Showbox at the Market
Venue Type: Club, Performance Theater
- Phone: 206-628-3151
- Hours: Box office: Mon.-Fri. 11AM-6PM
- Neighborhood: Downtown
- Web: http://www.showboxonline.com/
- Booze Details: Full bar
- Parking Details: Street; pay lots
- Age Restriction: 21 and over unless otherwise noted
Showbox at the Market was the original Showbox Theater, opened in 1939 and one of the only existing structures in town that can boast of providing music from jazz all the way to grunge. The storied ballroom has hosted a myriad of legendary performers including Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, the Ramones, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Pearl Jam. The Showbox now has a sister club, Showbox SoDo, but the original performance hall holds its' place in the hearts of Seattleites and remains an active and significant contributor to the city's music scene.
Showbox at the Market Event Calendar
Current Shows at this Venue
Tonight Dark Star Orchestra
Sat 10.11.08 Dark Star Orchestra
Wed 10.15.08 Rabbit Skin Glue
Thu 10.16.08 Pinback
Fri 10.17.08 Stereolab
Sat 10.18.08 Super Diamond
Mon 10.20.08 The Mountain Goats
Wed 10.22.08 The Academy Is...
Thu 10.23.08 Apocalyptica
Fri 10.24.08 Against Me
Sat 10.25.08 Umphrey's McGee
Sun 10.26.08 Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
Tue 10.28.08 Roky Erickson
Wed 10.29.08 Berkeley Heights
Thu 10.30.08 Shudder to Think
Fri 10.31.08 Hollywood Nights Halloween Party
Sat 11.01.08 Roy Kay Trio
Sun 11.02.08 Missy Higgins
Tue 11.04.08 The Stranger's Election Party
Wed 11.05.08 Matt Nathanson
Thu 11.06.08 Mason Jennings
Fri 11.07.08 Galactic w/ Crown City Rockers
Sat 11.08.08 Ozomatli
Sun 11.09.08 Ozomatli
Mon 11.10.08 UnderOath
Tue 11.11.08 The Faint
Thu 11.13.08 Lucinda Williams
Fri 11.14.08 Jaguares
Sat 11.15.08 Keller Williams
Sun 11.16.08 Mickey Avalon
Past Shows at this Venue
Thu 10.09.08 Stars
Wed 10.08.08 Cut Copy
Tue 10.07.08 Liz Phair
Sun 10.05.08 Hip Hop Live! Tour
Sat 10.04.08 Opeth
Fri 10.03.08 Jamie Lidell w/ Janelle Monáe
Thu 10.02.08 MSTRKRFT
Wed 10.01.08 Gavin DeGraw
Mon 09.29.08 Cold War Kids
Sat 09.27.08 Freshly Dipped Tour
Wed 09.24.08 Tango Alpha Tango
Tue 09.23.08 Children of Bodom
Mon 09.22.08 Laibach
Sun 09.21.08 Stereophonics
Fri 09.19.08 Toadies
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Showbox at the Market
1426 First Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
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User Comments and Reviews
1 Comment. Add Your Comments
Showbox at the Market
Club; Performance Theater
Comment by: Shilo Urban
Show me the Showbox
Everyone in Seattle has heard of the Showbox and most have been to the performance hall by Pike Place Market to see a show by someone or other. The only venue of its size in Seattle, the Showbox routinely hosts big names and bigger crowds, despite the ridiculous nature of parking around First Avenue. I don't even waste time looking for a free space anymore; there are rumors of drivers with leprechaunish luck finding spots on the street after another car has pulled out but I chalk that up there with other Seattle urban legends like the light-rail system. Suck it up, though, because in our city if there is a show worth seeing, whether it is Downtown or Capitol Hill or Pioneer Square, you can be sure that parking will be a nightmare.
Those shows worth seeing are often at the Showbox, even though the sound system is not the best in Seattle. The all-ages venue has a huge dance floor backed by two big bar areas for imbibing and eating. This means you can't bring your drink to the dance floor; however it also means than there are no drinks literally on the dance floor sticking to your shoes. Seats in the bar have great views of the stage, however there are precious few chairs are available compared to the number of patrons. Those who claim them usually camp out all evening, leaving many to just sit at the back of the dance floor (good thing there is no spilled beer). The women's bathrooms are surprisingly messy and extremely dark and belong in a dive bar in Lake City, not in one of Seattle's premier venues.
Despite these few complaints, however, I will always return to the Showbox until its rumored destruction (another Seattle urban legend, I hope). The venue's deep red decor always works on a weekend night, there is room to move on the dance floor, air conditioning, nice bartenders, and a great location. I will be back there however not for the atmosphere itself per se, but for the talented artists who seem to show up at the Showbox on a regular basis. Maybe next time I will take the bus.