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.
Address: 5213 Ballard Avenue NW, Seattle, WA 98107
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.
Nectar Lounge on N 36th has run as Seattle's largest indoor and outdoor music venue since 2004, with two floors, three bars and a covered patio in the heart of Fremont.
Tip: Doors Monday through Sunday from 20:00 to 02:00. Tickets via Showclix; the outdoor patio runs year round with heaters and cover.
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.
The Triple Door on Union Street is the 250 seat dinner theater across from Benaroya Hall, with table service, an Asian small plates menu and bookings across jazz, soul, world and cabaret.
Tip: Reserve a table at booking; the Mainstage runs two sets nightly with seated dining. Musicquarium Lounge in the lobby is free.
The Nest at the Thompson Seattle hovers above Stewart Street with 360 degree views of Elliott Bay and the Olympics, a geodesic Rain Drop dome and seasonal couches around fireplaces.
Tip: 21 plus, cashless. Check in with the host downstairs at the hotel lobby for the elevator key. Happy hour 16:00 to 17:00 and 21:00 to 22:00 Sun to Thu.
Smith Tower Observatory Bar sits 35 floors above Pioneer Square inside the 1914 Smith Tower, with a speakeasy era cocktail program on the wraparound observation deck.
Tip: Admission ticket includes entry to the observation deck plus the bar. Reserve via the Smith Tower site; the deck is open 360 degrees in good weather.
Frolik on the 5th floor of the Motif Seattle is the largest year round rooftop in downtown, with a 4,000 square foot terrace, fire pit bars, ping pong and curling lanes in winter.
Tip: Igloos and curling open from November. Walk in friendly weekdays; reserve via OpenTable for weekend brunch and Thursday to Saturday evenings.