Entertainment in Seattle
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A
Shea’s Lounge
Good for a romantic drink, this intimate lounge beside Chez Shea restaurant has views over Pike Place Market and Puget Sound. There are only a few tables, so you’ll want to arrive early.
reviewed
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B
Uptown Espresso Bar
This is the place to meet in Lower Queen Anne; it’s always crowded with filmgoers from Seattle Center and Uptown Cinemas, but still has an intimate neighborhood feel.
reviewed
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C
Sunset Tavern
The Sunset is a Ballard bar that books great dirty-rock shows of local and touring bands, and frequently has free movie nights, including a series of B-grade kung-fu films most weeks.
reviewed
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World Series
Keep an eye out for the University of Washington’s annual World Series of international music, performance and dance scheduled at various times throughout the year.
reviewed
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D
Virginia Inn Tavern
Near Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most likable bars. Lots of draft beers, a nice brick interior and friendly staff make this a good rendezvous point for forays elsewhere.
reviewed
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E
Conor Byrne
A friendly pub notable primarily for its gorgeous, original mahogany bar, it has live music most nights, leaning mostly toward old-timey and blues, plus trivia and comedy events.
reviewed
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F
Barça
Velvet couches, filmy curtains, plush booths, a serpentine bar – this is one sexy, decadent lounge. Settle in among the other pretty people for seduction or quiet conversation.
reviewed
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G
All City Coffee
This coffee shop, opened by a designer who’d discovered there was nowhere to get a decent latte in the area, looks fantastic and pulls a perfect espresso shot. Plan to linger.
reviewed
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H
Neumo's
A punk, hip- hop and alternative-music venue that counts Radiohead and Bill Clinton (not together) among its former guests, Neumo's (formerly known as Moe's) fills the big shoes of its original namesake. You can mark the passage of time at 'Sad Bastards Mondays', which offer 'tunes to cry into your beer to.'
reviewed
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I
War Room
Weekly drum-and-bass and hip-hop nights, an upstairs open-air tiki-themed deck, and hard-to-miss propaganda posters decorating the space make the War Room a unique venue.
reviewed
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J
Lava Lounge
This tiki-themed dive has games of all kinds and over-the-top art on the walls (you can’t miss the Mt St Helens mural). High-backed booths encourage all-night lingering.
reviewed
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K
Tula’s Jazz
Tula’s has live jazz seven nights a week, from big bands and Latin jazz to up-and-coming names on tour. It’s a non-indie-rock oasis in the booze alley that is Belltown.
reviewed
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L
Georgetown Liquor Company
This odd mishmash of a bar has an elegant industrial-chic design, a vegetarian menu and an astounding collection of retro video games. Plus, you know, beer and liquor.
reviewed
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M
Cyclops
Cyclops, at the corner of 1st Ave and Wall St, is a half restaurant, half bar and is a prime location for observing the street’s late-night dramas.
reviewed
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N
White Horse Trading Company
This small, intimate pub is full of books and known for its Pimms cup. The beer list is deliberately small, and the couches and easy chairs dangerously soft.
reviewed
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O
Stumbling Monk
Across the street from B&O Espresso, this little pub serves strictly Belgian and locally made Belgian-style beers strong enough to justify its name.
reviewed
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P
West 5
A long, skinny space lined with tall, white leather wingback chairs and crowned with neon at the far end, West 5 is an oasis of cool on California Ave.
reviewed
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Q
El Chupacabra
The patio is where it’s at for sipping margaritas at this kitschy neighborhood hangout. Be warned, service can be slow when the place is crowded.
reviewed
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Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
The Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, a popular festival in October, shows new gay-themed films from directors worldwide.
reviewed
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R
Northwest Film Forum
Impeccable programming, from restored classics to cutting-edge independent and international films. In Capitol Hill, of course!
reviewed
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Gorge Amphitheater
A 20,000-person venue for huge concerts (Sting, Aerosmith) and festivals (Sasquatch, the Warped Tour); it’s about 150 miles from Seattle.
reviewed
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S
TS McHugh’s
Your friendly neighborhood Irish pub, McHugh’s has 21 beers on tap (mostly Northwest micros) and is famous for its Irish coffee.
reviewed
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T
Pacific Northwest Ballet
The foremost dance company in the Northwest puts on more than 100 shows a season from September through June at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall.
reviewed
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White River Amphitheater
This giant outdoor arena opened in June 2003 and serves the entire Seattle-Tacoma region; it’s about 30 miles from Seattle.
reviewed
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U
Bungalow Wine Bar & Café
Above the Open Books store in Wallingford, this balcony nook offers a light menu and 2oz tasters of wine (about $4 each).
reviewed