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Founders Club - Founders Club, Seattle, WA

Founders Club

4.5
4.5
349 Reviews
$50 and over
Cocktail Bar

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 4 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
  • 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

Experiences

  • Behind the Bottle Event x Woodenville Whiskey

    USD 100.00 per person

    Prepaid

    5 Mar 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.
    Behind the Bottle Event x Woodenville Whiskey photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

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

  1. 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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  2. Troy

    Vancouver

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 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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  3. 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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  4. 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

    Is this helpful?

  5. Tyler

    VIP

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 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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  6. 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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  7. Kimberly

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 January 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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  8. Andrea

    VIP

    Seattle

    17 reviews

    2.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on 4 January 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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  9. Tina

    Seattle

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on 1 January 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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  10. stephanie

    Seattle

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on 29 December 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!

    Is this helpful?

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 booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Founders Club

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 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.
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