you don't have to have quarters to play some of the machines because they take bills too. I played for about a hour and I was in heaven. They did have other things there, but I was too deep into pinball to really notice. I think there was packman in the front as well as other classic arcade games. I also believe I saw guitar hero, but not sure. I didn't eat or drink while I was there, but I'm sure you can read other reviews for that. JUST GO PLAY!!! :)

    (4)

  • Alyssa E.

    hoo...came to this place on Tuesday night...wasnt too crazy...found a booth right away...pretty legit. the bouncer...cool guy. just had some beers there cause they were pretty cheap...like 4 dollars a pop. the atmosphere..a little scary if you're not used to this type of stuff...dark and dim..old arcade games/machines lined up against the right side wall when you walk in...then all the way towards the back theres a game room...come on..beer & arcade games combo!! not gonna lie..the women's bathroom was a tad bit...different. had some circus music playing...something you don't hear every day after you flush... but going back towards the restrooms...there's another blocked off bar..idk what it's for...but looks pretty legit..two bars in one venue..shoots

    (4)

  • brian k.

    Shorty's, Shorty's, Shorty's, what hath you wrought. It's not enough that you are home to The Greatest Pinball Ever Conceived, Monster Bash, you've gone ahead and requisitioned 15 other classic and newish pins for our plunger pulling pleasure. Here is a list of Shorty's machines brought to you by the fine folks at Skill Shot, Seattle's premiere pinball fanzine: The Addams Family The Champion Pub Evel Knievel Family Guy Fathom Indiana Jones Junk Yard Medieval Madness Monster Bash Pirates of the Caribbean Revenge from Mars Speakeasy Spiderman Star Trek: The Next Generation Surf Champ Wheel of Fortune As Joey Lawrence and/or Keanu Reeves would say, "Whoa!". This list alone is worthy of five glorious stars, but Shorty's doesn't stop there. Up front, you can find Ms. Pac-man/Galaga, Q-bert, and Robotron cabinets, along with a few other surprises I'll leave to you to discover. We are now into 7 star territory, folks, but there's one more thing Shorty's offers which will blow your mind's brain. All the beer and/or liquor you can pay for and Chicago-style hot dogs that will melt your intestines and warm your heart. 9 stars out of 5! Caveat: While Shorty's is practically perfect in every way, they only accept cash, so be prepared.

    (5)

  • Minotaur N.

    Shorty's is how my wife convinced me to move to Seattle. 'nuff said!

    (5)

  • Amie S.

    Shorty's is one of my absolute FAVORITE places in all of Seattle. Before the Croc closed (oh how I miss ye), I spent the majority of my pre-rock show time here playing pinball in "the cove" and tossing down cheap PBRs or stiffly poured vodka tonics. They also have some old-school video games (which include Ms. Pacman), so I'm all over it. At some point they added a fancy-pants bar in the back - which looks *way* swankier than the used pinball table, clown-encrusted atmosphere in the front, but somehow still seems to work. In addition to playing many hours of Medieval Madness with one of my best lady friends here, this is also the spot where I spent my first Valentine's Day night with my boyfriend. Yes, that's right. We canoodled over chili-cheese dogs (veggie for me, not that I don't eat meat, but that much SCARES me a little - and the veggie version is DELISH), ghetto nachos (the 7-11 kind, just round chips covered in runny cheese product), & beer in a sticky red booth - declaring our undying love right there in the middle of this little dive bar. I think we may have been the only Valentine's lovers who picked Shorty's as our dinner spot, but I tell you: IT WAS PERFECT. I highly recommend you try it. The service here is 50/50, which is the only thing keeping this from a 5-star rating - sometimes they're nice, sometimes not so much, but there's pinball and the booze is cheap, so who cares? Plus, the cast of drunken characters is always good for entertainment. The odds of you seeing a) a fight or b) a drunk being tossed out of here are about 5 to 1 on any Friday or Saturday night! :)

    (4)

  • Dyna S.

    Best bar in Seattle. The fabulous bartenders and all the great games. Just a place to relax or just look at all the clowns and cool stuff on the walls. Love the old school games and cool music. The back bar is pretty awesome. I love the crazy chairs and the bartender with a top hat. Fun times!! Cheers....

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    While I love the theme, games, etc., this place made me too hot to function. Like, really, really warm. The outdoor space is quite small, so if it's a hot summer night (aka 65 degrees or warmer), be prepared to sweat. A friend had a hot dog that looked decent, but I couldn't muster the strength given the outrageous temperature. It definitely has a I'm-somewhat-punk-but-really-just-watched-­American-Hardcore-twice sort of vibe. I think I saw 40 guys in tight black pants. Like others have mentioned, no credit cards are accepted, so bring plenty of cash. And, of course, enjoy finding parking on 2nd street if you don't take the bus. I did and was able to be dropped off about 3 blocks away.

    (2)

  • Betsy H.

    I walked in here feeling a bit like a fish out of water. The infamous Shortys!! What will I expect?! It's like walking into Coney Island (not that I've been there, but it's definitely what I imagine). They have painted signs of all sorts, clowns, tables made out of relic pinball machines, ancient arcade games, and they sell Coney dogs, as well as other cheap dog and nacho fair - everything is between $3-$5. They have the standards on tap, but I wanted to see how they pour a drink. I was not dissatisfied. This is my "Smoke Shop of Belltown". I'm very happy to have found it!

    (4)

  • Christina P.

    Why aren't there more places like this? We hit Shorty's after a semi-fancy dinner, and it was a pretty fun transition into the night. Pinball + quarter machine + drinks (cheap & good) + fun bartenders = FUN night They don't take credit, so come prepared. And I seriously think this would be an amazing first date place, you won't get bored and you'd get points for creativity!

    (5)

  • Arnnie S.

    Three things: 1. The decadent Bloody Mary(The right bartender has to do it) 2. Atmosphere 3. Pinball Machine It's what I would call a fun night.

    (5)

  • Drue C.

    Sometimes I am not the sharpest tool in the shed. Like when all of my friends who had been to Seattle kept telling me I had to go to Shorty's "the clown bar". Why didn't I just use Yelp to look the place up instead of fabricating some fucked up image of this place in my head. Don't get me wrong, I am not one of those kids who was traumatized at her cousins birthday party and is now scarred for life and freaked out by a red wig and some face makeup or anything. I did, however, sort of expect something a little more Gacy and macabre. What I got was something more carnival-esque, complete with carousel parts and Coney Island style hot dogs and they even have something called cheese dribble that you can get for a mere 25 cents. Cheese dribble is scarier than the damn clowns. Just saying. This is where I wish I would have done my own research. Because I would have showed up a whole lot earlier had I known they have an entire back room of pinball!! I love pinball and they have a whole pinball gallery and the room has black lights. Who doesn't love them some black light!!?? They also have a decent selection of hard alcohol and $3.50 pints of beer (unless you want PBR, which you can get for a mere $2 as you channel your inner hipster). Pinball and booze? Oh yes, a 5 star bar for sure.

    (5)

  • Phil E.

    This is the greatest bar on the planet. There is no better. And I don't want to hear your crap. Don't argue with me. I will now elaborate on my sweeping and 110% factual assessment: 1. They have PINBALL. A whole room in the back full of tables - ranging from Evil Knievel (Be sure and check out this table - the painted 70's looking hotties on the score area have prominent nipples. Always a plus in a pinball table) to more modern tables like The Simpsons or Pirates of the Caribbean. Not only that, check out the booths in the front room of the bar. Old, non-functioning pinball tables. That's what the Swedish call: "kick ass". My only complaint in this regard (and I will grant you - it's petty) is the lack of Indiana Jones pinball. Which might just be the greatest pinball game of all time. Again - don't argue with me on this one. You'll only hurt yourself. 2. They've got CHOPPERS RED ALE on tap. This may be the finest beer ever served in a glass - which is my preferred method of drinking a beer beverage. Out of a fisherman's shoe is my second most favorite. 3. Cool bartenders with cool tastes in music. Usually eclectic or punk stylings (or both) rocked from their record player (for those of you whippersnappers, they look like big CDs). 4. Hot Dogs, Nachos, and Mystery Slush. Not that I should need to elaborate on this, but these constitute all three of the major food groups. And there's an obesity problem here in the US, people - do your part and stick to Shorty's food pyramid, Herb! I cannot say enough about this bar other than you should freaken go to it. Often. Then, when the girl at the Family Guy pinball table asks you if you have a roll of quarters in your pocket or if you're just happy to see her, you can say, "A little of both, honey. A little of both."

    (5)

  • Ian O.

    Drinking and Pinball what a great idea. This is a great bar, and I love going here. It's right on the edge of being a dive bar, but a lot of fun. The Trophy Room bar in the back is a great dark little place if want to get away from the noise from the front room and pinball machines. The staff can range from pretty nice to total dick, I think it depends on the night you go. If you are brave they also serve hot dogs which are pretty good. Bring cash because they don't take credit cards.

    (5)

  • Callie K.

    This bar is AMAZING. I've never been anywhere like it. Clowns! Veggie Dogs! Slushy machines! Circus themed decor! Light-up pinball booths! 15+ pinball machines including Champion Pub, my favorite! Ramones on the stereo! Friendly, cute bartenders! $5 soda & Absolute's! My boyfriend and I both agreed we'd definitely be here at least once a week if only we lived in Seattle... sigh..., if only.

    (5)

  • Tyler S.

    I came here because I was craving to play some play to arcade games and I will come here again just to play the pinball machines. Sure they have beer, but why waste your money when there is pinball to be played? I especially liked the Family Guy pinball machine that is in Spanish. The five stars isn't necessarily a rating of the whole bar. I didn't try the hot dogs and I only drank a couple cans of Oly. With the rarity that is arcades, Shorty's helps to fill in that void. I can get a beer anywhere else, but I can only play dozens of pinball games here.

    (5)

  • Jayson S.

    Come in as you are...they don't care who you are, what your wearing, what you do for a living...a REAL, cool, chill place. stiff drinks, pinball machines in the back, interesting people in and outside of the place. Big plus because i live across the street!

    (5)

  • Andrew F.

    While living up to the pinball hype, Shorty's lets down a 21st century world by not accepting deibt or credit. I intended on paying in cash that night anyway, but I had to cover for another person who came unprepared. There's a bunch of pinball games in the "cove" which is decorated with numerous nautical items and a fishnet ceiling. Props for decorating. Maybe it's not my place to go since I'm not the biggest game fan anymore, but their bartender wasn't too nice, and seemed disgusted when he threw a hotdog on the bar after a friend of mine ordered it. The pinnacle moment of the evening came just outside the front door, where 2 gentlemen got in an altercation. One man picked up a chair and smashed the other person about 3 times with extreme force, at this point, the person getting pummeled by the chair just happens to whip out a full on 3 foot machete sward!!!! Soon after, a slew of people run in and break it up. The man with his machete runs away and the only thing left is an unusable broken chair to show for it. Hanging out around the vintage Kingdome-esque astroturf walls are neat, which is OK any day in my book. If you like games, pinball, hotdogs, and booze, you'll probably like Shorty's. Be prepared to pay with cash though and don't expect a standard short glass for your cocktails.

    (3)

  • Andrea J.

    This place is awesome.Although it usually gets pretty packed and hot on summer days,but it's worth it.In the back room they've got a good selection of pinball machines and little tables to set your drinks and food on while people play.I always have a good time when i do go in

    (5)

  • Thomas P.

    Great Dogs. Great cheap beer. Hey the bartenders are these hot....tattoo girls....who could be walking down the runway.....We love the mixed crowds. You can just hang out...and have a blast. This dive bar makes you feel comfortable. Definitely a place to take your friends when they come to visit Seattle.....

    (4)

  • susan k.

    Cool bar

    (5)

  • Linda M.

    Cool dive-type bar with a clown and pinball theme. I could see this place in the village, NYC area, for sure. We went during the day so it was pretty empty but I was told to order their hotdogs and they were pretty good. I ordered the, "Chicago Dog" and had to compare it to the ones I use to eat in Chicago. It was pretty close, but no cigar, lol. I'm sure the atomosphere is better at night after a few beers, though!

    (3)

  • John Paul H.

    Fun, funky, low key bar. I mean, c'mon, who doesn't like pinball!?!

    (5)

  • Lindi C.

    Any place that has Strongbow, pinball, AND cream cheese dogs is rad in my book! If you want to fit in though, wear black and lots of eyeliner. Tattoos help, too.

    (4)

  • Bob C.

    AWESOME place. On Sunday, head straight to the back bar for waffles and fantastic cocktails by a bartender who really knows his stuff.

    (5)

  • Katy H.

    Booze and pinball, what more can you want? It is a lil' small...and Belltown is laaame... Move closer Shorty's!

    (4)

  • Ninja S.

    Going to Shorty's is a bit hazy for me. I remember pitchers of beer and trying too hard punker types. I remember performing shockingly poorly at pinball. My game was completely absent. I'm not accustomed to losing at pinball or video games ever. I was amazed at all of the pinball action that was here. Bars that "have pinball" usually have a couple of them at most. This place has a room full of them. 10+ different, and many classic, games. Way to go Thing, you're really on the ball! After a while, we stumbled down to the Five Point. It was a night of first for me. I don't recommend coming here sober, and I don't recommend staying for too long, but I do recommend making a stop for some cheap brew and pinball.

    (3)

  • Phoebe K.

    I'm specifically reviewing THE BACK ROOM! The hot dogs are cool and all, the pinball machines are whatever, the divey atmosphere is divealicious... but I'm talking now about something that is much better than all those things combined. And that is: possibly the best cocktails in town for the price. The back room bartender on Thursday-Sunday after 8 PM is this guy John who creates his own personal drinks menu for every season. He's kind of a genius. You might want to stop by.

    (5)

  • JUSTINE T.

    Mrs Pac-man, do I need to say more? Also try the strawberry frozen drink "tall" If your not knocked on your ass from it you have a problem. Best $5 ever spent.

    (5)

  • Rick B.

    Dive bar with hella pinball machines anywhere from a quarter to 75 cents. Super fun. 21 and over only which keeps all the immature kiddos out. Will be back.

    (5)

  • Nick D.

    Love it. And it's neighbor, Lava Lounge. Loved this place for years. Pinball Competitions, Hot Dogs, Beer, Liquor, Yum. Great Happy Hour. Great Atmosphere. Been kicked out and still wanna go back! That's Love!!!

    (4)

  • Sara H.

    This place rocks. It's a nice break from the scene that is Belltown surrounding it. If you like dive bars, you'll love this one. PBR on draft and Schlitz in a can while playing Big Buck hunter... need I say more?

    (4)

  • Benjamin S.

    I've only been to Shorty's between the hours of noon and 5:00 PM, so I can't speak to what goes on there at any other time. That said, if you want to grab a beer and a shot and bliss out on pinball, this is the place. Great selection of machines and, well, that's all that really matters.

    (4)

  • Kim B.

    Lord of the Rings pinball rules. Sometimes when I meet my friends for dinner at Mama's I arrive early so I can sneak in a game. The Family Guy pinball has the mini-pinball game that is totally kickass. One star deducted for the douchebags who sometimes smoke outside and make rude comments.

    (4)

  • Maurice G.

    Shorty's is EXACTLY the kind of place I expected from a the Capital of Nift that is Seattle. After arriving at SeaTac, i had about 7 hours to kill until my travel partner was to meet up with me, so I goofily wandered around Bell Town without a fucking clue and with a desperate need to be entertained. I passed many-a-bar that day that neglected to pique my interest, even at the prospect of some delish Seattle microbrew. I wanted my first Seattle bar, EVER, to be something memorable. And then, I get sucker punched by this nefarious looking bar called ... you guess it (since you are on this particular page of reviews, mostly) ... Shorty's. This was the fucking spot! I settled up to the bar, ordered a Mirror Pond and a Chicago dog. I felt like Kevin Durant on draft day. As an introduction to Seattle bars, i was THOROUGHLY impressed. In fact, I liked it so much, I took my travel partners BACK there later on in the week to their delight. Pinball and Chicago dogs and Microbrews and a little Donkey Kong to boot melted our faces. Even better, the clientele was massively friendly and had a generally great vibe. This is mos def my favorite bar in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Justin G.

    Super fun bar and arcade. It's kind of circus themed. They have a lot of really collectible pinball games and a good mix of pretty fun arcade machines. It's got this back room with these high-back blue vinyl button stools. A small patio area in front for the smokers. It's an awesome adult playground.

    (5)

  • Edward T M.

    Don't waste your time. A total PBR-poser, hipster bar. If you don't dress exactly like the people who haunt this dump or give off that same smarmy attitude, you might as well forget it. Looking for their supposedly "great" hot dogs, I went here with my roommate a few months ago; trying to get someone who worked there's attention was impossible. For one thing, it was impossible to tell who worked there. No one said hello, go away (of course, because everyone in Seattle is so "polite") or anything for the 10 minutes we were there. And anyone who DID look at us just sneered and shot us the evil eye. (Oh, sorry we dressed "wrong" and didn't stumble up to the bar ready to pass out and order ten more drinks). I'm sure if I'd gone in dressed like Jerry Garcia with an ass-long pony-tail, I'd been welcomed like a king. A classic example of the good ole' Seattle Belltown/Capitol Hill poser-drunk chic that dominates this town. "We welcome you, we welcome you, we welcome you - - unless you look different than us. Of course, we won't say that, because we're waay to nice to do something rude like that. Welcome to Seattle! Of course, we don't really say that, and we especially don't mean that." Don't bother stepping within a block of the 'ever-welcoming' doorway if you don't have at least 7 tattoos, 8 facial piercings and all-black clothing. Oh, being 3 sheets to the wind can only raise your status 16 points in reverse-poser street-cred points. Nice place - especially if you're intoxicated and being such is your best ambition in life.

    (1)

  • Jamila J.

    For as long as I can remember I have loved Shorty's. That said, I think they barely tolerate me--but that's okay. Big Buck Hunter, Pinball, junky cheese nachos, and cheap beer. Yes. I love this place. I particularly enjoy taking people to Shorty's who, like me, stick out like a sore thumb. Luckily neon nacho cheese and cheap beer soothes any thumb and everyone I take there becomes a fan.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    So, I absolutely love this place. It's sooo random and so great all at the same time. Who doesn't like drinking and playing games. They have photo hunt too...my absolute favorite games...but while you are drinking you can play pinball or shoot guns (not real ones of course)...I mean who doesn't want to do that...and they serve hot dogs...my favorite!! If you want a cheap night...games included this is the place!!! Oh and an added bonus...you'd think the bathroom would be majorly icky...but it was actually clean!!!

    (5)

  • Marcel P.

    Oh man. What a wonderful experience. A real dive with a plethora of pinball machines and video games. The best pinball machine was the NBA themed pinball that served lengthy rounds of game play. Very laid back with a friendly staff, especially for a place that isn't exactly the cleanest. The back area has a nice lounge which has unique chairs that feel like as if your surround by, as my friend described, "armor shields." Great, great place with some of my favorite music blaring through the speaker.

    (5)

  • Emily W.

    My friend who loves Shorty's and pinball brought me here last night, LOVE the pinball, its funny how $5 dollars can just disappear into an hr. of pinball. And get this, they have themed pinball machines like Iron Man, Batman, Genie, Adam's Family. This is like pinball on a whole other level, definitely coming back with my quarters!

    (5)

  • Tim O.

    Damn good hot dogs and beer. 'Specially when you need a nice fun lunch break from work. I got the veggie dog and the SO got the Chicago Style veggie dog. It was basically a Technicolor hot dog - bright green, yellow, red, etc. What a trip to see and eat.

    (4)

  • Amanda K.

    We had visitors last weekend and we took them here. Our one visitor, Brett, loved this place!! Loved it, wanted to stay here all night, and go back every other night. In fact he even wrote a blog entry about this being the best place. Me, I thought it was okay. The drinks were pretty cheap and they were good. It's a cool atmosphere, the tables being old pinball machines is pretty cool. I don't like walking in the back room and seeing the top of someone standing at a urinal, but i do like the back room which reminds me of the 1950's at a bowling alley or something. The majority of the people seemed to be men, but there were also women. I liked playing the pinball games, but we were playing for so long that I was running out of money. It would be nice to win a prize or something. I got bored pretty early and was ready to go.

    (3)

  • Heather F.

    I just so happen to like (in no particular order) beer, hot dogs and pinball. This place has all three, therefore, I like this place and sometimes that's all I really need.

    (4)

  • Bruce L.

    Best place I know of to play pinball. Love the atmosphere with the one exception of the cloud of cigarette smoke always at the front door. The back bar is a hidden, cool spot. Low key, last stop of the night type destination for drunken pinball.

    (4)

  • Mags L.

    Pinball machines galore!! Beer and fun. What more do ya need?

    (4)

  • Matt L.

    When I am in Seattle I really don't want to go anywhere else. Come on! PBR, great hot dogs, primo juke box and pinball! To me it's like being in a casino. Losing track of time and not caring about daylight?... Straight dope! Please add bunk beds.

    (5)

  • Angela K.

    When I'm back home I like to stop by Shorty's. I'm no pinball talent. I'm no hot dog fan. I don't even drink beer. But for some reason when you put them all together and paint them up all nice like I can't get enough. See you next winter.

    (4)

  • Michelle B.

    Is it clear that they have hot dogs, beer, and pinball? Yes, abundantly. Did you already know that Shorty's is Punk Rawk? Yep, we all know it. So, here are a few things you might not know: They also have games other than Pinball -- Mario Brothers, Qbert, and Joust, etc, etc. They also serve veggie dogs. And just to make the vegetarians feel like they are getting the attention they truly do deserve they offer a vegetarian chili dog. Awww isn't that cute? They also apparently serve organic TV dinners. Let me know if anyone ever tries one! So grab some friends, gather round the pinball tables, order up a pitcher of beer, figure out which hot dog you want, and settle in for a night of good old fashioned drinking.

    (4)

  • Steven N.

    OK jerkfaces - if you're not actually playing pinball - STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE PINBALL ROOM! So here I am, trying to rock out the Family Guy pin and this gaggle of non-pinball-playing yupsters is standing around right behind me getting all up in my space. Grrrrrr! Makes me wanna elbow somebody in the head. Or maybe I could get Chuck Norris to choke them unconscious. Hmmm... That incident aside, I love me some Shorty's. As you might assume at this point - I'm at Shortys for the pinball first, and then the hot-dogs and then beer. OK Wait - I forgot about the Joust/Robotron machine in the front... that comes before hot-dogs (although I wish is was only a quarter to play). So yeah... Shorty's may be the perfect bar. Damn tasty Hot Dogs* and lots of seriously kickass pinball machines. Hooray! * They even make a damn good chicago style dog. Pins include: Spiderman Family Guy Pirates of the Caribbean Lord of the Rings Revenge from Mars Addams family Medieval Madness Star Trek TNG Monster Bash Surf Champ (and a few others I can't remember right now)

    (5)

  • jez ..

    PBR+ Jim Beam + Simpson's Pinball= Heaven!!! You can't go wrong with Shorty's... it get's a bit loud in there, but hey... it's a bar!!! I love this place... especially since they serve not only hot dogs but veggie dogs too!!! Check out the Hang Over Special... It's amazing.

    (5)

  • Dean R.

    Zach's review below is pretty much right on, from a socio-political point of view, but I'm really too dumb it seems to get that much meaning out of a place with PBR and microwave hot dogs. This is a "neighborhood" bar for me, and since I have a couple of friends who live close, it's a decent enough meeting place. The newer back room looks kind of swinging, with that late-50's polyester retro hipness about it. The beers are cheap, I wouldn't go near the hot dogs as the grill stand down on 1st Ave looks/smells much better, but Shorty's isn't a bad place to meet and have a couple of beers.

    (4)

  • Scott W.

    Dark-circus theme. Cool crowd, cheap beer. Lots of pinball machines.

    (4)

  • Tyler H.

    One Summer, it seemed that nearly every afternoon, right after work, I'd meet friends here to eat hot dogs, drink cheap beer and shoot digital bucks on Big Buck Hunter. Now, I'm personally against hunting, but it is also a little known fact that digital bucks actually want to die. It is their life mission to be shot by players of Big Buck Hunter. And, by playing the game, and shooting them, you are helping make their existence seem worthwhile. And, it is ALSO a little known fact that the closer to neon green your hot dog relish is, the better it is for you. So, make sure to get relish on your hot dogs. That was a fun summer.

    (4)

  • Zim R.

    If I am going to the Crocodile, I will come here first. If I am at the Lava Lounge, I will come here next.

    (4)

  • Scott J.

    Since the addition of the backroom, Shorty's has become a little more tolerable to come and hang out on a Saturday nite. With more seating you dont feel like your constantly in the way of hipsters making way from the pinball room to the front door to have a cigarette. Note: This used to be a dive bar. It still kind of is, but now it has a completely mixed type of crowd. Don't be afraid to come in when you approach the front door and see it brimming with hipsters. In this day in age, they're only hipsters that heard it was cool to go hang at Shorty's on the weekends. For the more hardcore type... try the day time or the weekdays. Weekends... its anyones guess.

    (3)

  • Haakon L.

    This is the best place for pinball in Seattle. It's also got a great variety of beers, and has a full bar for cocktails. The hot dogs are good, but not mind-blowing. It's essentially a Rock n'Roll bar that a lot of the local Punk and Rock n'Roll kids love. It can become unbearable in the summer when its packed with people, as the main bar is fairly skinny. There is a nice back bar hidden by the bathrooms which can be nice respite from crowds and noise, as its dark and has no games in the back.

    (5)

  • Daniel K.

    Video Games and Beer, the meathead factor was subdued as well.

    (4)

  • Tori H.

    pinball clown theme without being cheesy, actually, kinda creepy.

    (5)

  • Alex R.

    Never visit this bar. A bartender named nicki faked being a manager and threatened to kick us out after she punched me in the arm about not getting a good tip. Failed to apologize after we asked her what that was about. Horrible service with no honest solution. Possibly great bar ruined by a horrible staff member.

    (1)

  • Carly L.

    Shorty's is bad ass in a non pretentious kind of way. Cool place to play pinball. I don't have pinball skills but there are people that take that shit seriously. Like wearing gloves for playing serious. Kinda scary, Anyways, had a pint, played some pinball, had some good conversation on a beautiful Sunday. It is a place I would love to come back to.

    (4)

  • Nika L.

    One of my favorite bars in Seattle. It's a little divey and the Coney Island theme gives off a darker atmosphere but I LOVE it!! The bartender in the back room knows his drinks and my quest to find the perfect martini has ended here.

    (5)

  • kambrell C.

    I have been planning a trip for a few weeks to Shorty's and finally made it there tonight. It was exactly what I was expecting and the games were so fun. The beer selection was a little weak but I love the punk rock vibe. I will be back! CASH ONLY!

    (4)

  • D'Arcy H.

    I love Pinball. I love carnival like at mosphere and the hot dogs are awesome

    (4)

  • K P.

    I like Shorty's alright as a stand-alone place, but really... I only come here for the pinball. They don't take debit or credit cards, which I think is lame, but if I'm coming with pockets full of quarters, that's what I'll be buying my beer with. Generally the games are well-maintained and in working order, but it's really frustrating when the same ones are down for long periods of time. It's a great place to go to have a good time playing pinball and drinking cheap beer. Be prepared for a crowd...it IS Belltown. Go for the games and the weird clown decor, and the guy in the derby/bowler hat.

    (3)

  • Skip B.

    At one point in my life, I had a $25/day pinball problem. The only reason I don't come to Shorty's more often is that I used to have a $25/day pinball problem. You won't find another bar like Shorty's in Seattle. Heck, I haven't found one like it anywhere.

    (5)

  • Brent A.

    A few years back, Shorty's Robotron 2084 machine kicked my ass quickly and often. This was devastating, as I was the last hope of mankind. But I never held it against Shorty's, and give them kudos for having said 80's arcade nemesis in the first place.

    (4)

  • Clarissa L.

    Pinball machines to take care of my drunken ADHD. Daiquiris with little umbrellas that usually all end up in my hair. Hot dogs to satisfy my drunk ass. Yeah Shorty's is one good bar. Make sure you take two aspirins and drink a glass of water before bed.

    (4)

  • Jordan W.

    If you like pinball which I do, this is the place to go. Dark and dingy pinball, the way it should be. All the lights and sounds are a treat to the eyes and ears. You can really get into your game here.

    (4)

  • Jean K.

    I loves me a dive bar. I cant believe I closed this place down last night...as in Tuesday. When we walked in it was packed too! Cheap pbr's, a pretty good hot dog (dont get all the crap, the green stuff is gross), and some really really fun pinball. The monster mash is our fave.

    (4)

  • Cristian C.

    Awesome place! Great atmosphere and grub- the reviews below say more than enough about this place. I'd defnitely recommend a visit if you're ever in the area, especially at night!

    (4)

  • Ouroboros B.

    We went in after a late lunch on a Monday, and were given no grief for only wanting to play pinball and not drink alcohol- thanks for that. The games are in great condition, and many decades of tables are represented. 24 is about as lame as it gets, and the Star Trek was much better than I had imagined. We were there a couple of hours, and was almost the favorite part of our Washington trip (lost out to swimming in a lake in the Olympic National Forest.) Thanks Shorty's!

    (5)

  • Chas P.

    Been here many many times over many many years in many many different situations. In all of them I have an awesome time. Pinball, cheap beer, activity, loud good music, and veggie hot dogs!!! Not to mention some hidden corners for a chill out. This bar is an oasis in an otherwise boring downtown scene.

    (5)

  • Rachelle L.

    This place is pretty chill, which is exactly what I look for in a good bar. Every time I've been there the small 8 person patio has been crammed with about 12 people, so I've only sat inside. Booths are kind of small and it's really dark but I suspect that is for all the sensitive gamer eyes going on. They have a small decent selection of arcade games and a sweet room dedicated to only pin ball with plenty of machines. The boys I usually roll with always split pitchers of beer, I always get a jack & coke which is always way strong. My only complaint is the cleanliness. The tables are always dirty. There is also no door for the girls bathroom. It's not that I mind people seeing me go in or out of a bathroom stall, I just don't like the bathroom smell leaking out directly into the pinball room which is poorly ventilated and in the very back of the bar. Of course I'll be back to Shorty's, I love the atmosphere, they've got cheap drinks, and who doesn't love pin ball?

    (3)

  • Hodi P.

    I want my Galaga! And this is where I get it.

    (4)

  • Aberdo G.

    I used to work in Seattle weekly on Business. I used to hit up this gem in BellTown. What originally drew me in was the punk blaring inside. Once in I was just shocked at the atmosphere: college kids, pierced bald bar tender growling fugazi, and games everywhere. Then I ordered a beer and WTF, this place is cheap as shit. OK...now I know where to go to get F'd up and stay within my Per Diem. I went back last time I was in Seattle and nothing has changed. We had a beer, a cider and nachos for $7 with tip.

    (5)

  • Silvia A.

    In addition to what Ellen C. wrote I would add "hot dogs," and then respond with "Not a damn thing." Grungy but not dirty, laid-back, and with the craziest decor in town, this place survives on bike messengers and people who don't take themselves too seriously. No better way to unwind after a long day of work than a tasty hot dog and a beer.

    (4)

  • Kathleen N.

    Cheap beer. Hot dogs and nachos. A pinball cove with several working pinball machines. Guitar Hero. Ms Pac Man. Donkey Kong. What more could you want from an arcade for adults? Just hope you aren't afraid of clowns. They're everywhere inside.

    (5)

  • Danika M.

    Shorty's is cool! I super love pinball. Went there tonight with Jeff L. and Lawrence L... We were monopolizing the Family Guy pinball machine. FUN! Drinks were very reasonable. Also, the have quite the variety of hot dogs.

    (4)

  • Vanessa F.

    Super funtimes. Pinball + beer= a good time. And they have Manny's on tap.

    (4)

  • Tricia h.

    i seriously love this place! if you are ever in seattle, you must go to shorty's! my husband and i lived in downtown seattle for 4 months and we made it a ritual to go to shorty's like once a week! we adored it and now i miss it! Nice people work the bar friendly and fun. tons of arcade games, not just pinball.a lot of individuals come here so you should be up for an adventure! they have a juke box and i think 6 different ways of getting your hot dog made right at the bar! real cute! i really miss it! their strawberry daiquiris were the best but you only need one large one if you are small and that should hold you over for an hour or so! i recommend this place to all who go to seattle! i love the way its decorated and the dim awesome lighting make it even more awesome!

    (5)

  • Jav V.

    Pinball (lots and lots of pinball) and cheap beer.

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    It's been a couple of years since I have been here, but I still feel like this is one of my favorite bars I have ever been to. I loved all the pinball machines that they had. I remember the beers being really cheap. I also got to try my first hot dog with cream cheese, and I have been hooked on them ever since. It was also a nice breath of fresh air after having gone to some really shitty bar at Pioneer Square the night before. If I ever move to Seattle I want to live across the street from Shorty's.

    (5)

  • Leah K.

    Great drinks and hours of fun playin' pinball.

    (5)

  • Jeff S.

    Whenever I am in the area I usually try to stop by Shorty's. The pinball room in the back is fun and I think the booths being made out of old pinball machines is cool. I also like it because i never have to worry about being under dressed unlike many places in Belltown. It is cash only but the have an ATM right when you walk in.

    (4)

  • NITESKYNI A.

    Sooooooooo much fun. Great priced drinks, fun, games and cool people.

    (5)

  • Philip L.

    Pretty much the only bar in Belltown I like going to. Some cheap drinks, maybe a game or two of pinball and a late night hot dog make for a pretty good bar in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Anthony M.

    One of the better, non-pretentious bars of Belltown, great food, drinks and pinball... what more can you ask?

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    I love pinball! I love pinball with beer even more! I've never eaten here, the idea of that scares me just a little bit, and eating cuts in on pinball time. Every time I pop in I feel like I'm on Coney Island. Make sure you have cash and a pocket full of quarters because they don't take cards.

    (4)

  • Jon B.

    Very cool hole in the wall. Creepy clowns hanging from the ceiling and painted on the walls. Drinks were strong and a good gathering of friendly people! I own the high score on the disneyland indiana jones pinball machine and I couldn't touch the one on this machine. All around good times to be had.

    (4)

  • Sarah V.

    Do they call it Shorty's for their short drinks? My alcoholic Squishy-style pink beverage came in the sort of glass usually reserved for well drinks. Not cool, man.

    (3)

  • Karen S.

    Two words - Medieval Madness. Ever since Dalmuti's shut down in the U District, my husband and I have missed our regular game play on MM. For his birthday, I did some research and discovered Shorty's had a table. We went mid-afternoon, and practically had the back room to ourselves -- pinball to our heart's content! We will go there again, no doubt about it!

    (5)

  • Alli R.

    The bouncer of this bar refused service to me and my group of friends with no reasonable explanation. I tried to speak with him calmly and rationally and he informed me "this conversation is over." Not only did he refuse entry to my group as a whole but he also refused entry to any individual in my group, even to retrieve another friend from inside, and went so far as to instruct another bouncer to not let any of us in either. I cant really speak to the service inside but I imagine a bar that hires such rude, hostile bouncers on power trips wouldn't have very friendly bartenders either. Obviously, we took our business elsewhere.

    (1)

  • Alex H.

    I didn't like this bar when I first went due its trying-too-hard-to-be-cool-ness. It's grown on me though, probably because of its proximity to so many terrible bars that make it look fantastic by comparison. I like the pinball and hotdogs but can do without smelly, poop-dreaded gutter punks and bike messenger jocks. Also, there is lots of yuppie overflow from 1st Ave on weekends. Most of the bartenders are nice but be prepared for them to ignore you in favor of someone who looks hotter/hipper than you. The beers on tap (or at least the PBR) tastes horrible so stick with the bottles and cans. And you can smoke while you drink on the front patio.

    (3)

  • malarky j.

    I used to love this place. Beer, pinball, pinball tabletops, and low lighting. Sounds like an equation for a good drunken win. I miss this place...

    (5)

  • Matt K.

    Most of my friends claim I'm becoming an old fart, but you know what I still love punk rock, cheap beer and pinball. This place has it all. If you are looking for a bar in Belltown that is a little more fun and a little less pricey, this is it. No idea about Wi-Fi connectivity here. I usually go there sober and leave stone drunk.

    (4)

  • Jacquie L.

    Sexy, Fun, and Kinda Naughty Like a demented dreamland carnival arcade or the seedy underbelly of a travelling circus. My absolute favorite place to go in all of Seattle; I seriously get really EXCITED when anyone mentions SHORTY'S. It has everything I need for entertainment. A generous selection of Cheap beer, a wide variety of booze, an Alcohol included Slushy machine, both real and faux meat hot dogs, nachos, and they even carry Lambic. The best part is the Arcade. The front of the bar has an assortment of video games, which I honestly breeze by on my way to the back where Pinball Cove is: A whole room filled with about a dozen pinball machines. I am kinda a geek over pinball. Also during busier times the Trophy room (the back bar) is open and reservable for parties. This place is very LAID BACK and takes CASH ONLY, though they have an ATM in the bar for your convenience. This place just celebrated it's 10th year and keeps getting better. I have such a Huge Crush on Shorty's; my heart beats faster and I have to breath deeper because of the Butterflies I get when I think about this place.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    I don't drink often, so this bar is great for me to go to with friends since I can play me some pinball while they get shitty. It has Baby Pac-Man which is a holy grail to video game nerds like myself and the other games are awesome as well. Last time I was there they had The Dark Knight machine, which was one of the only recent new pinball machines made. If you are hungry, they have decent hotdogs. If you are like me and you enjoyed the crack pipe a little too much, they have very good near-beer. The pinball is the main selling point, don't know too much about the bar service since I rarely interacted with the staff.

    (4)

  • Mork M.

    Pinball. Beer. Had I known about this place when I was 16 I would have run away from home.

    (5)

  • alex h.

    Extremly cheap drinks and food especially if you're into pbr and ciders hot dogs and nachos! I loved the the amount of pinball games they had there even though I suck at it.. I couldnt give it a 5 because it was sort of musty when I walked in and they only take cash; but hey everything is pretty damn cheap especially for belltown.

    (4)

  • bill m.

    Dive bar. Cash only. Lot's o' pinball machines. Decent enough, but wouldn't make it my favorite dive bar.

    (3)

  • Jesse R.

    Chicago-esque hot dogs and Playboy pinball. Oh yeah. They used to have Big Buck Hunter but I think it's gone now, but it's still cool to hang out here.

    (4)

  • Mark K.

    Cheese drizzle....25 cents.

    (5)

  • rosie l.

    what would make a pinball arcade under a circus motif good?? hotdogs. and what would make it better?? BEER! This was absolutely my favorite place in seattle. the vintage pinball tables were a mesh of creativity and nostalgia. came here a few years ago, and it was the only place i NEEDED to grab a shirt from for memories. it will absolutely be my first stop on a trip back.

    (5)

  • Moni C.

    I could call this place home if it weren't for the scary clowns everywhere you turn. I was quickly not bothered by them after sipping on my nicely poured vodka tonic, which was poured just the way I like (Vodka with hint of tonic)! Small, Hot, hotdogs and lots of pinball, I am going back.

    (5)

  • jerry s.

    I miss Shorty's more than anything in Seattle. A true original...it's the best when there is more jack than coke, the nacho cheese is almost green, and NOBODY HAS THEIR GRUBBY PAWS ON MY LORD OF THE RINGS PINBALL MACHINE. XOXO your #1 fan -js

    (5)

  • Jessica G.

    this is a pretty cool bar. the drinks are cheap, the pinballs machines keep your eyes moving and the bathrooms never had a line (very important for me!) I loved the big chairs in the back area, too. i sat out on the patio in front which was a comfortable place to have a conversation while people watching. the plastic chairs were reminiscent of elementary school. the hot dog menu made me wish i had skipped dinner at bella e vita... if i lived in seattle i'd probably be here a lot.

    (4)

  • MLE S.

    This place makes me believe in a higher power for the sheer fact that it would exist. I lovez it! Their "Hangover Special" is like $4.95 for a Bloody Mary, Hotdog, Alka Seltzer and a single cigarette. All the bartenders are total assholes which is hilarious when you go with people who haven't been before and say "watch this chick treat me like s**t" AWESOME!! I have been kicked out twice, no fault of my own. Also, the chick with the weird twisty braids is a total raunch to me because everytime I go there she confuses me with some chick she fist fought once. As a running joke I am always happy to see if she is there when I show up. She makes a Long Island Ice Tea with Evan Williams. So I call it a Coney Island because who puts whiskey in them? Definitely a girl after my own heart! Even though she hates me because I look like a different girl she hates. The back bar is bomb and you feel like Captain Kirk in those bar stool swhich I also love because the round around you so you can't talk to the people you came with. The games are rad and the people that go there stink so bad it adds to the greatness of it being 200 degrees. I love when I see preppy, richy chicks walk in thinking it is cliche or hip and see their faces turn all sour at the same time. I can't say enough for this place. I get all excited on my way there like a kid in a crazy, scary ass, dirty clown toy store!!!

    (5)

  • Amanda A.

    Recommended by our waitress at Von's. So glad we went there...awesome bar, friendly staff and the unusual people you come across certainly make it a good time. Thank you Seattle!

    (5)

  • zachary b.

    there seems to be a big confusion as to what constitutes a "dive bar" in this town. i wont argue with you that a place like shortys (let me preface everything by stating beforehand that i do in fact, like shorty's alot) appears to be a downscale, low key, blue collar bar. however it still maintains a certain semblance of a rather forced depravity. that is the tendency to attract the young, hipster, alt crowd which in the end just re-inforces a sense of pretention and stereotype afterall. again, for the record, i like shorty's, its a great place to grab a beer and the atmosphere is about as un-belltown as you can get. its really a pretty friendly and fun place on the weekend. but when sitting there and observing all the young trendster types downing their pbr and talking about the latest pitchfork review, i get the impression much of these people have never actually seen a real dive bar and rather, go to a place like shorty's to reflect some sense of suburban indie guilt. its very much a people watching scene. kids dress the part and seem to try and "one-up" each other on the indie/punk scale (read: crocodile cafe as well). i reiterate my earlier point, i like this pub, even if i sound pessimistic. so if you dont mind this type of crowd and wont feel intimidated for your absence of tattoos and ignorance of vice magazine, its a great place to sit down, enjoy the gaudiness (however forced it may be) and play some pinball.

    (4)

  • Laura K.

    This place is so punk rock, not. Just because its dirty, the food is from 7 Eleven, and the staff is rude does not make this place punk rock.

    (2)

  • Margaux j.

    pitchers of PBR + pinball + patio -------------------- happy drunk people

    (5)

  • maeve P.

    Yeah this place is fun. A dive bar with loads of pinball machines equals good, cheap times. Didn't try the hot dogs or any of the food but might have to the next time I go. I will definitely be back the next time I visit Seattle.

    (4)

  • Sarah M.

    $6 for a pticher of PBR. $4.50 for a veggie dog with everything. And $0.50 for a game of pinball. This was a perfect "second venue" to converge upon when two separate groups of friends found themselves at separate and disappointing happy hours. We were buzzed enough to be drinking PBR, we felt like being social (2-player pinball counts as social, right?), we'd spent our cash on pricy beer and apps already, and we loved the lit-up booth tables made out of old pinball boards. Plus, the 2nd-and-Blanchard location makes this an easy walk from just about anywhere (Queen Anne, Downtown, Belltown, South Lake Union) Just make sure you bring cash, and don't forget how many quarters disappear into 10 back-to-back games of Family Guy pinball because you're desperately trying to get into Stewie's mini pinball section (answer: 20 quarters, or $5). No worries if you space out and forget your greenbacks and quarters-- there's an ATM up front and a change machine in the back. We went on a Wednesday and had plenty of pinball tables to choose from, even amidst the punks (one was even wearing a "Shorty's" hoodie) who staked out their favorite tables.

    (4)

  • Greg M.

    Beer, hot dogs and pin ball! What more could one ask for? For sure a great alternative to the oh look at me I'm so hot crowd on Capitol Hill.

    (4)

  • Becky G.

    If you love Pinball or hot dogs this could be your second home. If you like cheap beer and drinks, look somewhere else. I like the back room and the tall bar chairs in the back. But after you spend all your %$$ on pinball, you want to find some place else with cheap drinks.

    (3)

  • Me H.

    Great dive bar, pinball and cheap drinks perfect combo. Always a fun time when you plan a night at Shorty's just remember to bring cash they don't take plastic.

    (4)

  • John R.

    A survivor from when Belltown had grit. Best thing about Shorty's is obviously the pinball. Worst thing is the Nickelodeon Slime colored relish. It glows "radioactive". Plus I'm insecure with my pinball skills.

    (3)

  • Deborah S.

    Working in Belltown, Shortys was always the place i could duck in , drop a few bucks and grab a quick bite. it didnt take a 20 minute wait or lighten my wallet too much. Sure we're not talking a full meal , but its enough to keep you running on one of those busy days at the office.

    (3)

  • Dr. James W.

    Coldest PBR in town. I love this place.

    (5)

  • Anne O.

    This place is a carnival atmosphere with cheap beer! Pinball, hotdogs, and beer. I think that's all you need to know. Great people watching...

    (5)

  • Ugly Betty X.

    Shorty's is great. I love the old school pinball tables in the booths. The service may test your confidence level, so step it up and be who you are! The beer's cheap, food cheap, entertainment cheap, and the music rocks. Great casual place to hang out after work or instead of work!

    (4)

  • Amy H.

    in continuing with the theme of "dive-as-fuck", i came upon shorty's and it's trophy room on a whim. what "whim" you ask? well, frankly i don't remember, but i do know that it wasn't something wonted because the only thing i hate more than clowns is belltown, which i try to stay away from as much as possible. however, i found out about the trophy room cocktail lounge within shorty's (a bar within a bar, what??) and had to see this recursion for myself. i envisioned something like that scene from alien (no, not the sigourney weaver panty scene) where the baby alien chestbursts from one of the crew members. nevertheless, i proceeded with caution and pushed my way past the crust punks and pinball fanatics to the alternate universe/back bar of the trophy room. it just happened to be booked for a private party that night (bartender's birthday), but jawn was kind enough to help out a couple of parched belles and oblige us a drink at the bar. as the cocktail thursday crew grew, i didn't want to overstay our welcome and proceeded to shepherd the villagers to other pastures (aka shorty's). one thing to note of this emigration: the wonderland of spirits offered at the trophy room is not mirrored at the bar of shorty's [read: there is no fernet up front]. desperate times called for desperate measures, and i ended up trafficking the sacred elixir between bars. i imagine marco polo experienced something similar while traversing the silk road, and perhaps he put it best when he wrote, "i have not told half of what I saw." in other words, you've just got to see it to believe it.

    (4)

  • andrew m.

    this is my favorite bar ever. you may have to wait in line for the good machines.. but man.. it doesnt get better.

    (5)

  • Maribel C.

    Shorty's is a gem! I remember it being part of the reason why I wanted to move to Seattle, along with the Breakroom (now Chop Suey) and the Sit N Spin (no longer there) :( There is something about Shorty's that only Seattle can offer. It has a scummy carnivalesque dive bar feel perfect for punk, beer, pinball, evil clowns and good tunes (velvet portraits and hot dogs too!). My rule of thumb is to always play a game of Mrs. Pacman whenever I come here.

    (4)

  • jen s.

    What a rad place!! Pinball machines as tables? Are you kidding me, that rocks! So did the DJ on that night who was playing the coolest jumble of sweet tunes that I actually made the statement "I want to marry this DJ". I explicitly remember that Fugazi's "Waiting Room" was playing when I stepped through the door...nice! Be prepared to get knocked on your ass, cuz these bartenders ain't messin' around with their drinks. Once you do get hammered, be sure to get the hotdog with the works, which literally has EVERYTHING all the way down to slices of tomato. I'd never have eaten that shit sober, but I think I may have commented "this is the most amazing thing I've ever eaten" while eating it that night;) Will definitely be back, but next time I plan to stay sober enough to play some pinball.

    (5)

  • Ass Man Z.

    Crusty punks, bike messengers, pinball, PBR and hot dogs...nuff said.

    (4)

  • Zach E.

    Ok but pretty cheap beer, super awesome pinball, and once someone even talked to me while I was there. That might have been down to the rollicking game of Medieval Madness I had going on, though. (the pinball tables seem to be very well maintained which is kind of rare for bar games and yet totally critical for the win!)

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    pinball, beer, chili dogs. what else do you need to know? and yes, they have tofu dogs for your veggie friends.

    (4)

  • Kristin S.

    Who doesn't love pinball. Even the tables are old pinball machines. The drinks are sort of skippable but this is a good "first date" type of place because you have the pinball to talk about right? This qualifies as a "dive bar" in my book.

    (4)

  • Brenna F.

    They have Addams Family pinball and Galaga. They win.

    (5)

  • jenny w.

    who doesn't like pinball and beer. Or hot dogs and beer for that matter. This place has a bunky feel and and th emusic was bumpin. I really liked the beer selection there are even some crappy beer options. This is clos eto bus lines. You can walk to other places too.

    (3)

  • Rick L.

    Awesome crowd, and the decor is beyond anything I've seen in a while. Reminds me of Old School Pizza, but better [and w/ liquor!] The music here is good, as well as the service is more than friendly. I felt like a kid again.. a kid who was drinking vodka.

    (4)

  • Ellen C.

    Great music, great pinball, cheep beer, what else could you ask for?

    (4)

  • mike d.

    Totally not my kinda spot, but I work with a friend who is basically a daily regular there, so I go with him every once in a while n its a cool spot. Pinball, cheap beer and good company. Cant complain. Oh and the dogs are money if you have a couple drinks in ya!

    (4)

  • dan l.

    shorty's is a total dive and it is one of my favorite bars. super cheap drafts of piss-beer, chicago style hotdogs, and pinball. what could be better than that? this is not a place to go to if you are looking for customer service. oh yeah, they don't take cards so bring cash or pay the fee on their in-house atm.

    (4)

  • Kathy R.

    In the divey category of bar, Shorty's is my favorite bar in the world. I fully expected attitude the first couple of times I hung out at Shorty's, but it never happened. So refreshing. Great place to hang out by yourself too because of the pinball machines.

    (5)

  • Erik S.

    Drinks and pin ball. Get your friends together and go to Shorty's to do some drinking.

    (5)

  • pennybottom f.

    definitely my favorite bar in seattle. there's nothing i miss more about that town than sitting outside at shorty's, shooting the (breeze) with strangers while drinking beer.

    (5)

  • cyk b.

    fun place to bar hop through. i recommend running the 2nd ave circuit and makin a stop here to play a few rounds of pinball. all the bars on that run are small. the back room is really a hidden gem.

    (4)

  • megan d.

    cheap booze, weeners and pinball ...oh my!.... but if thats not enough on sundays they have hangover breakfest!! this includes 1 cigerette, 1 alitzer, 1 weener and 1 large bloody mary for $5 !!!

    (5)

  • Carri H.

    i always had this secret dream of being a carny. now i have a secret dream of getting drunk enough at shorty's to run around trying to get people to play all of the games by shouting "step right up!"

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    Had a dive bar/carnival feel with pin ball games in the back room and a juke box for the front. Each table was a retired pin ball game. Good vibe for the middle of Belltown. Not the typical "swanky" bar around the neighborhood. If you order the ICE-E, it's not really only an ICE-E. The rum wasn't overpowering, to my liking.

    (3)

  • David C.

    Shorty's is a bar. Plain and simple. You do not come here to eat. This is not a gastropub by any means. The hot dogs offered can all be assembled at your local 7 Eleven for a lot less that what they charge. The nachos are the same offered at any gas station. You have to be drunk to enjoy this this place, which is probably the point. The pinball machines cost 75 cents per game. Bring change!

    (3)

  • Nicole W.

    Scary clown decor. Not the friendliest bartender. But - pinball! And my favorite game - Theater of Magic - WOOT! The back portion of the bar has about 12 different amazing games and it tick;es me pink that it exists! There is a coin machine, that works pretty well and no need for human intervention to get you coins! There are some interesting beers on tap and in bottles. Not a ton of seating, but some cute areas to hang out in!

    (5)

  • Darlayna B.

    I love JT in the backbar he's almost the best bartender in the whole world all day that I've ever met even bro.

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    Writing this review from the toilet which is where I've spent 12 of the last 22 hours after eating a hot dog here. Soooooo, yeah. Besides that it was great. Pinball was a lot of fun and they had a good beer selection. I do wish they had more vintage pinball machines, and my butthole is angry that I didn't heed the reviews about the quality of the food. But when I see meat rotating on something I have to have it. My mouth was happy and wants a 5 star rating, my balloon knot voted 1 star. I'll average the two giving slightly more weight to my inflamed naughty place. FYI....when I opened up this page to write the review I got a banner add for Pepto-Bismol! Thanks internet!

    (2)

  • Katherine D.

    Pinball + Buck Hunter + Carnie Eats + Cider on tap! I love this place, and it's awesome pinball tables.

    (4)

  • Katharine J.

    Shorty's is what it is-a little edgy, and sometimes scary. The decor definitely takes you into a dark carnival. It's fun seeing everyone get into the nights when they have wrestling going on the TVs. The back room with pinball, including Medieval Madness, is super fun. It's just that there's some kind of off energy here. I'm always uneasy. Still, you have to see it at least once if you're in Seattle!

    (3)

  • Stephanie K.

    Shorty's is my go-to place in Belltown! Easily the best bar, and they make STRONG drinks. Like, middle of nowhere dive bar style. This seems to be a rare occurrence in the Belltown area, the strong drinks. Numero uno reason to visit Shorty's before anywhere else. The other reason to go is the garish carnival decor! I love bars that have weird themes/pictures on walls/unique gimmicks and Shorty's is right out of an abandoned carnival nightmare. They have a ton of games, scary clowns everywhere, and a cool salvage piece of a carnival merry-go-round. Their hot dogs are also delicious. Their bartenders are nice, and I can almost always find a booth to sit in, even on busy weekends. Just go, right now.

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    The bartenders are generally alrightish. Don't plan on spending under $10 on your card for penalty of Shorty's law or how dare someone ask for a trade of 2 dimes and a nickel for a quarter. If the arcade didn't make everything alright I would never come here.

    (3)

  • Leanne C.

    Backroom pinball and bright-colored booths. I totally dig it. There were a slew of folks with hipster beards, plaid and tight jeans. I felt at home. And guys, they make dark and stormys. And serve craft beers. What more could you want? Pro-tip: drinking more does not make you better at pinball. I tried. And failed.

    (5)

  • Jayme S.

    so i came here because the reveiws were great but m experesice was not so much... The Bartender was awful! We sat at a booth for aout ten mins relizing that nobody is gonna serve us, no big deal we go to the bar and take a seat and wait for about another 15 mins. the bartender seemed annoyed when we asked what beers were on tap. we orderd some food and the same bar tender assembled the food behind us and was cussing and slaming everything on the counter. he was kinda a scary man. but what do you expect in a bar full of old clowns

    (2)

  • Paul P.

    Great vibe. Good drinks and Pinball. This is a must see dive bar in Seattle. They treated me like a local even though I clearly didn't look the part. Thank you!

    (4)

  • Cheri C.

    Charming pinball dive bar. The bartender was friendly and the atmosphere was entertaining.

    (4)

  • Ryan W.

    Shorty's is your quintessential dive bar. It has that "coney island" feel with clowns throughout and an appealing hotdog menu. Unfortunately the night we went, their hotdog machine was broken so they only had veggie dogs "which we microwave..." Nothing says appealing like a microwaved veggie dogs right? There's also a sweet collection of old school arcade and pinball games and a digital jukebox, where on that particular night, a gentleman selected some sweet 2pac to bump :) The bartenders provide long pours - my wife ordered a shot a tequila that was like a triple!! The bartender said "whoops, it got away from me there!" My wife was happy... they get an extra star for that :)

    (3)

  • Alys D.

    Not much more to be said here that hasn't been said already, but I don't want to forget this place any time soon. Shorty's is geeky dive bar heaven. I'll forgive them for the prison-like bathroom because I was too busy grinding pinball on the Indiana Jones game. Cheers, everyone.

    (5)

  • Ilya P.

    PINBALLS! If you love pinballs, shorty's is great. So, bring some cash, and enjoy the many pinball machines that shorty's has to offer. Place is not too loud, and drink prices are reasonable (about average for Seattle).

    (5)

  • Keith B.

    Great place. Very unique. Love the idea of an bar with a bunch of pinball machines. Didn't get time to try the food, but the beer selection and prices were good, and the atmosphere was great. Caution. Pinball + beer may lead to loss of time.

    (5)

  • Bianca R.

    Who has pinball machines, disaronno amaretto, and interesting bathroom graffiti? Shorty's. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Rafael H.

    Came across this place while seraching YELP for local bars. We like to check out the local places. We decided to check it out based on the reviews. Great selection of drinks. Had to try the hot dogs since they were recommended. Overall the place was great. I will for sure come back again. They have Pinball machines in the back as well.

    (4)

  • Charles S.

    I love Shorty's a lot. It's right around the corner from my Apartment and my go to spot for late night video game therapy sessions via Big Buck Hunter. I love that I don't get carded when I walk it cause I go there a lot on a weeknight. Stiff Drinks but make sure you bring Cash cause its a 10 dollar minimum on the card. The Food is the bare minimum but Nachos and Cheese sometimes just hits the spot. The Back bar which is open on weekends is a great place to chill with friends and have a good time. If you like Video games or Pinball then this is a cool spot to chill on a Weekday Night.

    (5)

  • Billy W.

    Young crowd, alcohol. "Tastefully divey". Gives a fuck. For someone who had no idea what he was getting into, my breath was taken away upon sight of all the pinball machines. They've got like 12 pins in there. Five stars for this.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    I love this funky circus bar and that is saying a lot since clowns kinda creep out (clown paraphernalia adorns every inch the walls). However, Shorty's staff and friendly locals make this spot a Seattle must see, and I soon overcame my Coulrophobia. The circus fare of hotdogs and nachos can't be beat, and the backroom boast a ton of vintage pinball machines that is bound to satisfy the needs of any pinball wizard. Shorty's is fun and that is why it is such a hit with locals and those tourists who are lucky enough to discover this quirky mirth stop. This bar doesn't take itself too seriously, which is evidenced by the circus music playing in the restrooms, something which I must admit made me chuckle. A great late night stop with very good prices, Shorty's is certainly a spot I will visit again the next time I am in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Tex M.

    You can't go wrong with cheap greasy bar food, classic arcade machines, pinball, and beer. This place does it all. It gets pretty crowded here, but the experience is worth it. I love coming here on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Jeff F.

    Easily one of the best dive bars anywhere - Ton of vintage pinball, golden tee, big buck, cheap beers.....sold.....

    (4)

  • Josiah X.

    My all time favorite bar in Seattle!!!!!! Where else can you get cheap drinks, make friends with grungy open-minded people, and play pinball for as long as your heart desires??? The Cons: It always seems to be a bit stinky inside, i mean... whatever... i probably add to the stink but it's not really a place to bring a first date, maybe a second date tho. I'v never been kicked out per say, but i have been "cut off"... which is fair. I mean really, i probably would have kicked me out. Can't wait to go back!!!!! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Jay H.

    I think we all know I love bars with activities. Pinball, pool, goldfish races, etc... it doesn't matter what it is I just want something to do in addition to chatting about philosophy and fart jokes. Shorty's gives me all manner of amazing pinball machines to play and I love them dearly for it. They have classic old school machines and newer machines based off of the latest hit movies. Whatever your pinball preference is Shorty's will follow through on your need for flashing lights and loud noises. I will say on a busy night that the pinball room can get to be a bit on the crowded side so be warned. Also, their change machine requires some patience as it will accept another bill before it's finished processing the previous one... but will not distribute quarters for the second bill so also be warned. Up in the main section of the bar you'll also have some other arcade style games (Buck Hunter and they did have Guitar Hero for a while) and some of those table top console touch screen jobbies. I've burnt some hours in front of those as well. The bathrooms are a little weird and not so private... just make sure you zip it up before turning around and you'll be fine. They do have a secondary bar and more seating back by the pinball room and bathrooms. I'll be honest... I didn't even know it was there the first 3 times I came into Shorty's. I'm observant. I've bought drinks for friends here and they've all commented on how strong the drinks are. I've commented on how inexpensive they are. Seems like a win-win to me. I'm always down for an epic pinball battle so bring your quarters! I'm a huge fan!

    (4)

  • Brad W.

    Cheap beer, pinball, and hotdogs...how can you go wrong. Oh, and by the way, I'm in the top ten on the Pirates of the Carribean machine, boo-ya sucka. Weird thing though, that you get multi-ball a lot more often once you start putting in bills instead of quarters.

    (5)

  • Jeremy K.

    Great little place!! Honestly the second stop I would make in Seattle. Great dogs great beer and a fantastic pinball collection. I spent a few cold rainy weeks in Seattle and this place was At least a three time stop. Fun with a group or if you're all alone.

    (5)

  • Betty L.

    Probably my favorite bar that I visited while in Seattle. I love a great dive bar with great music (the night I went they were playing a lot of Bowie and Duran Duran, but I hear they usually play metal). Our table was a lit up old pinball machine which set the stage for an awesome ambiance. The back room is a must see. Many, many pinball machines! I see some people are commenting on the female bartender and I don't mean to dismiss their negative experiences, but I got the sense she was just a very, very chill person who didn't demonstrate a lot of emotion, which was fine with me. She was very friendly to me, although not talkative. I was cool with that. If I visit Seattle again, Shorty's is on my list.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    Finally got to Shorty's last night! I rarely make it out to Belltown, but Shorty's was worth the trip. Super fun bar, low key, and an entire pinball room in the back! So much fun! Cheap drinks, good company, just an overall fun bar.

    (5)

  • Mlo D.

    Shorty's has well priced booze. A good selection of well maintained pinball machines. And awesome junk food. I enjoyed the chili cheese nachos which reminded me of roller rink food (in a good way) and long islands. The staff is cool but not overly friendly and definitely not hipster snobby as I had feared. Perfect for the socially awkward drunkard! I think this place is my dream date!

    (5)

  • Todd B.

    Had a blast playing some old time pinball in the back. Loved the creepy cichy clown decor and the good selection of beers. No place really like it.

    (4)

  • Jasmine M.

    What's to say? Shorty's is heaven on earth. Any time I spend here is more than worth the effort. I demand pinball action and only this place curbs my addiction. I love you, Shorty's! Don't ever change.

    (5)

  • Greta D.

    I'll probably get slapped for saying this but I'm not really a hotdog fan... yet .... (work with me here) when I was into Shorty's I suddenly find myself craving a coney island. great drinks. great pinball.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    Everything a girl could ever ask for.... 1. Alcohol 2. Hot Dogs for both carnivores and vegetarians 3. Nachos 4. Attack from Mars pinball! This is a hybrid of a video arcade game plus classic pinball. OMG! It's the best. Well, almost.... 1. Parking is lame (Belltown) 2. Seating can be a challenge if you roll with a posse like mine. :)

    (4)

  • J K.

    Beer. Video games. Pinball. Hot dogs. What more could you ask for?

    (4)

  • Alyson L.

    I'll keep it short (pun only slightly intended): Stiff drinks. Delicious hot dogs. Occasionally "douchetastic" patrons (hey drunk guy! that's the CHANGE MACHINE, not an ATM). Pinball. Cash only. I love this place during the week, but on weekends parking is impossible to find and the vibe is pretty different. I would give them 5 stars but clowns freak me the hell out.

    (4)

  • Suzanne B.

    Any bar that can convert me to the lauded game of PINBALL wins in my book. I was visiting a friend in Seattle, only to find out that he lived, literally, less than a block from "Shorty's", a bar he described as "absolutely amazing." On a rainy Wednsday night, what else were we to do but go have some drinks? Shorty's reminds me of all the things that a bar should be--dark, filled with neon lighting, floors covered with a layer of slime, a bar serving reasonabily priced beverages and appropriate bar food. It's clientele reflects the laid back, divey feel the club exudes--lots of hoodies, tattoos, and piercings, and more colors of hair dye than I knew exsisted. I felt right at home. And then....I walked into the back room. I have literally never seen so many pinball machines in one place! Bear in mind I grew up in the late '90s after the pinball craze had died down, so to me, this place was a totally new experience. I obsessively played the Addam's Family machine for awhile, until the flashing lights and strobes gave me a headache. On a Wednsday night, the place was pretty crowded, but not enough to warrant a wait on any machine. They also have, at the front of the bar, to your right after you walk in, a few "newer" arcade games, like Guitar Hero and some cop and robber shoot-'em-up game, along with PacMan (which deathly scares me) and a few others. A jukebox is across the floor from these machines and has some killer music on it--I found anywhere from The Blasters "Dark Night" to Bauhaus's "In the Flat Field". Nice selection! Smoking is out front in a "patio" or an area of sidewalk barricaded off from the rest by a wrought iron fence. The people are down to earth, friendly and the bar food (dogs and nachos) is some of the best I've ever had. They even have a "hangover cure"--a bloody mary, a dog, and a single cigarette. NICE! (I may be a little off on the actual 'hangover cure' but the point is made). The bathrooms are, well, divey, and the blacklight paint is a little much in the back pinball room, and if you hate clowns and old circus memorabilia, this place is NOT for you. It's like Coney Island regurgetated it's slightly off Siamese twin into a vat of black light paint, then banished the said creature to the dark corner of the Northwest. Not that I'm insulting the place--such a description could only fit a very unique and wonderfully eccentric place, which Shorty's definately is. Just don't come here expecting a sports bar, or a regular bar, or even a dive bar. This is something else entirely. NOTE: I did make it out to Shorty's this past Halloween and I have to say that I saw some of the best costumes ever at this place. I also noticed that they have a back bar, to the side and behind the pinball arcade, that they apparently only open on holidays and other big events.

    (4)

  • Rachal B.

    this place is very fun! And the back room bartender is awesome! He is a great mixologist for sure. They have some really cool pinball games and Galaga is at the front of the room. It gets pretty crowded but if that doesn't bother you...go for it! Its a have to see place.

    (5)

  • Fred G.

    You simply cannot beat Shorty's for pinball. They have a tournament every November, and it's worth the $2 just to witness it. Hit Mama's or the Noodle Ranch first for grub though...I've seen them leave hot dogs out too long (yikes). You, tourist! Screw the space needle and the monorail, and see Shorty's if you really want a taste of Seattle. Get a couple pitchers of PBR and hope you don't get the tiny blonde chick bartender if you want to get a stiff drink. If I'm there, challenge me to Medieval Madness or Monster Bash, and I will pwn you. Muwa-ha-ha-ha-haaaaa! But seriously, I love this place.

    (5)

  • Kyoni R.

    After a happy hour round of drinks at the noc noc. My buddy Jorge wanted to go to Tia Lou's for Latin night. My buddy Chris the Bouncer was not working tonight. So it was a $10 cover charge. We decided to bypass it and he mentioned I'll bring you to one of my favorite places. So we stroll up a couple blocks and I notice a row of funky bars all in a line. Just like SF row houses. Each has its own little style. He darts straight for a store front with a clown and coney island motif. Am I in New York ?? Jorge says hi to the doorman and they let us in. We open the doors and I am welcomed by the smell of hot dogs and popcorn. I notice a couple playing guitar hero on my right. Bells and sirens from various parlor games and a crowded room on a Thursday night. As I follow my buddy I notice the Tables in the booths are pin ball tops with lights and stuff. We grab a couple of beers and he proceeds to lead to the dark back. We enter a hallway that opens to a wondrous room filled with lights, whistles, and people having a great time. Jorge asks me do you play pinball? Sure I mentioned when I was in Jr High school. They were the Bally type like the old one on the end named Surfs up. Now these newer pinball machines look like Big computers that can launch rockets. He tells me I'll show you how. He plops in 75 cents and he starts to play the pin ball machine called the Dark Knight. I watch him and he's hitting the ball like a master. Then he sinks it in a whole and 3 more balls are in play. This is a mad house. 15 minutes have gone by and he's still on his 1st ball. So i decide to go get a hot dog and have another beer at the bar. Strike up some conversation with a few people at the bar. Go back to see how he's doing. jorge is still rocking the machine now he's yelling and talking to it. I plop some coins into the NBA pinball and play 3 balls in 5 minutes. So quick so fast. Your heart just races when the ball comes toward you. Damn these things are addictive. I play a few more and notice jorge now has some spectators watching over his shoulder. i decide to go outside and check over the stranger. I strike up a conversation with several other people out side. Go through the stranger looking at who is coming to play in the city. It's been over an hour and I notice it's past midnight. I am getting tired so I decide I'm going to tell Jorge I'll be leaving soon. He's still on the damn machine. This is incredible. I continue to watch his ranting and ravings. By the time his last ball has sunk I looked at his score. 53,000,000 points on 75 cents. What a monster . I told him I was leaving and he proceeded to play another game. What a Die Hard PinBall Wizard. Shortys is a fantastic great time of bells and whistles. Affordable nights out here. Great food, Great Fun, and Great time.

    (4)

  • Matthew S.

    What do you expect when someone tells you that they are taking you to a pinball arcade / bar? Well it could either be an epic failure (bad beer, crappy pinball machines, sweaty armpit smell) or an epic win and Shortys definitely did not disappoint. The machines are all resonably priced ($.25 with most being $.50) and the selection of machines was suprising, I never felt that I was playing a similar game as the machine before it. There is Kong. There is pinball. There are hot dogs. There are cheap beers to be had. There are pretty women to be found playing pinball. I don't know how much better it can get.

    (5)

  • Jason R.

    It doesn't get much better for a dive bar. Booz and pinball is a match made in heaven. The environment is chill with a cool mix of folks. A must.

    (5)

  • Dae Y.

    the 1st player flap button on joust sticks. it made for a difficult time in a high stress combat situation. i got the shorty dog and it was pretty good. a little more chewy than i'm used to in a hotdog, but good. i got onions and jalapeños on it. add ketchup and mustard and it was a tasty little treat. the games are 50cents. 2 quarters. i was delusionally thinking they would be 25cents for a game, but at 50cents, it's not so bad for every once in a while. i tried an Olympia for $1.75. it's actually a pretty good beer. i'm told it's something about the water. it reminded me of all the Busch Light i used to drink in college. i liked the place a lot. i want to go back and try some of the pinball games in the back and also try some nachos. With a healthy dose of jalapeños of course!

    (4)

  • Will L.

    I have a theory that pinball games are designed by psychic elves who are high on LSD and specialize in cultural anthropology. They sit around their miniature conference room tables with sketch pads and studies into human culture, molding clay into models and smoking from teeny bright purple bongs with green dots painted on. Shorty's, then, is kind of like the human version of that acid trip. You walk in and are confronted with the cacophony of digital arcade game glee, punctuated with laughing people and the sounds of free-flowing alcohol. They have hot dogs and nachos and some really great beers, and there's nothing that goes with video games and pinball than nachos, hot dogs, and beer. A change machine in back of the first room will break your paper into coins. A transitional hallway houses the pee-stop, in perfect placement to rush in and unleash urinary power while you're buddy is taking his turn as Player 2. The back room houses the pinball machines, and walking through that room is like walking through a museum of American culture. They should send high school sociology classes through that room, as the pinball machines tell the tale of our culture far better than any text book. Finally the back bar room is like entering into Dr. Jeckyl's parlor. High backed black leather chairs, tables, and an odd decor give the room a really odd feel, like it's one part torture chamber and two parts Romp-a-room.

    (5)

  • Angela C.

    This place was recommended to me by a local so I thought the crew would love to check it out so we went.....and we had an amazig time! There are pinball machines in the back...the tables are actual pinball tops from old machines....you can get hot dogs....chili dogs....and nachos....and who knows what else from the bar...... On my back from the bathroom I found myself in another room which had really high backed chairs and small tables and was very dark.....so very very Alice in Wonderland.... Cool place. I want to go back! :)

    (4)

  • Dave F.

    Hipster Chuck E Cheese about sums it up. Pinball, Chili dogs, Alcohol slushies, great beer. I really enjoyed this place. Reasonable prices, good location and close to my hotel. I was trying to bar hop the night I was in Seattle, but found myself coming back to shorty's. If you are looking for fine cuisine I would search elsewhere, but to hang out, drink and have fun this place is great. Side note they have a hangover special that includes a cigarette and alka seltzer. How cool is that! Also has a cool stylish room to book for parties

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    This is one of my favorite bars in all of Seattle. I went here for my birthday for a 1920's themed birthday party. There is no place like Shorty's in all of Seattle! It's a great crowd and the biggest, baddest chairs in the back. This is a must go place! You can loose hours here and a lot of quarters, I hope you don't need to do laundry...

    (5)

  • Karen K.

    The best place in Seattle to play pinball. Of course, I'm not very good at it and I think pinball machines are kind of like slot machines (with lower returns), but I have a ton of fun every time I go. The drinks are strong. The food is basic (hot dogs). And there's just something about a room filled with flashing lights, dings, whirls, electronic laughter, and the eerie glow of a bunch of smiling, intensely focused faces.

    (5)

  • Anonymous V.

    Beer and pinball? Yes please!

    (4)

  • Dan W.

    Shorty's- hot dogs, pinball, alcohol. Make sure you have cash, but also make sure you have quarters. Also, make sure you realize how bad you become at pinball when you drink. I checked out the room in the back, and it seemed pretty nice. Thanks for the heads up on it, Yelpers.

    (4)

  • John C.

    The Jersey Shore on Mescaline.... Without a doubt the genuine heart of Belltown. They keep it so real here that you feel you might not be worthy sometimes. $2 PBRs (Sometimes $1 and I can never really peg the happy hour) Plus great Hot Dogs served by one of the most Tattoo'd staff in Seattle....

    (5)

  • Michael E.

    This place is different and that is why I'll go every now and again. I'm not a huge dive bar guy, but sometimes, ok, let's go. It's the pinball people. And the video games, and maybe the hot dogs. If you like the dive, they've got the dive. So, if you've typed "Dive Bar" and "Belltown" into that bar up there, put this on your program tonight. It'll be memorable.

    (3)

  • Mat W.

    Superb hole in the wall bar. Very fun circus vibe that fully adopts the pinball theme down to the booth tables. Bar is narrow, but is a deep room with pinball in the back. Food is circus menu, but good grease type stuff. Huge pinball room with a wide selection of machines. I believe they have a change machine, but best to bring some change or small bills. This is a great place to start the night on weekend or have after hours drink during the week.

    (4)

  • matthew r.

    If you showed me a punkish divey bar with clowns and stuff on the walls that had cheap beers (I think we paid $3 for bottles of shiner and cider) An extensive hotdog menu (Including a hangover breakfast special: a Chicago style hotdog, a bloody mary, an alka seltzer and a cigarette, no substitutions) and friendly yet intimidating tattoo covered bartenders, I'd probably give that place five stars. If I found a bar with a back room full of pinball machines from the 70s and 80s, all fully functional and playable, I'd give that place five stars too. And if I wandered through another bar and found a fun kitschy lounge in the back with an 'under the sea' theme and and comfortable overstuffed vinyl seats I'd probably rate it four stars. I'm not wild about that sort of thing, but I like it well enough. So Shorty's really gets fourteen stars. I'll update this review when Yelp fixes the limitations in it's rating system.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    The pinball machines and the velvet paintings make for a fun atmosphere and evening. What's better is the cocktail lounge at the back though. Barkeep "Jawn" with the mustache looks like he walked off the set of an old-timey movie set- I really *really* wanted to ask if he enjoyed the new fangled ragtime music of Scott Joplin. I am not sure how I managed to resist this urge though, as the last drink I had was a dark and stormy. It's made with Gosling's Ginger beer, so nothing particularly special about it: except that it came in a pint glass! Anytime you have a drink and the ingredients are alcohol + alcohol and it comes in a pint glass: beware. I left thinking absolutely everything was beyond hilarious. Had the big blue cylindrical chairs not been so supportive, it's a distinct possibility that I would have fallen down.

    (4)

  • Neil D.

    Ahhh Shorty's.... One of my favorite spots for so many reasons: 1) Tonnes of Silver Ball (aka Pinball), 2) Great atmosphere, 3) Good stiff drinks! Shorty's is a fun place for one or many if you're up for playing pinball and just chilling out on a Weekend. The crowd does pick up in the evenings as it's open every night until 02:00 but during the weekend days you can virtually have the run of the place. Head back past the bar and play those pinball games which you enjoy, want to try out, or just watch other play. You can also stay up front and just enjoy good libations and some decent (Galaga is my favorite**) arcade games and jukebox. If people watching is your gig, stay off the bar and grab a seat at one of the four or five booths that have pinball tables as the table tops - with lights and all (on most of them)! I have yet to try the food there as I am always a little leary after seeing it and the amount of Wild Turkey I have consumed probably wouldn't sit well with any of their Hot Dogs but I have seen them consumed by many a patron and with no complaints. I guess I'll lay off the strong stuff one night, grab a beer, and a Shorty's Dog. Now the REALLY cool part of Shorty's is in the back... not where the Pinball is, but wayyyy back, past the rest rooms. There's a hopping little area that you will just have to be lucky enough to check out (open later in the evening). It's like the Nightlite in terms of the furnishings - very retro, and very, very cool. Staff are great and I haven't had a bad time yet. Check it out and try to top the high score! ** - I made it to level 69 with over 800,000 points and still didn't get on the top 10 list. I am persistant though. ;)

    (5)

  • Lala M.

    Been once, liked, keep sayin' I'll go back, but never seem to make it.. One day!

    (4)

  • jenny l.

    Just coming home for Seattle I wish that they had a Shorty's in San Jose. This is the coolest bar I have ever been too. The table tops are old pin ball machines, everything is decorated like a carnival its so awesome. The back room has the best pin ball machines, from batman to iron man and the adams family. With $2 you can play 4 games what a deal. I am so glad my friends took me here cause its so unique and different. Seattle's night life is pretty amazing every bar is so different with people from all walks of life and thats what makes this place so unique.

    (5)

  • Marcy N.

    This is a really fun dive bar. Came here for a friends birthday gathering and some pinball!!! Love it! It hasn't changed a bit! Our friends brought their dog who was welcomed by being hand fed hot dogs!! They asked if it was okay first though. The tables are made out of old pinball machines but the seats are still falling apart. There are tons of pinball machines and a few video machines too. The best value are the pints of beer for $3.75. Plus they have 3 types of cider. I highly recommend the Ace cider on tap. Get your hot dogs from a street vendor. They are much cheaper and far tastier. The bathrooms were surprisingly very clean. If the parking wasn't so terrible I'd spend more time here. Though on this night I got there early enough to get rock star parking and a large table for our group.

    (4)

  • Suz L.

    I think we stumbled into Shorty's after dinner and played a few pinball games.

    (3)

  • Merrill W.

    So, I was out wandering in Seattle last night as I had a little free time on my hands. My iPhone had run out of juice so I decided just to see where life would lead me. I ended up downtown and found a whole series of great dive bars, but my favorite had to be Shorty's. Great seedy vibe, excellent blend of Seattle post punk/grunge playing on the juke box a full bar staffed by happening bartendresses with just the right amount of attitude. Loved the circus/carnival midway theme. But the real secret of Shorty's (not that its very secretive mind you) is the eye-popping array of absolutely amazing pinball machines in their back room "Pinball Cove". There were machines in there that I had never seen before that were just stellar. A literal treasure-trove of flipper flashing, bumper busting mayhem. Combine this with a stiff shot and your in for a fun-filled few hours of inebriated pinball wizardry.

    (4)

  • John E.

    Lord knows I like the pinball, but replacing the old-school lamps with long-lasting LEDs gives them a spastic 60 Hz flicker. It's bad. It's distracting. It made me walk away from a machine with credits on it. They have done that to a few of their machines and it is Not Okay. Someone is going to go all Pokemon from it...but it won't be me: Now that there are other pinball havens (and the Skill Shot 'zine to find them), I'm good until they come to their senses.

    (3)

  • Stephanie B.

    Great bar, insteresting people and PINBALL. Don't expect really interesting cocktails... It's a dive bar. Get simple cocktails or skip them altogether and drink some beer! Beer is best. The music is typically a bit too loud but after drinking a while and shouting at your friends, you won't really care. I have come here and played video games and pinball and hung out in the awesome back room with the WICKED COOL huge comfy seats at the bar. There are also hot dogs and other carnival type treats, you know, to keep in theme with the decor. It is sure a fun place to hang. They also do pinball tourneys too. RAD.

    (4)

  • Victoria T.

    If John Wayne Gacy were alive and on the loose, this is where he would troll for his next victim. Creepy carnival.

    (2)

  • Tonya H.

    I'd love to steal the picture of the clown that is so sad he can't eat his hot dog. Shorty's pinball machines, guitar hero, cheap eats and drinks ($10 min with a card) and the classic bar patrons that tie this place into one helluva people watching experience matched with game time. Fun!!

    (4)

  • Lei G.

    Who doesn't love pin ball machines, hot dogs, nachos, and cheap drinks? It's always fun discovering that you're really not that good in pin ball, and all the serious players tilt the tables. This place gets packed on weekends but it's really a nice place to enjoy on a week night.

    (4)

  • Claudia P.

    vacation + friday afternoon + vodka tonics + hot dogs + pinball = awesomesauce Stopped in at Shorty's during a brief trip to Seattle last week and had a notable amount of fun. We sat in the window booth, relaxed and checked out all of the circus regalia. I have to admit this was the first time I've ever been around this many clowns and not had night terrors afterward (gawd, clowns are SO creepy). Next time we're in Seattle, we will definitely hit up this place again. Cheers!

    (4)

  • Autumn K.

    We spent the weekend in Seattle, reconnecting with our inner angsty teenagers, drinking cheap beer, and playing pinball. Oh, if only there was a Shorty's in San Francisco. Then everytime I exasperated my eternally patient guy, I would be able to take him to Shorty's, give him a roll of quarters and a PBR, and tell him to knock himself out. I'm pretty sure that would make most anything all better. Unfortunately, there is no Shorty's in SF. There is no pinball bar and there is no awesome punkrock dive bar with scary cartoons on the walls and a hotdog menu that includes the "hangover special" (a hotdog, coffee, alka-seltzer, and a cigarette). If you're not drooling already, SF also lacks an under-water themed bar with 70s decor and big, overstuffed teal vinyl bar thrones that make you feel like the king and queen of the under(water)world. For if there was such a place in SF, that is where I would sit, in my underwater throne, swilling beer and munching hotdogs, while my pinball hero played til the quarters were gone and the PBR ran out. Shorty's, you're a class act. There's no topping you.

    (5)

  • Sirio B.

    I do enjoy being able to move around in a bar, but it seems every time I end up at Shorty's I find myself in the middle of a claustrophobic, overcrowded mess. Sure, they have pinball and a fun theme. But good luck experiencing any of that on a weekend. It gets really warm in the bar with the amount of people they allow in and the air gets nice and sticky. Pleasant, huh? You'll probably end up just having a cheap beer or two after crowd surfing and pushing your way to the bar and leave feeling violated and dirty. Come here on a weekday to avoid such experiences. Bring cash.

    (2)

  • rosylen m.

    I met a date here the other day and I had oodles of fun and here's why: 1. I got carded (at my age, it's a compliment or a reminder that I am in a dark bar) 2. They have PBR on tap! 3. There are lots of pinball games to play. 4. They sell junk food (hot dogs; fries; things smothered in chili; etc.) of which I did not partake. On this trip anyway. 5. Did I mention PBR on tap? It was a good time all in all. Pretty mellow crowd (lots of young, dressed in all black, punk-ish kids [under 30 that is]), but it was a Sunday evening. I am a bit disturbed by all the clown/circus/carnival stuff happening in there. And super creepy is the music or whatever that is that plays in the restroom. Kind of reminds me of scary/horror movies. But if you are tired enough and full of enough PBR, it is all okay.

    (4)

  • Laura N.

    Shorty's is a perfect dive bar. Great theme (carnival), cheap ass beer, pinball to keep my boy happy and good people. Hot dogs when you are drunk are one of the best things ever so this place truly has it all. I have a special place in my heart for this place as it was the first place my boyfriend and I hung out outside of work. Maybe you will be just as lucky at Shorty's.

    (5)

  • Farz D.

    My favorite bar in Seattle. Great pours, great staff and an eclectic crowd. No one even gets too cranky when I play LMFAO. Also, I'm terrible at pinball but do well here. 6 stars.

    (5)

  • Briana G.

    umm..... I don't know how I feel about this place. For one the bartenders were very rude and unfriendly. I don't know if its because I am a girl and I look 12 or if they just were in bad moods. But when I went the other night with my friend they looked at me as if I shouldn't have been there. two I hate clowns.... this place has numerous clowns. And three, I ordered 2 mixed drinks and they gave me 2 double shots of tequila... I didn't send it back ,I figured it might get better if I was drunk. Anyway the people in the bar were super friendly and fun. We met lots of new people, and watching the Ecstasy hugging hippies at the bar was a lot of fun. I will probably not make it back anytime soon. But I have a few fond memories.

    (3)

  • George I.

    There are some cool pinball machines and Mario Bross. Went there with couple of friends to play and have a drink. The bartender was creative to mix me up a drink with Jack Daniels

    (5)

  • DeAnne E.

    Yes, it's a dive but where else can you find a collection of old school video games and pinball in the downtown/belltown area? Make sure you bring your bag of quarters. It's a great place to hang out before you see a show or movie.

    (4)

  • Jack H.

    If you're ever in Belltown, check this place out! The decor usually isn't the first thing I look for in a bar - I'm more interested in good drinks at low prices, good music, and a good crowd. But with Shortys, the decor...it's just so...cool! The tables are made out of pinball machines. There is a funky, retro, weirdness to everything here. I ordered a Bloody Mary the first time I came here, and the bartender - though not the most sociable bartender I've ever had - did a great job! It was deelish! The veggie dog was also great. Finding a GOOD veggie dog is hard work, so I'm glad I could find one at Shorty's. Also, there's an arcade in the back!

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    Cheap drinks, hot dogs and pinball. An area out front where you can sit and drink outside and smoke(although perhaps not legally), and a unique feel and decore. Check it out if you haven't been.

    (5)

  • Stacy T.

    I always have a good time at Shorty's. This time, I was attending a birthday shindig, and my friends were sitting in a booth in The Trophy Room, which until last night I didn't know had its own bar - with a handlebar mustachioed bartender slinging old school cocktails. Just an FYI - he doesn't do carbombs but you can easily head up to the front bar for one of those! The double vodka collins I got from him was quite tasty - with real lemon-y flavor not just sickeningly sweet sour mix! So that was a plus, although the drink did not have the 'kick' that doubles I've had in the past from the front bar. However, bartender in question fully made up for that with some heavy handed well tequila shots. This is what I'd recommend if you are trying to get drunk on the cheap. $4.50 for the tequila shot - I had 3 of 'em, a double vodka collins, and a car bomb and I was in a good, happy place! Friends in our group enjoyed the nachos. I didn't partake, but they did look tasty with plenty of liquid cheese enveloping the circular tortilla chips! Oh, and I played me some pinball as well. According to my friends, the Monster Bash machine was best for the non-pinball wizards as you got a lot of game play and didn't lose too quickly. That machine was taken the whole time I was playing, so I only got to play Iron Man, Batman, and Family Guy - all of which were quite fun! I didn't fare so well on any of the machines, but I think that's just due to the pinball gods not shining on me that night. Overall a good time, but I'll have to return to measure the strength of the front bar's double drinks. I'm giving 'em the benefit of the doubt this time! ;) Oh, almost forgot! They accept cards now!

    (4)

  • Lei W.

    I hate Clowns. I know it's a carnal sin to review Shorty's as anything but fabulous-however, I could not get over the shoulder to shoulder crowd and the disturbing clowns everywhere. My boyfriend was very excited to take me here and introduce me to the infamous shorty dog. Delicious, yes. The drinks were nothing to brag about, minimal booze. I had 2 drinks and a beer and didn't even catch a buzz. The good part was the friendly people (we met several randoms talking about random things). And the pinball machines! Fabulous! The bathroom had a continuous circus waltz track on repeat. Did I mention, I hate clowns? It was difficult to urinate in such an environment. I'll go back for the pinball and shorty dog, then go down the street to The Whisky Bar for some real booze.

    (2)

  • Myles A.

    Me on my last trip up to Seattle: "Wait...wait...you're telling me in Seattle, I can get drunk at a bar at 11 AM and play pinball until I'm out of quarters!?! SIGN ME UP!!!" I had a blast. I'm pretty simple. Strong drinks and pinball wizardry fun and I'm beyond happy.

    (5)

  • Diana M.

    One thing about Seattle: there are definitely a lot of bars to choose from. After a while, they really start to run together so it's nice that Shorty's stands out from all of them as a fun awesome not your run of the mill bar. This place is a pinball lovers dream. The back room is dedicated to pinball with machines lining the wall. If you forget to bring quarters, there is a change machine conveniently located only a few feet away. The hot dogs, although I didn't have one, looked and smelled amazing. The drinks were well made and had just the right amount of alcohol. The coolest part were the tables for the booths were actually old pinball machines. Our group spent forever staring at the table trying to figure out what game it used to be. The best time to go to this bar would probably be on a non-busy night so you don't have to wait in line to play pinball!

    (4)

  • Porch G.

    Most of my little buddies know I'm not big drinker, so for me to fall in love with a bar it has to be special. Great selection of pinball machines and a few decent video games. Thank got ROBATRON is there. I came in from the rain soaking after visiting the Troll and the bartender fixed me up with a money mark and spicy ginger ale. This warmed my bones nicely, and was just what I needed. After your done tilting a few machines, you can chill in the back lounge They were playing great metal and prog rock in the front and some decent D&B in the back

    (5)

  • Lindsey D.

    THINGS I LIKED: creepy clown art, pinball table tops, variety of video games and pinball games, and a weenie roller (not sure what the technical term for this device). THINGS I DID NOT LIKE: service. Look, I'm sorry I wore wedges instead of Converse and that I'm an out-of-towner. But seriously, must you haze the newbies by pretending you can't see us at the bar?

    (3)

  • Megan S.

    I've been to Shorty's many a time...but never had I gone to the Trophy Room. Some friends of mine had a bachelor/bachelorette party here on Sunday and gawd damn! The Trophy Room bartender is awesome! I've seen him around Ballard a lot and he's hard not to notice because of his fine fashions, but I didn't realize he was the mixologist extraordinaire until this weekend. He made me something w/crushed pineapple and orange peppers. No kidding. Orange peppers. It was spicy AND sweet. Brilliant. Anyway, the Trophy Room and the bartender of this beautiful back room at Shorty's makes the place go up x10 in class. I mean, I love me some veggie dog w/sauerkraut and cheap beers too, but I am thrilled with the fancy cocktails and excellent service we received in the Trophy Room. Cheers!

    (4)

  • William H.

    Always people sitting out front regardless the of the weather. On any night of the week if you want to go somewhere that has some sort of life this is the place. Went here as a meeting point and sat at the bar and stared at the Hot dogs spinning on the rotisserie calling my name. The plan was to go to dinner later so I had to put hold back this time. There was only one bartender working the front bar but he was hustling so I never had to wait long for a drink. The pours were generous, more than I needed for a casual night out but I'm not complaining. Layout: I love the layout, video game machines in front, long diner style bar with booths behind them, gives it a very open feeling. The next room has pinball machines and more arcade machines. The next room back is more of a lounge feeling with another bar with egg shell seats at the bar and tables in the rest of the room and dimmed lighting. This is the area where you can sit and feel a little more secluded. Pricing: Drink prices were pretty typical of the area $4.50 for a gin & tonic. I wasn't aware of any drink specials since it wasn't posted anywhere and the one bartender was busy running around so I couldn't find out from him. All in all a good spot to hangout and get your game on, will definitely be back again and again.

    (4)

  • Chris R.

    I found this place to be quite enjoyable, and I'm not a big fan of bars, so for me to say that a place is worth checking out says a lot about the place. There's pinball and arcade games, so that's awesome.The Shorty Dog is great. Get it with cream cheese. The staff was super nice. What my review boils down to is that the place has a really nice atmosphere. It's a fun place.

    (4)

  • Todd I.

    I'll keep it short...PUN INTENDED! I love this place! If I could pick one bar that I want to hang out in and get drunk with my buddies, playing JOUST, this is it. A few years back I was there and I ordered the chilli cheese dog...let me paint a picture for you...I was on hammered and the sauce/cheese was just slopping everywhere, all over my hands and onto the table...and I didn't care! hahaha! I almost got into a fight here, WITH A GIRL! Did I mention I love this place. Coney Island scary clown theme....cool staff....cheap PBR! I wish we had a Shorty's in Canada.

    (5)

  • Ron C.

    A Manny's (or two) and a Chicago dog at Shorty's. What could be better than this? Great staff and colorful clientele. My go-to bar in Belltown.

    (5)

  • Ken G.

    This place seems like a meet-up place. Cheap beer...relatively cheap hot dogs (most importantly VIENNA BEEF hot dogs!!!)...and pinball. There was a lot of action in this place for an early Friday night.

    (4)

  • Hayley V.

    People who really know me would be shocked to see I am giving a clown bar a 5 star rating because you know what- F clowns. 1) they are creepy as hell and 2) a total slumber party deal breaker for me as a child. It's not just clowns though, it's self-proclaimed/ LEGIT clown lovers that make them truly obnoxious. Why frequent a "clown" bar when you might have to share boozin' time with Insane Clown Posse fans, faygo-guzzlers, or ex-carnies?* Well never fear kids cuz I'm the only one with egg on my face. In person, Shorty's reveals a zany coney-island clown atmosphere vs. a terrorizing "IT" clown feel. I kept expecting to see someone wearing JNCO jeans or a candy necklace but to no avail (it just keeps getting better!) and then I discovered they had a Big Buck Hunter Safari game and my heart exploded and shot a twinkle right into my grin. If you have never experienced the virtual ability to shoot a giraffe right in the face you have not experienced life. $5 buys you the kill rights to lions, panthers, and elephants. The jamaican james earl jones voice-over host and slutty safari ladies in short-shorts are a total bonus to your "rounds". oh pun snap! Plus, I accidentally ordered a "PBR on the rocks" at the bar (an inside joke between me and my hometown friends) and the bartendress was unphased. final notes: - i saw some chick get 86'ed by the same sweet bartendress about 2 hours later which was punk rock because that means they are NO nonsense....at the clown bar -nachos. and you can order them with mama lil's peppers! although beware the wrath of the #2 if you do! (i just EW'ed my own joke) okay, i think we're through here, plus i have $20 in my pocket calling for buck hunter safari and cheap booze... * vimeo.com/29589320

    (5)

  • Neal A.

    Awesome bar. Kinda small, kinda cramped and kinda dark but it's all atmosphere. Walk through the front and there are pinball machine bodies used for booth tables and the bar area, walk to the back and have probably two dozen pinball machines ready to go! Avatar, The Simpsons, Tron, The Adams Family, etc. Make sure when you play you read the instructions because you'll get much more tries if you put in $2 as opposed to $.75 right off the bat.

    (5)

  • jon M.

    Even though my last visit to Shorty's was not great, I'm going to base this review on all my past great experiences there. Shorty's has always been no frills booze and pinball, they still have both except now you may have to deal with it being overrun with hipsters drinking some cheap beer like Olympia or Rainier beer simply because they think it's cool meanwhile having no idea that the stuff is now made in California. The staff there has always been super cool but last week the bartender was just a jerk, maybe he just had hipster overload. Asked him to make some basic drinks but he would just ask "What's in it?" asked him to suggest something and he just shrugged, then asked him to just make something he was good at and it was nasty - my mistake. But I just changed bartenders and all was good. They still have the best PinBall and the only combo pac man/pinball since I was a kid. And their hot dogs are awesome.

    (4)

  • Dylan E.

    Every time I head to Seattle, I gotta stop in at Shorty's at least once. They actually have pinball machines in great condition, the beers are cheap, and they serve veggie dogs! What more could you want?!?

    (5)

  • Uhura J.

    I've been to Shorty's twice now, for the Pre-PAX Drunkard Extravaganza in 2007 and 2008. It's probably one of the best places in Seattle - bar none. Very comfortable. No need to get all dressed up to hang out and meet people at Shorty's. Well-balanced comes to mind, it's pretty much the perfect, low-key dive-ish type of bar. The highlights: 1. PINBALL. Hardly anyplace has pinball anymore, and if they do it's a few poorly maintained, crappy machines themed from the a big media franchise like Family Guy or Pirates of the Caribbean. Shorty's has a room full of pinball machines, from the seriously old school to my favorite of all time: The Addams Family. 2. The BAR. Not the main one in the front, but the kickass drinking lounge in the back with large booths, huge gothic-type chairs, and perfect for groups. They also make killer drinks at reasonable prices. I can't even remember how many shots I've had here, and that's saying something. 3. CLASSIC VIDEO GAMES. I can't even recall the last time I saw a Galaga machine anyplace. Seriously. 4. CASH ONLY isn't an annoyance because they make it easy. They change machine is the oldest I've ever seen, which adds to the gritty, worn, comfortable ambiance. They also have an ATM. The food? Well, it's hot dogs and sausages with a variety of condiments and combinations. It's not so much about gourmet dining but soaking up the copious amounts of booze you should be imbibing when you're here. Better than the hot dog carts, though. Bathroom is clean and useable. However it is a bit open so don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of something or other if you know what I mean. (and I think that you do!)

    (4)

  • Rowena M.

    Who wouldn't like hot dogs and pinball? AND they have this freaky clown motif. Scary. We had the Shorty's dog with the neon green relish, onions, and jalapenos. Yummy. For dessert it was pinball, pinball, pinball!!! Yeah, I suck, but what the hell. It's not like it's pinball olympics or anything. Just go and be proud that you were a 70's child and played pinball when it was way cool.

    (4)

  • Kristina C.

    On a mission to find a dive bar, and this is where we end up. Not bad, but the best we were going to find in Seattle on our short trip. Forget the arcade. I wanted a drink. Fair prices for good pours. The decor outside of the video games hit the spot, but the crowd seemed to be the complete opposite. PS. What is it with Seattle and old school LA Hip Hop?

    (3)

  • Eugene O.

    It's a refreshing twist to Belltown. You can walk into a place and stroll around in your t-shirt and jeans without getting kicked out. The pinball machines get crowded, so you'll have to wait your turn at times but it's all good, you won't be waiting too long. The beer selection is average and the prices are a little cheaper than other neighboring "hot spots." The wine selection? They have those cheap little bottles that are served on planes. That's just funny. Definitely the place to be when you're tired of the trendy scene and want to get away without driving outside of the area.

    (4)

  • William C.

    Pinball, beer, pinball, cocktails, pinball, hotdogs. AWESOME.

    (5)

  • Pauline L.

    I challenge you to a game of FAMILY GUY pinball. If you accept, then meet me in the back dim lit room of this bar/arcade dive. I stopped by Shorty's during a Seattle visit, expecting to check out the place briefly before hitting up Tula's next door. My friend and I ended up staying for 2 HOURS, utterly entranced to this trip down nostalgia arcade-mania lane. Follow the eerie, green lighting to the back room, where you'll find punk rock folks with foul mouths slamming their palms against 10 or so pinball machines. It was awesome! If flashing lights intrigue you, you have quite a few options: The Adams Family, Indiana Jones, CSI, Batman, and of course, Family Guy (try to get the baby Stewie mini-pinball). You also have a few other old school options, which aren't as flashy, but nevertheless classic. By the end of night, we were $20-30 short with aching thumbs & fingers, flushed with anxiety, and embarrassed by our amateur plays. Memorable night, indeed.

    (4)

  • Amanda Y.

    Icky poo puppies, Shorty's makes me feel like I need a lysol bath. Between the dirty feeling floors, walls, counters and tables, and some of the ick patrons I felt like I should shower when I got home, and with the quickness! I also solidified what I already knew; I suck balls at pinball, and hotdogs really do taste like ass. One thing I just never get about this place is that it's always so busy and crowded! It's just a dive bar with crumby food and pinball machines. what's the big deal? I don't make it a point to go here, but if the crew is down, so am I. p.s. if you suffer from Coulrophobia (that's a fear of clowns) this might not be the place for you because the walls are covered with them!

    (3)

  • Laura M.

    This place is interesting. Fun little dive bar, my whiskey sours weren't as strong as I hoped but I did enjoy eating the nachos. They pour the nacho cheese freely and man was it good!!

    (4)

  • Lanny K.

    Hotdogs? PINBALL? BLUE MOON ON TAP!? AWESOME UPHOLSTERY?! This place is wicked cool. I like hotdogs. I like pin ball. I LOVE blue moon. And I like chairs. This place is excellent.

    (5)

  • Nicole E.

    Man this place is fun. Cheap beer, hot dogs, pinball, priceless! The last time I went, it was my husband and I along with another couple. After we got our beers, my husband goes to get some quarters for us and we all ran to our favorite games. Bartenders are nice and it's fun for people-watching while you're waiting your turn for Ms. Pacman. Thank you for having a veggie dog option!

    (4)

  • Isabella O.

    Blah blah blah Downtown, I don't go there often these days, and Shorty's is Downtown. But if Shorty's were around the corner from my house, I'd probably go there every day. Solid, reasonably priced drinks, I could give a shit about pinball, but I love the tables made out of pinball tables. I love the light and decor in here, and well, yeah, booze. So.

    (4)

  • Zod Z.

    It's rare that I venture outside of the Tiki bar arena since these bars serve unique drinks. I figure, you can get a Jack and Coke or a beer anywhere, and frankly I've become bored of that and the lame people at the average bar. Shorty's proves to solve that problem for me. This is my favorite bar in Seattle, hands down. Pinball and boos, who can ask for more? Wait, let me revise that, pinball, boos and clowns! List of reasons why you should visit: 1) The bartender was very nice and made me feel welcomed. (TIP earned, and this is a rarity) 2) They have some damn good hot dogs 3) The most kick ass collection of pinball machines Batman, Universal Monsters, Indiana Jones, Roaring Twenties, Invaders from Mars! (They have tournaments too!) 4) The tables in the booths are pinball table tops (complete with lighted bumpers) 5) The crowd was having too much fun to be worried about looking cool Refreshing. I've died and gone to heaven. Bury me in a pinball machine! Be aware that this is a cash only place. They do have an ATM.

    (5)

  • Penny G.

    This is my first review since I have moved to Seattle. What better place than to review this Seattle landmark. I love Shorty's even though I do not fit in with the crowd. I have been here around 5 times and have always had a great time. The drinks are strong and cheap. The bartenders do not sugar coat for tips, they give great service before and after the tips. The crowd varies but for the most part people are open to conversation and what not. Some people might find the carnival atmosphere creep but I love it. I plan to make this place a regular spot for me.

    (5)

  • Jackie K.

    Hooray for Family Guy pinball! Hooray for crusty punks! Hooray for crusty punks playing Family Guy pinball! There is a shortage of portable meat product vendors in the Belltown area. I have no idea why. But thankfully Shorty's is here to fill that void with a Chicago dog (you gotta add tomato to do it right) or a plate of chili and liqui-cheez coated tortilla chips. Them's booze-soakin' foods, my friend. Or, even if you don't drink, them's still some tasty vittles. Vegi dogs even. That's right, vegi dogs AND vegi chili. You would never in a million years guess that when you set foot in the door. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover. Not even (or especially?) when it's covered with tattoos and piercings. I spent an entire afternoon staring at the mural on the back wall where the entrance to the game room is...trying to figure out what a ONE and a ZERO had to do with the other letters painted inside the colorful balloons. A few weeks later, I stopped in for one of the aforementioned Chicagos, and it took me all of about 3 seconds to realize what an IDIOT I am. Yeah, it says B1G T0P. GAWD! IDIOT! Long live Shorty's.

    (5)

  • steve c.

    Shorty's, I'll frequent you over Gamedorks any day! I've heard so much about Shorty's, but had never been, so after hitting the lie-berry today, I decided to check it out. As a child of the '80's, I love me some video games and pinball. Granted, I am not a gamer (I think Halo, WOW etc. are just lame), but love the old, basic stuff. I went in, had a couple of Mongoose IPA's, and played me some pinball. Someday, I'd like to purchase a pinball machine to put in my house. We had one as a kid (the non-electronic type) and I was a pinball wizard (insert "the who" joke here). I checked out almost all of the pinball machines in the joint, and my favorites were 1) Revenge from Mars- great back lit lcd or something display and great sounds and 2) Wheel of fortune-lots of lights, bells and whistles, and sounds from the show. I didn't win any games via score (next time!), but did get a couple of 'matches,' which made me happy. Oh, and I love the piece of wood structure between the machines to place your drink on......ingenuity! Although I am giving Shorty's 5 stars, I do have a piece of constructive criticism for them. First, add some better lighting to the pinball area-like overhanging lamps, that don't reflect off the glass, above each machine to enhance game play. This was my first visit to Shorty's, but surely not my last. This time I went by myself, but I'm sure it's more fun with a group. Maybe I'll team up with some yelpers and tear up some pinball next time!

    (5)

  • Sierra S.

    It was a dark, stormy night and a long, alcohol induced hazy cab-ride. Shorty's was the destination, after four or five previous bars (really, who can keep track?) We started off traumatized, the cab having driven away with our only umbrella. The tourist soul in my friend yelled wait but, alas, the cabbie was already speeding away. Seeking shelter, we ducked into a fun house filled with tall cans and chilli cheese nachos. Lives were changed that night, with every gooey chip (yes we devoured them, thank you for pointing it out random guy), every cool, refreshing swig from a tall can, and every flip of the bumpers. The trip to Seattle would have been fun, but Shorty's made it epic.

    (5)

  • Jake A.

    Since my childhood days in So Cal, where I used to ride my Schwinn to the local bowling alley, sneak cigarettes and drop endless quarters playing Pin-Bot (oohhh, the colors, the patterns), Xenon (with the sexycool voice) and Black Knight (with Magna-Save!), I have always loved pinball. Shorty's brings it all back. I don't smoke anymore, but I love to mix other vices. With Shorty's, these vices are liquor, pinball and the abundance of creatively foul language that streams from my mouth as gravity repeatedly takes its toll on my 3 balls per game. Speaking of liquor, I've been a long-time fan of their bloody mary, although a few of the 10 or so ingredients seem to get missed if the bartender is in a hurry (or just doesn't feel like it). I don't care, though...the drinks are always stiff and as far as I'm concerned, this place is a little piece of magic that always leaves me happy.

    (5)

  • Brandon S.

    I've been recommending Shorty's as a destination bar for tourist friends for years and yet I had never set foot in the place myself until just this last Sunday. What the hell was I thinking? Letting my friends party here without me? See, I'm Belltownaphobic. I used to avoid that area like the plague. But one spicy ass hot dog, a can of Hamm's beer in honor of my Grandpa, and my best game of Pirates of the Caribbean pinball ever and now I'm hooked.

    (5)

  • Richard W.

    I love this place. It's a great spot for nerds, punks and miscreants. The staff might come off as a little surly if you're an uptight yuppie, but that's part of the ambiance. The bathrooms, however, are objectively horrific. Hilariously horrific. Even I am hesitant to use them except in case of emergency. Hang out, grab a hot dog, pin some balls, and pound a drink or two before that show at the Crocodile next door.

    (5)

  • John B.

    I probably can't add anything new to the reviews but I'll at least confirm the awesomeness of this place. I would never have found this w/out the handy Yelp mobile app. I couldn't wait to check out this barcade. Did I just make up a new word? Upon entering the front door I looked around and knew that I was in the type of place that suits me well. As far as dive bars go, this is one of my favorites. There were people of all types, mostly edgy hipsters and some college kids. Everyone was either drinking or playing pinball and it was pretty busy. I learned that I am rather awful at pinball after going through about $3 in quarters in the span of a few minutes. I liked seeing groups of friends gathered around the machines watching and cheering each other on to pinball greatness. This is a nice break from the norm of people sitting around and glancing not so casually at their phone for some type of stimulation. The drinks I had were pretty stiff and reasonably priced. Nice combo (see how I used pinball lingo? ha ha... sorry) This was one of the few places that I came back to more than once while I was in town, so props to Shorty's for being unique and appealing without any snobbery or negative attitude.

    (5)

  • Jess W.

    I'm generally a fan of this place, but a recent experience has made me a bit wary. This is your typical dive bar; cheap, strong drinks, good, cheap filling food, and a water station to fill up on as much water as you want. A creepy decor of clowns and other oddities, lots of noise, a busy (sometimes very busy) bar that's mostly full of regulars and the air smells like alcohol and smoke. Every time I leave this place I end up having to wash my clothes; that's just a part of the dive experience. For what it is, it's a fun and cheap place to unwind (and to sober up with the cheap food). Problem is that I'm not sure how female-friendly it is. Each time I've been there with a co-ed group: Zero problems. But my group of ladies went in there, and it's clear most of the patrons or the management could not have been less bothered about the guy that was harassing us. He came up to our table, offered to buy us drinks; I told him no, and he got pissy at me. Assertive and rude (at one point, he launched into a rant calling me several names). After he refused to leave our table, I was saying "no" repeatedly, telling him to go away, and it even reached the point where I was physically pushing him back (up to about five feet) from our table. I intentionally made a big scene of pushing him away and flipping him off repeatedly, and escalating my voice to see if anyone would give me some support. Nope. Nothing. This creep returned THREE times before his friends finally got him, and that may've only been because the place was closing. At a certain point, I saw him wander to the bar. He chatted it up with the bartender like they're good old friends. Somehow not surprising. Because that's the thing with Shorty's; they love their regulars. Everyone else? Not as much. I can handle myself fine, but I have to wonder if this place would normally allow some (very visibly drunk) creep to hang all over a table of strangers. Doesn't exactly give me peace of mind; especially coming from Lava Lounge, where the management was much more vigilant about their patrons' behavior. I don't want to hate on Shorty's, but I would be hesitant to come back here with another group of girls.

    (3)

  • Montie M.

    Have heard about this place for the few years I've lived in Seattle and had never gone, mostly due to it being in Belltown. All of the good things I heard were true. Fun games, some of them very oldschool indeed such as Joust. Also has some new games like Golden Tee (though not the 2014 courses for some strange reason). The decor is interesting and gives the place a very unique vibe. Decent local stuff on tap and very cheap prices on beer in the can. Good pour on cocktails. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Ry S.

    Every time I'm in Seattle (usually in the summer for the PAX gaming show), I always make a point of stopping at Shorty's with friends. They have a decent selection of pinball games, all maintained in good condition. When I came this year, the selection of craft draft beers was good. A Shorty's chilidog is probably the worst for you, but it's delicious... even if it makes a huge mess. The tables in the main bar area are all old pinball tables that have been turned into dining tables. It sets the atmosphere and makes Shorty's a great destination if you're in the area.

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    I love pinball. I love cheap beer. aka I love Shorty's.

    (5)

  • Jenny D.

    OK, first, did you know Shorty's is dog-friendly? Shorty's is the quintessential dive bar slash arcade on Coney Island, I mean, Belltown. With clowns. Okay, can we talk about the clowns? They are scary. And they are everywhere. NOT A FAN. So if you like Pinball (or Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, PacMan, etc.) this is your place. Other "appeals": Very cheap hipster beer, stiff drinks, and hot dogs. I don't really consider hot dogs that have been heating all day a highlight, but that's just me. Read the rest of my review and check out other dog-friendly establishments and activities here: doggoneseattle.com/short…

    (3)

  • Dexter D.

    We walked in, walked straight to the backroom where the pinball machines are, took off our jackets and then I went back to the bar to order a club soda w/ lime and a PBR. Service was quick, efficient and friendly. After playing for a short time, we left and went nearby for some dinner. Then we returned to Shorty's for more pinball. Ordered one diet soda and asked for a couple of $5 bills in my change. Once again, quick, efficient and friendly. And this was a different bartender. There are a few booths in the front and the tables are old modified pinball machine play tables. The lights work and seeing them being used in this manner was pretty cool. All of the pinball machines that I looked at had acceptors for $1 and $5 bills. Games were generally 75-cents each, 4 for $2 or 11 for $5. Everything that I played appeared to be in good working condition which is pretty darned impressive for "dive bar". The clientele were a mixed group but everyone seemed to be relaxed and having a good time. We were just there to play some pinball so we spent almost no time in the bar though.

    (4)

  • Caroline H.

    I really enjoyed my gin&tonic at Shorty's. I came with two other ladies at sort of a weird time -- 8pmish on a Thursday. Not super crowded. We got a booth in the front next to the Galaga machine and had a good time people watching and boozin' it up. I liked the creepy clown murals and dolls hanging all around. It reminded me of this one period in my life when my grandmother decided that I needed a "clown collection" and bought me about 30 creepy clown dolls from various garage and estate sales. Being the best granddaughter ever, I did not throw this collection away and instead was haunted by clown dreams for years. Thx g-ma! Also, the back room of arcade games was completely empty. I went back there to use the facilities and they were playing separate creepy clown music and I really felt like I was in the beginning to an episode of Law & Order: SVU where a serial clown rapist is on the loose. But it was creepy in a fun way (maybe). I'd go back.

    (4)

  • Andrew K.

    This here, is not what you typically expect to find in Belltown! In an area of town filled with a number of (And let's be honest) bars & clubs that tend to attract the d-bag crowd, Shorty's proves to be quite the redeeming standout, being a dark, laid back dive bar with inexpensive booze, a bunch of pinball machines, and a carnival feel to it - talk about a breath of fresh air! I didn't try any food here, but the menu is pretty basic - hot dogs, nachos, and whatnot. Reliable standbys for those who wish to get their drink on, without too dire of short term consequences. One thing that isn't so great is that some of the machines are a bit on the spendy side. Or maybe I just suck too much at pinball - don't judge! Basically, this place is pretty rad. Stop on in!

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :12:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Ambience : Divey
    Noise Level : Loud
    Music : Juke Box
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Has TV : No

Shorty’s

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