Happy Hour Bloody Marys at Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar - Seattle

Happy hour holds a very special place in my heart.  Draping my crisp black blazer over a tall bar stool, rolling up the sleeves on my white button down shirt, I knew as soon as I saddled up to that bar, all the draining 9-5 work stress could leave my restless body.  But it's a very rare occasion that I get to combine both my love of happy hours and my love of bloody marys.  Thankfully, Taylor Shellfish is there to answer my  wary calls for savory afternoon cocktails.

Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar serves up everything from Oysters Matsushima to Oysters Marco to Cadillac Oysters and something called Xinh's Oyster Stew.  Don't know what those are?  Good.  Go to any of Taylor Shellfish's three Seattle based locations and find out.  Even better, feed that salty post-work craving with a $6 happy hour bloody mary.  I was lucky enough to sit down with the oyster slinging crew of their Pioneer Square location. 

"The bloody mary is like the cocktail sauce of the bar," says Tom Stocks of Taylor Shellfish.  While on a trip to Chicago, Stocks dreamed up this recipe.  "It's just spicy enough to go with the oysters."  But it's not so spicy as to overpower them.  Thoughtfully prepared with their seafood-centric menu in mind, the "House Bloody Mary"  is precisely balanced and perfectly sippable. With a very light consistency and hints of savory and citrus, it goes down as easy as that plate of freshly shucked Fanny Bay oysters.  A crisp pickled veg garnish and fragrant seasoned salt rim add layers of flavor and sophistication. 

While I like to enjoy these savory delights while playing hooky on a care-free afternoon, if you happen to visit on a weekend, make sure you order your bloody as a double.  Not only because you can, but because you'll also benefit from one very special Midwest tradition. Drawing upon the recipe's Chicago inspiration, double bloody marys are served with a free beer back.  

4 Celery Stalks

Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar 410 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104. P: (206) 501-4060

[wpgmza id="113"]

***I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”***