World City Guide

Nightlife

Seattle is a city of youth and numerous fashionable districts (from the Pioneer Square and Belltown neighbourhoods Downtown to University District, Capitol Hill and Ballard), which are dominated by clubs, bars, coffee houses, cinemas and eccentric eateries. Due to the strictly enforced minimum drinking age of 21 years, a number of ‘all ages’ live music venues in the city centre do not serve alcohol to minors but offer a wide range of the latest in local music. The restriction is strictly enforced and it is essential for one to bring photo identification. Most Seattle bars are open 1100-0200. Casinos are contentious but legal, as long as they are outside the Seattle city limits. Dress codes are rare and the cost of drinks varies from about US$2.50 to US$8, depending on the venue. The average local live music cover charge is about US$10. Entertainment listings can be found in free tabloids such as Seattle Weekly (website: www.seattleweekly.com) and The Stranger (website: www.thestranger.com/seattle/Home). There is also NWsource Seattle (website: www.nwsource.com) and SeattleInsider (website: www.seattleinsider.com). The website: www.570.com lists most of the city’s bars.

Bars: The Alibi Room, 85 Pike Street, is a trendy cocktail bar tucked away in Post Alley, under the Pike Place Market, with a lovely view of Puget Sound. Bada Lounge, 2230 First Avenue, Belltown, has quickly become one of the city’s most upmarket boy-meets-girl establishments, while the BluWater Bistro, 1001 Fairview Avenue North, has a remarkable array of colourful cocktails. Cascadia, 2328 First Avenue, Belltown, is perhaps the classiest bar in town, famed for its Gershwin-geared pianist, carved glass window/waterfall and Pacific Northwest wine list. The Cha Cha Lounge, 506 East Pine Street, Capitol Hill, offers dimly retro decor with Chinese red walls and an artsy clientele. Conor Byrne’s, 5140 Ballard Street North West, is a hip and authentic Irish pub that has live Celtic music on weekends. Doc Maynard’s, 610 First Avenue, Pioneer Square, is a rowdy, rock-and-roll bar, restored from the turn of the century. Linda’s Tavern, 707 East Pine Street, is famed for the latest music trends. Manray, 514 East Pine Street Capitol Hill, is a 70s retro chic space pod done up in stark white decor, while The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, in the Pike Place Market, serves legendary violet martinis and has a great view over Puget Sound. For more serious dark and smoky dives, try Comet Tavern, 922 East Pike Street, the oldest bar on Capitol Hill, or Tini Bigs, 100 Denny Way, famed for its over-sized martinis and cigar haze. Its massive dance floor and a variety of DJs has made Trinity, 111 Yesler Way, one of hottest new bars in the city.

Casinos: The Emerald Queen, 2102 Alexander Avenue, Tacoma (tel: (888) 831 7655; website: www.emeraldqueen.com), is Seattle’s most upbeat casino, located on an authentic New Orleans paddleboat, with card dealers in period costume. Parker’s, 17001 Aurora Avenue North (tel: (206) 542 9491), offers blackjack and Chinese Poker. Rascal's Casino, 9635 Des Moines Memorial Drive (tel: (206) 763 3848; website: www.rascalscasino.com), has 14 table games including Fortune Pai Gow and Blackjack. There is no formal dress code, the minimum gambling age is 21 years and photo identification is required for all venues.

Clubs: 700 Club, 700 Virginia Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Downtown, is a small hip-hop club, while the Baltic Room, 1207 East Pine Street, is a stylish alternative rock, hip hop and jazz nightclub. The biggest club in Seattle, meanwhile, is Club Medusa (www.clubmedusa.us) in Belltown. The club has several bars, beautiful people and good music. A gay and straight crowd packs into the Last Supper Club, 124 South Washington Street, Pioneer Square.

Live Music: The Crocodile Café, 2200 Second Avenue and Blanchard Street, was the original home of Seattle’s grunge music scene (from Pearl Jam to Mudhoney and the Posies) and is still a cutting-edge, live music venue. However, it is rapidly being overtaken by Showbox, 1426 First Avenue, Belltown, due to its massive 1,100 capacity, domed ceilings and red velvet curtains. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Avenue, Downtown, is a sophisticated jazz club that consistently features internationally known acts, while Tula’s, 2214 Second Avenue, Belltown, is a low-key local jazz bar with an older clientele. Depending on the venue, the charge for live music is US$5-10.