Bars

Pony

A very queer bar

Seattle, United States

3.6

214 reviews

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Neighbourhood

Seattle

About Pony

Pony Seattle, a vibrant and iconic gay bar located in the heart of the city, offers a unique and lively atmosphere that harks back to the classic West Village and Castro bars of the 1970s. This popular dive bar, housed in a transformed 1940s-vintage gas station, stands out as a distinctive spot in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Customers appreciate Pony for its unapologetic celebration of queer culture, with its eclectic mix of music and a diverse, often youthful crowd. The bar is noted for its spirited atmosphere, featuring an array of themed nights and regular DJ events that span genres from punk rock and disco to new wave and indie rock. Visitors can enjoy a variety of music and dance opportunities, with special events like Tuesday Karaoke, Retro Gay Tunes, Goth nights, and Drag Takeovers adding to the allure. Pony's interior, described as a bit grungy and reminiscent of an underground gay scene, is part of its charm. The bar's decor, which includes unique elements like inflatable penises and vinyl art, contributes to its edgy and slightly seedy vibe. Patrons often highlight the fun and welcoming environment. One of the few stand-alone bars in the area, Pony boasts a large west-facing patio, open year-round thanks to a retractable roof and heaters, making it an inviting space regardless of the weather. This outdoor area provides a perfect spot for socializing and enjoying the lively Capitol Hill atmosphere.

Vibes

Cocktails Dive Bar

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Location

Pony

1221 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98122, United States

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WhereIs.Gay rating

4.0

Our guide rating combines available venue signals. Source ratings are shown separately.

Sources

WhereIs.Gay3.6
Google Maps4.0

214 reviews across WhereIs.Gay and Google Maps

Featured Google Maps reviews

Selected by Google Maps. Read more reviews on Google Maps.

ausomecat man

4 months ago

Went with a friend on a Monday night, it was pretty empty aside from like two other tables of folks. I enjoyed the music they played and I was kind of shocked by the amount of nude pin up pictures on the wall but it is a gay bar after all, the drinks were reasonably priced (and quite strong ooh-wee!) Would recommend trying at least once

Review from Google Maps

B T

7 months ago

Pros: -Cheap drinks. -Crowd is interesting and sometimes very fun. Interesting bar atmosphere. Neutral: -Lots of gay porn and suggestive decor. Very typical "Loud and Proud" type of LGBTQ+ bar. A pro or con depending on who you are. Cons: -Very small venue. -Extremely overcrowded some nights (tuesday, for example). -Is most certainly a "Seattle Dive" bar. Not the worst dive I've been too, but it's certainly grimy. -Way too hot, all the time. -Only two to three bartenders on busy nights and there can be a massive drink line. -Known issue with people ***spiking*** drinks. In fact, my first time here my first drink was drugged. No one ever seems to be doing anything other than spiking the drinks for some sort of weird entertainment of watching people be intoxicated and under the influence. If you feel way too drunk here, way too fast, it's time to stop drinking, let a friend know, plan a way home, and be prepared for a terrible hangover the next day. I really want to like this place. I personally have had good times here, even with the above in question—however I simply can't rate it more than 2 stars, despite my own good times here. It's what you make of it, and it can be fun—but objectively, its two out of five. There's a lot wrong.

Review from Google Maps

Dane Garfield

3 months ago

I do show a couple doors down from this place and several of my friends do shows at Pony. Always a good time there. It's an interesting, very narrow triangle layout but with a big patio. A photo booth, plenty of cruising, and bonus glory hole in the bathroom.

Review from Google Maps