Seattle Nightlife Tips by Sunshine64

Ballard District: Tractor Tavern Ballard District Review

The Tractor Tavern may be my favorite place to listen to live music in Seattle. It's small, and the stage is elevated enough that you can see. The stage area is pretty much SRO, but some seats in the bar area (bar and stage are side-by-side) also offer a view.

The acts playing at the Tractor tend to be blues, country, alt-country, bluegrass, some singer-songwriter. It's generally not a hard rockin' place. You can usually pay admission at the door, although The Tractor does host some acts that selll out in advance. If you want to buy tickets in advance, the box office is the bar. And sometimes tickets are sold at local record stores, such as Sonic Boom (also in Ballard). For big names, tickets are sometimes sold online.

Another great thing about The Tractor are the water coolers on a ledge next to the bar. When you need a break from your adult beverage, you don't have to bother the bartender.

Dress Code: Anything

Address: 5213 Ballard Ave NW

Theme: Live Music

Ballard District: Wine Bar Ballard District Review

For a while there were 3 wine bars in Ballard. Now all but the orignal have closed.

Portalis, located on Ballard Ave, with many of the other restarants, shops, and bars has been in the neighborhood for a few years. It is both a wine bar and wine shop, has a great ambiance & helpful staff. They serve maybe 20 different wines by the glass, and have a menu of mostly small plates and a few deserts. I've had some really tasty treats here, including a chocolate raspberry torte. The menu changes fairly frequently.

They have paid tastings (with a discount if you purchase) on the weekends, but usually do a free tasting on Sundays during the Ballard Sunday Market (Farmer's Market). There is nothing like tasting wine at 11 AM :)

Dress Code: none

Address: 5205 Ballard Ave NW

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.portaliswines.com/

The Crocodile Cafe: The Crocodile Cafe Belltown Review

RE Opened in March 2009. Haven't been, but peeked in the windows and they have definitely remodeled. Hope that includes the bathrooms :)

CLOSED abruptly in December 2007. But there is hope. Apparently a group has applied to take over the Croc's liquor license..... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2004120939_croc12.html

Interesting decor, casual, Live Music! This is one of my favorite bars in Seattle.

When you enter the Croc from 2nd Ave you are in the Cafe section, where you can order food. It's decent bar/cafe food. I had lunch there once and it was pretty good. I hear they have a good breakfast, too.

To your left is the live music area. Most of the time only this part of the venue requires that you pay admission, but for bigger events, such as Jason Mraz (before he was so popular) required a ticket to even go in the door.

The main bar is in the back. This is where you drink before the show, or if you're not going to the show. There's also a small window in the music section, but it's cash-only.

We once saw Peter Buck (from REM), whose ex-wife owns The Croc having a couple of coctails at the back bar at the Croc.

Dress Code: Pretty much anything you want.

Address: 2200 2nd Ave.

Directions: Located in Belltown, on the corner of 2nd and Blanchard.

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.thecrocodile.com

Kells: Irish Pub in the Market Pike Place Market Review

Kells is an Irish Pub located in Post Alley, just above Pike Place Market. They serve several great beers on tap, including, of course, Guinness. And they have the standard macro brews in bottles.

There are two sides to the pub. The restaurant side, which includes a bar area is open all the time. The bar side is only open in the evening, I think starting at 5:00 PM. And probably with some exceptions.

They host a big St. Pat's festival, show sporting events on TV, and have live Irish music almost every night starting at approximately 9 PM.

This is a great place to go have a drink after tromping through Pike Place Market. There are a few tables outside in Post Alley, and a lot of room inside, where it's nice an dark : )

Address: 1916 Post Alley

Directions: Pike Place Market

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Website: http://www.kellsirish.com/seattle/index.php

Chop Suey: More Live Music Capitol Hill Review

In case you haven't figured it out, Nightlife to me is seeing a band perform live or having drinks with my friends. I'm not a dance club type of girl.

That being said, it's hard to believe that Chop Suey had been open 4 years before the first time I saw a show there. Well, actually I tried to attend one about a year earlier, but it ended up being cancelled.

Like the Crocodile Cafe in Belltown, Chop Suey, which is located in the Capitol Hill neighboorhood is small, which is great for beind able to see the band. The characteristics it also unfortunately shares with the Croc are that it can be crowded and quite warm. It's helpful to dress in layers.

It's pretty much just one big open room with a railing separating the main bar area from the floor area, so you can see the band from the bar. There is, however, another bar with seating around the edge in a separate room in the back. Since the show I attended was all ages, drinks were not allowed on the floor, but I don't know if that's true during 21+ shows.

Address: 1325 E Madison

Directions: At the intersection of Madison and Union in the Capitol Hill Neighborhood.
Across the street from Piecora's Pizza.

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.chopsuey.com/

Brouwer's Cafe: Belgian Beers and more

So, I've actually never been to Brower's at night, but there's not a category in VT for "bar". I was very happy when I discovered Brower's, as they have more Belgian beers on tap than I've ever seen in the US. The bartenders are friendly and helpful, and the food's OK. I haven't tried the mussels, but I hear they're good. The frites are OK, and I enjoyed the croque monsieur. But go there for the beer. They even serve it in the brand-appropriate glass, just like in Belgium.

Dress Code: None. The atmosphere is wood and stone, but it's got a bit of sports bar feel - maybe it was the football game playing on the plasma TV on Sunday afternoon, though.

Address: 400 N 35th St.

Directions: Fremont

Theme: Eating and Drinking

Conor Byrne Public House: The Oldest Continually Operating Bar in Seattle Ballard District Review

Well, OK. It wasn't always called Conor Byrne, but I've been told this facility has always operated as a bar (since the 1880's).

They have live Irish music at least 2 nights a week - sometimes more - and have folk/americana//rock music some nights. On Tuesday nights, however, Conor Byrne used to host a variety show, complete with a mistress of ceremonies and people who sign up to do thier thing on stage. Most sign/play music or recite poetry. And the last time I was there there were all these huge hula hoops.... who knows why. It's not on the calendar right now, but I don't know if that's becasue they quit having it, or its just on a break.

They pour a good Guinness, too.

Dress Code: none

Address: 5140 Ballard Ave

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.conorbyrnepub.com

The Showbox: Live Music Pike Place Market Review

The Showbox is a great place to see live music. They present both touring bands as well as local acts. It's a nice size, elevated stage, with a big "dance" floor. There are 2 bars, one behind and one next to the dance floor, and there are even some tables and chairs if you'd prefer to sit.

Dress Code: Anything is acceptable.

Address: 1426 1st Ave

Directions: Near Pike Place Market

Theme: Live Music

Website: http://www.showboxonline.com