I was expecting better. Better wine list. - They don't have a reserve list and they don't cellar or age anything, it was all 2002+, even the cabs. Better service - I don't like the feeling of being watched, but I do appreciate water service every once in a while during dinner, and maybe a wine refill with all the bottles sitting across the room on another table. Better drinks, made right - Not a huge issue, but I ordered vodka soda and got vodka tonic... twice. Better food. Ok, the food was actually pretty good. But for a place that is supposed to be so upper class, mysterious and private, I expected better. The food was barely on par with any number of respectable Seattle restaurants like Ray's Boathouse, Dahlia Lounge and Oceanaire. The room decor is fun and eclectic, but because the venue is segmented like a house with isolated rooms and connecting hallways, you don't get to see it without wandering through the "house" into other people's social gatherings, dinners and what not. I suppose it would be cooler if I was a memeber and knew the "in crowd" that hung out there, but as a visiter it was pretty disappointing. read more

My wife and I recently got married at the ruins and they got all the details right. The food was great, the venue classy and beautiful, the night was a blast for everyone. Most importantly my bride was happy. Thank you Ruins!! read more

I came here last month as a guest and was really expecting more. Service was awkward. Steak was overcooked amongst other plates of unremarkable food. No discernable wine list to speak of. I'm not sure if our server knew anything about any of the dishes on the menu, and couldn't name what liquors they kept in the bar either. The one stand out was the foie gras....oooooh I've never tasted anything like it, it was like cutting into butter, and I order this dish whenever I see it on the menu at a restaurant. I think I was mostly disappointed because I was overly excited by the "exclusivity" of the whole thing. What with the members only policy, unmarked door next to an alley, interesting rooms you pass by on the way to your table, etc. The way the club is laid out/decorated is really cool/magical/interesting (see Charity G's review below), I just wish the food had matched up or been even the slightest bit inventive. If you are contemplating going to a restaurant of this "caliber" and price tag for the food alone, I can almost certainly guarantee you've had better. read more

Recently, I had a dinner for 35 people at The Ruins. Every aspect of this event was perfect: the planning, the menu planning, the decorations, the food and the staff. Madeline was particularly helpful in providing food choices that included red meat, fish and vegan entrees, beautiful veggies and salads and lovely deserts. Jules, our bartender, was great as were our servers. This is the third party I've had at the Ruins and I'll definitely return. read more

The Ruins is such a beautiful venue and we were over-the-moon to celebrate our wedding here. My guests raved about the food and absolutely enjoyed the entire experience. The servers and bartenders did an amazing job and were very attentive to our needs. Working with Madeline was a dream come true. She was extremely helpful and patient when walking us through the planning process. She was always available to help with any questions we had and responded very quickly. Our floral arrangements were absolutely stunning and our entire decor is attributed to the very talented Amanda, who has such great vision. Plus she was the absolute sweetest to work with. I highly recommend The Ruins for anyone looking for a potential venue to celebrate their wedding! Thank you Ruins for such a magical evening and a lifetime of fond memories! read more

Came here for Versailles which was absolutely wonderful. The space is beautiful and the dancers were fantastic. Whoever does their costumes is magic. Had some yummy drinks and dessert, but can't speak to other food options. Will certainly be coming back whenever Valtesse has a new show. It is a bit pricey, but completely worth the level of artistry that goes into a performance of that caliber. read more

I have attended multiple events at The Ruins as well as working a few photo shoots there. The venue is lovely and the staff have been very easy to work with. I would definitely recommend both Valtesse shows or Jazz Lounge nights. read more

WOW! The best burlesque show in Seattle in the most gorgeous venue! I saw Valtesse at The Ruins on Valentine's Day and my date and I were completely floored by the quality, athleticism, and modern edge of the whole experience. Truly unique and not to be missed! The Ruins is my new favorite show venue in Seattle hands down. read more

Had my wedding here and frequent for dinner on occasion with the in-laws. Wait staff is always friendly, foods great, and drinks are unique! If you get the opportunity to dine here I'd jump on it.... read more

My wedding was more then i could have ever dreamed of, and it was all because of The Ruins, and their amazing staff. The food was perfection (the salmon melted in my mouth), the drinks were delicious and we had two bars! I even had a candy bar and a dessert bar (and I was still in budget)!! If that wasn't enough, you'll never see a more magical, unique venue. Rose pedals, candelabras, perfect mood lighting, and floating candles just to name a of few of the whimsical elements of our wedding decor. If you want your wedding to be the event of the century, have your wedding at the ruins! read more

This is truly a magical little spot in the heart of Seattle. My husband and I knew right when we walked in the door we wanted to have our wedding party there. If you're looking for something that your guests will keep gawking at, look no further. There are a million things to say about the visuals of this place, but you can just look at the photos and understand what I'm getting at. The other reason this place is special is the people behind the scenes. I was nervous planning a wedding would mean stress city, but Madeline and her crew of enthusiastic workers made everything easy. They were always on top of replaying to me, willing to work with my budget, and excited to make my day special. They will even go as far as to make sure I ate at my event. I don't regret one thing about my wedding. read more

I was lucky enough to hold my annual Wine Tasting and Auction Kickoff at the Ruins last Thursday night. We had 10 wineries, 110 guests and it could of not been a better evening. From early planning to night of the team was on point and a pleasure to work with. As an event planner for Seattle Choruses I know that it is a gift to have a venue as classy and well appointed as this. Made me look good... I hope that other non-profits looking for a special events venue call The Ruins team first. read more

We had our wedding here in the fall. . . so amazing!!! Each room is very unique and fun (although our favorite room is the ballroom, such amazing mural paintings and chandeliers!). Our guests loved wandering around to find the elephant, to lounge in the library, and to be mesmerized at the ballroom. The staff was friendly, flexible, easy to work with, and open to requests. We were able to personalize our wedding to what we envisioned. They also took care of a lot of behind the scenes / last-minute details on the day-of. We recently went back and the Ruins is getting a touch-up of paint and some updates here and there. I would definitely recommend checking out the Ruins for you wedding or event!! read more

I was invited by a friend to see a new show happening at The Ruins. The place is as cool as ever, but this Friday show is a whole new thing. Its called The Chamber de Valtesse. It's an edgy burlesque troupe that's doing shows there now. I've seen a few Burlesque shows, but they are usually all the same here in Seattle. A little too Disney. This isn't your standard burlesque show, rather professionally trained dancers that happen to be doing a burlesque. And, I tell you, there's nothing like it anywhere around here. It doesn't feel like you're in Seattle anymore.... It's simply amazing. and is not to be missed. Check it out. I found the link at Valtesseproductions.com read more

Having travelled Europe and seen many places and restaurants, this place can qualify as "I'm trying hard to be different." And to be honest, it's a good thing. There aren't enough "uncanny" places in Seattle. Behind a warehouse wall you will find an intriguing place, out of sort...a bit like the "telephone lobster" by Salvador Dali. From a painted flowered horse to a blue sky painted ceiling to an elephant in your dinning room. It's fun, different, but with a twist. Yes it is a "members only" club so find a friend or a friend of a friend to take you there... The food was good and that's coming from a European!I loved the spicy scallops and the coconut shrimp. read more

As we approach our first wedding anniversary, and my husband and I think back on that day, we are constantly reminded of the huge success that was our wedding reception at The Ruins. Mun, Amanda, Alyssa, and the entire staff did a fabulous job in creating an absolutely perfect event. Ever since The Ruins opened in the early nineties, one of my fantasies was to have a perfect "Ruins Wedding." Notwithstanding twenty plus years of romanticizing the potential of that wedding through a thick lens of nostalgia, all of my wildest expectations were not just met but exceeded. From cocktails and passed hors d'oeuvres, to the formal dinner and beautiful (and delicious) wedding cake, to dancing and more cocktails, and a midnight snack passed from silver trays on the dance floor, and Champagne, Champagne, Champagne throughout!, everything was extraordinary and perfectly timed. Food, wine, drinks, flowers, service and coordination were all flawless. Our guests were genuinely blown away and so were we! The staff was all extremely helpful and generous with their time and attention in both planning and execution. They diligently provided all needed support and guidance, helping me make perfect decisions on everything from linens, flowers and table settings to food and wine while accommodating my every whim. Their logistical execution of the day was perfect, graceful and imperceptible to my husband and our guests. Everything just flowed together to create a seamlessly perfect event that was beyond elegant in its apparent effortlessness. We felt like guests at our own party. It was absolutely sublime! read more

Tried to book an event in advance, coordinator was not very customer service focused and made me feel like I was an inconvenience, went with another venue where they were happy to take my money. It's too bad, the venue is stunning but the administrative staff ruined the ruins for me. For the price and "exclusivity" they should be more customer focused. I got the feeling that they don't need the business and could care less if I went with them, the snobbery and aloof attitude was a huge turn off. read more

Words cannot even express how happy we are that we chose the Ruins as our wedding venue. Like so many others, the pandemic threw a wrench into our wedding plans and we ended up pushing the wedding out a year and reducing our guest count. But even with a pandemic, planning with the Ruins could not have been easier. Madeline saved our wedding and saved us from any panicking or breakdowns that might have ensued with all of our many plan changes. She answered every email and call super quickly, no matter the time of day. Prior to finding the Ruins, finding an event space that fit all of the quirky things we had planned was a challenge. But at the Ruins, Madeline was not only more than happy to help, but she was instrumental in coming up with fun ideas/finetuning all of the exciting details of our day. Not only that, but all of Madeline and team's vendor recommendations were fire. Because of the Ruins, we had the Avengers of wedding planning, with the best DJ, the best florist, the best drinks, etc. Madeline introduced us to Nicholas, the Ruins' beverage manager, who helped us customize awesome signature drinks (that we're still getting compliments on), and Fiona, the Ruins' entertainment director, who found our amazing officiant and string quartet. Madeline also introduced us to Amanda, the owner of Nadira Design, who manages all of the floral design at the Ruins. Not enough can be said about how incredibly beautiful and well thought out Amanda's designs were (not to mention, she is the absolute sweetest). Amanda is a floral genius and all of my guests raved over her creations. My husband and I sent Amanda a bunch of Pinterest photos, including my dream bouquet - all of which she made real. The actual wedding day itself went better than I ever could have imagined. Nothing went wrong (which sounds unheard of). From the moment I got to the venue in the morning to get ready, Madeline already had out water pitchers and cups for the wedding party. I'm not sure how she did it, but she managed to be in multiple places at once throughout the entire event. She brought champagne to the bridal party and whiskey to the groomsmen, gave tours of the venue to curious party members, assisted with misc. tasks, and even helped me with the impossibly complicated bustle on my dress. She was there every second throughout the day to make sure that my husband and I were taken care of, and that everything was going smoothly. It was honestly the best day of our lives. Most people are happy when the wedding planning is over and the day is behind them - but we can't wait to plan our next event with the Ruins. Wedding planning for us was entirely fun and non-stressful. We'll genuinely miss it. read more

I don't really know what the story is with The Ruins these days. The food is always great as is the service, but they are really not doing any advertising so the younger people don't even know it is there! The crowd has really become much older over the years, which is fine, but time to bring in some new blood!! read more

This facility is absolutely stunning and has a magical ambiance, It is unfortunate that their customer service is terrible. It is impossible to get a hold of their employees. I sent their decor/floral coordinator an email to receive information regarding arrangements for my wedding with every intention of purchasing through them, over a month later after much persistence on my behalf I finally received and unapologetic response with the information I requested. I have never dealt with such unprofessionalism. It was astounding that for such a gorgeous venue with so much potential, they could be lacking in such basic ways. With each question or inquire I received nothing but a feeling that I was somehow "putting them out" ( and trust me I did not nag them or ask too many questions which would have maybe provoked such a negative vibe) they simply do not attain the basic skills of customer service and were unresponsive, unhelpful, and rude. I cannot speak to what their service is during their members dinners etc. but I can speak to their service as an event venue, I would not trust them to put on an elaborate affair considering they have yet to exhibit fundamentals of customer service. Overall if I could cancel having my ceremony here I would have done it YESTERDAY! The only thing saving me is that I am having my rehearsal dinner at TASTE ( which is impeccable and has amazing customer service) and my wedding reception at withinSODO which has also been very pleasant and helpful. It is too bad that such a simple and fundamental thing will likely RUIN ( no pun intended! ) their reputation! They should really try and get their act together, it is costing them money and a ton of word of mouth recommendations. read more

We got married at The Ruins in Sept 2019 and honestly have no complaints - just rave reviews. Our event planner, Madeleine, was amazing. She responded to our questions quickly, provided advice, and was always very positive/easy to work with. They even have a florist on staff (but didn't push when I requested minimal floral décor). I didn't have to worry about things like renting linens, table #s, bartenders, glasses or set-up/break-down. It was all part of the package. The guests are still raving about the food, discovering the different rooms and decor, and how much fun they had. The Ruins also did a great job working with the only two other vendors we needed, our DJ & Photographer. All three were a team and we didn't have to worry about anything the day of the wedding. Honestly, we can't say enough positive things about our experience getting married there. Highly, highly recommend. It's such a fun location and they take care of their guests. Spending time w Madeleine & hanging out at the Ruins is the only part of wedding planning we're going to miss. read more

The Ruins - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The cool thing about The Ruins is that you can't get into it. Seriously - the air of mystery and magic is what really makes the place. Which led me to believe that the food or service wouldn't need to be up to par, but it was excellent. They have taken atmosphere to the next level with an Alice-in-Wonderland feeling. The outside of the building is a nondescript old warehouse, and then you notice that whole trees are growing out of the windows. Once you get past the outside walls, you're in another world, and outside again, finding yourself standing outside of this time a beautiful building with double entry doors and a hallway full of icicles of light, at the end of which stands a beautiful.... well, I don't want to take all the mystery out of the place. Go if you ever have the chance. read more

We enjoyed a fantastic evening at the Ruins last night. A post-Thanksgiving dinner with our moms. The decor was whimsical, the food excellent. We had the elephant room to ourselves at first - and enjoyed a relaxed evening in a very charming setting. read more

I was taken here by one of the members. I can vividly remember the pea soup (I hate pea soup) but other than that the food was great. Yes, the place is hard to find. Yes, it's dark and the paintings (and overall decor) is slightly odd. But the food is good. Is it the best I've ever eaten. No. But then again I was with good company and excellent wine so maybe I am a bit biased. read more

I recently saw a flier for the Ruins announcing they were opening up to the public for Happy Hour on Tuesday's so I scooped a couple friends up and we went to check it out. I've been here before for large events so I was curious to see how something like a happy hour would work in such a grand space, but I was super impressed with how they put together a more low key, relaxed atmosphere. The happy hour is set up in one of the smaller side sitting rooms with a handful of tables and of course the fireplace blazing, which is my favorite part. And a jazzy pianist. I ordered an Old Fashioned which was mixed to absolute perfection and the whole crew ended up ordering them because they were sooo good. We also got a Charcuterie plate which was quality and delicious, especially the meats! The General Manager even came through and checked in with all the guests to see how drinks/service was, which I always appreciate. Overall, food and drinks were great, staff was suuuper friendly and available and the atmosphere was dreamy. read more

Amazing venue!! Going into this building; I didn't know what to expect yet had such an exquisite time. Saw Voltage; a Valtesse production, my favorite show thus far. I plan on going back and hope to attend a variety of events at the Ruins! Ps; drinks are spendy so be prepared. read more

I recently had the pleasure to dine here with friends... From what I understand it's a member's only establishment. I feel privileged that our friend took us to dinner here to celebrate and I think it is a gift that not just anyone can give. I thought it was a pleasant and unique dining experience. It's charming, and the food was ok. Nothing phenomenal, but it was still good. It wasn't necessarily something I would want to become a member of, being that there are chefs in Seattle that can truly throw down, but for ambiance, this place is nice. read more

Hands down the swankiest place I've been to in Seattle, absolutely gorgeous. And the Valtesse show is next level. It's painfully stylish, edgy, sexy, so much talent on stage. A must see if you're at all into burlesque or cabaret. read more

We went to The Ruins for the first time last night with a group of friends for a pinot tasting along with dinner. We brought the wines for the blind tasting and paid corkage fees. Our friends, who are members, reserved "the chocolate room". The setting of The Ruins is amazing - you'd never guess inside that warehouse is several rooms decked out in creative, whimsical, classy settings. The service was very friendly and the food was exceptional too. I had beef tenderloin that was tender and cooked just as I requested. We sampled each others plates and everything was enjoyable read more

What a delight! Amazing atmosphere... go get lost in all of it's different rooms (The Elephant Cage is my favorite). Food is good, not great. Great service. Wish they'd had a better wine selection by the glass. Great place for an intimate date, but also very fun with a large group of people. read more

I had planned a surprise Birthday party for my wife, and had decided on the Ruins as the location for the event. I was not disappointed. The space is gorgeous and very eclectic. It definitely set the mood for the evening. The food and service were fantastic, and I was able to relax and enjoy the evening. Madeline was awesome in helping me work out an appropriate menu, and the guests raved about the party for days. Thank you, Madeline! read more

My first time at the Ruins was amazing! Had the following: Strawberry gazpacho, deviled duck egg w/ crab and roe*, chilled corn soup w/ corn fritter*, seared duck breast w/ vegetable succotash, seared scallop w/ sunchoke purée and asparagus in crab butter sauce*, cured meat ragout w/ little queens pasta, English peas and mint, and a cheese plate to finish. Since they don't post their menu online, I was very surprised with the fair pricing of each dish. Thank you Chef Doherty for an amazing dinner! * = favorites read more

The Ruins - Strawberry balsamic gazpacho - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A hidden gem in Queen Anne and a most memorable venue that my Mom, husband, and I all agreed on was a special place for a party we attended on 1-14-17 celebrating a friend's 80th birthday party last night. In a short review, you drive by the place because it looks just like a building warehouse, but trust me the inside is quite different from the first step through the door. It is elegant, beautiful, and the staff are so caring and attentive. We felt honored to be invited to the party to celebrate with other friends and family to laugh, have fun, and celebrate together great food and drinks. My lemon drop drink was the best with the crab cakes that the staff walked around insisting on me taking more of these bite size mouth watering favorites and do I say more, the best crab cakes ever! Jean and Joe that hosted the party should be applauded for throwing their mom a party that had her beaming the night away with smiles and everyone there enjoyed themselves that came to celebrate from near and far from locals, to Canadians to family from Maryland. The tables were decorated beyond all the words I could describe in this review, so I will simply state it was admired by my husband and he was impressed but seldom makes comments to the extent he did. The dinner salad with the walnuts was delicious. The meal entrees were over the top and each bite was savored. I had the best fish entrée, with fresh beans, beautiful carrots, mashed potatoes, and a mix of mushrooms and vegetables all served hot in front of me fresh. My choice was the envy of my husband who admired by plate too. He had a steak that I got a bite of too, lucky me that my husband was impressed he could cut with through the thick steak with a butter knife. Let's just say everyone at our table enjoyed their dinner entrée and the servers were forever attentive with anything we needed with our meal and drinks. The overall experience of eating here did not stop as the waiters paraded out with birthday cakes and candles for the birthday gal and delicious it was, plus, a complete platter at each table of the best desserts to select from. If you love a good lemon bar, you can't just have one. Then with dessert comes coffee and not just cream and sugar, but a splash of Bailey's and Crème to cap the night off. Again the service was the best the whole night from the beginning to the end and you could tell that the employees loved their jobs. The venue also had a nice plasma screen showing photos of the family and birthday gal and a great venue for some good humor to be heard by all with good words of wisdom about the birthday gal There were about 50 people at the party and the tables were all in a nice set up with a seating area close by for visiting during the social time prior which was nice. Also, I will sum it up with that this is a most wonderful experience in seeing the rooms in the venue and the food was amazing and truly an A+++++ eating establishment in Seattle. The hosts Jean and Jo picked the best place for their Mom's birthday celebration, so if anyone knows a member to this venue this is a place for special memories to be made. read more

I had never been to the Ruins before and I've lived in Seattle for 15 years. What a surprise! It is one of the best kept secrets in Seattle, a little known gem. It looks like an unmarked warehouse on the outside and is beautiful and interesting on the inside. Definitely recommended we hosted a unique and magical event there. read more

Stepping into the Ruins is like stepping into another time. I had no idea it existed until recently; it's a hidden treasure with an Alice-in-Wonderland feel. Dinner was delicious. I loved the grilled zucchini bruschetta and the bread pudding in particular, and the chef came out personally to answer any questions we had about the menu. Lindsey, our server, was absolutely delightful and let us try sips of this and that and that again while we were making our cocktail and wine choices. The feel to the place is mysterious and whimsical and refined yet comfortable. It's a great place for an intimate dinner or client meeting. Looking forward to attending some events there in that hand-painted ballroom, too. read more

We shot a music video here and were so pleased with how accommodating and friendly the staff was. Not only did they help us coordinate our venue rental, but they showed interest in our work and made sure we had everything in place to have a great shoot! I would recommend this space for anyone looking for a unique experience for their event + guests. read more

Okay. It SOUNDS like it's going to be really great/exclusive/foodie/fun. But to tell the truth it's a little creepy. The paint is peeling and the lighting is bad. At the events I have attended there, the service has been slow and the food so badly done that I had to eat a snack after dinner to fill up. Somebody tell me why this place is considered great. I also attended a wedding there - marriage didn't last, so I blame it on the name: why would you choose to be married at a place called THE RUINS?! ugh. read more

We had our wedding here. The space is unparalleled and so is the staff. They helped us make it the most unique wedding we could have imagined. It was a dream. I wish I could relive that night a hundred times and enjoy the party again. read more

We visited The Ruins last evening for the first time and found it very charming, interesting and unique - that was only the decor and plantings. Our food was also excellent. There were 5 in our party, everyone had a different dish, and all were excellent. The service was first class - the wait staff was on top of any and every need immediately without being intrusive. We haven't had a nicer experience in dining is quite some time. Like European dinning, dinner was relaxed, we weren't rushed through our meal in the attempt to turn the table over to another party. It was a wonderful experience all around. We have dined all over the world so I'm surprised by some of the less than stellar reviews I've read. Was it the same place we went to last evening? read more

Went here for the 2nd time last night and I liked it MUCH better this time around. The first time was for a friend's work holiday party and I think I didn't really get to experience it. The food the first time was just mediocre food for a large crowd so nothing exciting. Plus it took way too long to get a bloody cocktail! Last night though was great! Just a small group, the husbo, myself and our friend who's the member. We tried the tasting menu, which was smaller bites of thier featured dishes. A yummy, warm roll, then a jicama and frisee salad with a really nice light citrus vinnagrette. Then a small clam dish, that was just ok, not sure if clams are in season right now so they didn't taste super fresh, but the broth was good. Then a pork cheek dish which was really yummy, on a bed of cabbage I think. Then a super rich rum raisin cake for dessert. Overall, the quirky but stylish ambience, good service and good food made it really a nice treat. I don't think I would ever join, (there are just way too many amazing restaurants in Seattle) but it's nice to get to go with our friend once in a while. read more