Every Seattle venue has personality, there’s no denying that. We tried to compile a list of our top 10 favorites. Begrudgingly, I excluded the first venue I ever played at, Tim’s Tavern. As special is it is to me — boy is it a shithole. Let us know if we missed one of your favorite venues.
10: The Central Saloon
The Central Saloon earns the number 10 spot due to its rich history and significant contributions to Seattle’s music scene spanning over a century. Established in the aftermath of the Great Fire of 1889, it has transformed from a restaurant to a gathering place for gold rush adventurers before emerging as a pivotal live music venue. During the 1980s, it played a crucial role in the birth of grunge, hosting legendary bands such as Nirvana and Soundgarden, and aiding in the rise of Sub Pop Records. Despite its age, The Central Saloon remains a vibrant destination, offering a welcoming atmosphere for musicians and patrons alike. While it may show signs of its storied past, its historical significance and enduring charm make it a must-visit venue in Seattle. Just make sure to keep an eye on your car, and don’t leave any gear in the van.
9: High Dive
High Dive has cemented its status as a vital player in Seattle’s music scene over its 15-year history. With an intimate layout reminiscent of legendary national venues like The Boom Boom Room and CBGB, High Dive strikes a balance between hosting big-name acts and supporting emerging talent.
Located in Fremont, dubbed the “Center of The Universe,” and across the street from the famous Lenin Statue, (weird neighborhood, we love it) High Dive embodies Seattle’s unique musical spirit. It’s a neighborhood steeped in history, nurturing the talents of iconic figures like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. The pole might obscure your view of the stage, so make sure to get a spot on stage left.
8: Owl ‘n Thistle
Owl ‘n Thistle is a pool room, restaurant, bar, and venue. In the days of prohibition, it was a speakeasy, which explains its location: down an alleyway off of a side street, down a hallway, through some doors, and to the left – away from all those snobby prohibitionists. Renowned for its jazz scene, Owl and Thistle hosts open mic jazz jam sessions every Tuesday, attracting both local talent and big-name musicians that come to blow some steam off after their shows at bigger venues like Triple Door and Jazz Alley.
Participating in these jam sessions sets a high standard for musicians, with performers expected to play any standard in any key at any tempo. The atmosphere is charged with excitement as artists rise to the challenge, making for a thrilling experience for both performers and audience members.
Throughout the week, Owl ‘n Thistle presents an eclectic lineup, ranging from dynamic big bands to tight jazz combos. It fills up quickly, so show up early to secure a spot. Whether you’re looking to hop on stage and show your stuff, or enjoy an evening of authentic jazz music, it’s worth checking out – and you’ll get to know the regulars pretty quick.
7: The Neptune
The Neptune holds a special place as Seattle’s quintessential college venue. Situated on 45th Street, just a stone’s throw from The Ave, one of UW’s bustling thoroughfares, it enjoys a prime location, making it a go-to destination for students eager to catch their favorite musical acts. It can be a pretty dingy spot, but The Neptune’s consistently stellar and relevant lineup draws crowds, establishing it as a mid-sized gem where emerging bands can showcase their talents as they ascend in popularity.
Beyond its musical offerings, The Neptune always has an incredible atmosphere, with tons of energy pouring out of the room. Good luck finding parking though. We recommend the parking lot behind Chipotle. Then walk up The Ave, maybe grab some Sweet Alchemy before the show.
For more details about its historical importance, written far better than I ever could, check out this article by Duke Enham at KXSU
6: The Sunset
Apart from Owl and Thistle, The Sunset is the smallest venue on this list. When you enter the sunset, it looks like a small bar. The venue is in a small room behind the small bar. This isn’t a venue for mid sized acts – they’ve tried that and it didn’t work out too well. But what The Sunset lacks in size, it makes up for in aesthetic.
They recently remodeled, and the woodworking behind the stage is beautiful. The sound is controlled and locked in. Shout out to Rick, by the way – go ahead and high five the sound guy if you go, they’re underappreciated, and they do god’s work.
Adding to its allure is a unique feature – a porthole behind the bartop offering a glimpse of the stage. While soundproof walls keep the bar quiet (as quiet as a dive bar can be), the distant echoes of live music goad you to go check it out.
I highly recommend the sunset. Beyond its musical offerings, The Sunset exudes a laid-back vibe, making it an ideal spot to unwind even if you’re not catching a show. However, with cover charges typically around $10, the temptation to see some live music is hard to resist. And with a vibrant bar scene nearby—including Kangaroo & Kiwi, Shingletown, and King’s Hardware for a high energy night out, Hazelwood for a cozy, intimate night out—The Sunset sets the stage for a memorable night of entertainment and exploration in Seattle.
5: Tractor Tavern
What little country-folk scene exists in Seattle is concentrated at Tractor Tavern. It’s not uncommon to find hay on the floor and concert-goers who look like they know how to line dance in this venue. Even if that’s not your cup of Bud Light, the music is stellar, every time. Maybe it’s something about country music artists not getting the same shine in Seattle that they get elsewhere, but these musicians play like their life is on the line.
I’ve gone to Tractor without knowing headliner many times, and I’ve never left disappointed. There’s something about drinking beer and listening to a banjo that has a timeless, undeniable appeal, like embodying the american dream or… something. Trust me, give it a shot. It’s also a few blocks from The Sunset and the aforementioned night-life scene, so if you’re not into the vibe, there’s plenty of other options.
4: Nectar Lounge
Nectar Lounge feels like a large-sized venue that happens to be in an intimate space. They book acts that would usually play bigger stages. They sell out most nights. Their equipment is top-of-the-line, and the aesthetic of the venue is one of the best in all of Seattle. The balcony overlooking the stage gives some of the best views of some of the best artists that come through the area. It’s really the ideal experience, especially if you’re a music nerd, and want to really pay attention to the nuances of the music. The relatively small space ensures that you can hear everything, and everyone.
You can’t mention Nectar without mentioning Mo’ Jam Mondays, an ongoing open-mic style jam session that Nectar hosts every Monday night at 7. Bring your instrument and sign up when you get there, and you’ll be assigned to a random group of musicians. When it’s your turn on stage, you have a few minutes to get organized, pick a key and a chord progression (or lack thereof), and perform. In front of everyone. In front of all of the other musicians in the crowd – most of whom just got off stage and absolutely ripped it. It’s high stakes and exciting, and I’ve heard some of the coolest drum solos I’ve ever heard during Mo’ Jam Mondays. If you play drums, keyboard, or sing, you’re pretty much guaranteed a spot. If you play guitar, get there early because spots fill up quick. Also, if you’re in the area, check out Add-a-ball, a retro video game themed arcade bar across the street.
3: The Crocodile
The Crocodile is the perfect size. It’s just big enough to book mostly “ohh yeah I think I’ve heard of them” acts, but just small enough that the sound in the room is very very good. They tend to book younger indie acts, so be sure to wear your baggiest jeans to blend in with the Gen Z hipsters. And when you get in, be sure to look up at the 25-foot long crocodile fossil hanging from the ceiling that gives the venue its namesake.
2: The Showbox
In 2018, The Showbox was set to be demolished to make space for flashy, new apartment buildings, fit for any esteemed Amazon Exec – a hazard of its prime location just a few blocks from Pike Place Market, and the rapid value increase of the land that it sat on. The city rioted. Flyers went up on every telephone pole, magazines published articles, “Save the Showbox!,” people picketed town hall, begging to keep The Showbox around. In 2019 after a long year of uncertainty, the City of Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board unanimously decided to grant The Showbox landmark designation, saving it from demolition. We all rejoiced and bought tickets for an upcoming show.
Ever since that movement, The Showbox has taken on a new meaning. It’s always been historic, but now it’s also a symbol of Seattle’s love of music, and a stake in the ground that says Amazon and Google can’t gentrify everything. It’s one of the most important venues in the Pacific Northwest. At least to us.
If that’s not enough to convince you to go, let me tell you its sound is off the charts good, at one point it’s hosted just about every artist you like – from Duke Ellington to The Weeknd – and it has one of the coolest interiors of any venue I’ve ever been to. If you’re going to check out any one venue in Seattle, this might have to be the one.
1: Neumos / Barboza
Neumos sits in the cultural hub of Capitol Hill, and Capitol Hill is the cultural hub of Seattle. You may have heard about CHOP or CHAZ (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) back in 2020: a protest following the murder of George Floyd which included blocking off several blocks of Capitol Hill and not answering to any form of organized government outside of its walls. And all of this happened in the middle of a pandemic. It truly felt like the world was ending. My apologies for bringing you back to that year, I’m sure we’d all like to forget. All this to say Neumos had a front seat view of CHOP. It’s in Seattle Seattle. It’s also a main venue in Seattle’s biggest annual music festival, Capitol Hill Block Party. It sits in the middle of everything.
Neumos has a penchant for hosting massive bands in their early stages. In the stairwell down to the greenroom, you’ll see pictures of bands that have played there, most of them young and bright-eyed. Bands that you may have heard of like, The Shins, The Raconteurs, Muse, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Feist, Bloc Party, Fleet Foxes, The Kills, Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band, Iron & Wine, Band of Horses, Adele, Spiritualized, Damian Marley, MGMT, Yeasayer, Justice, Diplo, Cat Power, Metric, Stars, Super Furry Animals, Vampire Weekend, the list goes on and on. This is the spot in Seattle.
On top of all of that, the sound is some of the best you’ll ever hear in a live context. It’s not uncommon to catch a sound guy wandering around with an iPad in the middle of the show, constantly tweaking and EQing, making sure it sounds great everywhere in the room.
And on top of all of that, Neumos is a part of a bigger complex that’s all connected. It includes The Runaway, a charming bar that’s perfect for before-show drinks, and another of my all time favorite venues in its basement – Barboza. Barboza is a long, narrow room with the stage at one end, seating on the other, and a bar right in the middle. The ceilings are low, and it’s always packed with people. It gets hot, and it stays loud. It’s the perfect setting for the deep house, electronic, and EDM artists that find their way to Barboza most every night.
Neumos / Barboza is also surrounded by the best nightlife in Seattle. For clubbing, check out The Rhino Room, Rheinhaus, and Neighbors. For a quick drink, check out The Comet (just across the street), Sam’s (they give out free drink tickets all the time, I have no idea how they’re still open), and Elysian Brewery. For food, check out Lost Lake (breakfast served until 3am), Big Mario’s Pizza, and any of the many street stands serving the best damn hot dogs you’ve ever tasted at 2am.
Neumos / Barboza is a cultural experience that Seattlites have somehow kept hidden from tourists for a long time. It’s everything that Seattle is and wants to be, for better or worse, and it’s easily the best venue in Seattle.
Honorable Mentions to:
El Corazon / Funhouse – classic punk, ska, metal venue that’s hard to miss from the freeway – there’s gonna be backlash because this didn’t make the list.
Moore Theatre – where Pearl Jam recorded their music video for ‘Even Flow’
The Vera Project – all-ages non-profit venue in Seattle Center
The Paramount – one of the best large venues in Seattle
Tim’s Tavern – you’ll always have a place in my heart.
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