Contour

Contour is just alright with me!

Pioneer Square clubs and bars like Contour don't have to be cool or cheap or have any sort of atmosphere to be packed on weekend nights; by the sheer factor of geography these places will always be a hit with the mob, no matter what music pours out their doors. About a block down from the epicenter of Pioneer Square (the cream cheese hot dog cart), Contour is enough removed to slightly sidestep some of the social gamers on the scene but close enough to be a base for serious music lovers out doing the nightly area tour. Continuing its contradictory character is the fact that Contour is mainly a dance club, yet the dance floor is tiny with nary a place to stash your half-full highball or the sweater you just took off in the warm darkness of the room. The bartenders here should be tipped well, they lack the pretense of many hot Seattle intoxicologists and serve drinks without any hint of the I'm-so-so-busy-making-drinks-what-you-want-a-drink-now-too attitude that prevails in many of Seattle's happenin' clubs. Contour is always best on Thursday nights when a variety of ridiculously talented Seattle deejays like Ben Shelton, Jisaan, Awggie, and Derrick Deepvibes spin mad beats and a pure crowd of dancers and music enthusiasts fills the floor, spills out backwards through the bar, and ends up smoking cigarettes on the outside patio, yelling at friends on the bounce. Contour is actually more than alright with me; I contradict myself. I stand corrected but not for long; Thursday night is coming up and it is time to dance.

Happy Hour at Contour is Fantastic

I had only ever been to Contour during the mischievous hours of darkened skies so imagine my surprise when I walked by the 1st Avenue locale around 5PM last week and saw the place PACKED with people lingering over Gruyere mac 'n cheese and sauteed scallops, candlelights twinkling, and the dance floor set with nice little tables- ALMOST romantic, even! The prices are SO LOW I thought the food would surely be total crap, but this was not the case. Everything was delicious! I'm not sure about the recent remodel of Contour which looks a little half-baked, but it doesn't matter- happy hour at this dance club rocks! I will be back.