This is a great venue! I've seen a few Bandit Theater improv shows here and a Seattle Public Library book tour event. It's a pretty space and it's cozy. There are two different levels where I've seen performances. Upstairs is a bit more open and downstairs is more intimate. I think it's so important to have arts spaces like this in the neighborhood! read more

I got tickets for one of the most meaningful shows of my life and the time was changed to 30 minutes earlier. I didn't receive any notification about the time change and arrived 10 minutes early to the time listed on my ticket and 20 minutes late to the show. I wasn't ushered in to the performance hall with any sort of direction, there was no acknowledgement of the mixup, I stood (in platform heels) for the entire show in front of a door and with a partially obstructed view, had to leave fairly unceremoniously due to the late show they squeezed in afterwards (presumably to sell more tickets) and to top things off they didn't have sparkling water when I tried to order it after the show, which is less annoying but was the cherry on top. Don't book with them. read more

The owner of the venue left a comment after my rating asking me to update my review since supposedly after I spoke with him on the phone prior to the even he updated the website. I spoke with a young woman prior to the event-- he never spoke with me. read more

Our photographer Chris Gray (PBP shooter,) and Frederick Films utilized this beautiful venue for our family photo session. The venue is very beautiful, and clean. I really appreciate the natural and variety of lighting hues the venue offers. The windows have rustic wooden framing and slightly stained glass windows allowing for a perfect backdrop. As you enter the building it is filled with information about local performing artists which was nice to see it's a place that supports local artists share their craft. If you're seeking a venue for a small-mid size crowd (when it's safe to do so,) Fremont Abbey could be a great location. read more

Fremont Abbey - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A lovely setting for weddings, concerts and gatherings, the space is manageable without being too large, nor is it so small that one feels cramped and unable to move. The beautiful lighting streaming through the windows makes for a very picturesque backdrop for weddings and speakers in a nice, yet not-too-formal setting. It's rustic looks create warmth and depth that make it easy to feel comfortable and at home in the Abbey. The venue is not driven by profits and offer musical and artistic performances to the community in a way that many other venues do not. read more

Coming back to edit this review. Fremont Abbey and Abbey Arts are an important part of the community, bringing great artists from Seattle, the region, and beyond through for excellent, low-key shows in smaller venues. We've seen many of our favorite artists through them and discovered new ones too. Our last show left a bad impression: the venue (at the artist's request) had changed from mostly seated to mostly standing with no notice. I generally prefer standing shows, but a packed standing show wasn't what we'd been ready for when we got there (long week, some personal decisions around COVID risk), and the lack of advance notice was frustrating. From the Nate/the venue's comments below, it sounds like they would hav worked with us if we pushed the issue more, but because of miscommunications we didn't realize it. I do appreciate their efforts to reach out after, understand what happened, and make it right. So, all-in-all: a wonderful small venue with a strong lineup; some more proactive communication around changes could improve the experience. read more

Looooove seeing concerts here as well as The Moth and comedy. Most shows have seating and start early too which is amazing now days compared to the rowdy clubs and constant "phone in face" syndrome of larger concerts. Great acoustics, really good variety of diverse music acts (not just folk!) and usually there's a bar with a bunch of good options. The bar sales even go to support local charities, but the Abbey itself is a nonprofit! amazing Fremont Abbey is also known for hosting big name artists and touring acts playing small shows like Damien Jurado, Joseph, Grace Love, Birds of Chicago, Doug from Built to Spill, Bob Odenkirk comedy, etc. definitely check out The Round on 2nd Tuesdays or The Moth storytelling event on 1st Thursdays... those are neighbor favorites. read more

Fremont Abbey - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If I were someone who had hosted an event here, I think my review would be different. The staff seems super friendly and very accommodating. However, as a person who attended an event, I have some issues. 1. They oversold on seats, which was not made super clear on the event description. It looked like there were only enough seats for half the attendees, and the rest had to stand. I was one of the standers, which was tough as someone with a recent back injury. Standing isn't very common for the type of event I went to. It was unusual enough that the event runners were quite surprised as well. Space didn't seem to be an issue either, as there was still plenty of free space for us standers. I'd suggest either finding a way to put more chairs in or reducing the number of attendees (or perhaps both). 2. The venue was super hot. Again, standing didn't help. They didn't have any form of AC, which I suppose isn't too unusual, but they also didn't have good airflow. I was drenched with sweat by the end of the show. 3. The acoustics seemed off. A lot of the sound was hard to hear. Perhaps it was the speaker setup in relation to the room, but I thought the sound was quite muffled and indistinguishable. I might come here again as they host pretty cool events, but only if its a cold day and I can get there before doors open to guarantee a seat. read more

Cute venue, aesthetically. Went here on Valentine's to see Josh Thomas. Staff was nice, but either they wildly oversold the event or they just planned to make at least half of the people in attendance stand for the whole time- really think they should reconsider that. Also, it was VERY warm in there, standing for the whole set and not being able to sit down didn't make for a great time. At least they don't charge too much for tickets? read more

We had our Wedding here in December, and of all the venues we visited, the Abbey was truly the best. From the start, it was great to know the venue was not profit driven. There were hardly any add ons, and the rates and terms were very reasonable. The space has just enough character to be interesting, but blank-slate enough to add your own style. The staff was easy to work with, and I'd certainly recommend it! read more

Fremont Abbey - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Seattle Moth performances are located at the Fremont Abbey. I came here to watch their shows twice. Overall, I had a lot of fun and the venue is great. Sometimes you have to come early to line up before an even so the location is super convenient because Paseo and other restaurants are conveniently nearby. I think the space in itself is very lovely. I also loved the outdoor space. They have literature outside that tells you the history of this building. The only issue I had was that parking was really hard to find. We had to drive super far to find parking because it was really busy on a Friday evening. I read the other reviews and I don't know what parking lot they are talking about because we couldn't find it. read more

The Fremont Abbey is a non-profit arts centre located centrally in Seattle. They proclaim themselves to be a "vibrant community venue for people of all ages and incomes to be supported in their artistic & social development through new collaborative arts & cultural experiences"... and their proclamation is correct. Headquartered in an older church building built in 1914, the Abbey offers some amazing programming. Their monthly calendar boasts music performances, dance, culinary arts classes, group classes, individual lessons, exhibits and multi-arts performances. One of their key focuses is sustainability and they do this through their volunteer staff, updating elements (lighting and cleaning supplies, to list two) in the building to be "greener" and requiring events to reduce their own waste! How cool is that?! The building is accessible via a ramp on the outside of the building and there's a bathroom on both floors for those who cannot manage stairs. The cafe on the bottom floor offers a rotating menu and the staffers there have always been friendly. Parking can be tough on the weekends but you can find something in the adjacent neighbourhoods, just don't block a driveway! If you enjoy quality entertainment, please support this local venue. I highly suggest placing yourself on their mailing list. At the Marian Call show, I was perusing last month's calendar and felt a palpable sadness that I missed Agnes Obel with a cellist. In that intimate performance space, that would have been simply gorgeous! read more

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We held our wedding ceremony and reception at the Abbey at the end of December 2019, and the entire experience was exactly what we'd hoped for. From the first tour we took, to finalizing details, to the actual event, the staff at the Abbey were terrific. They were extremely flexible, prompt in their communications, and just all-in-all kind people to work with. The venue itself was perfect for our wedding with 125 guests. We couldn't recommend this place more if you're looking for a special and unique venue in Seattle. read more

Worst venue I have ever worked with. I have loved seeing shows here, but avoid doing anything private here at all costs. We had a wedding reception here and a week before we were going to have the event, they informed us that 30% of the candle holders we had bought did not meet "safety regulations"; regulations which we had never been informed of. There was no apology or regret when they told us. Then, 24 hours before the wedding, they informed us that the basement (which we had received a discount for not using) would be used for a high school dance. Every time the music stopped at the reception we could hear massive thumping and yelling sounds, not to mention several highschoolers tried to get into the wedding for the open bar. Completely unacceptable. Avoid. read more

I couldn't think of a more beautiful creative space in Seattle! The Fremont Abbey is a 9000 square foot nonprofit Arts Center people can visit to learn and develop their abilities in many different art mediums. On my first visit here I saw people playing music together, dancers practicing a routine and and walked in on a vegan cooking class. It was spectacular to see so much creativity under one roof! read more

And if THIS looks at all fun to you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esD7FUp69b8 Then, you need to check this place out. Because this is only a small snippet of what happened the night I was there. It was awesome. read more

The Abbey Arts Center places top notch performers in an intimate setting where you reap all the benefits! Worth checking out support local arts and community. Community events like the art walk get my kids involved in some pretty cool stuff. Fremont's not bad for parking, plus I think they even have lots available. At first was annoyed but then realized it was probably necessary, they requested attendees of a weeknight concern to keep their voices down while leaving. They is some residential folks as neighbors, guess they do their best to balance the venue and the needs of the entire community. read more

I love how small and intimate this is. It has great acoustics and made for a memorable night. I'll definitely be coming back to catch other performances. read more

This a great venue for private parties. Because they are a non-profit, the prices are very affordable, even for weekends. However, because it is a shared community space, be sure to ask questions about other things going on in the building on the day of your event. The upstairs hall is very spacious, and quite reverberant. You'll definitely want to use a sound system for music or public address. If you are serving alcoholic beverages, I would definitely recommend hiring your own bar staff (as a I would for almost any private event!) The Abbey usually has a concessions staff at their concerts, but for a large wedding party you would want someone with more event experience. Downstairs at the Abbey is a fun place to hang and "chill out"; check to see if it is available as part of your rental package. Parking weekends can be tough, but there is a pay lot across the street. read more

Came here last night for the Moth Story Slam which we LOVED! The crowd was large and the venue small. A bit of a larger space would have been nice but watcha gonna do? We have two other thoughts/suggestions. The room was a little warm and a cold drink would have been nice but only beer and wine were available. How about bottled water, iced tea or some non-boozy refreshments for those who choose not to imbibe? Also, why did we have to arrive an hour and a quarter before show time to get the priority searing that we happily paid extra for? Does that have something to do with the aforementioned booze? read more

Awesome spot for concerts, classes, cooking events, and just a great vibe. I love what they do and so does the staff and that is apparent. Volunteer or visit for a concert to check it out. read more

I love Fremont Abbey, I really do. I've been here a few times for various different concerts and really enjoyed my time there and the whole experience. One show was downstairs/main level and the sound was OK but had great seats and no bad view no matter where you sat. The 'bar' and snack station is also downstairs, they do offer a few beers (local!) and wines for the 21+ as well as other non-alcoholic beverages. Their housemade chai is hands down the BEST chai I have had in the Greater Seattle Area. Their chai is the reason this review exists. It balances between sweet, spicy and creamy without being more of one than the others. My boyfriend absolutely hates chai and he gets it at the Abbey every time. Their upstairs hall is huge and very open. You can take your drinks upstairs which is nice. I came here for The Round on Valentine's Day and while not every seat upstairs has a great view (especially if you sit behind someone with very large and poofy hair) it still has fantastic acoustics. If you don't know what the Round is, it's a mix of slam poetry, live paintings, and various musicians where each musicians has a turn at performing and that concludes one Round. After each Round, a slam poet comes up and performers. During the entire night the painters create works of art which are then auctioned off at the end of the night. It's a fantastic event the Abbey holds every second Tuesday every month, I definitely will go to more of these. The staff are extremely friendly every time I have attended an event there. I recommend going to a show here, and don't forget to order their chai! read more

The Abbey is not only a beautiful space to behold but is run by people with great heart and vision. We hosted a fundraising event at the Abbey and found the staff warm, professional and accommodating. The event was a smashing success and everyone raved about how beautiful it was. In addition to being a great place to host an event, the Abbey is also a very family-friendly venue with many music and arts events as well as programs for youth. Seattle is blessed to have such a fabulous and family-friendly arts center! read more

I'm a neighbor so I observe them every day. No dedicated parking, only borrowed parking in the evenings, down the street. There are often people standing around outside smoking during/after concerts, and occasionally drinking in the street. Some of the concerts attract a less gentle crowd. For example, when I spoke to some people once about not drinking in my front yard, they got in my face and I nearly called the police. Beer bottles in my yard make me feel like I live on Capitol Hill, although this is a quiet Fremont neighborhood. read more

The Fremont Abbey is a multifaceted in what it has to offer: classes, performances, benefits, it's a wedding venue, educational outreach...It is a healthily established venue happenin' because of its progressive-minded hard workers and its community of volunteers and activists. I have attended several events at the Abbey, among them the Round, which is an incredible enjoyment to behold such a unique collaboration, or sharing of space and time between multiple artists and musicians...Poets to provoke real life questions, artists to perform freely before their canvas, and musicians to empower a whole room with incredible sounds. When you look around during a performance, you see dolled up kiddos watching the shows with their daddies, hipsters digging a tune, couples embracing the experience. The Abbey is bona fide, no pretentious place for a performance gathering. The building itself is well-kept and works well for the variety of events that are held there. Though often lacking in parking space, the Abbey encourages alternative forms of transportation and not only considers its surrounding residents, it is highly supported by the community in which it resides. Two thumbs up for the Abbey and what it has to offer to Seattle, and the Fremont community. read more

We recently had a retirement party at the Abbey and it came off without a hitch. Our retiree plans to spend a lot of time on her sailboat and we were able to hang a sail in the space as part of the decoration theme. And that is just one example of how accommodating the staff is at the Abbey. They are seriously focused on service. Theo Chocolate says thank you to all the staff at the Abbey. You are terrific neighbors and do great work for our community! read more

This review is about the round at Fremont on the second Tuesday of the month from 8-10pm. It's a creative ADHD dream with 3 musicians playing in rounds to breaks by various poets to the two painters painting all at the same time. Complete with backup bands and sing alongs this is one of the best places to be in Seattle on a Tuesday night, recently named the best of 2010 by Seattle Magazine (also). read more

The Abey is kind of an arts/community center. It's not in my neighborhood, but the Abbey has been the center of so much good stuff for me, worth traveling to get to. Incredible, tiny, safe venue. Old, hip building with quirks and character. Tons of all-ages stuff. Community arts stuff. An experimental/hip church meets upstairs (The building was a church, so a good fit). The Round (monthly concert/poetry/painting) is the most amazing event. I've been exposed to so much amazing art and new local music through this space. Good people. It could use some parking, it's true. read more

The Fremont Abbey is a fantastic venue! The atmosphere is completely unique. Seeing a show here feels like such a personal, welcoming experience. The staff are unbelievably caring and passionate for working with artists and the community. We had the pleasure of hosting four multi-arts shows at the Abbey as well, and the experience was so supportive and went very smoothly. I can't say enough what value this non-profit adds to our region! read more

My students have had their winter recital at Fremont Abbey for three years now. Every year my students and their families enjoy the beautiful space at the Abbey. The room is spacious and full of natural light streaming through beautiful stained glass windows that are light in color. The staff are helpful and cheerful and are enthusiastic about supporting the arts. This organization is a rare find and I hope that it will continue to thrive for many many years to come. It is a place of integrity and goodwill. Thank you Fremont Abbey! read more

I've played a few shows here and have always enjoyed the space, the sound it offers, and the crowd it draws

I have been to so many events at this space relating to campaigns, weddings, and concerts. Every time I go here a good time is had. The staff at the Abby are great too! read more

The Fremont Abbey is such a great resource for the community and the arts. They are gracious people with much generosity...offering a beautiful refurbished space to the community for anything from concerts to classes to benefits for other non-profits. They do a lot of education and awareness for local and global issues which I really appreciate, and try to keep an ear to the community. Check out what they have to offer, especially The Round once a month, a beautiful evening of art and music from various Seattle artists read more

This is the kind of place that makes me love Seattle. I've taken a class here and seen a couple of special performances in this former church. The people organizing are friendly, genuinely creative and concerned with making community. Welcoming and non-judgemental place to learn dance or see a concert. read more

Came here on 13 AUG 13 for Round 99. Very intimate atmosphere and excellent seating. Having poets, musicians, and a painter performing one show all together blew my mind. I can't wait to go back. read more

This is a great place to host an event, especially if you are a non profit. They have their own parking lot, which is a bonus too. The staff there is awesome and really goes out of their way to help you during an event. They also frequently have great local artists playing there. read more

I'm so excited to live just down the street from this amazing venue. I've only been here once, but the show was fantastic. Great acoustics, very friendly staff, and a nice selection of beers downstairs to take up with you to watch the show. I haven't taken part in any of their "rounds" but they sound like a blast with slam poetry and live painting. Highly recommend this place. read more

The most amazing group of people....musicians, artists, teachers, activists...and a wide array of offerings to the community. Attend an event or get involved! read more

This place has been home to more sublime, contemplative, beautiful events than I can count. Would recommend the Abbey both as an event space and as a venue for music and other forms of performance. Just look at the beautiful videos on youtube! read more

The Fremont Abbey is a great venue. The space is beautiful, the people are warm and polite. You have to go there and experience it on your own to fully understand. Each show that i have attended really made me feel like i was experiencing something unique and noteworthy. read more