Seattle - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 175

( 206-322-7030; www.hugohouse.org ; 1634 11th Ave; house noon-6pm Mon-Fri, to 5pm Sat,
zine archive 4-8pm Wed, 1-5pm Thu & Sat; Pike-Pine) Established in honor of famed North-
west poet Richard Hugo, and the nexus of Seattle's literary community, the 1902 Hugo
House (a former mortuary) hosts readings, classes and workshops, as well as offering
various events around town. Writers-in-residence keep office hours, during which they're
available for free consultations about writing projects.
The extensive zine library invites all-day lingering, and there's also a library, a confer-
ence room, a theater and a cafe with a small stage.
BEST NEIGHBORHOODS FOR ENTERTAINMENT
Downtown Classical music, contemporary theater plus an eclectic and always en-
tertaining assortment of buskers in Pike Place Market.
Pioneer Square Seattle's best comedy club, sports crowds, plus a few tough pubs
peddling punk and metal.
Belltown & Seattle Center Alt-rock and jazz venues raise the pulse in Belltown; op-
era, ballet and theater enliven the Seattle Center.
Queen Anne & Lake Union Fringe theater, a festival-hosting cinema and a few hal-
lowed old-school rock venues.
Capitol Hill Everything outside the mainstream, including alt-rock and electronica,
along with some art-house cinemas and spontaneous street theater.
U District Small pubs showcase guitar strummers and stand-up comics. Larger
music venues and art-house cinemas punctuate 'the Ave'.
Fremont Intimate live venues and neighborhood pubs book small-name up-and-
coming live acts.
Ballard Pubs and clubs plus the iconic Tractor Tavern cement a good self-con-
tained live-music scene.
Shopping
Downtown dominates Seattle's retail scene with big-name shopping malls. But take a
look in the corners of Pioneer Square for art and antique shops, or in the many nooks and
crannies of Pike Place Market for everything from embroidered tea towels to lollypop
condoms. Make the waterfront your stop for obligatory souvenirs. For fashion or novel-
ties, browse on Capitol Hill.