Is the Original Starbucks at Pike Place Worth the Line?
People ask me all the time if they should wait in line at the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market. My take: go see it, take the photo, then decide if going inside is worth your time. You don't need to stand in line to appreciate why it matters.
Watch my Starbucks video on TikTok
I like the history here. Starbucks started in 1971 as a small Seattle shop selling coffee beans, tea and spices, long before it turned into the coffeehouse chain everyone knows.
Is it really the first Starbucks?
Fun technicality: Starbucks actually opened at a nearby storefront first, then moved to 1912 Pike Place in the 1970s. So it's the original store, just not the original address. I think that makes the story better.
The old-school sign and the early siren logo are a big part of the draw. They look nothing like the green branding you see everywhere else. Starbucks also reworked the store in 2026 as the 1912 Pike Place Experience, so if you've been before, it'll feel a little different.
Should you actually wait?
If you're a big Starbucks fan, go for it. But if you just want a good cup of coffee in Seattle, I wouldn't burn a big chunk of a short trip in one line. Pike Place Market is full of independent spots worth finding.
The Market rewards wandering. I'd rather see you talk to a vendor, try some food and explore the shops below street level than rush through all of it for one coffee.
The Market is way bigger than the famous sign
One of my favorite things to show people is that the Market is a lot more than the main entrance, the flying fish and that first block of storefronts. There are shops tucked into the lower levels that most visitors walk right past. Here's my guide to the downstairs shops.
If you've got a couple hours, start at the main entrance, check out the Starbucks storefront, then head deeper in. You can always swing back if the line gets shorter. And if you're wondering when to go, here's the best time to visit Pike Place.
My advice for first-timers
Treat the original Starbucks as a quick history stop unless going inside is a priority. Save most of your Market time for exploring. On our four-hour City and Pike Place Market Tour, you get an hour to browse, shop or eat on your own. We don't do guided Market tours, but I'm happy to share recommendations before you head off.
