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    The Central Saloon

    3.6 (174 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

    The Central Saloon Photos

    Business Info

    THE CENTRAL SALOON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Loud
    Divey
    Casual

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    Oatmeal Stout = 100% Quality
    Nathan K.

    I love it here! Service is direct. Local Brew choice. Absolutely remarkable. I never thought I would enjoy an Oatmeal Stout from Fremont Brewing. This place has it right. Don't skip! Ever! Seriously! Drink drink!

    The Central Station
    Anton K.

    I've been to Seattle several times. I saw the Space Needle and the Mariners. I visited the Chihuly Gardens and Glass, as well as their Natural History Museum. So the day before my return flight to EWR, I went to the Central Saloon for a drink. The Central Saloon is the oldest saloon in Seattle dating to 1892. I'm from the East coast so that is not all that old. Never the less, in Seattle it is old. Aside from dating back to 1892 and it shows in some respects, The Central Saloon is where the music genre called "GRUNGE" began. Bands of 80's and 90's began playing their music in Seattle and The Central Station. Bands like Nirvana "Smells like teen Spirit", Sound Garden "Black Hole Sun" and Alice in Chains "No Excuses" lit up Seattle and the music world. The Central Station explodes with posters and photos of that time period with lots of colorful lighting and a antique bar that serves beer on tap. I love those old bars. Drinks are lower priced here than other saloons in Seattle. There is a small stage which can accommodate todays aspiring bands. I confess, I stayed longer than I should have. let's say I had more than one drink and if I lived in Seattle, this would not have been my last visit.

    Natasha B.

    So fun! No frills dive-y bar. Love that it has a bit of history. Live band was fun and bartender was super nice!

    Chloe F.

    The epitome of a dive bar. Probably the cheapest drinks you'll find in the city, but limited seating and loud (even without live music). Not bad for a single drink, but I wouldn't want to stay here longer than that.

    Great music venue! Seasonal dates! Fri-Sat right now...

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    15 years ago

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    16 years ago

    Cool atmosphere. The manager/bartender was fun to talk with. The Greek salad and hummus platter were delish.

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    9 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Great place!! Been here a couple of times now. Food is bar food, but done well. The staff is great and drinks are smooth!

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    11 years ago

    My neighborhood bar. I love it here. Good drinks. Rad staff. :) Come check it out for yourself:)

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    19 years ago

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    15 years ago

    If you love Rock N' Roll this is the place! Killer staff. Tons of booze and great food. Plan on staying to closing once you get here!

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    14 years ago

    They have live bands on Thursday nights. Stopped by after a Mariners game on Thursday night and they had a good crowd.

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    14 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    16 years ago

    Stiff drinks, and hot bartenders! What more could a gal want?!

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    13 years ago

    What a scam! They advertise $4.50 micro brews during happy hour but charged me $6.50 stating that all the micros have different prices.

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    12 years ago

    If you enjoy paying for watered down shots, this is the place for you. The doorman were the best thing about this bar.

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    11 years ago

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    Page 4 of 5

    Ask the Community - The Central Saloon

    Review Highlights - The Central Saloon

    I had to tell a bum to go outside to clip his fingernails once, that was pretty funny, I think the bartender was about to kick his ass.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    The Showbox - Stage

    The Showbox

    3.7(433 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown
    $$

    May be Seattle's Best Venue! The showbox is historic, its…read moreintimate, it has stunning interior and makes you feel like you are at one of the secret shows in the days long past. If one of your favorite bands comes here, you will have an amazing, close and personal experience! The drinks are good, fairly reasonably priced. It is an STG location, so the service is good and consistent! The Showbox is one of those Seattle venues where the atmosphere is almost as memorable as the show itself. The historic architecture gives the space a distinctive character, while the interior combines old-school concert-hall charm with a gritty, intimate rock-and-roll aesthetic. The exposed brick, high ceilings, dark finishes, and vintage details create a setting that feels authentic rather than overly polished. What really makes The Showbox special, though, is its size. It is large enough to accommodate a great crowd but small enough that you never feel disconnected from the performance. There is an intimacy to the room that makes even a larger touring act feel like they are playing a much more personal show. The sound quality is another major highlight. The relatively compact layout means the music feels immediate and powerful without losing the clarity of the instruments or vocals. You can actually hear and experience the performance rather than simply watching it from a distance. Whether you're standing near the stage or farther back in the venue, the acoustics help create a consistently immersive experience. Overall, The Showbox is a fantastic place to see live music. The unique architecture and decor give it plenty of personality, while the smaller footprint, strong acoustics, and close proximity to the stage create the kind of concert experience that larger arenas simply can't replicate. It feels like a true Seattle institution--and exactly what a great live music venue should be.

    This remains a great place to see a concert. Staff is great and very friendly. I needed a phone…read morecharge during a show and the set me up. Interior seems a little dated, but that's ok.

    Photos
    The Showbox - Getting ready! Mac Ayers concert Friday, March 24, 2023.

    Getting ready! Mac Ayers concert Friday, March 24, 2023.

    The Showbox - The floor filling up.

    The floor filling up.

    The Showbox - The view from the Emerald Club seating. In the Emerald Club, you'll have seats and a table, wait service, and an unobstructed view.

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    The view from the Emerald Club seating. In the Emerald Club, you'll have seats and a table, wait service, and an unobstructed view.

    Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - SALMON RANGOON

    Dimitriou's Jazz Alley

    4.0(593 reviews)
    1.0 miDenny Triangle
    $$

    What an wonderful experience! Great date night spot…read more Coworkers have been hyping Jazz Alley up for awhile now. Went on a random Wednesday night and wasn't disappointed. Staff was professional, helpful and friendly. Venue was clean and fairly well maintained. We booked online so we could select our seat but you could walk in with no issues. Food was phenomenal-appetizer, main and dessert. You may need a light to read the menu Use one of their recommendations for parking garage and the parking is free.

    What a wonderful evening we spent at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley being entertained by the multi Grammy…read moreaward winning (10) and nominated group Take 6! Take 6 was in town for a four night gig at the renowned venue. This visit was less about food and more about the wonderful sound of the acappella group. The current members of the group: Claude McKnight (brother of singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor Brian McKnight), Mark Kibble, Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea, and Khristian Dentley dazzled the audience with their melodic rhythms as they took us down memory lane and threw in some new material from their latest album. One of the remarkable qualities of the sextet is their ability to creatively cross musical genres, from straight-ahead Jazz to Pop to R&B and doo wop to the blues. From "Sailing" to one of their biggest hits "Biggest Part Of Me" the group was on point! The acappella group performed an invigorating cover of Al Jarreau's "Roof Garden" that had the audience grooving and moving! To add to the enjoyment of the performance we ordered a couple Old Fashioneds and Sauvignon Blancs to pair with Jazz Alley's cornbread (with honey) and Key Lime Pie. Simply delicious!! A great night and time, I definitely recommend checking the Dimitriou's entertainment calendar to learn what other groups and performers are coming to Seattle.

    Photos
    Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Key Lime Pie with an Old Fashioned in background

    Key Lime Pie with an Old Fashioned in background

    Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Rebirth Brass Band lighting up the room!

    Rebirth Brass Band lighting up the room!

    Dimitriou's Jazz Alley - Black Vinyl Espresso Martini

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    Black Vinyl Espresso Martini

    Neumos - View from other tables not at railing, plenty of standing area

    Neumos

    3.2(294 reviews)
    1.2 miFirst Hill, Capitol Hill
    $$

    We attended a concert here and absolutely loved the venue. We arrived early and had drinks at the…read morebar next door (which is connected). We played some board games that they had on hand and got a nice buzz on. The venue was spacious but intimate, perfect for a cover band. The sound quality was outstanding and the space was clean. The bathrooms were nearby and there were enough to use without having to stand in line, which was nice. The drinks were expensive and therefore it loses a star. I hate being fleeced on drinks after paying a high amount to get into a concert. The bartenders were nice as were the security personnel. Parking is kind of a pain as you have to pay to park in a parking garage or drive around trying to find on street parking, which is nearly impossible. Loved the vibe on the street after the concert. Lots of food vendors, music, and fun people hanging about. We would definitely come back to this venue.

    went during some charlie xcx brat themed night and wow that was not a good set lol. like they'd…read moreedged you with a good song like fergalicious and then completely cut off the song and play something random. I could tell I wasn't the only one who disliked it bc I watched several people leave and the venue was never full, always only half at best. 1/10, 11pm. whoever this dj was im sorry this wasn't it. wish we were at barboza lmao. including video so you can see what the music was like THE WHOLE NIGHT

    Photos
    Neumos
    Neumos - Taylor swift dance night

    Taylor swift dance night

    Neumos - Taylor swift dance night

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    Taylor swift dance night

    Paramount Theatre - Seeing & Juliet

    Paramount Theatre

    3.8(616 reviews)
    0.9 miDowntown
    $$

    Finally got some sets at the front of the mezzanine level. Seating is a bit steeper up here so it's…read moreless likely to have your view impeded if someone tall sits in front of you. Loved watching Harry Potter and the Cursed Child here. The illusions and magic tricks were amazing to see with full view of the entire stage. I'd definitely choose seats up here again.

    Harry Potter and the Cursed Child- The Temu Edition…read more I attended the opening-night performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on August 22, 2026, and the experience was shockingly disorganized. Before the show, guests were stuck in endless lines that appeared to lead nowhere, while other lines less than 25 feet away reached the same destination. There was no useful signage and very little staff guidance explaining where anyone was supposed to go. Inside the theater, the sound quality was atrocious. Even from Section MF2, Row AA, I frequently could not understand what the performers were saying. Ushers also repeatedly moved through the theater using bright flashlights, creating constant visual interruptions. It became impossible to remain immersed in the show. I have previously seen Cursed Child in both London and New York, so I expected some differences from a touring production....This was not simply a smaller version, however. The performances and choreography seemed poorly synchronized, while the venue's sound and audience management made an already disappointing production even worse. I was so frustrated that I left before intermission. For the price of these tickets, patrons deserve substantially better organization, sound quality, and theater management. Compared with the productions in London and New York, this genuinely felt like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: The Temu Edition

    Photos
    Paramount Theatre - Garbage 10/15/25

    Garbage 10/15/25

    Paramount Theatre - The stage

    The stage

    Paramount Theatre - (10/15/25)

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    (10/15/25)

    Blue Moon Tavern - Lack of Respect 2/2/24

    Blue Moon Tavern

    3.8(108 reviews)
    4.3 miUniversity District
    $

    20 MAY 2026 -- I performed poetry from Purple Rose: The Stars Carry Her Name -- Letters from Me to…read moreHer at the historic and legendary Blue Moon Tavern in Seattle. Originally opened in 1934, the Blue Moon carries the kind of atmosphere you cannot recreate -- walls covered in decades of music, art, stickers, photographs, and stories. A dimly lit room packed with musicians, writers, artists, and people who genuinely appreciate creativity in its raw form. Throughout the night, the stage moved between live music, poetry, and performances from local artists while the crowd filled the tavern from the bar to the stage floor. Places like this remind me why independent art still matters. As an author traveling all over the United States -- and as someone who lived in the Seattle area for 2 1/2 years -- standing on that stage reading poetry from Purple Rose in a venue with this much history behind it was really something special. What I loved most was how welcoming the environment was. This is a very LGBTQ-friendly, art-friendly space where people genuinely support one another. If you are brand new to open mics or nervous about sharing your work for the first time, this is the kind of place where you will absolutely be shown kindness and encouragement. There were so many talented musicians, poets, and performers there, and you could really feel the appreciation for creativity throughout the room. The setup of the tavern itself is awesome. The stage and seating area wrap around the bar in almost a U-shape, so you can really choose your own vibe for the night. If you want to stay close to the performances and music, there is a dance floor and table area near the stage. If you want something more relaxed, you can hang back near the bar, have a drink, and still enjoy the atmosphere without being directly in the middle of everything. They also have a full bar, arcade games, board games, books to read, and even a small library on the shelves throughout the tavern. Somewhere inside, you may even find a signed copy of Purple Rose that I left hidden and dedicated to the historic Blue Moon itself. Beautiful evening with wonderful people. If you are ever in the area and have a skill you would love to share, go share your art. Find your copy of Purple Rose at JamesVThePoet.com

    service! band!…read moreatmosphere! location! interior design! drink specials! package liquor! woo hoo!

    Photos
    Blue Moon Tavern
    Blue Moon Tavern
    Blue Moon Tavern

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    The Central Saloon - bars - Updated September 2026

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