Seattle - Washington State - page 134

want to hear a live band, hang out in a good old-fashioned bar, or dance. Keep
in mind that this neighborhood tends to attract a very rowdy crowd (lots of frat
boys) and can be pretty rough late at night.
Belltown, north of Pike Place Market, is another good place to club-hop.
Clubs here are far more trend-conscious than those in the Pioneer Square area.
Club-goers tend to be style-conscious 20- and 30-somethings.
Seattle's other nightlife district is the former Scandinavian neighborhood of
Ballard, where you'll find more than half a dozen nightlife establishments,
including a brewpub, taverns, bars, and live-music clubs.
FOLK, ROCK & REGGAE
Pioneer Square
The Pioneer Square area is Seattle's main live music neighborhood, and the clubs
have banded together to make things easy for music fans. The “Joint Cover”
plan lets you pay one admission to get into seven different clubs. The charge is
$5 Sunday through Thursday and $12 on Friday and Saturday ($10, 8-9pm
Fri-Sat). Participating clubs currently include Larry's Blues Cafe, Doc May-
nard's, the Central Saloon, the Bohemian Café, and the New Orleans. Most of
these clubs are short on style and hit-or-miss when it comes to music (which
makes the joint cover a great way to find out where the good music is on any
given night).
The Central Saloon Established in 1892, the Central is the oldest saloon in
Seattle. As a Seattle institution, it's a must-stop during a night out in Pioneer
Square. You might catch sounds ranging from funk to reggae. 207 First Ave. S.
& 206/622-0209. Joint cover $5-$12.
Fenix Underground This Fenix didn't rise from it's own ashes, it rose from
the rubble of its earthquake-damaged former location. Once again this under-
ground club, now located right on Occidental Park, is the most happening place
in the neighborhood. 109 S. Washington St. & 206/405-4323. www.fenixunderground.com.
Joint cover $5-$12.
Belltown & Environs
The Crocodile Cafe With its rambunctious decor, this Belltown establish-
ment is a combination nightclub, bar, and restaurant. There's live rock Tuesday
through Saturday nights, and the music calendar here is always eclectic, with
everything from rock to folk to jazz. However, alternative rock dominates. 2200
Second Ave. & 206/441-5611. www.thecrocodile.com. Cover $5-$22.
EMP The Experience Music Project, Seattle's humongous lump o' color rock
museum, isn't just some morgue for dead rockers. This place is a showcase for
real live rockers, too. EMP's main hall, the Sky Church, plays host to everything
from indie rockers to theater productions with live rock accompaniment. There's
also the smaller Liquid Lounge, a club with no cover and a wide range of musi-
cal sensibilities. One night might be a reggae dance party while another night
might feature hip-hop or an acoustic show. 325 Fifth Ave. N. & 206/770-2702. www.
emplive.com. Cover: Liquid Lounge free; Sky Church $7-$32.
Showbox Located across the street from Pike Place Market, this club books a
wide variety of local and name rock acts. Definitely the downtown rock venue for
performers with a national following. 1426 First Ave. & 206/628-3151. www.showbox
online.com. Cover $5-$30.