The Sunset Tavern has a very laid back and hip environment for 20-30 something's to get drinks and enjoy live music. There's booths, tables and bar seating. Nice lighting and decor, the bathroom was surprisingly clean and well stocked (which is actually probably a Ballard thing, Capitol Hill on the other hand... !) The bartender was quick to mix drinks and very friendly. The music venue area was small, but cozy and reminded me of Tacoma's house shows without the underage drinking and filthy furniture-lounge type basements lol. The lighting was great, and so was the sound. The cool thing I found about the Sunset was that the music stayed contained within the music venue. I.E the doors to the venue stayed closed and we even had to go check if the band had started playing (they had) Also there's a small bar in the venue, though I didn't find it that convenient to get to (crowded) or order drinks since the music was so loud. I'll be back for sure! read more

A really solid bar. Drink prices are reasonable and the staff has been very nice and attentive each time I've gone in. It also is a great place to see a concert, I was actually blown away by how good it sounded in the back! Overall, a great place to go get a drink, see a show, and hangout with your buddies! read more

I consider a good night at the Sunset when I leave without a broken foot. So last night was a success! My first experience at the Sunset about a year ago was not so great. Nothing to do with the establishment, but instead a rowdy girl that broke my foot when she jumped on it. No bueno. Last night was much better. My husband and I went to a show with some friends and had a great time. Good music, good drinks and plenty of seating. I dig the decor in the Sunset and it's location. Great music venue or just a place to grab a drink with a friend. read more

Awesome rock venue! One of my favorites in seattle. The staff is really cool super "ballard." The well whiskey is good, the acoustics are pretty spot on, and one of the most epic happy hours!!! A total win and Ballard must in my book. The art is psychedelic and everything red and rock and roll. You can also get a giant pizza and 4 drinks for about 20$ during the aforementioned h.h. Flying Squirrel uses high quality products which makes this pizza one of my favorites in Seattle. read more

If you get here early, the spot at the end if the bar, closest to the stage, is a pretty amazing spot for a show. I saw Bobby Bare jr. here and it was so good. I can't remember who else I've seen but I recommend getting here early for any show. read more

love when they host a gothy theme night called, Black Monday! cute place, rad bartenders, live bands, awesome dj's on the previously mentioned night :) read more

I thought I'd exhausted all the bars in Ballard, but my gal and happened to stop in just after the remodel, when they were just getting things rolling again. They weren't completely set up yet, but I couldn't count that against them as the beer kept rolling nicely, the bartender was incredibly courteous and accommodating of us, and the ambience is just super cozy and fun. Yes, the photo booth is plenty of fun; who can resist popping in with your honey and taking a few candids? We weren't in there on a night when we could hear live music, but we've heard good things, and the music playing over the PA was impeccable. For quality of cocktails, it's not the best thing going, but in terms of atmosphere and a truly great, friendly staff, it's hard to beat in Ballard. A fave. read more

first off they usually have great acts playing, also an amazing set of people running the place. the drinks are moderately priced so thats a plus. theres usually a bit of a crowd so if you dont mind that then theres another plus. great vibes, good tunes, and fun people. read more

We went here for a show on Tuesday night. We had eaten beforehand so we didn't have the pizza (although once we found out there was pizza there we were sad that we had eaten before). The ambiance was great though. Very intimate with lots of local artwork up on the walls. The drinks were cheap and strong just like we like them. The service was great. The bartender that night was not only incredibly nice but helpful when we got there while the doorman was away. I could have gone without the scenesters though. I'm not sure if they're regulars there or if they were just there for the show. The staff there did not have the scenester vibe so I'm guessing that they were drawn in by the show. If we lived in Seattle we would definitely go to the Sunset Tavern again and possibly buy some artwork! read more

I went here for a skate park benifit. The bands were rocking and it was a great time. It was loud and you had to shout to have a conversation, but it was great. Great people, I wish there was food but you can go next door and there are plenty of options. Find parking on the street and it is well worth the trip to ballard. read more

I live far enough away from ballrd that i never make it out here enough. but i need to make the treck. I love this little bar for shows there's something really diveyy and rock n roll abou this place i friggin heart the sunset. read more

Great intimate spot for a live show. My coworkers and I came here for a show, and I thought the venue was great. It didn't get too crowded, and we were close enough to the stage to see everything. Beers here are cheap, too! read more

I really have a good time every time I've come here. The music is always great, and they have a wide variety of acts without stretching themselves too thin. The best part about this place is, it's SO easy to find parking and they always give you service with a smile! read more

great old time feel and an out-of-this- world bloody mary! Sometimes it is hard to find a good band I wanna see playing here... yet it is walking distance from my Ballard cradle, and all the people that work here are friendly which is a plus in my book.. read more

I love this place. The staff are always nice and the shows always sounds pretty damn good for a small bar. I've seen ambient acts like White Rainbow, Windy & Carl and loud acts like Helms Alee and Born Anchors and they have all been great experiences. Great location being close to other places to eat. Sunset has great taste in what bands they choose to play at their establishment. read more

One of my favorite Seattle venues. It has a great vibe and reminds me of so many great times. The layout is nice, casual and like the 100 Club, not much has changed since the 1960s. Other than the wall color and they got a hard liquor license. The sound isn't the best, but very decent, they have improved it in recent years. In my heart, the Sunset had 5+ stars for the past 15 years, but last time I went there and ordered a cocktail, it was 100% tonic, no booze. I returned it to the hipper-than-thou pip-squeek bartender and he just stared at me funny. No ofter to remake my drink. If this was the OLD Ballard, he'd have gotten a punch in the face, for such shenanigans. Unless it's my friends band playing, I won't be eager to return. Get a decent bartender. read more

Good laid-back music bar in Ballard. Solid programming of mostly obscure rock acts, but once in a while a bigger name. Can't wait to see Marissa Nadler on June 7! read more

Best venue in Seattle, best bar in Seattle. Drink prices are average, but even if a dollar was added to every drink and it wouldnt change the aura of this place. read more

I love this place but why are the bartenders all dudes who look like low-level goon extras from the cast of The Sopranos? Once a year they'll hire a woman but inevitably she ends up being dispatched to Hattie's, just as our hope inches above the level of absolute despair. Oh, and I love the tiny little dog that's apparently the emotional support animal for one of the PTSD bartenders after he witnessed one too many garrotings in the basement. That's a nice touch. Still, nobody makes a better shot of Jim Beam with a PBR tallboy. read more

I went there for a birthday, a group of 12. The atmosphere was cool everyone was hanging out drinking and socializing. When it comes down to the food, the food was awesome! i could of had myself two whole pizzas because it was that good! Fresh ingredients, crispy but not burnt, not greasy, and the cheese strung out for miles!!!! i would highly recommend the pizza!I want to continue talking about how much i loved the place but service was terrible. As the rest of my party showed up the waitress became very rude and impatient and pretty snappy. when it came down to order she kinda just went through the motions. I don't know what it was about this waitress and my party but my waitress didn't seem to care. Our pizzas came out at different times, made my pregnant guest walk to get her own water? never refilled, never checked back on everything... With a large party it was a little awkward knowing that half of the table was eating while the rest were watching and wondering where the rest of the food was out. When she dropped off the check she didn't say anything about adding gratuity to the check, and because she didn't want to split the check gave me the impression that she never really cared about my table and was out to make her money. I would come back, manager was real cool, atmosphere was real cool, and music wasn't bad. All in all it was an enjoyable experience and who knows, maybe we just came in on a day where my waitress was having a bad day. read more

Weird people, poor beer selection. Came for a concert - loved the venue (and the music) but the bar was a bit of a vibe killer.

This is my absolute favorite bar in Seattle. The vibe is laid-back, the bartenders are friendly, Kung Fu Grindhouse is the best deal in town, and the bathroom decor makes me laugh every time. Also, I love to touch the fuzzy wallpaper. It tends to be pretty empty early in the evening, so bring a friend if you don't want to stand around desperately checking your text messages and looking awkward. read more

Went and saw a show there and it was pretty cool. It was a little cramped but im kinda weird about crowds anyways. Beer was cold, bartenders were friendly and you gotta love ballard anyway! read more

Great shows, nice front bar. One bad apple at the ticket booth with a power struggle it seemed like. "Not my problem" is what he said when asking if any tickets were available. read more

God damnit, I wish it didn't take a Jupiter year to get to Ballard from my house. Maybe I just look at the place through rose colored glasses, as most tourists tend to do, but man, it's FUN there! There's the hot dog dude, there's the Hazelwood, cupcakes, Archie McPhee, drunk "start a yelling fight with the sky" guy......I could go on and on. Oh yeah, The Sunset! Okay. I've been going there for years. My band has played there three times. I have yet to have a bad experience with the place. Even if the bands suck (which is rare), it still manages to be a good time. The backstage area is huge, they always keep us plied with a ton of beer and water. Jenny, the bartender who puts on all the 4 O'Clock Rock shows is a total baddass and is really nice to me even when I'm slobbering on the bar and making about as much sense as a David Lynch film (which is not rare). I have so many awesome memories, hazy as they may be, of good times at the Sunset. Not so awesome memories of trying to find my way home, though. Anybody got some flyin' shoes?? read more

If your a Woman and drink beer this is not the venue for you. The bathrooms in the concert room are gender/benders. I started to walk in and I saw a man walking out of one of the stalls zipping up his pants. Totally GROSS. There is only one bathroom that has a door and a lock for the entire venue. One bathroom for all those women. I had to go to a bar next door and use their bathroom a couple of times during the night. The music was great, but I need access to a clean, safe bathroom so I won't be going back. read more

I have been here a few times, most memorably, for a couple Lucksmiths shows. While at the time I was thinking man these dudes came all the way from Australia to play at this place. I mean it is not like they don't have a good following up here they could fill up a bigger "nicer" venue but instead they are playing a dive bar that some crappy local band could play at. Then I buy the guitarist a beer and chat with him for a while and I think man this place is fantastic. At this point they run out of glasses and start serving beer and drinks in red plastic cups and I think I am at a frat party and am getting screwed on the amount of beer the cups hold. I start bitching to myself and I take my last glass to see just how much they are screwing me and discover the red plastic cup holds more than pint glass...score! Then the show starts and it is always great, you can get up close to the band everyone is packed in there enjoying themselves and I think if I were on tour from Australia this is the place I would want to play. read more

Disappointment!! I was excited to see what they did with the place. Grant it, it was New Years, so the bartender was probably not in the best of spirits, but I'm no amateur...don't charge me for an extra drink just because I complained that the photo booth conned us out of $5. I have been a regular patron....but I'm not so sure anymore, seems a bit too hipster these days. read more

Great small venue for awesome country bands like the Annie Ford Band and The Ganges River Band.

Hadn't been there since following the Country Rock band "Wildside", back in the late 80s, and half expected the Sunset to look the same while hoping the "sound" would still be there. Sadly, Rock music has taken over and the old ambience has gone missing. A moment of silence, please.... read more

shitty place to see a show. the stage has no separation from the bar so the crowd was noisy as fuck. i guess if you're living in ballard you can afford to pay a $15 cover for a show and then just talk through the whole goddamn thing. this place isnt that special so i dont know why you would go there just to drink and not enjoy the show read more

I went to the Drink for the Kids Finale Show on July 1, 2011, and saw Hot Bodies In Motion, as well as two other bands. The two opening bands weren't bad, one sounded like an MGMT/Arcade Fire hybrid, while the other one blew my eardrums out. Being a benefit show, the crowd was a mix of uber hipsters, older singles, and the random couple that really needed to get a room. The Sunset had select drinks where the money went towards the benefit, as did the ticket money. Although tickets were a pricey $12, we had a great time drinking and listening to some good music on a Friday night. read more

Small, dirty, and takes forever to get a drink. The door person didn't give correct change for my cover, and gave me attitude when I asked for it. I've there about 10 times and haven't had good service. Might be a good place for some, but not for me. I gave it a chance on more than one occasion. Sorry Sunset, but I'll choose to go somewhere else on the strip to see live music. read more

the best bathrooms in seattle!!! The ladies room is pink, and covered with vintage cutouts,does it get any better than that? good drinks,clean bar(and extremely clean bathrooms),friendly bartenders,great view of the stage(very open)and a really relaxed fun vibe...plus they have the best red velvet wallpaper ever! read more

sunset tavern, one of the few old school places left for small indie bands. and now they have awesome pizza!