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Using the word “grunge”
to describe Seattle’s music will mark you as an unhip outsider or a
journalist looking for verbal shortcuts.
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The drinking age for all
alcoholic beverages in Washington is 21, so have your ID handy when
seeking entrance to taverns or bars.
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The Showbox This
elegant 1900s Art Deco room with state-of-the-art audio and computer
controlled lighting has been used as a concert hall, a comedy club, and
even a rental space for a Talmud Torah Hebrew Academy Bingo series.
Artists as dissimilar as Al Jolson, the Mills Brothers, Gypsy Rose Lee,
and the Ramones have performed here. Now, the 1,000-seat venue books
successful touring rock and hip-hop acts. Crocodile Café This
Belltown café opened in the early 1990s, just after major Seattle bands
such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney changed the face of rock
music. It’s still a destination for new talented bands, local or
touring, appealing to audiences who favor college rock radio and
singer-songwriters. Features inexpensive fare, and the owner’s husband
happens to be Peter Buck of R.E.M.
Crocodile Café
Chop Suey This
club dominates the smoke-filled, hard rock scene on Capitol Hill, but
does so with style and flair. Glowing red lights and lanterns shed a bit
of light, while images of Bruce Lee add to the kitschy theme. Most of
the acts are local or regional rock outfits, although hip-hop rules on
Sunday nights. 1325 E Madison 206 324 8000
Tractor Tavern A
bastion of great music, this place thrives as an alternative to clubs
elsewhere in Seattle that are known for mining hard rock acts. The
Tractor primarily books bands with repertoire in the vein of country
western, rockabilly, bluegrass, or musicians who seamlessly fuse all
those styles into something quite original. 5213 Ballard Ave NW 206 789 3599
Consolidated Works The
only multidisciplinary contemporary arts center in the Pacific
Northwest is housed in a cavernous space large enough for jumbo jet
assembly. ConWorks brings artists and patrons together with the
philosophy that all creative art forms speak one language. The facility
includes three artist-in-residence studios, a 150-seat theater, the
50-seat movie hall, a 6,000-ft (1,829-m) visual art space, and a café. 500 Boren Ave N 206 381 3218
Gallery 1412 If
Gallery 1412’s room is as small as ConWorks is gargantuan, the artistic
vision is equally as imposing. The award-winning curators book acts
dedicated to experimental music in a no-frills setting. Patrons listen
and learn about contemporary composition, electroacoustic and electronic
music, free improvization, and out jazz. 1412 18th Ave 206 322 1533
The Triple Door In
the space of a former 1920s-era vaudeville theater upscale audiences
soak up the best of jazz, rock, cabaret, and blues while enjoying French
wine and cuisine. El Corazón Formerly
known as Graceland, El Corazón proudly flaunts its roots as a crusty,
smoky rock club. It’s a mecca for those seeking strong drinks and a
favorite venue for many of the area’s hard-working rock bands. 109 Eastlake Ave E 206 381 3094
Sunset Tavern This
tavern is primarily an outlet for start-up bands of the ear-shattering
punk rock persuasion. The room’s red decor and lighting seems to take
inspiration from a Victorian bordello. Lots of bands have their first
gigs here. 5433 Ballard Ave NW 206 784 4880
Neumo’s The
resurrected Moe’s is now Neumo’s, Capitol Hill’s most hip and happening
music venue. The club is back to basics with a strong show of rock
bands and DJ dance nights. 925 E Pike St 206 709 9467
Top 10 Local Microbrews
Redhook Seattle’s earliest micro-brewers began in May 1981. Hale’s Brewery Savor delicious brews and pub grub. 4301 Leary Way NW 206 706 1544
Maritime Pacific Order a pint of Nightwatch at this tavern. 1514 NW Leary Way 206 782 6181
Elliott Bay Brewing Company West Seattle’s bastion of microbrew and pub fare. McMenamin’s This chain of pubs is known as Dad Watson’s in Fremont. 3601 Fremont Ave N 206 632 6505
Elysian The Hill’s best pub makes legendary India pale ale and extra-special bitter. 1221 E Pike St 206 860 1920
Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant Serves excellent beers and great faux-Egyptian label design too. 1201 1st Ave S 206 682 3377
Big Time Brewery & Alehouse Draws young and old to sample handcrafted ales. 4133 University Way NE 206 545 4509
Pike Brewing Company Best for microbrew, pub food, or brewing supplies. Mac & Jack’s Try the African Amber for thirst-quenching nirvana.
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