Swedish Club

I have been attending the monthly friends and family Wednesday night with my mother and really love the experience! The bartender is super friendly and nice and the food has been incredibly delicious! Last meal was a chicken curry casserole and the flavors were extremely delightful and delicious. I love hearing about my heritage and excited to attend more events as the club has a very active event calendar!
Membership is affordable and it’s really a friendly, happy place! Can’t beat the beautiful view either! Checkout their website for more information, so happy to have more events planned in my near future :)

The breakfast is wonderful — however only go if you are prepared to wait in line for an hour and a half.
we showed up at 10am (which is probably when a lot of people arrive) and didn’t get food until 11:40. the line might not seem long, but members get to skip the long pay line and file right into the food line, making the wait for non members longer.

This review is for the Swedish Club and not the pancake breakfast.
I’ve been to numerous events over the past few years and I have grown to love this place more and more. The staff here have been nothing but welcoming since the first day I walked in.
The building is located on Queen Anne and over looks Lake Union. There are some really spectacular views from the 3 Crowns room and the balcony around it. There is ample parking and the building is easily accessible. There seems to be something going on everyday here and the building is open even if you just want to look around.
The Swedish Club knows how to throw a party. I highly recommend going to ABBA night once in your lifetime. These people know how to throw a party.
There are people of all ages and all walks of life who attend these events so don’t be scared.
My personal favorite is Eurovision night. They watch Eurovision on the big screen upstairs and open the bar for drinks and snacks.
They offer svensk classes for those wanting to learn a little Swedish. They also have weaving classes and a bunch of choirs to join as well. I think I can say that there’s something for everyone here.
Tusen tack!

(NOTE: THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE MONTHLY PANCAKE BREAKFAST)
Seattle’s Swedish Club is truly one of the City’s institutions and offers a lot of great programs for all, whether they’re of Scandinavian descent or not. One of the neat things they offer is the monthly Swedish pancake breakfast, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month.
THE ROSES: The breakfast itself is very tasty. You get some Swedish pancakes, dressed with your choice of strawberries, lingonberry sauce, and whipped cream, and a slice of ham. You can go back for seconds on the pancakes if you like. Orange juice and coffee are included as well. The all-​volunteer staff is very friendly. Entertainment comes in the form of various musical groups playing Scandinavian folk music, as well as traditional folk dancing where you can join in if you feel so inclined.
THE THORNS: At $ 9 a plate for non-​members ($ 7 if you’re a member), this is just a bit spendy for you’re getting, especially since it’s served ‘cafeteria style’, and it’s communal seating at one of their big round tables. This breakfast can be very popular, and you may encounter some pretty big lines (members have a separate line: it pays to belong). If you come with a big group, prepare to break yourselves up, because unless you come early, you’ll probably not find seating for all of you at one table.
NEITHER ROSE NOR THORN: Interesting cross-​section of people who come to this make for great people-​watching and grist for your social commentary. You have your Scandihoovian seniors rubbing elbows with Young Upscale Families from Queen Anne and Seattle’s other trendy, close-​in nabes. You also have the hipsters and brogrammers that are increasingly calling the apartment towers in the SLU area ‘home’ coming (probably because it’s become the hip/​ironic thing to do; kind of like 20somethings playing bingo at the Senior Center). There is definitely a «Portlandia» sketch buried in here somewhere, but I haven’t quite figured it out yet.
THE VERDICT: Fun thing to do on a Sunday for a change of pace from the usual ‘Brunch Village’ (another reference to one of «Portlandia“s most hilarious sketches) thing. Basic bfast fare spiced up with a heapin’ helpin’ of the Scandihoovian culture was emblematic of Seattle back when it was a sleepy little burg on the bay in the days before it became a tech and hipster mecca. By all means check it out.
TOP TIP: Membership for a family is only $ 85/​year. It give you access to a lot of great programs; they have a nifty bar, and you can ‘jump the line’ at the monthly breakfast. And you don’t have to be Swedish or even Scandinavian to join!

Swedish Panckes with Berries and Ham. Outstanding. Outstanding Location and Eastern View from Queen Anne of Lake Union… ;)
Great for my Swedish Heritage & Scandanavian Culture. Tuk :)

This review is for the monthly pancake breakfast. We try to make it in for the pancake breakfast every few months, and it’s always so much fun. The food is delicious, and they always have live music, and many people dance.

Fun New Years Eve venue. Had a good time with my former gf and friends. We enjoyed hanging out with younger and older people and listening to bands on three different floors. There is also the excellent views of Lake Union and the Space Needle. Bars were professionally staffed and easy to reach. Prices were fair.

We had a fun evening here listening to Paundy play in the Crown Room on the top floor, and there is an excellent view of Lake Union at night. Drinks were priced okay; David had 4 beers and I had 3 Moscow mules; total came out to $ 41. Bartender was nice and pleasant, and made some decent drinks.
The crowd was… interesting. I think my group was the youngest in the entire place, and we’re in our late twenties. While we were in line for the bar, some lady proceeded to comment on everyone’s attire and how we needed to grow up. Apparently shorts and a t-​shirt in the summer is not okay, or maybe this place has a dress code we didn’t know about?
Either way, glad to have discovered a new funky band and we even got to chat with them and get their CD. The place felt small and intimate but there was enough room for tables and dancing (which was super entertaining to watch). Everyone had a good time for sure.

It is always exciting to go the Swedish Cultural Center for the pancake breakfast, you never know what you are going to see, what you will hear or who you will meet. For example, today I saw children delightfully dancing along side elderly couples showing all their dance skills on the floor, perfectly in sync to the live music.
Seeing children wearing the traditional Swedish garments is a cuteness explosion! I am calling for a mandate, Swedish babies and children should dress traditionally until it is no longer cute to do so; which I do not foresee ever happening, because grandma and grandpa look just as awesome in their colorful folkdräkt!
The seating is community style. There are large round tables that sit about eight. I enjoy sharing a table with others, and meeting new people. The conversations are always fun. And if I want a change, I can just go to a different table on my way back from pancake round two.
The pancake breakfast is only the first Sunday of the month. Expect a long line after 10am.

I go here on Friday for lunch on occasion. I have the salmon open faced sandwich which is very nice and the princess cake. I see most people have the meatballs which I’ve not tried.

Only a couple of things keep me from giving the SCC 5-​stars.
Everything about the service we received at the business event I hosted at the SCC last week was just what we needed and more. Doug, who worked with us to schedule the event, was always responsive and helpful. More important, he was flexible in moving us from the larger Crown Room to the more intimate room when we realized we would have fewer guests. I imagine this was in part because rooms are more available in January. However, he wasn’t a stickler about it, which made it much easier and less stressful for us. He was also there the evening of the event to make sure we had everything we needed.
Doug (yes another one), our SCC bartender, was fantastic. He made us feel like we were in our own private club. Very attentive, efficient and charming. What you expect in a great bartender, and essential for the mood we were trying to create.
We brought our own caterer, so I have no comments about the food. But the SCC was helpful in providing what we needed to make that work as well.
The only reason I’m giving a 4 instead of a 5 is more about the condition of the SCC. That is, it’s a little dated. My guests barely noticed it with the beautiful view of South Lake Union at night. I understand they’re working on upgrades, like the new acoustic ceiling, which makes it great for networking. Unlike other venues, you can actually hear what people are saying. This amazing location will be a stunning property when it’s completed.
As for their technology, there’s free Wi-​Fi — always nice — but the sound system connection is in an awkward place. It would have been nice if they had longer cords. Yes, a small yet critical thing. I should have brought my own. Next time absolutely. I look forward to holding another event at the SCC.

The first Sunday of every month is Swedish Pancake at the Cultural Center! Swedish pancakes with Lingonberry Sauce and Whipped Cream, and a slice of ham… what could be better.
This is a great fun family event, and it’s a way to connect with friends and share a meal. Come early, and expect lines!

Swedish pannkakor with lingonberries, whipped cream, and ham? YES PLEASE.
The first Sunday of every month, the Swedish Cultural Center in Queen Anne puts on an authentic Swedish breakfast complete with music and festive fun. Arriving, you are immediately greeted by a door person in traditional Swedish garb and are then ushered into a hall with vendors, such as the Swedish Women’s Choir, selling cardamon rolls and other tasty goodies. The Swedish breakfast costs $ 9 (for non-​members), and this gets you tickets for not only your first helping but a second round as well.
The cafeteria is full of old and young Swedish descendants alike, and of course your typical hipster (or dozen) making an appearance. You will find some people really get into the spirit of their Swedish ancestry and will dress up in full regalia, which is really neat. You basically go through an assembly line of servers to get your food, which comes with three Swedish pannkakor, a slice of ham, lingonberries or strawberries, and orange juice. Silverware and coffee are already at the table, which you seat yourself at with other people.
The food is actually REALLY good; I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely much better than any Swedish pancake that you’ll find around at non-​Swedish restaurants (i.e, IHOP, etc.). The second helping ticket gets you a choice of one or two additional pancakes. There are people walking around to empty your table of your plates as well as fill up the coffee jugs.
It was such a great experience, and I definitely look forward to going back. I’m not sure you can find a better breakfast for $ 9 in Seattle that also provides such charming entertainment. Breakfast runs until 1:30 PM, so it’s ideal even for people who sleep in on the weekends, too.
It seems like there are a lot of really interesting things to do at the Swedish Cultural Center in addition to this breakfast. I will have to continue to check back and see what’s on the calendar!

My mom is from Motala, Sverige, so I suppose this review might be a bit bias. I love this place. First thing you notice is that the center is multi-​cultural and the members and volunteers VERY hospitable. I used to go to the pancake breakfast some years ago but stopped for some reason. Now that I’ve been going off and on over the past two years, I mark in on my calendar so I never forget! Between the SCC and Ikea, I can get my Lingonberry on whenever I get the cravings.

After hearing about the Swedish Cultural Center’s Sunday breakfast a few times, we finally made it over to Seattle to check it out the first Sunday of this month. Overall, it was a really enjoyable event!
Parking is either in the lot at the Swedish Cultural Center or across the street in another lot. We arrived probably around 10:30 or so and felt lucky to find a spot… when we were leaving, someone was already waiting for our spot behind us too! It appears there is also street parking around the place, but I honestly didn’t look at any special parking permit required or anything like that.
When you get inside after a nice greeting by a gentleman in a kilt, you join a line to pay for the breakfast (CASH ONLY, be prepared!). Several people were also enrolling to become members which will give you a free breakfast that morning too. We picked up a flyer with events sponsored by the Center and it looked like there were several fun activities including a Viking Happy Hour, a Christmas gift shopping event, movie nights, etc.
After paying — in cash ($ 9/​person) — and getting 2 tickets, you enter the dining area and follow the ropes to the food service area. There are several large circular communal tables with people enjoying their Swedish pancakes and having conversations with one another. Coffee is provided on the tables (and it’s good coffee too!), orange juice is also available near where you pick up the food. You get 3 folded up Swedish pancakes, lingonberry or strawberry sauce (lingonberry was delish!) and some fresh whipped cream on top. You also get a big piece of ham with your first serving which really goes well with the sweet breakfast. For seconds, you can have more pancakes, but not more ham.
We ended up sitting with some of the cooks and some other members of the Cultural Center. It seemed kind of like a family dinner party and we felt very welcomed there. There’s music playing from a band, room to dance if you want to, good food. fun!
This definitely seems like a family friendly event and I think kids would enjoy seeing live music and the food is approachable to little ones as well.

This place makes me happy. They offer Swedish language classes, a gorgeous pancake breakfast on the first Sunday of each month, and a killer view of the city. I’m half Swedish and love the fact that there’s a place where I can get in touch with my roots or catch a subtitled Scandinavian film!
Parking can be headachy but plan ahead and you should be fine. There’s space behind their building and on the street. Or you can carpool or take the bus.

The most delicious pancakes ever. Little old Swedish ladies are awesome.
Parking’s atrocious and it’s a little expensive, but the pancakes are amazing. They’re like crepes, but better. If you don’t try the lingonberry syrup you’re missing out. The ham is good as well. Breakfast comes with coffee and/​or orange juice, and I think coffee is unlimited.
If you look even remotely Swedish (I’m a lot Norwegian), they’ll try to recruit you, which is kind of awkward. But it’s okay because the pancakes and lingonberries are totally worth it.

I would never have found this place if there wasn’t a UYE (breakfast club). The Swedish pancakes are great! CASH ONLY! It’s $ 9 per adult and you can get two plates: first plate pancakes with meat and second plate just pancakes. You have choice of orange juice, milk, coffee and tea.
The first plate comes with 3 rolls of Swedish pancakes with either strawberry topping or raspberry with whipped cream and a piece of ham. I didn’t get to have the second plate because I was already filled up with the first plate.
There were a lot of people. It’s more like family style. Since all the Unilocalers arrived different time, we had two or three different tables with others. It was actually pretty fun. The table two other Unilocalers and I sat was shared with a family. The wife was next to me and she was really interested in food as well. We had conversation about food and where to grab good food.
In front of the breakfast room, there’s a space that people can dance with Swedish music. A lot of the members of Swedish Cultural, they also wore traditional clothes to the breakfast.
There’s parking lot behind the building and across street. Or, you can find parking on the street.
Thanks Food Ninja for finding this great breakfast place! It was awesome.

My very first time — Heart! And it was quite tasty. It’s super popular — today they had a little fair going on too, so I guess it was even more busy than usual as a result. Line was out the door — and we waited as our hungry tummies rumbled for about 40 – 45 minutes.
$ 9/​person — cash
You get 3 Swedish pancakes with your choice of fruit topping and whip cream + a side of ham. Each person can get a second helping of pancakes. They give you little dixie cups of orange juice. Communal dining experience definitely makes it very friendly, community-​oriented, and wholesome. Really enjoyed it. Heart!

Love the view from the Swedish Cultural Center. It is absolutely amazing!!! Whether it’s day or night, they have one of the best views of the city, Space Needle and Lake Union. I’d say the only view that can compare to this is the Columbia Tower Club.
Although I am not a member, nor Swedish, I have attended as a guest of various members. Some of the members are super friendly and inviting. Others are reserved and keep to their cliques. Pretty normal for any place in Seattle. There are people young and old here, straight or gay. The bar here is pretty much the main place I’ve hung out when I’ve been here and they do have a nice bar. Sometimes they give out free samples of pastries and cheese. Not impressed with the pastries but love the Swedish cheese ;)