Ok this place is super cool. I can't believe I only found out about this venue recently! To get to the theater, you go around the corner from the bar entrance and through this back alleyway door. It feels very covert, like you need to know a guy who knows a guy with a password to get in. You can also enter through the bar (I think). We initially went through the side door to get our tickets scanned in and then went in and out of the bar between acts to grab a drink. We weren't able to bring drinks into the actual theater, but not a huge deal. If anything, keeps the venue cleaner. There aren't any seats, just tiered standing platforms. Honestly, even with it being packed, I felt like we had a pretty good view of ~80% of the stage. The one thing I will say is that with everyone standing, you would think there'd be more movement/dancing. But alas, this is still Seattle and most people were bopping their heads to the music while I just wanted to swing around and feel it in my soul. read more

This theater is definitely full of character and history. it was built in 1917 and is in an obscure location. There is available street parking however it can be tricky and limited due to the narrow streets. The theater shares an entrance with a jazz bar which provides a comfortable seating area to enjoy a drink while waiting for a show. We came to see the Rocky Horror Burlesque Pastie Show and was impressed at the capacity of this small theater. Beyond the hallway, patrons are immediately welcomed to second bar and a sea of padded chairs. The theater was packed with Rocky Horror Picture fans with some proudly wearing costumes of their favorite characters. The show started a little later than advertised however we were kept entertained during the slight delay. The seats were comfortable and we had an unobstructed view of the stage. This was our first time seeing a Rocky Horror Show in burlesque and we didn't know what to expect. Audience participation was encouraged and specific names (which I will not repeat) were yelled out when either Brad or Janet took the stage. Overall, a wonderful group adventure night full of sing-a-longs, heckling, and cocktails. Drink prices and show tickets were cheap compared to other venues. read more

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Dear Columbia City Theater, WOW! I can't believe I've missed out on you for so long. I was lucky enough to enjoy your cozy atmosphere courtesy of StubHub (scored last-minute tix for Tom Odell!!!) and fell in love with every bit. There wasn't a bad seat in the house (there were no seats) but the place was tiered a bit so most concert-viewers could enjoy the view (well, minus the incredibly tall threesome of 6'5+ footers who thought they deserved to push their way in front of us poor souls stuck at the back of the house, it was an armpit peek-fest for sure, at times). The acoustics were perfect, not too loud, the opening act was local, and the lines to the bathroom moved quickly (2 x single stall bathrooms). I can't WAIT to see another show there, the small theatre is completely magical. xxo, Liana read more

My visit to this theater was to see the Burlesque pageant, and it was definitely a memorable experience. The theater is inside of a bar, so cocktails were flowing and the crowd was pretty eclectic. It smelled a little funky in the venue, but once you're buzzed, it goes away. This was my first time seeing a burlesque show, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It was very entertaining and there was definitely a lot of sex appeal being shown on stage from a variety of women and body types. It was also funny and not for the faint of heart. Have an open mind and check it out! read more

Columbia City Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I hope this venue gets more shows. The ambiance of this theater is amazing. Upon entering you my belly up to the bar before your head into main theater.. Once you enter the music zone you won't be disappointed in the size of stage and amount if floor space to watch... Plenty of diverse and quality restaurants in the surrounding area before you go to the show so a great evening you shall have if you venture to go! read more

The Columbia City Theater is a lovely venue with an arthouse theater vibe and a full bar. Love it. I would really love it if someone would teach the bartender how to make a Lemon Drop. Parking is a pain in the ass unless you get lucky and get a spot in the lot around the corner. read more

I like this venue, however, something can be done about the seating. I was super uncomfortable in my dress the night I came to see Undressed to Kill (which was a super awesome burlesque show put on by the Stripped Screw ladies). It was super warm in the theater, and I'm sure it wasn't just because the ladies were smokin' hot. But with all seriousness, it was flippin hot as tits in there! I was sticking to my cheap plastic seat! I kept squirming around (no, not because I was getting turned on by the show) but I have low back issues so it was hard to sit still for the length of the show. Next time I'lll make sure to wear pants and perhaps find a better seat to sit in. Or have a place where I could stand... Not sure if I'd come back unless it was a standing room only show. read more

Fabulous staff - 1* Amazing sound - 1* Great drinks - 1* Excellent food from Tutta Bella - 1* Always something fun going on - 1* Fantastic place - come see a show, have a drink and a tutta bella pizza! This 100 year old theater is an amazing part of Rainier Ave, and well worth visiting, more than once. Come for a music show, burlesque, or even karaoke or local jam sessions. read more

Great local spot to see concerts and comedy shows. Great staff & bouncers. They take care of their patrons. We went for a concert which had a younger following. There were inconsiderate millennials who were cutting the line. The sad thing is one of them were with their parent! Not only did the security apologize for the behavior, they made sure we were moved to the front of the line. I appreciate the respect. #grown #teachyourchildsomemanners read more

Saw Cayucas here! They were amazing! Also got chastised for going into a bathroom with my friend to look at a poster for an upcoming show. I get it. You have druggies use your bathrooms. Just figure out your clientele. I'm not doing lines in your tiny ass bathrooms. Other than that, good drinks, fairly decent security, wonderful show and venue! read more

Nice facility i can see from The outside. It's raining and they haven't let customers inside? Kind of frustrating read more

A grand old girl, she is. I love her, despite the hit-or-miss shows that end up here. We discovered last time there was a bar set up in back, which I don't think I'd ever seen before, it was a welcome addition for sure. Some of the seats are a bit uncomfortable but I like the set up, how sometimes it's little tables with a few chairs for that VIP up front feel, sometimes theater style. I had a kick ass drink last time, and the staff were all super nice so what's not to love? read more

The Columbia City Theater is one of Seattle's gems. Some friends and I came for an exciting evening of burlesque and comedy and had a fantastic time. The decor is very sexy and intimate--perfect for an evening of cocktails and watching gyrating bodies. I recommend getting there half an hour before your show so you can secure a good table. My friends and I scored a corner table with some comfortable upholstered benches. The other tables on the lower floor all had uncomfortable-looking folding chairs. The tables in the upper section had nicer cushioned chairs. They have an excellent bar, and although I was going to deduct a star for putting a cherry in my manhattan, I decided against it because the second one came with the requested twist (and both were quite tasty, despite the maraschino juice). They had a couple of servers working the floor who did an excellent job--they were fast, friendly and helpful. I can't wait to come back here to see another show. A big part of our enjoyment of the burlesque show was the fantastic venue. read more

Cute little intimate theater next to Tutta Bella in Columbia City. I say "intimate" because I saw mostly naked men and women there shake themselves feverishly as burlesque performers, of course. It was awesome. Not every Sunday nights end watching people strip their clothes off, and Columbia City Theater fit the bill where there was a need. The places is very small, so most seats will be close to the stage. This usually will be good depending on what you see there (please see above why I was there). You can drink at your seats, with an amply stocked back bar, and the sound system was just fine. read more

Thie Columbia City Theater is a gorgeous stage to both watch a band play and to perform on. They've got a great sound crew and ther green room with all of their couches and balcony access is awesome! There's also a grand piano that is always on stage, excellent for bands that can utilize this. They have a bar in the theater room as well, so no need to run out to the lobby bar for your libations. I love watching my friends play here, and I love playing on this stage. Sure, it's a trek if you live in the city, but it's barely a trek - maybe a15 minute drive. And it's easily worth that drive. read more

Owner tony benson is unprofessional and didn't follow up on signed and agreed upon terms, won't be giving him business again

The security staff are ass-holes and don't know how to do their job, AT ALL. LAZY & RUDE. Just because your fat, doesn't mean you can be good at security. I'm speaking to the ugly chick & lazy fat-ass door bum. They also pack the place until you can't move sometimes, which sucks. The best thing about the venue is the way it looks inside & that it is fairly intimate in the main show room. The sound is just okay though so that's a draw back as well. Honestly, we used to go here because it's close to our house, but our last experience was so bad that about 10 of us say we WONT go back until the door staff has changed. An AMAZING band will have to come here for us to go back because of how bad our last experience was. There's just a lot of stuff they could do better, but obviously don't care. Oh, and it's dirty in the show room. read more

Nestled between Tutta Bella and the Columbia City Alehouse, the Columbia City Theater (not to be confused with the Columbia City Cinema) is a stage used for performances including live bands, community events, and lately on Fridays or Saturdays, a killer burlesque show. There is a bar within the entry hall called the Hendrix Electric Lounge, but the venue puts on All Ages shows. The theater is REALLY cool inside -- high ceilings, ornate trim, and a balcony that occasionally is used by Tutta Bella as an overflow seating area. The Theater has a recording studio as well for bands who may want to record a performance. However... it is not a free service. I play bass for the band Stay Tuned (http://www.staytunedtheband.com), a television rock experience. We recently played a show here, and it was a pretty good experience. There is a load in area on Hudson, where you can wheel your equipment right on stage. Upstairs is a 'green room' for the bands, though it is difficult to get to during a show, as the entrance to it is either from on stage or via a route through the back that generally is closed to the public. The stage is pretty high, about 5' from the floor. The area right in front is the 'all ages' area; there's an over-21 area about 10' back. There are monitors on stage, and pretty good house sound. The one downside was that the soundguy is positioned upstairs on the balcony. Feedback from the show was that we were excruciatingly loud. Not sure if he could hear it, or if he's half deaf from doing live shows. I marked the Wheelchair accessible box -- however that entrance is over on Hudson, and would probably require someone opening the door up first. Bartender was awesome at the Lounge -- but that got its own review. read more

This was my first time down to the Columbia City area of Seattle. I didn't know what to expect. When I was telling my brother (who's now a cop), where I was going, he said to be wary, be very wary. Apparently this can be a rough neighborhood. I don't know if he meant Columbia City, or areas around it. At any rate, he said it was like Baghdad, but he says that about lots of places (like southern California, for example). At any rate, I headed down to the Columbia City Theater. I was there on a mission. I was going to see a band play, the Brazilian Bossa Nova band featuring Faith Beattie and Adam Hunter. I'm a total sucker for Brazilian music, and since I had the chance to make it to a show, I pounced. The lounge of Columbia City Theater is streetside, and the first thing you see when you walk in. Before walking in, I could see the band through the window and hear them. I was going to like 'em. I ordered a brew and picked a seat at the bar and chilled. The crowd was pretty small, but the band was great. I've never heard a bossa nova version of Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line"! The sound was great and the lounge was cool (a solid 3.5-4 stars). What gives the Theater 5-stars is the band. Faith Beattie, you rock! read more

Such a beautiful and classic venue. Sound is sweet. Parking can be a chore in the hood.

I was really disappointed by the feel of this theater. They were very late on their will call opening and for some reason they thought blasting Judas Priest and Speed Metal so loud you can't hear the person across from you in the bar while waiting was a good idea. By the time they opened the will call 20 minutes late my head was spiting. The bar tender can't make a dirty martini to save his life but it's probably not his fault considering he was swamped, which made for very long drink waits. Watched food orders come out during the seemingly endless bar wait , bar tender tries to scream what was on the plate (not a patron or table name) over the speed metal then walks away leaving them to wait while their food gets cold. Compared to some of the other small theaters in the area like Theater off Jackson this place leaves a lot to be desired, we wont be going back anytime soon. read more

I recently rented this space for my wedding and my reception. I could not have had a better space. The staff at CCT are great and are very easy to work with. They were responsive and attentive during our planning stages and during the wedding/reception. If you've never been to CCT, I highly recommend catching a show there! The acoustics are great. It's over 100 years old and has lots of history. The bartenders are good and so are the sliders. Pro tip: If Fred is working, ask for the spicy jalapeno drink. It's become one of my favorite mixed drinks in Seattle. read more

Please get better seats. I went to see Disney After Dark burlesque, which was a terrific show, but it was difficult to pay attention because the seats are so uncomfortable. The micro thin cushion on the fold up seats would make J Lo's backside hurt. Cheap and over used furniture. I probably won't see another show there unless they put in better furniture. It's so bad. I'd be more comfortable sitting on rocks. read more

Fun venue! I can't believe in all my years of living in Seattle I've never heard of this place. A neighborhood jewel for sure! Nice venue, ample seating, great sound system. stage is raised so there are really no bad seats in the house. Nice bar setup next to seating and the bartenders had some heavy pours, not bad for a $7 hiccup; cosmo. read more

Columbia City Theater sticks to what it does best.....It plays off of the community and vibe of what my neighborhood brings. I love going to concerts here because not only does it feel great to support your community, but also because the theater is a flashback in time. The brick walls and classic stage provide for a great backdrop to any performance on the stage. Capacity is probably around 200 people, but even when packed it doesn't seem like you are wedged in there. We have only gone to see local acts from Seattle and Portland so far, but the acoustics have been great. Since the stage is raised you always will have a great view. It is an intimate place to see some great bands. Next up is the Coldwar Kids on the first weekend in March. The Bourbon bar is attached and you can get some clever drinks there before entering the venue. They will even let you take your drink from the bar in, but you need to get it in one of their handy plastic cups. Rotating beers are also on tap. read more

Wednesday karaoke here is where it's at. You can always get a song in in a reasonable amount of time, but it's well attended enough to be fun and entertaining. If you live in the neighborhood, you can imagine the ecclectic crowd it draws. If not, come see! Definitely worth your time. read more

Columbia City Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Once again, on a mission for great venues in Seattle I found myself with a Diamond in the Rough. I say this because the front of the venue (and the neighborhood) does not give justice to the experience inside. I started out in the Bar / lounge, listening to this jig band that really had the crowd captivated. The bar has a list of martinis that I could not make up my mind over and the bartender suggested the Las Vegas, so I agreed. As she was making it, I noticed it wasn't even the most expensive drink on the list, which made me feel good that she wasn't trying to up sale me. When I made it into the actual venue to see The Led Zeppelin Experience - No Quarter, I realized I was in a real Vaudeville theatre. I was a beautiful wood room with tall velvet drapes and lush table and chairs. I could only imagine how many great shows have been and will be in this location. On the way out we realized that we would need a cab and we stopped the manager to see if there were cabs in the neighborhood. He laughed and said "good Luck" but then with out blinking an eye, he reached for his phone and called us a cab and kept us informed of its arrival. Upon its arrival, he shook our hands, thanked us for coming out and let us out the front door. Very great experience from staff, management, bathrooms, venue, surely recommend it to everyone to see what shows are playing there and check it out. read more

Very clean unlike what it used to be. Great neighborhood theater. Large buttered popped corn is only $5!

This is a cozy little venue where we took our daughter to meet her favorite YouTuber. I personally love these smaller venues, they possess a lot of character, and the Columbia City Theater in Seattle practically oozes character from it's 100 year old brick walls and intimate seating. The staff are wonderful as well. Highly recommended! read more

This is a pretty fantastic local venue. They have a bar up front when you enter, and in the music room in back, there is another bar. Beautiful stage and environs. Great sound too. For bands-they provide a recording service to record your show. Excellent green room. There are a couple of other late night bars and restaurants right nearby also. I will definitely be back to hear live music here. read more

Such a sick venue for concerts. Pretty small but not overcrowded, sound is great, shows are hype. Went to the Yeek show here and it was one of the best concerts I've been to by far. Parking lot around back is convenient as well. read more

Great place, awesome music, great bar and staff. Definitely worth checking out! We came here to listen to Seattle Interprets Tom Jobim, with Jovino Santos Neto and other talented bands. The bar serves delicious drinks and before the show we had dinner at the bar where they also serve great Italian pizza from TuttaBella. read more

I saw a concert by Security Project here. My only complaint was seats are not comfortable at all. They look comfy - mmmm, cushiony! But don't be fooled. If you come here for a rock show that's packed, standing is actually a good option. The staff was nice and the concert sound was good. I would come back to see another show here no problem. read more

I was invited to an event that was in the back (it is big) but since I arrived late when the event was over I ended up hanging out front. It was a nice bar with a trio playing some music. It was a nice setting. The bartender was throwin' down some bartending flair. He was pretty good. The prices were reasonable. Overall, a pretty good place if you want to chill out and talk with some friends. read more

nice venue. great view from anywhere you stand, as the stage is up high. I recently went to see FEAST and ROOM NINE, and had a great time. and from what I think I saw? is that a recording studio? or just a really nice soundroom for the soundman? looks like the food is good too. had a great time. read more

Went to the Bourbon Bar last night. The drinks and bartender give it 4 stars - I didn't try the food - but the show we went to see was advertised to begin at 9pm, we got there at 8pm and he was already playing and ended before 9. Sheesh! But, the drinks were good (not cheap), and the bartender was adept. I had a blue moon, and he suggested an aviation, and for some reason I was hesitant to get the aviation there, thinking that it would be super sweet, and not at all what I liked in my classic cocktail. But he brought it out and it was a very good aviation, so I give my bartender props. I'm excited to see something bigger there some time - I'll definitely be back. read more

After going to see concerts all around town at a large variety of venues, I can easily say that this is my favorite place to see a show in Seattle. From the great acoustics to the awesome staff and great acts they book, Columbia City Theater has consistently delivered an ideal show-going experience. Another great plus about CCT? If you have a question about timing of your favorite act before going to a show, they are pretty responsive on facebook and twitter. read more

The reason this is not a five star is that Josephine Howell has not performed there yet. I love the Columbia City Theater and I love Josephine Howell, currently (Dec, 2009) starring in Black Nativity at the Intiman Theater at Seattle Center. These are super friendly people and the venue is beautiful. I have hosted events there and the sound and the ambiance were perfect. read more

Saw one of the worst comedy shows I have ever seen this past weekend at this venue. The venue is really nice and I know it's not the theaters fault that the comedy was lousy, however I think they should be a little more picky about who they allow to perform on their stage, especially when they are charging a cover. read more

My wife and I had a really disappointing time tonight. We're visiting family from out of town, and we don't get to take vacations often. Our vacation dollars are limited so we try to spend them carefully. We selected Columbia City Theater after searching online for best live Music Venues in Seattle. We expected to hear some fun local sounds and have a good time. Instead we spent a lot of time waiting, and waiting. The venue itself looks nice, and is intimate. The kind of place I might like to see a concert and have a few drinks. However, I agree with a previous Yelper that the seating was uncomfortable. It looked like the band member had to move benches around... We came to see a concert for Mr. & Mrs. Something. When arrived a little early and decided to have a drink. While we were waiting my wife and I kept asking each other if we where in the right place. There was an open mic night going on in the front bar, and nothing that made it clear you where at a concert venue. The door bouncer had his phone out and grunted at me while he checked out ID's. After handing back our ID's he said nothing and went back to looking at his cell phone. The whole evening lacked the "polished" professional quality that differentiates a bar that has "free live music" and a concert you pay for. The open mic night in the lobby while we waited; sounded better, and was free! The doors where supposed to open at 8, and the venue was nearly half an hour late in even getting the doors open. At about 9:00 there where about 10 people in the room (including the band). It mostly consisted of their friends and family, which doesn't bother me. What does bother me is when that it took nearly an hour for the first act to start. I don't want to disparage a new singer, but the first act was disappointing. After an hour and fifteen minutes of waiting to hear something that we'd pay money for, my wife and I went to ask for a house manager. At first the bartender seemed to be cool about it and said that he would get the production manager to get us a refund. When the production manager came down things went down hill rapidly. He came across as being very arrogant and condescending. I've been to concerts before, I understand how opening acts work; however, this is not a sold out venue for an A list band. We where kept waiting, had the online ticketing been more forthcoming and direct that the main act didn't start until 10:30 we wouldn't have rushed over to the theater. The production manager was very argumentative and literally refused to do anything to address our frustrations, make the situation right, or even try to find a way to make it a good time. His confrontational and condescending attitude made me and my wife feel very uncomfortable. I can only describe the interaction as unprofessional. Instead of being confrontational the management should have found a way to address our concerns and make it an enjoyable evening. At that point we decided to leave and go find something fun to do with our evening. Fortunately we didn't spend a lot of money on tickets. Columbia City Theater was a very disappointing way to spend our last night in Seattle. read more