


The Sunset is a former Chinese restaurant that’s now a fun, divey rock ‘n’ roll bar with live music across all popular genres, a photo booth, and friendly bartenders. Sunset Tavern and Tractor Tavernĭropping in on a quality live music set is easy in central Ballard, with the Sunset and Tractor down the street from each other. In the summertime, Americana, punk, and rock groups play on a covered outdoor stage in the big backyard while happy people lounge at picnic tables. Slim’s has a great country-time roadhouse vibe. Their calendar also features trivia and drag bingo, and many events are all ages! Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole Serving up plenty of traditional American food, weekend brunch, drinks, and rock ‘n’ roll. In 2019 it was granted landmark status by Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board. There’s hardly a bad sight line in the house, it’s got two bars, and the room has the classic charm of an old theater. The Showbox is a great place to see a show, even when it’s sold out. Music booker Tish Gallow also produces tributes to prominent Black musicians, including A Tribe Called Quest, Prince, Queen, Whitney Houston, and more. The Royal RoomĪ wood-bedecked space with great acoustics in Columbia City, the Royal Room made its name on jazz bookings (it is partially the brainchild of musician and composer Wayne Horvitz), but has since expanded into folk, world music, and multimedia events. The entertainment schedule includes comedy shows, weird music, karaoke, variety shows, and burlesque. Its decadent glamor is evident in its restored 1926 Jewelbox Theater, the Red Velvet Lounge, and its downstairs Grotto, thought to be the venue’s original speakeasy.
