Founders Club

Name: Founders Club
Address: 411 University St, Seattle, WA, United States, 98101-2519
Telephone: (206) 621-1700
Price range: $50 and over
Rating: 4.5

4.5

349 Reviews

$50 and over

Cocktail Bar

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 8 times today

Experiences are available.

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 5:00 pm–12:00 am
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
Neighbourhood
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

Experiences

Behind the Bottle Event x Woodenville Whiskey
US$100.00 per person
Prepaid
Mar 5, 2025 only
In celebration of Seattle Cocktail Week, we’re partnering with award-winning Washington distillery Woodinville Whiskey to launch our 2025 Behind the Bottle series, an exclusive experience highlighting the history, fun facts, and makers behind the featured spirit. Join Founders Orlin Sorensen & Brett Carlile for a guided tasting of Woodinville 8 Year, Woodinville Founders Find, Port Finished Rye, and a special Seattle Cocktail Week signature cocktail, all paired with curated canapés, including smoked beef tartare, croquettes, and baba ghanoush tartlets, in an intimate setting. The event takes place from 6 PM to 8 PM, with limited availability. Tickets include gratuity, and cancellations require 72 hours’ notice.

What 349 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.5Service
4.8Ambience
4Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Founders Club offers a unique speakeasy experience with "fantastic drink menu" and "impeccable service." The atmosphere is intimate and charming, perfect for a special evening. While some guests noted slower service, the "hidden bookshelf door" adds intrigue and the knowledgeable staff ensures a memorable visit. Reservations recommended.

349 Reviews

L
Lee
San Diego
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on February 2, 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
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on February 2, 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 January 26, 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 January 19, 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
13 reviews
4.0
13 reviews
Dined on January 18, 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 January 12, 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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K
Kimberly
Las Vegas
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Not a large food selection so we didn't eat here. The drinks menu is extensive and full of character and intrigue. Our server was FANTASTIC! Room is really interesting and cool. Can't believe I've been coming to this hotel for years and never realized this was here.
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A
Andrea
VIP
Seattle
17 reviews
2.0
17 reviews
Dined on January 4, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Honey continues to shine as an amazing hostess. Sarah is great. Bar has changed within the last 6 months. It seems it lost its charm, energetic vibe and sense of magic that made it one of the top bars in the country.
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T
Tina
Seattle
28 reviews
5.0
28 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fantastic venue to ring in the New Year, intimate and festive.
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s
stephanie
Seattle
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great atmosphere, great drinks, special spot!!! Highly recommend whether you are a seattleite or from out of town!
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FAQs

Founders Club is rated 4.5 stars by 349 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 p.m.

Booked 8 times today

Experiences are available.

411 University St, Seattle, WA 98101-2519

Additional information

Cross Street
Located on University Street in the Fairmont Olympic Hotel.
Neighbourhood
Downtown
Hours of Operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
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 reservation

Additional information

Experiences

Behind the Bottle Event x Woodenville Whiskey

Menu

What 349 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Founders Club restaurant rated?

Is Founders Club currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information