The Cuff Complex

This was definitely one of the more fun bars I’ve been to while in Seattle. Diverse crowd, great music. Could do better about having restroom stalls for cis women.

In love with the new events cuff is having. Attended bathhouse disco last night and had a great time. I’m only giving 3 stars though because the music was a bit of a buzz kill.

Chris didn't just make me feel welcome, he made me feel seen. As a Black gay man navigating Seattle's famously polite-but-distant culture, I've learned to spot the difference between performative inclusivity and genuine warmth. Chris is the real deal. Where Seattle often feels passive-aggressive and image-driven, Chris brought Southern-level directness and care—no curated persona, no microaggressions, just real human connection. He created a space where I felt comfortable, respected, and genuinely included from the moment I walked in. He didn't just meet expectations. He completely reset them. If every interaction had Chris's energy, this city would feel a whole lot less cold. Thank you, Chris—you're the standard. Warren is great too!

I've been coming to Cuff occasionally for the past 15 years since moving to seattle ( three or four times a year until covid came) and recently went back several times over the last 3 months after a 4-year hiatus. The price of drinks is the same as any other place you'll find in Capitol hill. The pours are good. The aesthetic is Pleasant. There's billiards and darts for free, and all around the spaces as good as it always was. The covers are definitely higher than they used to be and I have found their worth paying if there's a specific event you're hyped for, otherwise it's best to get there early and never leave until you're absolutely done. And here's why- A group of us came around 8-ish before an event that technically started at 10:00 (they started charging the cover for at 9:00 p.m.) We specifically asked if we left to smoke and came back if we were going to be charged to cover - we were told the answer was TBD. Two of us went outside to smoke at separate times after the event began. My friend, the cis-White dude, was told it was fine for him to go in and out without paying the cover as he had been there since 8:00. When I attempted to go smoke however, the same person told me I (a lady-shaped enby) had to pay the $30 cover if I left even though I had also been there since 8:00 & drinking the whole time. So in that respect Cuff has not changed - it's still very much a male centric space full of the quiet misogyny that gay and even queer bars have perpetuated since the 90s. I'll probably be back for specific events, but I'm not inclined to return anytime soon just to hang, which is a shame because I had a really good time just playing darts and pool with a friend there. I was looking forward to making it a regular spot. Now not so much.

FUN AND FRIENDLY BAR AND DANCE CLUB . PATIO BAR AND OUTDOOR SEATING . FULL COCKTAIL BAR . NICE BARTENDERS . GREAT DANCE FLOOR AND DJS . THEME NIGHTS