Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Heart and Death Cab for Cutie are just a few of the big names that have influenced the Seattle music scene. The arts have always been a thriving and essential part of urban life in the Pacific Northwest’s most populous city, thanks in part to acclaimed museums and exhibitions such as the Seattle Art Museum and the whimsical Chihuly Garden and Glass. But Seattle’s also got something for clients with an edgier aesthetic palate: highly idiosyncratic entertainment venues.
Here are some of the city’s hippest spots for live music, visual art and film.
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
A jazz mecca located in the upscale Belltown district of Seattle, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley regularly bills legendary artists such as Chris Botti and Philip Bailey. In addition, Dimitriou’s hosts nightly jazz performances, so travelers can’t go wrong no matter when they visit.
The Roy Hargrove Quintet plays at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley.
Credit: 2019 Creative Commons user pontemontiThe music venue is also a dining hall, with every table having a view of the stage, so guests can make reservations for a night of great music and Northwest American cuisine.
www.jazzalley.com
Grand Illusion Cinema
The longest-running independent cinema in Seattle, Grand Illusion Cinema is the city’s hub for indie films. Opened in 1968, the movie theater was a pioneer in the art film scene, bringing foreign and revival films to Seattle audiences.
To this day, the cinema shows a mix of Hollywood classics, documentaries and foreign language films. The theater seats 70 guests on red velvet upholstery and evokes an intimate theater-going atmosphere.
www.grandillusioncinema.org
Henry Art Gallery
For more examples of art that’s off the beaten path, look no further than Henry Art Gallery’s collection of contemporary art, photography and textiles.
These spaces immerse guests in multifaceted modern perspectives, with upcoming exhibitions such as In Plain Sight — which spotlights stories from marginalized communities — and These Are Their Stories by Samantha Scherer, watercolors that explore themes of loss and vulnerability.
www.henryart.org
Neumos
With a past lineup that includes local bands as well as the likes of Muse and Adele, Neumos in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is a midsize venue that is regularly filled to capacity. Originally opened as Moe’s Mo’Roc’N Cafe in 1994, the space was relaunched as Neumos (“new Moe’s”) in 2003.
In addition to stellar lighting and sound systems, the hall features three full-service bars and a balcony overlooking the stage. Neumos prides itself on its carefully crafted artist calendar, which runs the gamut in terms of genre, from indie rock to hip-hop to country.
www.neumos.com
The Showbox
Since The Showbox opened in the summer of 1939, this art deco venue near the famous Pike Place Market has been a popular mecca for locals and tourists alike wanting to experience live music by legends. The Showbox has seen — and heard — the jazz of Duke Ellington, grunge hits by Pearl Jam and punk rock by the Ramones.
The historic Showbox has been a fixture of Seattle nightlife since 1939.
Credit: 2019 Creative Commons user davidjleeIn 2007, Showbox SoDo opened in Seattle’s SoDo district, a more spacious venue fashioned from a former warehouse. The music of Kid Rock and Heart have reverberated in this space, whose open floor plan and wood and brick architecture make for a great aesthetic and acoustics.
www.showboxpresents.com
The Rendezvous
For theatrical, vaudeville-style performances as well as live music, head to The Rendezvous, a multipurpose performing arts space in Belltown. It’s made up of the historic Jewelbox Theater, a fantastic live music and film screening venue, and The Grotto, a former underground speakeasy used for comedy shows, poetry slams and author readings.
There’s always something dynamic happening at The Rendezvous, but ongoing events include regular free karaoke nights, monthly burlesques and open mics.
www.therendezvous.rocks
