Seattle’s Nightlife: Top Ten Emerald City Nightclubs
Going to a nightclub on Friday or Saturday evening (or any day of the week for that matter) can be a lot of fun. It’s a great way to blow off some steam and meet new people.
If you frequent Seattle’s club scene you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you’re new to the area, or you’ve just started going to nightclubs, we’d like to pass along a few pearls of wisdom that will hopefully make your experience much more enjoyable.
First and foremost, going to a nightclub is expensive. While some establishments are cheaper than others you should expect to spend a fair amount of money when you go out clubbing. This is especially true if you go to hotspots in Belltown or Downtown.
Expect to hear lots of complaints about the rudeness of nightclub staffs. There are certainly boorish servers out there, but generally the more intoxicated the patron the ruder the staff member. So take complaints about surly bartenders with a grain of salt. Chances are they weren’t being rude they were just dealing with a drunk customer.
Finally, never leave your drink unattended. Sadly, drugging drinks is a phenomenon that occurs at every nightclub, including the ones you’d considered upscale. So, please be careful. We want you to come home safe and sound after your big night on the town.
Below, Seattle Smarts has compiled a list of the city’s top ten nightclubs. While there are dozens of quality clubs, we wanted to create a list that was both diverse and representative of Seattle. Each of our selections offers patrons a true experience of Seattle at night.
Alibi Room
85 Pike Street Ste. 410
206-623-3180
The Alibi Room is located down a cobblestone alley under Pike Place Market. Created and owned by filmmakers, this hip nightclub has a dance floor and bar downstairs and a restaurant upstairs—you have to try their pizza. Thanks to being so close to the vendors of Pike Place Market, the Alibi Room uses only the freshest ingredients.
Contour
807 1st Avenue
206-447-7704
Works by local artists decorate the walls of Contour, one of the most charming nightclubs in the city. This happening place has a wonderful menu and even better cocktails. Top-notch DJs keep guests out on the dance floor. Sometimes, before the beat drops, jazz musicians serenade dining and imbibing patrons. Contour stays open all night on weekends if you and your friends want to get your rage on.
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
2033 6th Avenue (Lenora Street)
206-441 9729
If you’re looking for a change of pace try Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley. It’s the best nightclub in the city for live jazz music. Not only are the acoustics great, but there’s not a bad seat in the house—whether you’re sitting at one of the intimate bistro tables or at one of the stage-hugging banquettes. As the band wails on stage, go ahead and have something to eat; Dimitriou’s menu is delicious.
The Last Supper Club
124 S. Washington
206-748-9975
The Last Supper Club is not just the top nightclub in Seattle, it’s one of the top nightclubs on the West Coast. It’s also gigantic—the club is spread out over three full floors. That means you can dance to live music upstairs or go downstairs and chill out with a refreshing cocktail. The Last Supper Club comes with four bars, several private rooms, and great food.
Noc Noc
1516 2nd Avenue
206-223-1333
Noc Noc is a nightclub with a split personality. During happy hour, it’s a stylish and comfortable lounge with cheap drinks and awesome bar food. Then, when the DJs show up and start spinning their tunes, Noc Noc becomes one of the hottest dance floors in the Emerald City. Regardless of when you visit, Noc Noc’s staff is prompt and super friendly.
Re-Bar
1114 Howell Street
206-223-9873
Most nights, Re-Bar is a dance club where patrons can bust-a-move to disco and hip-hop music. When the DJs aren’t kicking out the jams, Re-Bar hosts cutting edge theater productions and live bands. While all types are welcome, a typical Re-Bar crowd consists of gays, lesbians, and artistic types.
SEE Sound Lounge
115 Blanchard Street
206-374-3733
SEE Sound Lounge is a beautiful club that has two dance floors, bottle service, and on-site catering. This fashionable hot spot is situated in Belltown and attracts DJs from all over the world. Every day from 7pm to 10pm you can get $3 drinks. And don’t forget that every Tuesday is salsa night!
Showbox at the Market
1426 1st Avenue
206-628-3151
The Showbox at the Market is more of a live music venue but we’ve included it in our list because it has a dance floor, cocktails, and Mexican-inspired eats. This art deco landmark is one of Seattle’s coolest places to either hang out or catch a live band. Over the years, the Showbox has hosted a plethora of legends, everyone from Duke Ellington to The Ramones to Dave Matthews.
Trinity Nightclub
111 Yesler Way
206-447-4140
As the name suggests, the Trinity Nightclub offers its patrons three great club experiences. There’s the main room with its huge dance floor and its thumping sound system. Then, in their Asian themed lounge, known as the Card Room, you can enjoy refreshing libations and a satisfying meal. Finally, there’s the ultra hip Blue Room. This cool area with the retro-chic vibe is a combination of the previous two rooms, meaning you can both get a drink and get down on the dance floor.
The Triple Door Theater & Musicquarium Lounge
216 Union Street
206-838-4333
A former 1920s-era vaudeville theater, the Triple Door Theater & Musicquarium Lounge is now an upscale jazz venue that’s both comfortable and inviting. Suits come here after work to grab a cocktail and music lovers come here in the evening to experience great live jazz. While enjoying the tunes, you should try Triple Door’s delectable Southeast Asian menu.