31. Grand Illusion Cinema
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 523-3935
Address: 1403 NE 50th St. (North)
Description: In a city with a wealth of historic, independent movie houses, the Grand Illusion is possibly the most unique. It’s the longest-running independent cinema in Seattle, opened in 1986 in a converted dentist’s office. It quickly became known as a showcase for art-house, foreign, and revival films, and has always been passionately supported by a group of community volunteers. The Grand Illusion was threatened with closure in 1997, and the Northwest Film Forum swooped in to save it. Seeing a movie here is a true experience; the auditorium is small but exceedingly charming, with an intricate gold ceiling, custom upholstery on the chairs, and red velvet curtains. It tends to show a lot of films that you otherwise may not have ever heard of.
32. Guild 45Th
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 781-5755
Address: 2115 N. 45th St. (North)
Description: This is one of Landmark’s historic cinemas that was originally a theater. Built in 1919, the gorgeous building was the Paramount Theatre in the ’20s and later began showing movies. The Guild still has a great art deco marquee. A second auditorium opened in the ’80s, with a restaurant in between the two theaters. Both theaters have plush stadium seating, a wall-to-wall screen, and 70 mm/Dolby Digital sound capabilities. Francis Ford Coppola has conducted audience test screenings here many times.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Address: 807 E. Roy (Central)
34. Neptune
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 781-5755
Address: 1303 NE 45th St. (North)
Description: This University District cinema was built in 1921 and is one of the last single-screen movie theaters in Seattle. It was completely remodeled in 1994, keeping the nautical theme and upgrading to a top-notch sound system with Dolby and SDDS Digital. The concession stand was actually created by a local boat builder, and the auditorium is lined with heads of the sea god Neptune.
35. Seven Gables
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 781-5755
Address: 911 NE 50th St. (North)
Description: It would be easy to pass this cinema by and never even know it was a movie theater. Built in 1925 as an American Foreign Legion dance hall, it looks more like a looming residential home with its gabled roof. In 1976 it was converted into Landmark Theatres’ first cinema and today offers a mix of independent and foreign films, with an occasional first-run Hollywood hit. Don’t let the cozy home look be deceptive—the Seven Gables is outfitted with all modern features, including Dolby Digital surround sound and stadium seating.
36. Comedy Underground
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 628-0303
Address: 109 S. Washington St. (Central)
Description: With a wide variety of performers and acts, Comedy Underground puts on a show at 8 every night, with a second 10:15 p.m. show on Fri and Sat. Shows on Sun through Thurs are all ages. A full kitchen is available during the show, serving appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and a few other dishes. Open-mic nights and courses in stand-up comedy are also offered. The location can be a bit hard to find and the neighborhood slightly sketchy.
37. Giggles Comedy Club
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 526-5653
Address: 5220 Roosevelt Way NE (North)
Description: Located in the University District, Giggles is open to all ages and serves food as well as drinks from the full-service bar. Performers are national touring comedians as well as local talent, and shows are held on Fri and Sat at 7:30 p.m. Thurs and Sun are open-mic nights at 8:30. It’s a basic place with no frills or gimmicks, just a focus on quality comedy shows. Note that Giggles is a cash-only establishment; an ATM machine is available on the premises.
38. Laff Hole At Chop Suey
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 324-8000
Address: 1325 E. Madison St. (Central)
Description: This comedy club calls itself the “People’s Republic of Komedy” and takes place on the first and third Wed of each month in the Asian-themed Chop Suey nightclub. Laff Hole is an alternative stand-up comedy act with virtually no holds barred, and you never know who may drop in. A couple of years ago, Robin Williams surprised patrons by showing up and laughing heartily at the show—then jumping on stage to perform his own manic, completely improv set.
39. Unexpected Productions
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 587-2414
Address: 1428 Post Alley (Central)
Description: Seattle’s longest-running improv comedy show is housed in the historic Market Theater in Pike Place Market. The production company has performed all over the world, and various shows run Sun through Wed nights. The shows allow all ages, and the company gives them a rating of PG-13. A concessions booth is outside the theater, and a full bar lounge is accessible for those 21 and over. Check out the rather disgusting but somehow intriguing exterior brick wall as you enter the theater, which is covered in thousands of wads of used chewing gum deposited by countless former patrons.
40. Alibi Room
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 623-3180
Address: 85 Pike St., Suite 410 (Central)
Description: This hip, stylish little spot is located under the Pike Place Market and serves a menu of old-fashioned, stiff drinks in a see-and-be-seen kind of atmosphere. On Fri and Sat nights a DJ plays eclectic music, and the dance floor is usually hopping. The Alibi Room is also a hub for Seattle’s arts communities, and regular multimedia events and art exhibits are held.
41. Baltic Room
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 625-4444
Address: 1207 Pine St. (Central)
Description: The Baltic Room is primarily a club for dancing, with a diverse mix of DJs and occasional live artists delivering cutting-edge music. The stylish decor is an homage to the decadent bars of New York and London, with a mix of gritty and elegant. The crowd tends toward a professional thirty-something mix of straight and gay. Just because the Baltic features a DJ most of the time, don’t think it is only dance beats: This lounge can surprise you, with everything from slinky torch singers to world-beat drummers; on the second and fourth Sat each month is Bollywood Bhangra. Check out the loft mezzanine for a bird’s-eye view of the action, with its gorgeous mohair booths.
42. See Sound Lounge
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 374-3733
Address: 115 Blanchard St. (Central)
Description: This Belltown designer lounge is almost always packed after 10 p.m., seemingly with all of Seattle’s beautiful people. The bar front is huge windows that slide open, and the interior walls are covered with waterfalls and television screens running films of deep-sea life. Take a seat on a plush couch in front of a fish tank and sip on your delicious cocktail presented by another of Seattle’s model set. There is a good rotating list of DJs from around the world; if your goal is conversation, See Sound can get very loud. The food is surprisingly good, with a European bistro-style menu; See Sound is a popular weekend brunch spot for locals.
43. Changes Bar & Grill
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 545-8363
Address: 2103 N. 45th St. (North)
Description: Changes provides a comfortable, friendly atmosphere with good service and reasonable prices. One of the longest-running gay bars in Seattle, it is located in the quaint Wallingford neighborhood and hosts a variety of daily specials and events. One of the most popular is the casual karaoke show three nights a week; pool tables, dartboards, and video games are also available. A decent beer selection and full bar are complemented with a menu featuring basics such as burgers and tacos. Even first-timers to Changes are treated like regulars.
44. Elite
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 860-0999
Address: 1520 E. Olive Way (Central)
Description: After closing its doors as the oldest gay bar on Capitol Hill, the Elite reopened in 2007 with its same motto of “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” It’s a friendly place with a pretty big roster of regulars, and a discernable lack of attitude or posturing. Pool tables, darts, a jukebox, and four large HDTVs give the Elite its living room feel.
45. Julia’S On Broadway
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (206) 860-1818
Address: 300 E. Broadway (Central)
Description: Although Julia’s is a full-service restaurant in Capitol Hill, its real draw is the drag show every Fri and Sat night that will keep you laughing the entire time. Tickets aren’t inexpensive, and be aware that each drink ordered during the show will come with an additional service charge. As far as the food, it generally receives very mixed reviews, so my advice would be to eat first or stick to the basics.