Barnacle

Spent some time in Barnacle waiting for our table at Walrus & the Carpenter and honestly sort of wish I had just stayed here. You can get some small bites along with fresh shucked oysters (and that tasty bread service) as well as cocktails, beer and wine. I preferred the service at Barnacle as well. The are about 15 bar seats and one larger table table in the back that will accommodate about six. There's also a railing to stand when things are crowded. All first come, first serve but most people move quickly so hanging out at the railing should get you a seat before you finish your first drink. Of note, they will come get you when your reservation is ready next door and transfer your tab for one payment post-dinner.

Delicious food and drinks. Perfect spot to wait for a walk-in to Walrus & Carpenter (W&C), or just a chill delicious spot in general. Even thought the space was completely full (sitting and standing) the service was very attentive, we got our food and drinks in the perfect amount of time, and they automatically transfer your tab over to W&C.

If you're going to Walrus just for the oysters and want to skip the line, go to Barnacle. Same oysters, same kitchen, just technically a different bar in the same building owned by the same folks. We went for the Walrus & the Carpenters oysters but the wait was over an hour long. We noticed that the Barnacle was being served food from the Walrus kitchen so we went there instead. There was no wait and several seats open in the small bar room. We got a drink and a dozen oysters for around $4-4.25 each. It was pricey but delicious. When I looked it up, found out Barnacle is indeed owned by the same person as Walrus and I'm pretty sure we were getting the same oysters we would have waited over an hour for had we stayed on the wait-list for Walrus. The Barnacle bartender was friendly and great. We got our oysters pretty quickly.

Barnacle is the perfect spot to have a drink while waiting for a spot next door at The Walrus and The Carpenter. They have a unique and tasty drink menu, which is accompanied by a food menu featuring small plates and tins of seafood. The tile work is beautiful and the space is quaint and comfortable. There’s one long bar lined with stools, and a small booth in an alcove off the back. The bartender couldn’t have been any nicer, and gave us some recommendations of her favorite places in Seattle. Solid spot.

Using the bathroom means finding the Ginger with the beard and man bun in a butcher's apron and asking the code. There will be a "sea breeze" in the hallway. There is a ham stand on the bar. Cocktails with essence of black licorice are my favorite. I don't have "upside down spectacles" to view this menu board.