Linda Derschang has reopened Queen City in Seattle's Belltown.

Linda Derschang is at it again. The seasoned restauranteur has opened Queen City in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, taking over the location from the original Queen City – there since the 1890s – and given it new life, as a “stylish neighborhood bar with a playful and sophisticated beverage program, a concise food menu of tavern favorites, and a revamped design that still preserves elements of the building’s historical decor.”

Beginning her career as a bar owner in 1994 when she opened Linda’s Tavern with the owners of Sub Pop Records (the record label that helped launch the Seattle-based grunge movement signing artists such as Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mudhoney among others), a neighborhood institution in Capitol Hill. With an ever-expanding portfolio that includes neighborhood staple Smith, all-day, all-night cafe Oddfellows, a coffee shop in iconic Elliott Bay Books Little Oddfellows, and King’s Hardware, Queen City was a no-brainer for Derschang.

The Queen City Martini

“Since moving downtown a few years ago I’ve been wishing there was a neighborhood hangout nearby where you could grab a cocktail and a burger,” says Derschang. “When I heard that Queen City Grill was being sold, I knew I’d found my spot – it was the perfect location in a beautiful building with strong Seattle roots.”

The 95- seat venue has a menu with dishes including Seasonal Crudite, Fig and Ricotta Toast and Mussels in White Wine with Grilled Bread, as well as a hearty Steak Frites and a Hot Fudge Sundae with housemade ice cream and candied pecans.
The cocktails have been developed by The Derschang Group’s Beverage Director, Myles Burroughs, with a focus on sustainability and minimizing waste. The rotating selection of drinks include updated classics, creative concoctions, 50/50 shots, beer and wine, along with a selection of rotating Nitro Tap cocktails.

Nitro Tap cocktails at Queen City

“At Queen City, we wanted to create a favorite neighborhood hangout that excels at delivering a fantastic drink as well as a constantly convivial atmosphere,” explains Burroughs. “We want it to be a place for an afterwork martini, a late-night shot and beer, or an anytime bottle of sparkling rosé. We believe the best way to go about it is to eliminate the clutter of too many choices and focus on what we love, as such we stock, sell and create only the things we like the very best.”

And at Queen City, there really is something for every taste.

The PDC Spritz

The PDC Spritz is a blend of Pineau des Charentes, Passion Fruit, Bunnahabhain 12yr Scotch, Cava and soda water while Pumpkin Spice Lassi is a refreshingly seasonal mix of Absolut Elyx Vodka, mango, cardamom, Greek yogurt, lemon, Allspice and Pilsner.

Don’t miss the easy-to-drink Moscow Frappé blends Absolut Elyx Vodka, housemade ginger liqueur and lime, served over crushed ice with dehydrated lime, or the bar’s tap cocktails, including the Black Manhattan, made with Maker’s Mark Private Select Whiskey Blend, Italian Vermouth, Chinato and Amaro and the simple Dry Gin Martini, with Sipsmith London Dry Gin and French Vermouth, lemon oil and an olive.

Moscow Frappe

The wine list has also been chosen with an eye toward minimal intervention, says Burroughs, “natural wines that we think are outstanding on their own merits, and features a small curated collection of what we think are some of the most engaging wines from around the world. Rosé is be well represented year-round, as well a diverse selection of sparkling wines, from Willamette Valley Pet-Nat to Grower Producer Champagne.”

Burroughs adds: “The emphasis throughout the program is on providing a window into what we love and what we care about, showcasing sustainable practices and representing our commitment to supporting folks who vibrate on the same frequency as we do.”

We’ll drink to that.