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Best Nightlife in Seattle (2026)

Seattle's music history is a big part of its nightlife. The Showbox, opened in 1939 across from Pike Place Market, and The Crocodile, which first opened in 1991 and is now on First Avenue in Belltown, have both hosted bands that shaped the city's sound, and both still put on touring acts. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, family owned since 1980, is a supper club where every seat is within 50 feet of the stage, and its artists often play several nights in a row.

For cocktails, Zig Zag Café on the Pike Street Hillclimb helped revive the Last Word and has live jazz from Sunday to Wednesday, while Canon in Capitol Hill holds a spirits collection of more than 4,000 labels and has appeared on lists of the world's best bars. Capitol Hill is the busiest area for a night out, and Unicorn on East Pike Street adds carnival-themed fun, arcade games and late food. Bars in Washington are strictly 21 and over, and visitors from outside the United States should carry a passport as ID. Book tickets for concerts and Jazz Alley shows in advance, and note that some bars limit group sizes or do not take reservations.

6 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 nightlife in Seattle

  1. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley Jazz club and supper club, BelltownFamily owned and operated since 1980, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley is a Seattle jazz supper club hosting touring artists, with its own dining menu.
  2. The Crocodile Live music venue, BelltownFirst opened in 1991, The Crocodile is Belltown's independent live music venue, now on First Avenue with a 750-capacity showroom, smaller rooms and hotel rooms upstairs.
  3. The Showbox Historic concert hall, Pike Place MarketOpened in 1939 opposite Pike Place Market, The Showbox is a landmark concert hall for about 1,150 people that has hosted acts from Duke Ellington to Pearl Jam.

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2. The Crocodile

Live music venue$$Belltown

First opened in 1991, The Crocodile is Belltown's independent live music venue, now on First Avenue with a 750-capacity showroom, smaller rooms and hotel rooms upstairs.

View details — The Crocodile

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3. The Showbox

Historic concert hall$$Pike Place Market

Opened in 1939 opposite Pike Place Market, The Showbox is a landmark concert hall for about 1,150 people that has hosted acts from Duke Ellington to Pearl Jam.

View details — The Showbox

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4. Zig Zag Café

Cocktail bar$$$Pike Place Market

Tucked below Pike Place Market on the Pike Street Hillclimb, Zig Zag Café is a cocktail bar known for helping to revive the classic Last Word cocktail.

View details — Zig Zag Café

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5. Canon

Whiskey and cocktail bar$$$$Capitol Hill

A small Capitol Hill bar and restaurant, Canon has a spirits collection of over 4,000 labels and has appeared on international lists of the world's best bars.

View details — Canon

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6. Unicorn

Carnival-themed bar and arcade$$Capitol Hill

Unicorn and its basement bar Narwhal are two carnival-themed bars on East Pike Street in Capitol Hill, with arcade games, bar food and weekly events.

View details — Unicorn