For the dark beer enthusiast, The Atlantic Crossing in Seattle has one of the best pub tap selections outside of downtown.

I came here from the land of southern Illinois where the yellow beer thrives in dank, little college towns. The first time I visited this secret of Roosevelt, I knew I had found myself a new local watering hole. The great selection of dark beer on tap smiled at me from across the room as I entered the Crossing. Guinness, Boddingtons, Sam Adams…it was like watching a Victoria’s Secret television special, absolutely beautiful!

Now, not that there is anything wrong with Pabst or other of “those” beers, the Atlantic has a variety of those too, but Irish and English ales holds a special place in the heart over my maturing taste buds and aging kidneys.

As a guy who’s outgrown the college bar scene, The Atlantic Crossing has given me hope there are still good places to drink not being contaminated by today’s R&B Top 20. Music fans will be happy to know the jukebox has some of the best drinking music I’ve heard in a long time. All the rock, hard rock and metal you can stand! And when the juke isn’t rolling, the waitresses always have their favorite satellite radio station breaking the silence.

The service there is great. The waitresses are fast, friendly and always open to conversation. The Crossing has a relaxed atmosphere and customers shouldn’t be afraid to start up conversation with the person on the stool next to them. There is a beer garden located just out back. Although a bit small, the garden has just enough room for chain smokers to come together and unite for that between-beer-puff.

I haven’t had the opportunity to try the food, but there is a moderate menu to salivate the taste buds. There’s something for everybody including chicken wings, fish and chips, cheeseburgers…even salads

Located in the Roosevelt District, the Crossing is a great place to stop in for a quick brew and have a bite or spend the night playing pool and wetting your pallet with quality drinks. Ah, there’s nothing better to me than sitting at a wooden bar, listening to Soundgarden, while knocking back a few 20 oz. Boddingtons. Cheers!

The Atlantic Crossing

6508 Roosevelt Way NE

Open daily from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Happy hour is 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.