Seattle restaurants drop prices for Canadians as Blue Jays play M’s

This weekend, more than two dozen Seattle restaurants, bars and hotels are offering 30% discounts to Canadian travelers as fans of the Toronto Blue Jays visit town for a series of games with the Seattle Mariners from Friday to Sunday.

The plea for our neighbors to the north to spend time (and money) in Washington state comes as tourism from Canada has declined in President Donald Trump’s second term. Half as many Canadians crossed the border into Washington last month compared with April 2024, per The Vancouver Sun.

“We love our Canadian neighbors,” reads the website for the promotion, openarmsforcanada.com. “And we regret how our federal government is treating you. We wish we could change what happens in the other Washington.”

The effort was spearheaded by Seattle Hospitality Group, which owns many of the businesses involved, and Ivar’s president Bob Donegan. The discount of 30% is meant to compensate for the exchange rate between American and Canadian currencies. Customers will need to show valid Canadian ID.

Several hotels and tourist-dependent businesses like Argosy Cruises, FRS Clipper, Kenmore Air and the Space Needle are participating, as are breweries like Pike Brewing and Fremont and restaurants like Spinasse, Artusi, Tutta Bella and Wild Ginger.

Various brands from Ethan Stowell Restaurants are playing ball. Stowell’s Cortina, Bombo Italian Kitchen near the Convention Center, the South Lake Union location of Victor Tavern and the Belltown location of Tavolata are all participating. Stowell said his restaurants aren’t “planning for all of Vancouver to come down,” but he was happy to join in extending this olive branch. 

“I have no political stance on this,” Stowell said. “It’s just, neighbors of the north, we want you to come down.”

Stowell hasn’t noticed a slump in traffic from Canadians in Seattle, but he is a partner in Bellingham-based Aslan Brewing, which has seen a decline in Canadians crossing the border for day trips. 

Though the promotion might not make a huge difference as local restaurants continue encouraging people to dine out more, Stowell said it “seems nice. We like Canadians.”