Founders Club

4.6

353 Reviews

$50 and over

Cocktail Bar

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2 people

7 Mar 2025

19:00

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Booked 12 times today

Great for creative cocktails
Fancy
Romantic

Nestled off the main lobby of Fairmont Olympic Hotel, the Founders Club is an intimate haven with warm lighting, vintage books, sky-inspired art, and polished brass accents. This exclusive space blends 1920s speakeasy charm with modern sophistication, featuring rich crimson interiors reminiscent of a red-light district. Hidden behind a bookcase, the club invites intrigue and curiosity.

Specializing in rare, vintage, and limited-edition spirits, the club boasts an impressive Cognac collection and liquor lockers for guests. Signature offerings include Seattle’s most luxurious Manhattan, complemented by indulgent snacks like caviar, Wagyu sliders, and oysters.

Ranked #7 Best Hotel Bar in the U.S. by Food & Wine, the Founders Club welcomes walk-ins but recommends reservations. For large party bookings or buyouts, contact PrivateDiningSea@Fairmont.com.

Additional information

Dining style
Elegant Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 17:00–00:00
Phone number
(206) 621-1700
Website
https://www.fairmont.com/seattle/dining/founders-club/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive Chef
Eraj Jayawickreme
Private party facilities
For larger gatherings, consider a Partial Buyout accommodating 9-15 guests, or go all out with a Full Buyout, perfect for groups of up to 35 guests. Immerse yourself in the exclusive ambiance of our bar, where each reservation option ensures a unique and memorable experience tailored to your group's size and preferences.

Location
411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101-2519
Area
Downtown
Cross Street
Located on University Street in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
Bus stop on 5th avenue.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.5Service
4.8Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Seattle
Best Ambience

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Founders Club offers a "great atmosphere" with a hidden speakeasy charm behind a bookcase. The "fantastic drink menu" and expertly crafted cocktails delight patrons. While some service experiences vary, many rave about the "excellent service" and knowledgeable staff. Perfect for a special occasion or introducing out-of-town guests to a unique Seattle experience.

353 Reviews

t
tony
Seattle
24 reviews
4.0
24 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Great find and experience. The hostess was super cool! We ordered bourbon sours with egg whites, but the bartender didn’t properly make them as they did not do a “dry shake” (a shake in the mixer with the egg whites prior to adding ice) - regardless, the drinks were ok and didn’t bother having them made correctly. I would just think that with a locale as such they may have a bartender with more experience making fine cocktails. Our server could have been more attentive, as he was more focused and very attentive to two women sitting at the bar. Otherwise, the ambiance, low noise level and entire experience being tucked away is really neat!
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K
Katherine
VIP
Philadelphia
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Felt very VIP. A true speakeasy! And the best sazerac outside of New Orleans.
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R
Reilly
Nashville
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Honey was so lovely. And our waitress sue was absolutely incredible. The drinks were decent, but the staff made our experience so perfect
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A
Amanda
Salt Lake City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 16 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had such an awesome time- beware that even with reservation, you will be asked to leave after an hour and a half.
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L
Lee
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Sue was amazing and the cocktails were excellent! Can’t wait to go back!
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T
Troy
Vancouver
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on 2 February 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place, very cool atmosphere! Visited many time from Victoria BC one of our favourite hotel bars menu is limited but good quality
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M
Michelle
Seattle
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 26 January 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
A nice romantic hideaway with a secret entrance. Drinks and service are amazing albeit a little pricey.
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C
Cathrine
VIP
Seattle
9 reviews
3.0
9 reviews
Dined on 19 January 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
First time here, unfortunately we were not seated until almost 30 minutes past our reservation
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T
Tyler
VIP
Chicago
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on 18 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Drinks were great, hostess was very warm and helpful. Bartender service was disappointing, sat with an empty drink for a while and didn’t feel super attended to.
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E
Eric
Seattle
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
Planned on having a couple of drinks in the time there. But it took almost 20min before someone came to take our initial order. After getting those drinks, and finishing them, we didn’t see our server again. Our wait to place another order eventually turned into a wait to just ask for the check, and I had to hunt someone else down to do so. They weren’t very busy at this point either. Everyone was super friendly, the quality of the place and friendless of the staff had us pretty surprised that our visit was so unattended to once we were sat. Could’ve been an anomaly.
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FAQs

Founders Club is rated 4.6 stars by 353 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

7 Mar 2025

19:00

Select a time

Booked 12 times today

411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101-2519

Additional information

Cross Street
Located on University Street in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
Area
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 17:00–00:00
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar
Dining style
Elegant Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Valet
Public transit
Bus stop on 5th avenue.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Eraj Jayawickreme
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.fairmont.com/seattle/dining/founders-club/
Phone number
(206) 621-1700
Private party facilities
For larger gatherings, consider a Partial Buyout accommodating 9-15 guests, or go all out with a Full Buyout, perfect for groups of up to 35 guests. Immerse yourself in the exclusive ambiance of our bar, where each reservation option ensures a unique and memorable experience tailored to your group's size and preferences.

Founders Club

Make a booking

Select a time

Additional information

Menu

What 353 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Founders Club restaurant rated?

Is Founders Club currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

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Additional information