Entry No. 46 — the Seattle file — filed under: arcade-play
Shorty's
A Belltown dive with a hard Coney Island theme, Shorty's crams pinball machines and arcade cabinets into the back while serving cheap drinks and Chicago-style hot dogs up front. The aesthetic is creepy-clown carnival meets gritty punk bar, with pinball-themed tables and unsettling sideshow decor throughout. A longtime locals' haunt, it's outlasted most of Belltown's churn — surviving a 2019 move a couple blocks over to 2nd Ave. Note: 21+ only.
The story
When Belltown’s relentless redevelopment threatened to wipe out its most notorious dive, Shorty's didn't bow out—it packed up its army of pinball machines and circus oddities and moved two blocks over to 2nd Avenue in 2019. It remains a unapologetic sanctuary where punk rock attitude, Coney Island sideshow grotesque, and vintage arcade play crash into one another.
Stepping inside means entering a fever dream of creepy clown decor, sideshow art, and pinball-themed tabletop displays. Up front, you'll find a counter turning out Chicago-style hot dogs and corn dogs alongside cheap draft beer. Past the bar, the space opens into a dim back room packed tight with pinball cabinets and arcade games, where the heavy clatter of flippers and silver balls drowns out the street noise outside.
What it's like
Expect a dim, neon-lit dive smelling of hot mustard, draft beer, and buzzing circuit boards. Grab a dog and a cold drink at the front bar before edging into the packed pinball room in the back. It is strictly 21+ and cash-friendly, so come with quarters or small bills ready. It's also dog-friendly, meaning you might find yourself nudging past a leashed hound on your way to set a high score. Visit on a weeknight if you want unfettered access to the flippers without waiting in line.
The move: Order corn dogs and a round of cheap beers, then disappear into the dim back room for pinball under the clown gaze.
📍 Before you go 21+ bar with a carnival/clown theme; cash-friendly dive; pinball is concentrated in the back room.
- 📍 Belltown, Seattle
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Big night
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2510 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Bathtub Gin & Co. — Balance out cheap beers, corn dogs, and loud pinball with a quiet, hidden cocktail tucked in a nearby Belltown alley boiler room.
- Seattle Pinball Museum — If Shorty's back room whets your appetite for flippers, head south to Chinatown to play through five decades of pinball history.
- Tenzing Momo — Browse obscure herbs and apothecary jars at Pike Place Market before settling in under Shorty's carnival-clown gaze.
Good to know
Where is Shorty's located now?
After relocating from its original 1st Avenue spot in 2019, Shorty's operates at 2316 2nd Ave in Belltown.
What is the age restriction?
Shorty's is strictly a 21+ bar at all hours. Make sure to bring valid ID.
What kind of food can I get there?
The kitchen focuses on Chicago-style hot dogs, corn dogs, and straightforward dive-bar comfort food served cheap.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, Shorty's is well known among locals as a dog-friendly dive bar.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp · mynorthwest.com · Tripadvisor · doggoneseattle.org
last checked: 2026-06-24