Location: Downtown
Top Things to do in Downtown
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Top 10 Concerts & Shows in Downtown, Washington (WA)
In Seattle you simply can’t skip the Central Public Library – a modern architectural marvel of glass grids, unusual shapes, and a “book spiral” that climbs four stories. Stroll over to Pike Place Market to visit the original Starbucks and play catch with a fishmonger. In the heart of the city lies Chihuly Garden and Glass, which will dazzle you with its colorful and delicate works. Glide to the top of the Space Needle for panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges and Puget Sound.
Restaurants in Seattle
1. Benaroya Hall
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 520 reviews
The new home of the Seattle Symphony.
Reviewed By Rumples - Tucson, United States
We spend a few months each year, living in Seattle, and Benaroya Hall is one of our favorite places to go. Home to the Seattle Symphony, this Downtown building also hosts other groups in both its 2,479-seat S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium and the 536-seat Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. I can attest to the fact that the Auditorium offers excellent acoustics, superb sight lines and comfortable seats. But our most recent visit in November took us to the Recital Hall for a performance by Casa Pata Flamenco from Spain. The Recital Hall offers the same features as the Auditorium but in a more intimate setting on the second floor. The show, titled "Raiz de 4," featured two dancers, a guitarist and a percussionist. All proved to be superb, especially the male dancer, Rafael Peral. I have never seen such footwork, even in Spain, where I lived for a while and often went to flamenco performances. This production was typical of the consistently excellent offerings that I have attended at Benaroya Hall. But performances and lectures by notables are not the only draws at the Hall. The modern structure, which opened in 1998, holds some outstanding artwork. My favorite is "Crystal Cascade," a sculpture by glass artist Dale Chihuly, which consists of two 3-ton chandeliers, each suspended from opposite ends of the block-long corridor at the front of the building. Visitors can enter this section of Benaroya Hall to see Chihuly's work or stop at a coffee kiosk whenever the building is open. They can also take one of the infrequent, free public tours of the Hall, which present an opportunity to see some of the other artwork without attending a performance. With so many changes in Seattle because of COVID-19, however, I recommend checking on-line or calling to learn if there are restrictions in effect for entering the building. Though many parking garages exist nearby, we never take our car Downtown, because of heavy traffic. Buses stop directly in front of the building and Sound Transit light rail has a stop below the Hall at University Street Station. Restaurants abound close-by. I especially like Wild Ginger, which specializes in Southeast Asian cuisine, and is located next door at 3rd and Union.
2. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
This jazz club has been in Seattle for many years and features the best jazz, locally and nationally.
Reviewed By diponkarbanerjee - West Vancouver, Canada
My son, 8 year old grandson and I drove all the way from West Vancouver to Seattle to attend a concert featuring the 14 year old prodigy, Joey Alexander, playing piano in a trio combo (and quartet for some numbers). Joey was outstanding, showing a very mature repertoire and incredible technique, with complex voicing. I can't imagine how much better he could be be when he is an adult pianist. The acoustics were great and the food in the venue above average for a jazz club. We will be back.
3. Seattle Symphony
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Take a break and take in some Bach or Berlioz here.
Reviewed By LascassasTraveler - Lascassas, United States
Beautiful venue. Great acoustics. Wonderful evening of spectacular music. Audience needed symphony manners. Man over 65 behind me let his phone ring (and ring and ring) for over a minute. Even after people turned to look at him. His wife kept kicking my chair and as a result, my back. Repeatedly. Thankfully, I was able to change chairs at intermission. People in front of me talking over the music when they weren't making out. An employee had to come talk to them. It was a shame, because it marred what would have been a perfect symphony experience. Ironically, I had a 5-6 year old sitting next to me whose manners were perfect!! Cudos to her dad who accompanied her!
4. The Pink Door
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 227 reviews
Reviewed By PaulB11272 - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
What a super cool place! Arrived on a long flight from LHR and searched around to see nice places to jump and get a dinner before trying to deal with the jet lag... Stumbled upon this place! Opened the pink door and walked down the steps into a bustling chatty cool bohemian restaurant. Food and staff are awesome, it’s not fine dining but local excellent food with a nice vibe. Oh and check out the impromptu ceiling acrobats and small amateur dramatic productions without warning in the middle of the evening!
5. Market Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
For 34 years Unexpected Productions has focused on the art of storytelling in its work, taking suggestions from the audience & weaving them into stories & scenes. The audience is always part of the story. We ten perform 10 shows a week and are the home of the most established improv school and corporate training program in the Puget Sound. We are consistently voted Best Live Comedy in Western Washington, we are the heart of improv in the Puget Sound. Our International Festival of Improv, now in its 20th year, has brought improvisers from around the world to Seattle. After the festival, they bring back to their, homes styles & knowledge that they learned at Unexpected Productions. From our home at the Market Theater in Seattle's Historic Pike Place Market, Unexpected Productions has ten shows a week & has created well over 150 original shows. They also Seattle TheatreSports, the first in the United States, & Seattle's longest running show, ever.
6. Fado Seattle
7. Tula's
8. The Central Saloon
9. Showbox
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By danhD3933HL - Sioux City, United States
Great place to view a concert. Good sight lines, Lots of energy in the crowd. Good seats, excellent sound. Drink prices reasonable for a club. All the staff were personable and helpful. We’d come back again to see a group we liked!
10. Kells Irish Pub
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By Samsonite_0 - Santa Rosa, United States
If your in the mood for a good draft beer or cider (exclusively made from Kells), then it’s the perfect Irish bar for you. If you want a good aged Irish whiskey or Scotch, they definitely won’t disappoint. Outside seating on a nice summer day, 100% non-disappointing. Try it out! A hop and skip away from Pike Market, so have a seat and take a load off.....
