Where to enjoy a cold drink on a warm day outdoors
By Luisa Loi
La Conner Community News
La Conner’s food scene boasts a plethora of options to absorb some Vitamin D while repelling the heat with a tasty beverage.
Here’s a look at the best drinks and vibes this charming seaside town has to offer. All include kid- and pet-friendly outdoor seating except where noted.
Calico Cupboard Café & Bakery
720 First St.
For carnivores, bacon-holics and brunch enthusiasts, the Bacon Bloody Mary might be the heartthrob you need to jump-start your day. This savory cocktail is a twist on the classic Bloody Mary and includes a juicy strip of bacon, olives, pickles and lemon. For a drink that looks and tastes like Skagit Valley summers, owner Brenda Schmidt recommends the Raspberry Mimosa.
The Firehall Kitchen and Taphouse
402 Morris St.
If the heat has got you feeling on the verge of combusting, trust The Firehall to hose you down with a good time. This former fire station offers cocktails and a rotating selection of Pacific Northwest beers and ciders to savor while challenging friends and family to a game of cornhole or giant Connect 4. Can’t decide? Bartender Hannah East recommends either the Mango Jalapeño Margarita or the Huckleberry Margarita.
La Conner Brewing Company
117 First St.
The Firehall’s sister biz is known for offering a variety of beers all brewed in-house. For a refreshing pint, General Manager Chelsea Suit recommends the Fishtown Summer Ale, a light beer brewed with lemon grass.
Retro Diner
313 Morris St.
With its 1950s aesthetics, huge menu and big food portions, this time capsule is a beloved destination for nostalgics with a big appetite. The milkshake list doesn’t disappoint, but with 17 flavors to choose from, picking the perfect flavor can be an arduous feat even for the strongest foodies. Thankfully, the diner’s young helper and milkshake connaisseur, Annabelle Howell, has made the task easier by recommending the fudge brownie shake. Her colleague, head server Noelle Ford, endorses the caramel shake.
Santo Coyote Mexican Kitchen
201 Morris St.
Whether you’re humming “Margaritaville” in the tropical themed dining room or relaxing in the outside patios, co-owner Cristal Perkins assures you can’t go wrong with the Fresh Berry Margarita — a raspberry, blueberry or strawberry margarita with fresh lime.
COA Mexican Eatery & Tequileria
623 Morris St.
Among the rainbow of options at COA, waiter Luis Camarena’s top picks for the summer are the Cadillac (a margarita made with agave tequila reposado, fresh lime juice and agave nectar topped with Grandeza orange liqueur and fresh orange, and rimmed with chamoy and tajin), and the Coconut Margarita (made with tequila, fresh lime juice, agave nectar and coconut, rimmed with chamoy and tajin).
Pie Dive Bar
512 First St.
Whenever grandma’s kitchen is closed for the day, the Pie Dive Bar is there to satisfy your sweet and savory pastry cravings and treat you with a drink. Owner Luke Solvang’s top drink choices for this summer include the Hurricane (made with coconut rum, lime juice, passionfruit liqueur and grenadine), the Jalapeño Margarita and the Strawberry Rhubarb Spritz (made with rhubarb liqueur, elderflower liqueur, strawberry puree and champagne). For the best pie and drink combo, he encourages trying the Black Rose (a cocktail made with rosemary infused vodka, Skip Rock Blackberry Liqueur and lime) and the Steak Pot Pie.
O’Neil’s Confectionery and Soda Fountain
713 First St.
This vintage and photo-worthy shop offers hand-crafted candy, ice cream, decadent fudge and sweet and current throwbacks, as well as savory meals like pizza, sandwiches, hot dogs and wings. For those wanting to be gluttonous outdoors, O’Neil’s features a quiet and tucked away seating area with glass art, a gazebo, and tall walls and trees sheltering guests from the sun. Owner Stan O’Neil’s top drinks, besides the sodas, are the champagne float — made with real champagne and your choice of lemon, mango, pineapple and raspberry soft serve — and the rootbeer float — served with vanilla ice cream.
Hellam’s Vineyard
109 N. First St.
If you’re looking for a tranquil waterfront spot with less foot traffic, charcuterie bites and an endless wine selection, Hellam’s, located in the historic Limedock building, might be the answer. Owner Jeff Hellam and wine barista Jen Ferry recommend any of the rosé wines, or, for a local twist to an Italian classic, “The ‘Original’ Skagit Spritz” — made with prosecco, vino aperitivo and a slice of lemon.
Skagit Cellars
106 First St.
Includes pet-friendly outdoor seating
Located right by Gilkey Square, Skagit Cellars offers front-row seats to the La Conner Live concert series every Sunday. Manager Alisha Taylor believes the best drink to sip while tapping your feet and admiring improvised dance performances is the sangria, while on any other summer day she would go for the Tempranillo rosé.
La Conner Sips
608 First St.
Another beloved business for wine, beer and small plate enthusiasts, as well as a good spot to enjoy the daily parade of people, pets and boats passing by this waterfront location and the occasional live music performance. Owner Anna Jahnke favorite drink for the warmer months is the Solstice Spritzer, made with wine-based liqueur infused with hibiscus, lime and orange peel, prosecco, seltzer and garnished with orange slices.
Nell Thorn Waterfront Bistro
116 S. First St.
This fine-dining spot offers an extensive selection of red, white and rosé wines, beers and cocktails. If you worry that a belly full of Dungeness crab pasta and alcohol will make you too drowsy, you can opt for a mocktail like The Tourist, made with The Pathfinder (a non-alcoholic spirit), verjus rouge, chamomile, gentian and orange.
Oyster & Thistle
205 Washington St.
Includes 21+, pet-friendly outdoor seating
This little fortress on the hill features a patio where guests can toast to summer while relishing French-inspired meals made with Skagit County ingredients. When asked about his top pick for a hot day, bar manager Kyle Ciminski named the “delicious and refreshing” Aperol Spritz.
Moltobello Ristorante Italiano
513 First St.
Italian food warrants Italian wine, and Moltobello has plenty to wind down after a day of exploring and shopping in La Conner. For something stronger and a little more patriotic (since it’s July), the restaurant includes a full bar with shelves lined with bourbons.
Stompin Grounds Coffee Co.
603 Morris St.
This cozy corner of Morris and Sixth streets is many people’s go-to fuel station. For a refreshing energy boost, owner Kim Broadhead recommends The Dock of the Bay, a cold mix of Red Bull or Lotus energy drink, peppermint syrup and cucumber syrup.
La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib
614 First St.
Beverage manager Emily Hayes had various recommendations for a hot summer day, but the top two contenders in her eyes are the Cucumber Refresher (made with cucumber vodka, lime vodka, muddled with fresh cucumbers and limes and topped with soda water, a thirst-quencher also available in mocktail form) and the John Daly (made with sweet tea vodka, lemonade and muddled fresh lemons).
La Conner Thai Garden
508 Morris St.
Lovebirds, singles and friends can cool-down and sweeten-up with some good ol’ Thai ice tea in this romantic setting featuring a little garden and authentic flavors from the Land of Smiles.
La Conner Pub & Eatery
702 S. First St.
Includes service animal-only outdoor seating
Staff at this family-friendly restaurant — also known as The La Conner Tavern — recommend the Spring Bloom, a huckleberry lemonade mixed with Tito’s vodka, as the perfect drink to sip while basking in the sun next to the Swinomish Channel.
Shuck Shack
706 First St.
Who said oysters belong to fancy restaurants? At Shuck Shack, you can experience the joys of casual dining and treat yourself to a luxury delicacy harvested from Similk Bay. This little truck also offers beer, wine, and cherry limeade and front-seat views to the boardwalk and Front Street.
Waterfront Cafe
128 First St.
Enjoy fish & chips by La Conner’s scenic boardwalk or inside the restaurant, surrounded by Jerry Ragg’s mural art. This comfort food spot offers wines, beers, ginger beer, hard ciders, strawberry lemonade, peach ice tea and coffee.
The Wayfinder Cafe
110 N. First St.
Sandwiches, soups, desserts, salads, coffees — whether you’re starting your day or taking a lunch break, this homey spot has it all. Though she couldn’t pick a favorite drink, co-owner Krista Ericson said the Lavender Lemonade has been quite the hit. Grown-ups may also gravitate towards the rosé wines and the cold brew.
Raven’s Cup Coffee & Art Gallery
106 S. First St.
Aside from the walls and shelves lined with Pacific Northwest gifts and art, some of this biz’s most popular offerings this season include the iced Canadian Latt-eh (made with espresso and steamed milk, genuine maple syrup and just a hint of nutmeg) and the Lavender Cold Foam Matcha, according to owner Janelle Whitton and manager Ty Angel.
La Conner Ice Cream Tower
104 N. First St.
Chris Sullivan, who owns this windmill-shaped ice cream temple, highly recommends the Espresso Milkshake for a sweet treat. For thirsty visitors with a sweet tooth, the best thirst-quencher offered is the Italian Soda.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
