Have the Ultimate Seattle Seahawks Weekend

Want to get in on the Seattle Seahawks hype? Here’s how to do a ‘hawks weekend in style

Fandom in B.C. for the Seattle Seahawks has been on the rise for the past few years, hitting a crescendo with this years’ Super Bowl win – The Emerald City’s street cred has never been higher. Want to get in on the action? Plan a road trip around the next ‘home’ game and experience all of the 12th Man- (the city’s honorary title for Seahawk fans) related things to do. Where to begin? Start with booking your tickets online. If you’ve never experienced an NFL game, especially in a city that holds the national title, brace yourself for some big fun.

Here’s the official word on what being a 12th Man is all about: “Seahawks fans might cheer from the sidelines, but on the field they give the Seahawks a 12 on 11 advantage every play for every yard. The impact of their loud and relentless support have become a Northwest tradition. They are The 12th Man.“

Where to Stay

The Hotel Monaco (and any of their Kimpton properties in Seattle) offers a 12th Man Package that includes an upgrade for fans (based on availability). Included: a Make Your Own Poster bar in the lobby (create a sign and take it to the game), and an in-room goldfish with a special name (I shared a room with a fish named Russell Gilson). Monaco is within walking distance to the stadium, right downtown on 4th Avenue. There’s a civilized complimentary wine bar in the early evenings, and good morning java in the lobby.

Get Your Nails Done, Seahawks-style

‘Fanicures’ at Gene Juarez Salons & Spas are a pre-game must. Book your long lasting gel mani for $60, in limited edition Seahawks’ colours. Try ‘The Rush’, new for the 2014-2015 season. It’s lime-aid polish with lapis blue rockstar glitter, or the ‘Rockstar Glitter Ombre’.

Pre- and Post-game Festivities

After the game, a stop at a great sports bar is a given, no matter the final score. A stone’s throw from the stadium is Seattle’s Pioneer Square, and brand new restaurant/bar Quality Athletics is hoppin’ after a Seahawks win. Chef Seth Richardson took the usual sports bar fare and turned it on its head (see: smoked salmon wings). Be sure and hangout in the ‘locker room’ bar, complete with a slushy and snow-cone machines.

Have a (Craft) Beer

Even hipster-hood Ballard has gotten into the team-spirit act. Local craft brewery Hillard’s Beer serves up their ‘12th Fan’ beer in their uber-cool warehouse space. Take home some cans too – call it a souvenir to crack open when you return to Vancouver.

Have a Touchdown Meal

All that drinking can work up quite the appetite; while in Ballard, dinner may be in order. Stoneburner, which opened last year in boutique-y Hotel Ballard, has been getting plenty of buzz for good reason. Chef and co-owner Jason Stoneburner (who is also executive chef at Bastille Café & Bar) offers up a menu that centres on the stone-hearth oven in the kitchen, turning out excellent pizzas, roast vegetables and pastas with Mediterranean-influences. All in a gorgeous room of dark wood, pressed tin and mid-century lighting fixtures.
 

Before-you-leave Brunch

Before you head back to the border, fuel up on brunch at Bookstore Bar & Café, a quick stroll from the Hotel Monaco Seattle. Renowned Northwest Chef (and James Beard Award-winner) Caprial Pence is back in town after a stint in Portland, with exquisite dishes like the buttermilk waffles with house-made labneh cheese, caramelized honey and toasted hazelnuts. Yum!