Pony

Pros: -Cheap drinks. -Crowd is interesting and sometimes very fun. Interesting bar atmosphere. Neutral: -Lots of gay porn and suggestive decor. Very typical "Loud and Proud" type of LGBTQ+ bar. A pro or con depending on who you are. Cons: -Very small venue. -Extremely overcrowded some nights (tuesday, for example). -Is most certainly a "Seattle Dive" bar. Not the worst dive I've been too, but it's certainly grimy. -Way too hot, all the time. -Only two to three bartenders on busy nights and there can be a massive drink line. -Known issue with people ***spiking*** drinks. In fact, my first time here my first drink was drugged. No one ever seems to be doing anything other than spiking the drinks for some sort of weird entertainment of watching people be intoxicated and under the influence. If you feel way too drunk here, way too fast, it's time to stop drinking, let a friend know, plan a way home, and be prepared for a terrible hangover the next day. I really want to like this place. I personally have had good times here, even with the above in question—however I simply can't rate it more than 2 stars, despite my own good times here. It's what you make of it, and it can be fun—but objectively, its two out of five. There's a lot wrong.

Pony is the kind of place you wind up when you’ve given up on being aspirational. It’s not where you meet the love of your life, it’s where you meet the person who ruins the rest of your week, maybe the rest of your month, maybe even your life but at least it won’t be boring. Anything but boring. The air is thick with sweat, despair, and joy. The walls feels like it’s seen something illegal, and still has the fingerprints to prove it. It’s all bad decisions and good intentions. A place so small you can’t help but rub against strangers, which is the point, isn’t it? You can call it a gay dive bar, but really it’s a queer confessional booth with alcoholic beverages. Everyone is either too cool or not cool enough but everyone is beautiful in that wrecked, unfixable way. The drinks are good, they’re strong, not cheap. The music is always right, but exactly wrong in a way that keeps you there and coming back. Pony is like an ex you should block on every platform but don’t, because some part of you thrives on humiliation, on spectacle, on waking up with hope and vomit dried stuck to your pillowcase. If most gay bars are trying to be someone you could take home to your mother, Pony is the one you meet in the bathroom and leave without knowing their name. It’s not romance, it’s relapse. It’s not catharsis, it’s collapse. But it’s honest. And sometimes, when the world feels like it’s killing you slowly, honesty is the only libation worth paying for.

This has been a favorite spot for my tribe on a Sunday afternoon. Great DJs, great drinks and service. Popular with all age groups. I really like their outdoor deck. The deck is covered, so even if the weather is bad, it's still a great place to sit. The interior is pretty eclectic, centering on a queer porn motif. Very appropriate for the place, but may both those faint of heart. Prices are reasonable and it's a really fun atmosphere.

Pony is my fav bar In town. The bartenders are friendly and respectful. The place is also chill I have never witnessed not even an argument.

Pony is hands down the queerest bar i have ever attended and i have a lot of fond memories of it, but be very careful with your drinks while there. Pony has a reputation for spikings and SA. I thought i was being diligent enough to not get spiked but it still happened to me in January. Sounds like I’m not the only one its happened to.

I looked for a staff member to talk to about this but I couldn’t find one during the drag show so I’m posting this. I’m a muscle gay and I wore a crop top. I was ordering a drink at the bar and a guy standing next to the bar started feeling me up on the sides. I was clear and upset (tho didn’t yell) to not touch me. I don’t know if he was the bartenders friend or what but the bartender got mad at ME. He yelled at me to not to not do his job. Like I’m not supposed to tell the tipsy guy immediately not to touch me. I’m pissed. Don’t know how a gay bar in Seattle can support guys feeling people up without consent.

Tiny hole in the wall gay punk bar. It's a very local spot so I wouldn't recommend it to everyone as it does get packed and you will be noticed if you're not part of the community. Iconic to queer nightlife in seattle, we just wish it was bigger.