The old Scandinavian fishing district turned brewery and oyster-bar belt. Sunday farmers market, Old Ballard Ave restaurants, Reuben's and Stoup taprooms.
The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle's Ballard is Renee Erickson's 2010 oyster room, a wood and marble bar, a chalkboard of 14 oysters. Priced at $$$.
Signature: Oysters on the half shell, Steak tartare, Fried oysters
Order: A flight of Hood Canal and Samish Bay oysters with the steak tartare and rye toast.
Tip: Walk-ins from 17:00 on Tuesday to Thursday; Friday and Saturday line up by 16:45 or take Resy at 16:30.
Tractor Tavern on Ballard Avenue is the Americana, country and indie folk room that runs touring singer songwriter bills out of a 250 capacity brick room in Old Ballard.
Tip: Doors 20:00, show varies by booking. Cash bar in front; the back showroom holds the stage. Buy tickets through the tractor calendar.
The Sunset Tavern on Ballard Avenue runs live music seven nights a week in a vintage red room, with Betty's Room as the front bar and Flying Squirrel Pizza on the menu next door.
Tip: Most shows kick off at 21:00. Cash and card both work; the front bar stays open even when the back room is between sets.
Shibuya HiFi on Leary Avenue is Brian Rauschenbach and Quentin Ertel's purpose built listening lounge with 1976 Klipschorn speakers, a Technics SL 1200G and two to five albums a night.
Tip: Tuesday and Wednesday 18:00-22:00, Thursday to Saturday until midnight, closed Sunday and Monday. $21 listening sessions; reserve via Tock.