Great ambiance, nice decorations. It was a Thursday so it was pretty chill. I'm sure Fridays are…read morevery busy and fun.

The Sunset Tavern is set up with a front bar room and back venue space that's perfect for…read morediscovering regional bands you might not catch elsewhere. The venue room gets seriously crowded and compact during shows, which makes grabbing drinks mid-performance a bit of a challenge. The upside to this cozy squeeze is that it creates an incredibly intimate concert experience. Everyone's right up close to the stage, making it ideal for bringing along dates or groups of friends who want to feel connected to the performance. You can actually see the performers' expressions and feel part of something special rather than watching tiny figures on a distant stage.

My husband and I found parking () and showed up for the Bowie Blast. In LA, I always went out for…read moreBowie's birthday. I have to look far and wide for anything like that in Seattle.(Still a native, so put down the pitch forks) Here it was. It was $25/person and my husband and I are trying to be prudent with money. It is very, very hard to save when you can't go out for less than $100 these days. I work in education so.... yeah. I thought we were late to the show so I asked for a discount on the cover. They said the band just started and they couldn't do that. I apologized and said I wasn't trying to haggle at all. The staff was very kind to us, even tho we were waffling. I've come to expect the cold front. The bartender who served me at the comedy show just before the Tavern refused to make any human contact. He just handled my cash and handed me my drink, like a robot. I still have warm blood pumping through my veins. Tractor Tavern was so warm and friendly. They gave us time to talk about it outside. We stepped outside. The music was percolating through the glass. I am a classic rock junkie. I took us back in. At the bar, I asked for a double. The bartender moved to the side to reveal a sign that said "no doubles". I laughed and apologized. He was kind and made a friendly joke. I seriously don't expect anyone to be nice to me anymore. I expect a chilly silence. This was so welcoming and warm. I wasn't treated like a jerk even tho some of my questions could warrant that response. They allowed me to be new and be human. The music was amazing. Let the children lose it. Let the children use it. Let all the children boogie. Thank you for keeping the human vibe alive and friendly. We will be back.

Best Nashville bar that's not in Nashville. I've never been to a bad show here…read more I've seen many performances here that I know the artists could be playing in much larger venues. Either the Tractor is really good at booking, or the artists like playing there, or both. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

We just happen to stop by and left very happy. HIDDEN GEM. It's one of those places that you can…read moretell they take care of it, and you can appreciate that! You can taste the pride in the drinks, cause I thoroughly enjoyed the place. Thank you, Kieth. We're only visiting, but if we come back, we will have to stop by. Cheers!

The vibes here are the best between any bar in Ballard (unless you're looking at dives, but that's…read morea totally different category.) Drinks are thoughtfully made, unique, and bursting with flavor every time. One of the few places in Seattle where a 15 dollar drink actually feels worth it. Gorgeous ambience, and they host some really cool events. Bring a friend/date here you won't regret.

What a cute community gem this is! We were happy to be invited to witness an intimate concert given…read moreby a singer songwriter duo on a sleepy Sunday night. What a unique and pleasant experience it was. This is true grassroots community gathering and beautiful accoustics, friendly volunteers and a respectful audience treated to up and coming and successful touring musicians. It feels like you are going to a dinner party as you meander through the neighborhood with neighbors toward the home like venue. The seating is very clean and comfortable. It's a no frills wholesome experience that feels almost speakeasy like. No concessions or parking , just neighborly goodness and talent. Grab yourself a bite before you go and enjoy your night.

Ballard Homestead's lower/sidewalk level was the site of a coffee fundamentals class I attended…read moreearlier today (4/9/22). This particular 101 level course ran for 2.5 hours with presentation, reference handouts, evaluation of pour over results manipulating ratio, grind, and time, and an overview of technical equipment. Plenty of opportunity for interactive tasting/cupping and to ask questions while seated around a kitchen island. The Ballard Homestead is related to The Fremont Arts Abbey. Very nice well maintained neighborhood events center.

Fun place to see a band but SUPER crowded. Street parking only so plan accordingly…read more Staff was great. Very friendly and made the bar lines move fairly quickly. Expanded heated area toward the front with 2 rollup doors adds to the capacity. There is also a smaller upstairs area with a second bar, bathroom and great views overlooking the main area. We saw a couple of bands on a Friday night and there were wall to wall people so you couldn't really dance. The stage is large and set up nicely and the lights during the shows were really awesome. Lots to do in this part of Fremont so maybe get there early for parking and grab some food before a show.

Went here for the first time for a concert. The streets were all torn up by the city so street…read moreparking was a no go. We did find some on side streets but get there early. The venue was nice and had no problem seeing or hearing

3.7 stars overall - stellar acoustics, passable drinks, logistics could be better. Echo Yen D. that…read morethe best time to come for deep listening is 6PM, as the main lounge is quieter (with no prior sessions). My husband and I enjoyed a lovely listening session of John Coltrane A Love Supreme. Acoustics are outstanding, which is the main reason to check out Shibuya HiFi. Drinks: Having been warned by both a colleague as well as all Shibuya reviews (Google and Yelp) on mid-cocktails, we enjoyed our favorite spirit on rocks and averted disaster. Cocktails are $18+ and there is a single bartender. As several reviewers note, drinks are not permitted in the listening room, so make sure to enjoy your drink prior to your scheduled session. Seating: We arrived around 5PM for our 6PM session to grab a quick drink and lined up ~5:20PM to be first in line (seating is first-come, first-serve). Shoes off in the listening room. Best seats are front and center of the listening room, with uncomfortable stools towards the back. Music: The storytelling of the album was simple (might have expected more knowledge of the album), with the host spending majority of time introducing us to the acoustic sound equipment of the room.

A good friend put me onto Shibuya HiFi, and I'm glad he did because this spot did not disappoint…read more The vibe in here is crazy (in a good way) !! Super chill and just a dope atmosphere overall. It's the kind of place where you feel like you're in the right spot for the night. Service was solid, everybody was cool and actually knew what they were talking about. Drinks were on point too....not the basic stuff you get everywhere else. What I really liked is the whole vinyl/listening-room experience. You come here to actually enjoy the music, not just talk over it. The sound system is amazing, the playlists are well put together and the whole place just gives you that "I'm somewhere unique" feeling. I get why people love this place, it's perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or just relaxint with good music and good energy. Definitely worth it!!

Great small venue, good drinks, great service, great music & room to dance! It can get too loud,…read morebut they have ear plugs you can purchase. Drinks are served in plastic cups which kind of sucks for the environment, but glass breaks. All in all it was a lot of fun.

Substation is a decent sized venue right in the middle of Frelard. Loved the fact that it isn't in…read moredowntown or Cap hill, which means it's a little easier for people in North Seattle plus parking is relatively easier. It's also next to some great spots to pre-funk like S/T Hooligans and Big Mario's and I saw other people attending the show at both places. The space itself has two rooms, and the show I saw (Blessed Madonna + The Juan MacLean) was packed. The audio and video set up was good, and the bars handled customers quickly. The one pet peeve would be that the rest room situation isn't great, meaning that they were relatively small for a venue this size. But overall, a good place to catch a show!

saw my friend's band play here and i loved the vibe. all the bartenders were super nice and one…read moreeven gave me a glass of water even though i was standing in front of the water station lol (to be fair to myself, i had just walked in and couldn't see it). it was really packed and it was a weeknight, too. it's not some super special unique place; it's a regular dive with the typical ballard dive feel... but it just felt fun in there and everyone that was there was having a great time! i'll be back for sure.

Had a great time here! Unfortunately we had to leave before the live music but I could tell it…read morewould be a great spot to listen to music. Shout out to our bartender, who was fabulous and made us feel so comfortable. Also, the best poured Guinness I've had in Seattle.

With live music every night of the week (on Mondays it is a jam where you can sign up and help MAKE…read morethe music!), I can always count on dropping in to The Seamonster Lounge to have the music I like: Jazz, Funk, Soul, Jam Bands, Reggae, Afropop, Latin even a Zeppelin cover band once in a while. Most nights there are 2 bands, one starting at 7 and one at 10PM No cover Sunday-Thursday (tip the band and the bartender!) Regular highlights for me are Hammand Organ Master Joe Doria and Friends on Tuesdays and Funky2Death on Fridays. Other artists/groups have monthly slots--check their schedule online. Battlestar Kalakala, How Now Brown Cow, Dub Lounge International, Hurricane Dreamz, Ron Weinstein Organ Trio and much much more!

We've been to several events here as it's walking distance from friend's house; otherwise it's…read morestreet parking. Cozy venue; music a bit loud so we bring ear buds or sit/stand as far away from the stage. Staff are cool and friendly.

I just recently learned about UMF and went through a "Vagaband" session with them which culminated…read moreafter 6 rehearsals in playing some of my favorite rock songs live at a local music venue. The whole experience was quite awesome. Our facilitator, Tom E. was great at giving us feedback to make us sound better, individually and together. The other musicians in the group were very focused and committed to practicing between sessions and being prepared for the next session. Everyone who represented UMF was super professional and welcoming throughout the initial registration to the final performance. Not only are they getting musicians together to play music, but they're creating an authentic community that I've felt welcomed into since day one! This was exactly what I needed to get my butt out and playing with other musicians and having fun at the same time. Oh, and two words for the guy who wrote a bad review saying the sound in the rehearsal room was too loud: "ear" and "plugs."

I relocated to Seattle about 18 months ago, and was once a upon a time an aspiring musician in my…read moreearly 20's. As a singer, finding a band was always exceptionally challenging, and eventually life gave way to a husband, kids, and a day job. I found UMF on craigslist when we first moved here, and stalked their website for nearly a year. I was interested in joint a Vagaband series, but my travel schedule is hectic, and makes it difficult to commit to anything- even 3-6 weeks. Just before Christmas, a series opened up that I HAD TO JOIN, and I happened to have the 6 weeks to commit to it. You are plunked into a group of people you have never met. You all have the same goal, and a setlist already assigned. The first rehearsal everyone came prepared, and the first song kind of takes your breath away. You just formed a band (albeit short term). The chemistry in my first Vagaband series was amazing, our show was packed, and I formed real friendships beyond the performance. Instant rock and roll fantasy. I'm now in my second series, and to say this is a business would be a gross inaccuracy. This is a community. I have been welcomed into it warmly, made to feel my talent is validated, and definitely see this community as a family of musicians I couldn't be happier to be a part of. What Tom and Matt created and nurture is so much more than a music lesson.