Pioneer Square - love it, hate it, complicated?

[Jiff]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Jiff, you are bringing back memories, remember The Old Timers Cafe? I worked the door there for a spell in my 20s, fun place. J & M can still be fun sometimes, Cowgirls Inc seems to be full of visiting Canadians, can be fun if you don't take it too seriously. Oh, another place I loved back in the day was called Red Sea, on 1st. Anybody else remember that place? Excellent club, live top notch musicians from Jamaica and Africa, pretty reggae heavy.

Don't get me wrong, I love a little EDM now and again, have been known to pop into Foundation or Q nightclub for a fix when a great DJ is in town. My favorite places for music these days are all in the north end: Nectar Lounge in Fremont, the venerable Tractor Tavern in Ballard and the excellent Seamonster in Wallingford. Top notch live music, fun crowds. I'd put Nectar at the top of my list for good vibes, great music, friendly people and good age variety.

You bet I remember the Old Timer's. You might have checked my ID. I recall the bands playing on a balcony. Bruce Springsteen showed up once and jammed with the band. It's a kilt store now. I don't remember Red Sea. Must have been before my time. The one time I went to Cowgirls Inc it reminded me of a sexier rowdier Urban Cowboy reflection with the mechanical bull. Sexier being the girls dancing on the bar.

Used to go to Ballard a lot for music at The Backstage, Sunset, Conor Byrne and Tractor (New Melody before name change). Also Nectar, Crocodile, Owl & Thistle, etc. Now we mostly get our music at local cover band/dance joints, festivals and summer concert venues. I'm tired of the trek and parking hassle to see touring bands at bars in Ballard and elsewhere and not know if you'll have to stand and wait forever for the headliner to finally come on. We'll still go to places with reserved seating and decent hours, like The Moore, Paramount, Triple Door, Neptune, Jazz Alley, etc. Thing is, I've seen just about everyone I want to.

[homesinseattle]

Good memories, how about Paragon and the Romper Room (QA and Lower QA) back in the day in mid 90s? Great spots. Nah, you prolly just weren't a reggae lover, Red Sea was also mid 90s.

[HuskyDawg]

After working in Pioneer Square area I would never want to live there, but everyone has there own preferences. It'll be interesting to see how the viaduct coming down will change this area.

My cons:
Smells like ****, public urination encouraged.
If you leave a car overnight, you might just have a window smashed in the morning.
Aggggggresssive panhandlers. Don't carry cash, and use a debit card, well get ready for some insults/possible threats when you don't offer up some cash.
Those wacky tourists woop wooping it up. Cowgirls Inc. WOOP WOOP
Historic Buildings with Brick are super cool, except in an earthquake.

PROS:
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION- in the heart of the city.
Close to sporting events and concerts.
Old historic bars & good restaurants
Never a dull moment, especially after dark.

[Jiff]

Originally Posted by HuskyDawg

It'll be interesting to see how the viaduct coming down will change this area.

There'll be a lot more traffic. Wouldn't be surprised if the city removes curb parking on 1st and replaces it with bike lanes.

Homesinseattle - I never went to any of those three places. I do like some occasional reggae. Clinton Fearon is the only local reggae guy I've seen. Pretty good.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Good memories, how about Paragon and the Romper Room (QA and Lower QA) back in the day in mid 90s? Great spots. Nah, you prolly just weren't a reggae lover, Red Sea was also mid 90s.

Remember the Bombay Bicycle Shop, in/near Pioneer Square? That was a happening place, for awhile.

[Ira500]

[quote=Ruth4Truth;49442663]Remember the Bombay Bicycle Shop, in/near Pioneer Square? That was a happening place, for awhile.[/QUOT

Absolutely! And Parnell's jazz club.

[JonasW]

Originally Posted by Jiff

There'll be a lot more traffic. Wouldn't be surprised if the city removes curb parking on 1st and replaces it with bike lanes.

Isn't there going to be a dedicated trolley lane on 1st? Figure that will nix anything else.

[DutchessCottonPuff]

I like it when I am on foot . I wish I could afford it . The way my husband and I appear people usually leave us alone ( or they ask us for something in your industry and the like ) most anywhere so I am not afraid . but I think it's a very interesting place . If I am with my 16 yr old I would only be down there during the day .