The Showbox

The Showbox opened on 24 July 1939 as the Showbox Theater, on First Avenue across from Pike Place Market, and it has been one of the city's main concert halls ever since. Over the decades it has had several names, including the Showbox Lounge and the Showbox Comedy and Supper Club, and its stage has seen performers as varied as Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, Gypsy Rose Lee and the Ramones. It also hosted bands that shaped Seattle's own sound, including Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney.

When plans for an apartment tower on the site were announced in 2018, a public campaign to save the venue gathered more than 110,000 signatures, and in July 2019 the city's landmarks board unanimously granted the Showbox landmark status. The venue holds about 1,150 people and is operated by AEG, which also runs the larger Showbox SoDo south of downtown.

The programme is built around touring acts. The autumn 2026 and spring 2027 calendar includes Everclear, Rival Sons, The Damned with Mudhoney, The Wombats and Caroline Rose, which gives an idea of the mix. Most shows start around 8pm. Tickets are sold through AXS, and buying in advance is wise, as popular gigs sell out. Check age restrictions and bag rules on the event listing before you go.

The Showbox suits music fans and groups of friends looking for a classic night out in a historic room. Arrive early if you want a good spot near the stage. Allow a full evening, as most shows have a support act. The venue lists a separate phone line for accessibility questions.

The location could hardly be more central. Pike Place Market is directly across First Avenue, so you can eat in or around the market before the show, and downtown hotels are a short walk away. After the gig, the bars along Post Alley and in Belltown are close by.

Make sure you go to the right venue: the original Showbox is at 1426 1st Avenue, while Showbox SoDo is a separate, larger hall at 1700 1st Avenue South. Check your ticket for the address before you set out.