🍻 Your guide to May in Seattle

Whether you’re a hardcore winter bike commuter or a fairweather pleasure rider, the weather’s finally nice enough that you might ditch your fenders. Here are a few ways you can get out on two wheels this month:

• Celebrate Bike Everywhere Day on May 13 by commuting to work or just riding around for fun! Be sure to check out Cascade Bike Club’s list of Celebration Stations, where you can find free food and swag around town.
• Starting Memorial Day weekend, Lake Washington Blvd will be closed to cars every weekend through Labor Day!
• Save the date: I’m hosting a Bike Happy Hour on May 28 at Golden Gardens! Theme TBD (if you have thoughts, shoot us a message)
• Mighty O Donuts is hosting their Tour de Donut on May 30, which hits up four Mighty O locations around town.
• Is your bike in need of some TLC? Learn how to properly clean bikes or sign up to take a bike repair class this summer at Bike Works.
• If you’d rather leave bike maintenance to the experts, visit your local bike shop — my favorites are Goodweather in Capitol Hill and Free Range in Fremont.

May is a big month for movies over here in Seattle. The big event is, of course, the Seattle International Film Festival! There are over 200 films here, so I am going to highlight some with a local connection.

RADIOHEART: The Drive and Times of DJ Kevin Cole // Director Peter Hilgendorf

• A bio-doc about KEXP’s DJ Kevin Cole. Recommended for music fans!

Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero // Director Bayan Joonam

• A doc about Seattle’s very own superhero, Phoenix Jones.

Again Again // Director Mia Moore, Producer Cliff Noonan, and Executive Producer Ian Schrank

• Aberdeen-raised filmmaker Mia Moore makes a trans riff on Groundhog Day.

Assets & Liabilities // Director Zach Weintraub and Subject Arsenio Salvante

• Based on the trailer alone, this film from Tacoma-based Zach Weintraub looks wild. And very relatable to me as a dad who used (never was) cool.

The Life We Leave // Director JJ Gerber

• Another doc about an eco-friendly deathcare facility here in Washington. Looks moving and powerful.

Under a Million Stars // Director Chezik Tsunoda

• A doc looking at Seattle’s unhoused population that actually speaks to those experiencing homelessness.

My one non-Seattle pick is The Furious. A kick-ass kung fu movie? Sign me up.

It’s finally the time of year for al fresco dining. As any good Seattleite knows, all sunlight is a precious thing. With that in mind, here’s a list of some of my favorite spots to eat and drink outdoors while photosynthesizing your SAD away.

• Storied at Home – I’m writing this list of recommendations from this cafe/shoppy-homewares shop’s patio. It’s extremely charming and full of dappled light from the trees. They have a breakfast and lunch menu, sandos made on Sea Wolf Bakers bread, and make a mean latte. I’m currently eating their delicious tuna sandwich on a brioche bun and drinking a cardamom latte. 10/10 would recommend.
• San Fermo – Inside a cute little farmhouse right in the heart of old Ballard, this Italian spot is a favorite for special occasions. They have lovely heated tables on their deck!
• Bottle House – One more adorable house (I’m sorry, I can’t help myself). This time it’s in Madrona. Their outside seating is in a gorgeous brick-lined garden, and they highlight wines from across the PNW.
• Island Soul – If you haven’t been to Columbia City’s delicious, family-owned Caribbean restaurant, treat yourself to a spot at a picnic table on their covered front patio. The fried catfish is incredible, and you have to try their beloved coconut corn muffins.
• Bar del Corso – This Beacon Hill restaurant, known for its woodfired pizza, has the sweetest backyard dining space. It’s a neighborhood favorite for good reason!
• Marination Ma Kai – Marination got its start as a food truck and now has three locations, but the one in West Seattle has some of the best waterfront views. Take the water taxi over and grab some aloha fries or an ube coconut rice crispy and soak up those rays.
• Bongo’s – Though they got rid of the sandpit (charming or gross? Maybe both?), this is a Greenlake classic for a reason. Their citrus braised pork sandwich with caramelized onions is even better when sitting on their sunny patio, even if it is basically in the middle of Aurora.

Seattle Beer Week is a week-long celebration of all things beer in our city. It runs from May 7th until May 16th with events all over town. I’ve done a lot of research into the best beers to drink when it’s sunny out, which will hopefully apply to the weather this month. Plus, I live in “brewery central” AKA Ballard, and my boyfriend is a brewer, so just trust me on this, okay?

My favorite beers to drink in May:

• Pool Dad Lemon Lager from Seapine
• Literally anything at Fair Isle
• Gosefish Hibiscus-Cranberry Gose from Ghostfish
• Italian Pilsner from Metier
• La Mas Buena Mexican Lager with Lime from Bale Breaker
• Sour Beer Slushie from Urban Family
• Ghosts of Goslar from Bizarre

Now, not all of these spots are necessarily participating in Seattle Beer Week, but you should check them out anyway. And if you’re not a drinker, that’s okay too; most of these spots offer N/A options and hop water.