Nectar Lounge

With the lone exception of indie pop, Nectar Lounge has become one of Seattle's foremost venues, boasting national and local acts repping genres from soul to world music to hip-hop. Nectar's nachos (served with plenty of salsa, herbed sour cream, and guacamole) are good in a pick-your-food-to-match-your-drink way, and its plain cheese pizza is winningly simple. Two apps are like dinner for two, though you can also order sandwiches and salads to up the sophistication level (or calorie count) of your meal. Don't forget to try the excellent, not-too-sweet pear martini while you bask in the friendly atmosphere of the bar's front patio.