The Cuff Complex

Leather & bear bar · Seattle Capitol Hill

Four bars, a dance floor, darts and a big terrace: since 1993 the Cuff has been the living room of Seattle’s leather, bear and kink scene, and since 2025 it has been run by new owners.

• ★ 3.5 on Google (268)
• Since 1993
• Leather and bears
• Large terrace

Address

1533 13th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122

Opening hours

Wed–Sun from 6 pm until late
Closed Mon/Tue

Crowd

mostly men, rather 30+, leather, bears and kink, increasingly mixed

Flirt factor

high

Programme

Hump Day karaoke every Wednesday
DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays

Getting there

Corner of Pine Street, Link light rail Capitol Hill Station, 10 minutes on foot

What makes the Cuff special

The Cuff opened in 1993 on the corner of 13th Avenue and Pine Street for the leather, Levi’s and uniform scene. Today it’s a large complex with four bars, a dance floor, darts area, kitchen and a big terrace. It’s the home bar of Seattle Men in Leather and the Northwest Bears.

In 2025 former San Francisco event promoter Scott Walent took over the Cuff. He’s keeping its character and adding new series, from DJ nights with guests from across the country to kink events. Wednesday is karaoke, and Fridays and Saturdays go late. Annual highlights are the Beach Party, Furnace and the Pride street party on 13th Avenue.

Atmosphere and crowd

The crowd is mostly male, with a leather and bear touch, but more mixed than you might think. Thanks to the new programme, queer guests of all kinds now come. One visitor calls the Cuff one of the most entertaining bars she has visited in Seattle.

Contact

Editorially researched, as of October 2026. Sources: the bar’s website, Out x Out, The Ticket (Seattle Times), Hoodline, Google reviews (3.5 stars, 268 reviews). Opening hours, prices and programme may change, please check before visiting.