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Comet Tavern
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 12 pm - 2 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
77 reviews for Comet Tavern
Review Highlights
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"Great locals, good tenders, and good bands." In 19 reviews -
"It's a great venue to listen to some great music." In 4 reviews -
"...I'd definitely be there during happy hour--unreal prices." In 3 reviews
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77 reviews in English
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Review from Steven B.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 4/5/2012
Great for honey tonkin' to The Ganges River Band!
1 Previous Review:
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10/6/2010
i love this bar.. smallish but, with a good sound.. great place for live music and cheap beers..
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Review from Michelangelo S.
Seattle, WA
"GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!" It's A COMET!
[Grab your PBR and run for your life...to the STAGE!]
SITREP
I LOVE this place!!! So I must give my warning: "DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!" NO. That is not a command with the KLAXON HORN alert indicating that a SUB is SUBMERGING, but rather the heads-up that we have entered the "DIVE BAR" ZONE
And in all fairness, the first question you might ask yourselves - or more likely, your FRIENDS will ask you - "How the hell did we end up here?!?" I don't know. It could have been a NUMBER of reasons:
* Perhaps the reservation list at TANGO or TABLE 219 tapped out and you couldn't get in...? (I look perturbed at my roommate...)
* Maybe there was too long of a line at NEIGHBORS DISCO...? (okay....maybe this ISN'T so bad......)...?
* Or your friends did not get you in on the guest list at THE MERCURY.... (dagnapit! The worlds gonna end now....IN THE BLAZE OF A COMET!)
THE SET-UP
Whatever the reason, THE COMET is like that #2 (or #3 OR #4) choice... waiting for you to notice it. To give it a glance. To walk over and hear you say with candid (desperate) certainty, "Hey Baby, my plans sorta kinda fell thru, and I noticed you standing here. Mind if I hang with you?"
And with a fluttering eyelash and winsome smooch, you are in the door, taking in the grime, the wood, the surly security, but the genuinely fun crowd and kick-ass music! So the COMET truly becomes the delicious lemonade when all you thought you had were some sour lemons....a stale lime.... and some other truly bad citrus).
THE MUSIC
And WHAT a delicious dirty, divy, deviant setting to listen to hungry bands and wailing rock songs! And all the while whettin your whistle with stalwart beer PBR....in the freakin can! Hahaha! It doesn't get any better (worse?) than this!
The band line-ups are great. Each night I spend here I don't get disappointed listening to mainly new music from artists who are REALLY striking out to make an impression.
And the enthusiastic audience always admires the energetic output of a sincere performer.
SERENDIPITY
One night I was here, I actually ran into (and, YES, hung out with) RACHEL HAYWIRE of all people - that extremely talented promoter of self promotion and internet-music babe. I hear what my friends have to say about her music-promotions and album-releases, but for the record, I had a blast trading quips and PBRs with the spriteful little vixen! (In fact that whole weekend was full of "Rachel" sightings...at the Rebar, Noc Noc, Pioneer Square, giving me a ride home...yeah...TOTALLY random crap...)
But that's the COMET for ya: Great music. Awesome drinks. Cheap Girls... (wait.....wait..... "Awesome Music. Cheap Drinks. Great Girls...?" Naw, right the first time), Great music, Awesome drinks, and Cheap Girls! Woo!
THE LOWDOWN
"For a good time, call"....no no no....JUST SHOW UP! They'll love you for it! And you'll love them for it! -
Review from Thai D.
1/5/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I really like this spot. Cheap beer, cheap cover for some decent local bands, and a nice divey atmosphere. I like the new stage they put it in, it doesn't lose the intamcy that they had before with the band on the floor, and it's easier to see the bands now too. You can't really have a bad time here, no matter how bad the bands are (and usually, they aren't that bad).
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Review from Clover A.
3/3/2011 3 Check-ins Here
How can I not give the Comet my full and undivided love in the form of 5 stars? I can't is the answer.
In total, I have spent more time in this bar than any other. While the majority of that was over 20 years ago, it doesn't matter. Some of my best - and some not so good as well- memories are set right here, with the tables deeply etched with our ramblings, the walls echoing with the music du jour, the floor sticky with spilled pitchers of cheap beer and the bathrooms telling all the secrets of the world.
I love you, Comet.Listed in: These are a few of my favorite…, Capitol Hill - MY WAY
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Review from Kristine H.
Seattle, WA
9/19/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I would strike the "y" from "Dive-y"... this place is straight up, unrepentant dive bar and it does it right. They offer a Happy Hour that lasts seven hours. Stop and let that sink in... for SEVEN hours, you can spend a fin for a PBR and a shot, enjoy some free pool or darts and a buck for coffee. After that, the prices raise a little and the live music begins. The live music is why you come to The Comet and its what has helped this place endure. For a scant cover, you can enjoy a diverse blend of bands.
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Review from Morgan L.
4/25/2011
I have only been to the Comet for two reasons: shows and capitol hill block party.
Seems like all types and ages roll through here. 4 stars describes it well. -
Review from JC D.
3/19/2011
This nasty, sticky dive bar ROCKS!
It's a place you hesitate to enter for fear of leaving with an STD. Relax, take a deep breath and let the sweaty nectar penetrate you.
Chill vibe, the bartenders are cool, beer selection on tap and great bands playing. 'Nuff said! -
Review from Chris G.
Seattle, WA
12/18/2011
This place blows. $8 for crappy bands, and they want to charge people even though they're already in the bar? No thanks. This place needs new management.
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Review from cathie joy y.
Portland, OR
10/6/2011
Repeating the obvious and often said : the comet is a Dive - a Dive of the highest order. I have only been there once (I live in PDX), but if last night is an accurate example then yes - their band line ups are stellar. You know what else is stellar? The sound. Seriously - who would ever expect a pit like this to have a sound man who makes the bands sound their absolute ass kicking best? Clarity and sharpness rules without being too loud. And the heavenly scent of frying onions and dogs wafting in from the Comet Dog food cart adds to the low brow ambiance. I did not indulge but my cohorts claimed they were delicious.
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Review from Nancy B.
Slickpoo, ID
Updated - 6/30/2008
At the close of Mama's Big Night Out, Ms. Mel and I were drawn across the street from Moe Bar into the presence of The Comet, AKA The Vomit, AKA DLight's Living Room for the whole of the 90s.
The seductive sounds of a Fugazi cover beckoning, we stood at the threshold.
Me: Dare I enter?
Mel: How can they possibly remember?
Me: Oh, they remember....fuck it. Let's go.
No one BEHIND the bar to remember me - but plenty sitting at the end.
Mike, Chris, Don: THERE'S OUR GIRL!!! Where the fuck have you been?
Me: Sober!
Wow. 7 years later. Wow.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/2/2007
This was my living room for 11 years or so. I was 86'd from here. That was my cue to quit… Read more »
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Review from mel r.
Emeryville, CA
7/8/2008
I thought I heard Fugazi...I had to investigate...HAD TO
I start peering through the door, but the crowd keeps me from viewing the band. So I flash my best "I'll eat you alive" smile and puff up the love muffins towards the door man and gain admittance. Come on, with these Bea Arthur good looks, who could say no? Although, it probably helped that it was 12:30am, the door man was bored and the actual band-Das Llamas, was almost done with their set.
The Comet is like the independent coffee houses/bars and old punk venues of my spent youth. The types of places where the sound is awful, the drinks are strong, you're exchanging unwanted fluids of fellow patrons cause it's so crowded and you could literally smell the band's Jack Daniels ingested breath cause they're that fucking close to you. On the plus side, it gives you great people watching of the crusties, dusties and smelly hipsters. "Here pretty pretty hipster...let momma feed you a big mac to fill out your 13 year old sister's jeans". -
Review from Scott K.
8/6/2008
You ever have a secret about a place that you can't tell people or the secret will go away?
The comet has a secret thing about it and I can't tell you... ever... because I don't want to see it go away. I'm going to challenge you to figure out what that secret is, and then get back to me! The winner gets a date with Tad Hamilton!
That said... the Comet is a great small band venue for bands that ROCK!. There's no soft jazz or Um-pa music at this place, but good old fashioned Seattle Rock and Roll! This place is slowly becoming an institution! I might even dare to say that it could fill the Crock hole if someone out there had more then a little ambition!
It's certainly got a better location!
Dirty in a good way. -
Review from Zach G.
Portland, OR
2/14/2007
If you have to see a show here, well, then you have to.
But don't come in here for any other reason. Case in point:
I'm seeing a show at Neumo's. The opening act is a real loser, so we duck out to grab a drink at the nearest next place: The Comet. Dude behind the bar is not cool, he's not a hipster; he's more of a fat headed fratboy, but he's got massive attitude and proceeds to ignore the shit out of us. We get an order in, two gin and tonics. The drinks come, and they are approximately 99.96% pure.... tonic water. I've never had a drink so weak in my life. He won't tell us the price, and he never again looks our way. The bar is almost entirely empty, but bighead the bartender is busy chatting up a cute girl who appears to be there with a date of her own. Finally after I shout at him for the second or third time I get him to tell us how much we're down for our shitty drinks, and pay him.
The good news was, we got back to Neumo's just as the opener left the stage, and we got a pretty decent spot for the headliner. So, I give the Comet its one star for being close enough to Neumo's that we didn't miss the show.Listed in: Places I can stumble home from
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Review from Melissa F.
Bellevue, WA
12/14/2010
I love this place, and I'm not sure I can explain why. It's the perfect dive bar. You've got the sticky chairs and tables, local rock band noise pouring out the windows, and slightly unkempt grunge-ish people littered all over. Generally the people are friendly - it's the kind of place that you can strike up a conversation with almost anybody.
I have several friends who play here regularly and I always have a great time.
...And for some reason, unbeknownst to me, someone almost always has some Dick's burgers and fries. Make friends with this person. He/she will most certainly share.
:) -
Review from kat s.
Seattle, WA
6/22/2009
If your bar looks like a dive, is covered in spilled beer and your doorman can't look up from texting to check ID's, where do you get off charging $15.50 for a pitcher of Manny's?
Dive bar with yuppie prices; the old time alcoholics are being replaced with a new generation of trust-afarians. It was cheap and charming 4 years ago before they started serving hard alcohol and taking credit cards. Now you get the same crap for twice the price.
Unfortunately I can't hate on your booking agent and the hot lady bartender, but I loathe when I want to see bands preform here since it has the dive charm at way too high prices. Good sound engineering however. -
Review from Lanny B.
Spokane, WA
9/7/2009
As my new home base for benders, I am obligated to tell everyone how much I love the comet. The comet is like home. You vow never to go back, sometimes they kick you out, you love everyone there, you know everyone there, sometimes you get into fights, sometimes it's filthy, sometimes you eat a hot dog outside and spill it all over your christian louboutin shoes...
no? That's just me?
I love this bar. I always feel safe here. The male regulars are the best kinds. I love them. They're all amazing. The bartenders are wonderful. This place is home and they're all family. -
Review from Claire T.
Seattle, WA
1/19/2007
Four stars for the memories and for the sweet bartenders, but if I were granting stars based on recent experiences here I'd probably dole out a few less. As you probably know, the Comet recently came under new ownership, and consequently gained a credit card machine, some hard liquor and a new paint job on the walls - all of which I could really care less about. I guess my real question is this: If you can afford to put a fancy jukebox full of crappy NOW cds on the wall, why the fuck can't you get around to fixing the girls bathroom? For the last six months, there's only been one working stall at a time, which is infuriating every single time.
Also, I really miss karaoke Wednesdays.
But this is a great place to join a football pool.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Xav V.
7/18/2008
I give this place four stars for the following reason:
$2.50 for a bottle of hard cider, I have never paid less then $3.75 at a bar for cider up until now. This made me a very happy girl!
I have yet to see a band here that I didn't at least enjoy a little. I like the level of lighting in the space. Having the band right at our feet (and sometimes milling around us) is how I like to be served with rock. The bathroom is a bit on the gross side, but I've come to expect that at most clubs/bars. It's certainly not the nastiest I've ever had the (dis)pleasure of using.
I like the Comet more than most of the spots in this area and will be back for more debauchery and cider soon!Listed in: Where I be: Capitol Hill…
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Review from Bryan K.
Seattle, WA
3/23/2009
Through the thick and thin of Capitol Hill's ever changing face, The Comet remains constant. The archetype of what Capitol Hill used to represent, it's a place that's a little dingy but with the distinction of being purely about the music. It's a place for local bands and traveling bands alike to sound their up and coming creations to this music loving city.
The Comet doesn't try to make itself seem better than it is or something that it's not. It's a dive bar that books a lot of really good music, and for that, you have my respect. -
Review from Rebecca B.
Seattle, WA
7/30/2007
I used to think that strong drinks were what I wanted. Now that I'm a little older, a little wiser, and still a wuss when it comes to the taste of liquor, I appreciate mixers. Hell, if I didn't want any tonic, I would have just ordered a vodka and vodka. But, alas, I ordered a vodka tonic and got a shit ton of vodka and a weeee bit of tonic. Maybe 4 drops.
I should preface by saying that this is during the Capitol Hill Block party. I'm sure most rules go out the window when you have masses of people coming in and out. Not to mention high pressured water guns being utilized in the bar.
This place also seemed quite dirty. I'm not sure what it is like at night, but during the day, things can be seen in a much better light. It's not pretty.
Thank god I didn't have to use the bathroom.
Cool tattoos though, ladies. You inspire me. Or maybe I was just drunk. -
Review from Michael M.
Seattle, WA
7/27/2006
This place is great.
I love this place now and I've loved it for years.
Years ago - when this place was more like my living room than a bar - if you could scrounge up enough $$ for a schooner, you'd be set up all night. This place was quite happenin'. Especially on Tues. Lord, I have no idea why.
Now, you can see bands play where they used to have a dartboard. I can safely say I never saw a single person ever play darts there. But that's great! -
Review from Angelina L.
Lynnwood, WA
5/9/2009
Flashback 20 plus years ago to my younger days of the punk mash pits and the alternative / goth way of life and you will have arrived at places similar to The Comet.
With $3 tall cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon beers, painted red & brick walls and toilet paper "spit balls" covering the bathroom ceiling this is definitely not the place for you to go unless you like the dive bar scene and are not needing to place a napkin where you sit in fear of what you may sit in...
Why go???
The music, plain and simple. $6 cover charge and bands that range anywhere from being reminiscent of vintage David Bowie, a Black Sabbath tribute band, Seattle Grunge to Classic Punk... It's a great venue to listen to some great music.Listed in: Dance / Music Venues /…, Capital Hill / First Hill /…
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Review from J H.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2006
It's kinda dirty, they only take cash, and I guess that the pool table doesn't work (this would explain the dudes using it to read newspapers).
That being said, where else can you enjoy a band from a couple feet away, standing face to face with the singer? That's awesome. Grab a pitcher and enjoy. -
Review from Josephine M.
Seattle, WA
10/31/2007
I do love a bar with lots of character, and bartenders that actually pour my whisky and cokes with an acceptable ratio. If I wanted a soda, I'd order a soda. When I order booze, I want to bloody well taste it, and strongly. I know many others out there may not appreciate that, and prefer to cover up their booze. But, if like me, you like your drinks properly strong, this is a good place to go see a show. Normally I have to tip really well for one or two nights before my drinks consistantly arrive this strong.
Nice.
A great, quality dive, that I will definitely check out again. -
Review from Marianne G.
6/9/2008
This place has been called the Seattle CBGB's and it certainly is - though maybe a little cleaner.
If you like your punk rawk hard and your bars raunchy, this is the place.
There are no small plates, no microbrews (that I could find), no gastropub fare, no shoegazer tolerance, no air freshener in the bathrooms, etc etc - and I like it.
It is what it is and makes no apologies.
Most of the music that comes through here is darn good ... but use your discretion because "different strokes for different folks" and sometimes the Comet strokes until it bruises. Some like it rough.
There is a really great grunge/garage revival thing going on here, and great psych/genre unnamed??!! bands come through here on tour.
The smell of bleach outside this place can be kind of overwhelming. So can the hot dog stand perched on the corner right outside - you might get sucked in. You are guaranteed to make at least one bad lifestyle choice in a night out here.Listed in: My Neighborhood, The Places I Go Out
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Review from cathy g.
Seattle, WA
3/27/2010
Everyone has already said it, "dirty, crowded, loud."
One of th einfamous "cool" places which one must have visited a few times in their years as a Seattle-ite. -
Review from Timmmaahh W.
Seattle, WA
2/14/2009
Previously I would have given the Comet a good review. Please note the word "previously". Never again will i set foot in that piece of crap. I would urge you to check your bill after going there. I went there the other night, during happy hour. I later found that they charged me $30 for two pitchers of beer. F'in $30! I mean if it were some posh yuppy bar I could understand getting stiffed. It clearly isn't and I am not some tourist asshole so WTF!!
Usually I love dive bars. I used to love the Comet. Not any more.
NEVER AGAIN, buyer beware. -
Review from nathan r.
3/30/2010
"What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings' courts. What then did you go out to see?"
Haven't ever started off a review quoting Jesus- but it seems fitting for my review of The Comet. What did you go out to see? A douchey yuppie bar on the Hill? No. You didn't- and it isn't. The Comet is one of the last standing great dive bars on the hill that still have the blood and sweat of the 80s and 90s bands who played there...literally. It's as divey as it gets without making you wanna itch all over. Great locals, good tenders, and good bands. Come to the Comet- find freedom, in a vaporous city. -
Review from Gene B.
6/26/2011
Lest Capital Hill get too gentrified, I hope that The Comet always remains where it's at. Whether you like it here is going to depend a whole lot on how much you enjoy who's playing. It's an OK venue, but they do get a lot of newer bands coming through. Limited full bar, but c'mon you should be drinking pounders of PBR or Rainier here!
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Review from Manda B.
Seattle, WA
8/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you're looking for a friendly, non-douchebag zone of dive bar then this is your place. They've got pretty good beers on tap, but I noticed that most of what I assume are regulars were drinking bud from the bottle. My bartender was very friendly and talked to me like I was a regular even though I never stepped foot into the place before, it's $4 for the beers on tap and $2.50 for bud bottles. Important to note that if you're using a credit card there's a $10 minimum, but there's also an ATM inside the bar. It's also pretty damn warm in there. Two tvs, didn't see a jukebox. The regulars seem to be nice, I would go back again for sure. If you run out of seating at the bar, there's lots of room at tables. Oh, and look up at the ceiling, I still can't figure out why there's dollar bills pinned up there.
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Review from Andrew F.
San Francisco, CA
12/6/2006
Okay, the pool tables may be garbage, but they're available, and they're only 50 cents. I would rather play on their shitty table than have to challenge some pool master for a table at Linda's.
I give this bar 5 stars because I don't go there for quality and a perfectly smooth pool table, I go there when I'm drunk and I want to spill beer.
Plus they will play entire albums on the stereo, which I feel is awesome. -
Review from Nathan R.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2010
A dirty bar filled with dirty people.
The bartenders are as douchey and egotistical as would be expected in Seattle.
When there is a show there is always more people than can fit on the stage floor area, which leaves 30-40 people who can't see the act even though they payed a cover to get in. -
Review from wesh w.
Seattle, WA
7/5/2011 9 Check-ins Here
Cheap, sleepy, skanky pub by day; cheap, skanky, loud-ass pub by night. I'll buy a drink for anyone who can identify my $1 on the ceiling.
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Review from Michele M.
Seattle, WA
3/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Cider in the bottle. Good beer on tap. Decent sound system & in house sound engineer. Brick building with a wood ceiling & floor so the acoustics are above average. Friendly staff. I've used the boys bathroom here before when the que for the ladies was too long... No one cares. Definitely worth seeing your top local bands here!
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Review from Sara M.
Seattle, WA
7/27/2011
Dive bar, dive bar, dive bar. I'm always up for trying new bars in the area, but Comet is one of the few I regret going to. It really needs some maintenance work and someone to clean up a bit more often. The beer selection is poor, but I guess that's what you get for the cheap price of everything there. I stayed for about twenty minutes and then went home to take a shower. Not my thing.
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Review from Lily S.
4/24/2009
Or as it's affectionately known as: The Vomit.
The Comet is a TOTAL dive bar, but there's something happy about it. It's dank & smells like onions from the hot dog stand that's next door, but when I look around @ the people dancing to the music, I see nothing but happy faces.
Or really REALLY drunk faces.
Inevitably every time I'm there, some drunk dude (or girl) either falls over or into me and I wind up having to hoist them up and pass them onto their friends, who are usually equally as loaded. I think it's become a staple for me there.
But that won't stop me from going to see good music for cheap ass prices.
Hmmm...maybe I should get some body armour for the next visit. -
Review from Chet F.
11/19/2009 2 Check-ins Here
This place reminds me of college.
Dirty dive, loud, cheap beers and wells, graffiti covered walls in the bathroom and money covering the ceiling. Good place to see local bands, super loud, and usually new in the music scene.
Cover is cheap, live music, and cheap drinks, and a sweet neon sign. Party on Garth! -
Review from Tonya H.
Seattle, WA
2/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Petty Party!! I went to see them and they were just as great as my first time in Ballard. I met a few friends, had a double of Sailor Jerry with coke for $14. The second time it was $12. Ok, whatever. Good times, great friends, great music and a great venue. I'll be back again and I parked in front of this busy tavern. Lucky night for me even though I went home alone. =)
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Review from Steve R.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2007
It's a decent enough dive bar, ok selection of taps but pretty average. The reason it doesn't get another star is due to the collection of knobs that made up the clientele when I was there. Jeezus it's like they thought they were LA elite or something. The funny thing was that when you really drilled into it with them, for all their pride in being 'locals' half of them came from Indianapolis or some other such place.
Christ it's a dive bar, not an elite social club. Get over it. Of course, that's not the bar's fault, but being from Chicago I just am not used to that kind of BS. -
Review from Wil H.
Seattle, WA
5/24/2011 12 photos
A bit of a funky place, pool tables, wooden booths, chairs on walls, Kingdome tiles and dollar bills on the ceiling... My friends in Chelsea Speed Party were playing here, I was shooting photos for them and we all had a great time... Definitely a great venue for hard rock acts...
