Hey Seattle Players - What's Up

[Altitude]

I'm interested in hearing from people who play in the Seattle scene. My daughter is at UW now and I'm spending more time there. I'd like to know what the good live venues are these days and any really good bands people could recommend.

I'm a 51 year old lifelong bass player who loves Cameron Crowe's work in general, so I'm as aware of the history of that scene as you could reasonably be without having come up in it. But I'm not very aware of what it's like now.

I'm not super into metal but just about anything else.

What say you.

 

[Altitude]

Hey thanks for all the help everybody.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Well if I was living in Seattle, I would have replied to your OP with suggestions...

 

[lildrgn]

I'm interested in hearing from people who play in the Seattle scene. My daughter is at UW now and I'm spending more time there. I'd like to know what the good live venues are these days and any really good bands people could recommend.

I'm a 51 year old lifelong bass player who loves Cameron Crowe's work in general, so I'm as aware of the history of that scene as you could reasonably be without having come up in it. But I'm not very aware of what it's like now.

I'm not super into metal but just about anything else.

What say you.

Welcome to your daughter! I went to the UW in the early 90's and graduated with a degree in English (rolls eyes).

As far as venues are concerned, there are a ton. I have not played elsewhere in the country, or been to clubs outside the PNW, but I feel like we have more originals bands in the area than most other places. Here's a quick rundown of the places I'm familiar with.

Tractor Tavern - Live Music Calendar | Seattle, WA Probably one of the best clubs in town. Despite the country name, they host all sorts of bands and music. Anytime I can play there, it's a luxury.
Sunset Tavern | Live Music & Cocktails in Seattle Just up the street from the Tractor, they recently remodeled and have a great greenroom and new stage setup. I wrote about a gig I played there here.
The Crocodile This is in Belltown, and they also did a remodel in the past 3-4 years. I was fortunate enough to see the Hold Steady there in 2019, 3 nights in a row. It was excellent. My old band, Stereo Embers, also played there in 2019, opening for Sponge.
Slim's Last Chance Chili | live music | Seattle Comfort Food (slimslastchance.com) South of Seattle, this place is a destination location. If you play there or see a show there, that's about all you'll get as there are no other clubs or bars around. That said, it's always a good time and, when it's nice out, you can play shows on the flatbed truck outside. Mainly rock at this place.
Home | Blue Moon Tavern |Bar| Seattle (thebluemoonseattle.com) Down the street from UW, this is a legendary Seattle bar. Pretty small, but any up-and-coming band will have played there. My not so up-and-coming band played there in 2019 before the pandemic.
Listing - High Dive Seattle The High Dive used to be more of a rock club. I hear these days they are more dance/cover oriented, but will have rock bands there from time to time. Stereo Embers played there in 2019.
DARRELL'S TAVERN – live music every weekend (darrellstavern.com) This bar is north of Seattle and is really a neighborhood type (re: hole in the wall) place. I played there for the first time about a year ago and it was a good time.
El Corazon The Funhouse | 109 Eastlake Avenue East | Seattle, WA (elcorazonseattle.com) El Corazon used to be the Off Ramp (cue your Singles knowledge) and these days, it's a hard rock/metal club. Next door is the Funhouse, which used to be under the Space Needle. I've played both and they're OK clubs. Safety note: there is a space across the street that is notorious for folks that are house challenged/using/mentally unwell. I'll just say I'd be nervous if my daughter went there. A bassist was shot there in the past year or so, if I recall correctly.
Clock Out Lounge – An intimate Venue in Seattle, Washington This joint is south of Seattle and you can get some tasty pizza by the slice there. We played there a few years ago and I had a good recollection of that gig.

Anyway, there definitely are more clubs. Tell your daughter to check out the Fremont area (sort of by the UW), there's a great nightlife and music scene there (see High Dive above). Hope this helps!

 

[Altitude]

Welcome to your daughter! I went to the UW in the early 90's and graduated with a degree in English (rolls eyes).

As far as venues are concerned, there are a ton. I have not played elsewhere in the country, or been to clubs outside the PNW, but I feel like we have more originals bands in the area than most other places. Here's a quick rundown of the places I'm familiar with.

Tractor Tavern - Live Music Calendar | Seattle, WA Probably one of the best clubs in town. Despite the country name, they host all sorts of bands and music. Anytime I can play there, it's a luxury.
Sunset Tavern | Live Music & Cocktails in Seattle Just up the street from the Tractor, they recently remodeled and have a great greenroom and new stage setup. I wrote about a gig I played there here.
The Crocodile This is in Belltown, and they also did a remodel in the past 3-4 years. I was fortunate enough to see the Hold Steady there in 2019, 3 nights in a row. It was excellent. My old band, Stereo Embers, also played there in 2019, opening for Sponge.
Slim's Last Chance Chili | live music | Seattle Comfort Food (slimslastchance.com) South of Seattle, this place is a destination location. If you play there or see a show there, that's about all you'll get as there are no other clubs or bars around. That said, it's always a good time and, when it's nice out, you can play shows on the flatbed truck outside. Mainly rock at this place.
Home | Blue Moon Tavern |Bar| Seattle (thebluemoonseattle.com) Down the street from UW, this is a legendary Seattle bar. Pretty small, but any up-and-coming band will have played there. My not so up-and-coming band played there in 2019 before the pandemic.
Listing - High Dive Seattle The High Dive used to be more of a rock club. I hear these days they are more dance/cover oriented, but will have rock bands there from time to time. Stereo Embers played there in 2019.
DARRELL'S TAVERN – live music every weekend (darrellstavern.com) This bar is north of Seattle and is really a neighborhood type (re: hole in the wall) place. I played there for the first time about a year ago and it was a good time.
El Corazon The Funhouse | 109 Eastlake Avenue East | Seattle, WA (elcorazonseattle.com) El Corazon used to be the Off Ramp (cue your Singles knowledge) and these days, it's a hard rock/metal club. Next door is the Funhouse, which used to be under the Space Needle. I've played both and they're OK clubs. Safety note: there is a space across the street that is notorious for folks that are house challenged/using/mentally unwell. I'll just say I'd be nervous if my daughter went there. A bassist was shot there in the past year or so, if I recall correctly.
Clock Out Lounge – An intimate Venue in Seattle, Washington This joint is south of Seattle and you can get some tasty pizza by the slice there. We played there a few years ago and I had a good recollection of that gig.

Anyway, there definitely are more clubs. Tell your daughter to check out the Fremont area (sort of by the UW), there's a great nightlife and music scene there (see High Dive above). Hope this helps!

GREAT! Thanks, that gives me a ton to chew on. Much appreciated.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Hey @Combinator chime in here.

I'm of no use, I haven't gigged in the area in decades. Sorry man.

 

[silky smoove]

Adding to the list above:

• Nectar Lounge in Fremont is a good choice for a variety of original acts with a historic preference towards funk, soul, reggae, etc. They also do a weekly jam on Mondays that attracts some good players.
• The Lime in Kirkland does a variety of acts.
• Aurora Borealis in Shoreline does a large variety of shows.
• Bake's Place in Bellevue is quite nice. I only know it as a jazz venue, but they might do another things.
• The Cove up in Mill Creek does periodic shows, mostly smaller scale stuff. The owner Steve is a really nice guy and has always been a big supporter of the local music scene at his various bars in that area.
• The Central in Pioneer Square is the oldest bar in Seattle and does shows with more of a rock focus, but I've certainly played there with a number of non-rock acts.
• Conor Byrne in Ballard is a good choice for a more indie type of scene.
• Barboza is located underneath Neumo's on Capitol Hill and has a variety of smaller acts. It's a weirdly fun room to play for some reason.
• Substation in Fremont/Ballard (we call it Freelard) does a variety of acts.
• The Skylark in West Seattle does a lot of acts but is easy to miss when you come into West Seattle on Delridge. Watch for the parking lot and turn quickly, haha.

 

[TerribleTim68]

If you end up down in the Tacoma area, there's plenty of places here too. I can give you some input from the cheap seats -

Airport Tavern - Super divey bar on "South Tacoma Way". Has a "back room" with the stage in it. Very small space back there, but they do a lot of shows. From a fan standpoint it's nice because I can go out in the bar area if it's getting too loud or rowdy.
Plaid Pig - Event Space that does a LOT of live music, also on "South Tacoma Way". Tends to be a bit too loud and rowdy for me so I tend to avoid it. YMMV
The Valley - Dive bar on Puyallup Avenue down in the "tide flats". Pretty small space, easy to be really loud in there and not enough room for the fans to get away from the stage. Really good food tho!
JazzBones - Located in the "6th Ave District", up and coming area with a massive food scene and several places featured on "Diner's, Drive-ins & Dives". They do a lot of live music, watch the calendar for bands, it also has a lot of karaoke nights. Tons of great food within walking distance tho!
Alma - Trendy new event space with food, art and music. They cater to a more "Pop / Top-40" type crowd.

There's also "Bob's Java Jive". The teapot shaped building on South Tacoma Way in the Nalley Valley (located right under the freeway overpass). No website, no Facebook, pretty divey place, really small. No clue how they expect people to know who is playing and when. But they do live music.

What you'll find with Tacoma is that it tends to be a bit heavier and grittier music than Seattle. It's a more blue collar town and the music reflects that. So if you like stuff a little more on the heavy side, take a look down here.

 

[lildrgn]

Adding to the list above:

• Nectar Lounge in Fremont is a good choice for a variety of original acts with a historic preference towards funk, soul, reggae, etc. They also do a weekly jam on Mondays that attracts some good players.
• The Lime in Kirkland does a variety of acts.
• Aurora Borealis in Shoreline does a large variety of shows.
• Bake's Place in Bellevue is quite nice. I only know it as a jazz venue, but they might do another things.
• The Cove up in Mill Creek does periodic shows, mostly smaller scale stuff. The owner Steve is a really nice guy and has always been a big supporter of the local music scene at his various bars in that area.
• The Central in Pioneer Square is the oldest bar in Seattle and does shows with more of a rock focus, but I've certainly played there with a number of non-rock acts.
• Conor Byrne in Ballard is a good choice for a more indie type of scene.
• Barboza is located underneath Neumo's on Capitol Hill and has a variety of smaller acts. It's a weirdly fun room to play for some reason.
• Substation in Fremont/Ballard (we call it Freelard) does a variety of acts.
• The Skylark in West Seattle does a lot of acts but is easy to miss when you come into West Seattle on Delridge. Watch for the parking lot and turn quickly, haha.

I was thinking of the Nectar when I put that last blurb in about Fremont. Forgot about the Central; I have a show there just after the new year. Will be the first show there for me in over 6 years, I think. (fun fact, my wife's water broke in 2002 when I was on stage at the Central playing a CD release show. My daughter was born the next day!)

Speaking of West Seattle, it also has Easy Street Records, who throw free shows every once in a while. My drummer's side project played there a few weeks ago and it was a bunch of fun.

If you end up down in the Tacoma area, there's plenty of places here too. I can give you some input from the cheap seats -

Airport Tavern - Super divey bar on "South Tacoma Way". Has a "back room" with the stage in it. Very small space back there, but they do a lot of shows. From a fan standpoint it's nice because I can go out in the bar area if it's getting too loud or rowdy.
Plaid Pig - Event Space that does a LOT of live music, also on "South Tacoma Way". Tends to be a bit too loud and rowdy for me so I tend to avoid it. YMMV
The Valley - Dive bar on Puyallup Avenue down in the "tide flats". Pretty small space, easy to be really loud in there and not enough room for the fans to get away from the stage. Really good food tho!
JazzBones - Located in the "6th Ave District", up and coming area with a massive food scene and several places featured on "Diner's, Drive-ins & Dives". They do a lot of live music, watch the calendar for bands, it also has a lot of karaoke nights. Tons of great food within walking distance tho!
Alma - Trendy new event space with food, art and music. They cater to a more "Pop / Top-40" type crowd.

There's also "Bob's Java Jive". The teapot shaped building on South Tacoma Way in the Nalley Valley (located right under the freeway overpass). No website, no Facebook, pretty divey place, really small. No clue how they expect people to know who is playing and when. But they do live music.

What you'll find with Tacoma is that it tends to be a bit heavier and grittier music than Seattle. It's a more blue collar town and the music reflects that. So if you like stuff a little more on the heavy side, take a look down here.

I played in a Tacoma band for about 7 years. A band called Loving Cup, then became Loser, then became International Pop Overthrow, and then, finally Lund Bros (when I joined in 2007?). We played the Swiss, Hell's Kitchen, the aforementioned Jazzbones and the Valley. Good times in the City of Destiny.

 

[silky smoove]

The Seamonster in Wallingford is a good option for funk jams.

Tony V’s in Everett is a good spot if you’re looking for rock and metal, which you aren’t according to your OP

Columbia City Theater in (you guessed it) Columbia City does a lot of different acts.

Louie G’s Pizza down in Fife has a surprisingly impressive stage for a pizza place and a decent calzone. I’ve only played there once and have never been back, so I’m not sure what they cater to for acts.

There’s a spot out in Carnation that I played a few times with a hiphop band, but I’m blanking on the name.

The Blue Moon in the U District does shows, or at least they used to. It’s been a while. Very punk rock vibes.

The Comet Tavern on Capitol Hill is a fun little rock club.

The Musicquarium at The Triple Door downtown is an option.

I’m sure I’ll think of more…

 

[silky smoove]

Chop Suey on Capitol Hill is pretty iconic and according to some accounts the basis for the System of a Down song by the same name. I haven’t been there in years but it used to be a big deal to play there.

 

[silky smoove]

El Corazon and The Funhouse (which is the lounge) is an option but they mostly cater to rock and metal acts in my experience.

 

[silky smoove]

Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is a solid choice for jazz, albeit pretty pricy but they get bigger names.

 

[Passinwind]

26980891[/URL], member: 42779"]Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley is a solid choice for jazz, albeit pretty pricy but they get bigger names.

I was just going to post that very same thing. These days they try to incentivize you to do dinner too, which wasn’t really a bonus the last few times I caved. But I’ve seen quite a few world class shows there over the years for sure.

The Blue Moon is doing shows again now and Andy Coe still does a jam band show on Monday nights AFAIK. I played there several times in the mid to late eighties, and lived right up the street for a while, it was pretty much a full blown hippie dive back then.

 

[lildrgn]

The Comet Tavern on Capitol Hill is a fun little rock club.

I could be wrong but why do I think the Comet no longer has music? Website and FB pages don't show calendar info.

 

[silky smoove]

I could be wrong but why do I think the Comet no longer has music? Website and FB pages don't show calendar info.

Is that right? I could have sworn I just saw a friend post about a show up there. I might be mistaken.

 

[TerribleTim68]

.... We played the Swiss, Hell's Kitchen, the aforementioned Jazzbones and the Valley. Good times in the City of Destiny.

Both The Swiss and Hell's Kitchen are no longer.

...
Louie G’s Pizza down in Fife has a surprisingly impressive stage for a pizza place and a decent calzone. I’ve only played there once and have never been back, so I’m not sure what they cater to for acts.…

We lost that place too. COVID killed it.

 

[kevrex]

the vera project at the seattle center is all ages and has a wide variety of bands playing.

the columbia city theater hosts shows. i haven't been there in years, but they used to book touring acts with local openers.

i seem to remember the skylark in west seattle being pretty cool.

further south near the museum of light is lucky liquor, a good dive bar that has everything from pop to punk and metal.

but tacoma, the city of destiny, is where it's at. in addition to the clubs mentioned above, real art tacoma is all ages and very supportive of the scene. pop, punk, rap, metal, weird arty poopie, you name it. they have a small bar with sandwiches.

mcmenamin's spanish ballroom has shows a few days a week and is one of the nicest spaces around. usually all ages, as i recall, but there's also a bar (several in the building, actually).

the edison sometimes hosts shows, but i think they usually rent the space out for private events.

if you want to venture out to the wilds of bremerton, the charleston is a converted theater that is now a music venue. all ages with a separate bar. leans kinda punk.

the best local band? stargazy pie. here are a coupla songs from a recent show at real art tacoma:

 

[kevrex]

other great bands include the subjunctives, the drolls, living with a bear, guest directors, the tonins, snacks at midnight (spokane, but they play on this side of the mountains occasionally), hot step-mom, strangely alright, and waves crashing. probably a few dozen more i'm forgetting.

 

[lildrgn]

Both The Swiss and Hell's Kitchen are no longer.

We lost that place too. COVID killed it.

sad sad sad!!