Cocktails and vacation go together like vodka and soda. If you’re looking for a place to grab a drink and maybe a light snack while you’re visiting, here are our current picks.

Boozy brunch – Bloody Marys, mimosas and food covered in gravy.

The New Mexicans

The New Mexicans was recently crowned Everett’s best breakfast joint. Their cinnamon rolls will change your life and mimosas are only a buck on Sunday. The name "The New Mexicans" is inspired by the owners' Southwest upbringing. 

Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish & American

When on vacation do as the Irish do – drink with breakfast. Shawn O’donnell’s has all of the traditional American breakfast foods with an Irish twist. The Bloody Marys are stupendous.

Buck’s American Cafe

Sundays at Bucks calls for classic bloody marys, mimosas and all of the tradition-a-licious brunch items your vacation body needs. We adore the Monte Cristo Sandwich and the Eggs Benedict. Check out the brunch menu here.

Fancy-ish – Quality-built cocktails and great aesthetics

Bluewater Organic Distilling

Bluewater is known for having the some of the best cocktails in Everett. It makes sense considering they distill many of their own spirits on site and hand-make their craft mixers in-house. Sit at the bar to watch the bartenders work and enjoy the show. Local tip: Go for happy hour to save a few bucks.

Lombardi’s Italian

Lombardi’s has well-trained and experienced bartenders and a nicely curated bar. The Italian Margarita is a classic, but we suggest ordering a cocktail from their seasonal menu.

Emory’s on Silver Lake

Emory’s on Silver Lake is a northwest lodge overlooking Silver Lake. Their bar is loaded with quality spirits, and they’re known for their premium martinis. Local Tip: Even the house martinis use high-quality spirits, and the happy hour menu is known for being one of the best around. Try the Ahi Tuna Poke Tower or the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos.

The Marriott Bistro

Go ahead, have one more cocktail. You won't even have to call a taxi if you're staying in the Marriott. The hotel's Bistro has some of the best cocktails in town at reasonable prices. Plus, it's typically pretty quiet and chill. Try the Whiskey Buck – it's delicious.

Cheap & easy – Dive bars, pool and heavy pours 

The Soundview

The Soundview is the epitome of a dive bar. The place smells, looks and sounds exactly like what you imagine when you think of a dive bar. A rockin’ jukebox, the clacking of pool balls, the smell of fried food that permeates your clothes, raspy-voiced bartenders and Harley Davidsons peeling up the street. Don’t let this scare you off; locals love the Soundview for its endearing vibes and stiff, cheap drinks. Be nice and enjoy yourself. Order a burger because they're really good.

Tony V’s Garage

Tony’s isn’t fancy, but it’s the place to go if you want to catch live music. Keep it simple, whiskey & coke, gin & tonic, perhaps a can of PBR? The food is great, in a greasy comfort food kind of way.

The White Buffalo

Another quintessential dive bar that’ll check all the boxes if that’s what you’re looking for. Stiff drinks? Yep! Games to play and TV’s to watch? Yep! Excellent bar food? Oh yeah. The pizza is to die for (in fact, it was voted Everett's best pizza last year).

Happy hour

Terracotta Red

Terracotta Red has an excellent happy hour that includes Asian-fusion snacks and seriously good cocktails. We like the Rosemary Bliss made with locally-distilled Bluewater Halcyon Gin. You can't go wrong with any of their food, either.

Anthony’s Woodfire/Homeport

Down at the waterfront, there's Anthony’s Homeport and Anthony’s Woodfire Grill. Anthony’s Homeport is a little more upscale and seafood focused. The Woodfire is more casual and has a wood-fired grill and pizza oven (the pizzas are a must). Both offer fantastic deals on drinks during happy hour. The martinis are unbeatable, and they have a good-sized selection of other happy hour cocktails.

Beachy drinks – 'cause it's not a vacation without a piña colada

Mazatlan Mexican

If you’re a fan of tequila, Mazatlan is the place to go. Along with a very well-curated tequila selection, Mazatlan also offers all of the classic beachy drinks and great food.

El Paraiso

El Paraiso is where you go when you want a fishbowl margarita or two. The chips and salsa come with homemade beans that are seriously addictive.

The New Mexicans

We know they're already on the list, but The New Mexicans' margarita must be mentioned –  it's famous among locals. It really is made from scratch –  we've even watched them squeeze a giant box of limes, one by one.