Chop Suey

I was planning on seeing a show at Chop Suey the night of my 27^th birthday with some friends, we’d all purchased tickets and I was the last of my friends to get my ID checked. Being from Alaska, my ID is a State of Alaska, non-​expired ID, and I’m aware it gets strange looks from time to time but this time, after scrutinizing it for quite a while, the bouncer pocketed it and told me it was a fake. I was stunned.
He proceeded to tell me I’d have to call the police, and that there was no other manager on duty who could verify it. Seeing as how this was, in fact, my real ID, I wasn’t going anywhere without it. I tried to offer to show my credit cards, any other form of ID, vehicle registration, anything at all to help verify and he was not having any of it. I was about to call the police when at last he gave it back, but still refused to let me in. I wish now that I had called the police, but by that point we were all so fed up that we left, wasting the money spent on tickets.
I tried to get a hold of the management the next day and informed them of what happened. It was an incredibly stressful situation, and more importantly they have a bouncer who can not tell a real ID from a fake one, I felt there should be some sort of closure on this situation, if not a refund for the tickets we were denied to use. I was told that the owners would be in touch with me shortly, but it’s now been two weeks and I’ve gotten no further response.
Looking at some of the other reviews, it seems I’m not alone in the awful interactions with their staff and judging by their non-​response it seems like their management could care less. I know bars tend to fall under a category of their own when it comes to customer service standards, but I would hope that with the legal implications of falsely verifying patrons’ IDs, they would take some sort of action.

Stinky sweat box. No air circulation and a bar that smells like tar which ends up giving me a headache. You look like a dive bar, but charge club prices? Me thinks not.

Booze and booze and booze and booze and music. The first long island iced tea of the night was one of the best I’ve tasted, but the 2^nd and 3^rd tasted like gasoline. Interesting strategy.

One of my favorite local venues. Just big enough to fit a crowd while still being small enough to get a good view of the stage. Since re-​opening there have been several improvements — most notably, the useless area of storage and occasional merch tables has now been utilized to include a fully functioning bar! The bar usually opens around 3 or 4 every day for happy hour. I like to stop by after work on Wednesdays to play Mario Kart with my friends (and the bartender if they aren’t busy).
In terms of a music venue, the sound has always been decent. I remember going to the occasional show back in the day where the stage was hardly lit and you could just barely see shadows of the band on stage. Fortunately that seems to no longer be the case. The staff is always nice enough, particularly for bar-​venue standards. Lots of the complaints on here seem rather petty. The bartenders weren’t conversational during a noisy crowded show? I wonder why. The bouncers were kind of dicks? They’re bouncers — that’s their job. The door person didn’t hug you after stamping your hand? Probably because they were busy doing their job, and you’re a douchebag.
Bottom line: I’m glad Chop Suey is still around and I will keep going back again and again.

This place is a Seattle landmark and is keeping the vibe alive. If you want to know what REAL SEATTLE is like, go here. Good beer, great music (love the dance yourself clean night!), and the kind of atmosphere that reminds me what it means to be a Seattleite. No Tom Douglass froo froo here, just good old fashioned, quintessential Seattle fun.

Sat at the varnishy bar while the bartender first asked IF I WAS GAY then SKETCHED HITLER into MARIO CART.

What a tremendous dissapointment. My friends and I recently visited Chop Suey in celebration of a birthday, excited to dance at a venue on the Hill which we had not yet been. We arrived, paid the mandatory cover, and found ourselves slipping around and/​or sticking to the drink laden floor. At the bar, we were ignored as the bartender laboriously and angrily served the mere 3 other people waiting, only to look up and bark «Make a line!» I opened a tab, on which I ended up paying $ 8 a piece for watered-​down Dixie cup sized well drinks from the increasingly cantankerous keep. After about 30 minutes of having our heads rattled from the awful acoustics and amateur DJ, I collected my tab and went elsewhere. On my bank statement the next day, I found that in addition to the healthy dose of contempt we received from the bartender, he had also gouged my bill an additional $ 20. Moral of the story? Capitol Hill has a wonderful variety of nightlife — most with helpful, friendly staff who don’t rip off your credit card and serve a decent drink at a fair price. Save your money, go somewhere else, or… be sure to pay cash when visiting Chop Suey.

have been here 3 times. Last Sunday… went to see Psychic TV… came a LONG way to see them. The support band took along time to set up, and this cut into the headliner’s set time. The headline band constantly complained of poor sound onstage.
The doorman this night was very aggressive… manhandling me instead of asking me to move to the left. Each time I tipped the the female bar server… not a thank you or anything.
It’s too bad… good bar ambience, but poorly run.

My buddy invited me to a show at Chop Suey, so of course I went. This place looks like a typical Seattle rock venue from the outside, kinda run down but chic as well. I didn’t like having to wait out in the cold rain, but once inside things started to look up. I promptly ordered two beers at the bar from friendly bartender Kyle. Whenever I needed more drinks, he was there ready to pour. The restrooms weren’t great, small and smelly but clean-​ish. Way better than that shithole El Corazon… And when the bands began to play, it wasn’t too loud, so I could actually hear them. The capacity of this joint is probably between 2 or 3 hundred, which is the perfect size. And with that being said, they didn’t over sell the show, leaving enough room to get around. Chop Suey, I’ll be back!

Have had fun here in the past. Was sad to have been treated so rudely by the bouncer on our most recent visit. Made the whole night sour & was almost enough to turn us off from this place for good. Wish we had been treated with more dignity & respect. After reading a few other reviewers comments on disrespectful treatment by the staff, I can’t help but wonder if this is a trend.

Overall I was pleased with tonight, but the red haired door girl really put a damper on things. She treated me like a drunk teenager. I attended an event tonight with my fiancé and our couple friends for a night of throw back music. I’m going on day 8 of a cold and wanted a single beer, definitely not out to party. I mistakenly went to walk outside with said beer with my friends (I’m from Oregon where you can do this and it’s not illegal) and the bright red haired gal aggressively grabbed me by the sleeve. Me fiancé and friends were already outside once I was stopped and she told me to leave my open beer in the bar I kindly asked to leave it on the shelf near her and she rudely replied «do not talk to me that way, you are disrespecting me, you cannot stand in the hallway, get back in the bar». Absolutely blew my mind. I had no idea what to say but felt the altercation was completely uncalled for. The bartenders and door man after her were very pleasant. I’m not sure what happened to her this evening but she definitely needs a chill pill. I might return, but in all honesty, I was ready to leave after that interaction. I’ve never felt so disrespected, especially in cap hill, where I now live and work. Not a good idea to build a bad rep with those living in the neighborhood.

I was nervous in my courageous endeavor to this capital hill weekend nightmare I’ve heard rumors of. Upon arrival in chop I felt what could only be described as rainbows! glitter! blinding light! embraces of warmth acceptances and unbridled love. I was drawn to the staff like nothing I’ve felt. It was like stumbling across the herd of majestic Griffins. Regal beasts that were imagined to be both fearsome guards of precious treasure and kingly symbols of wisdom and power. I was scared, I was consumed. Definitely coming back.

For not knowing what I was getting myself into when meeting a group of friends here, i’d have to say this place wasn’t what I was expecting at all.
The 80’s music dance party that was going on all night was quite the shocker, but completely unexpected for Capitol Hill, but still.
There was a $ 5 cover, which I didn’t think was worth it at all, but I guess that’s how you make your money.
The bartenders were really nice & didn’t make you wait around for a drink. They did a pretty good job at keeping track at who was first to help.
Overall, I don’t think i’ll suggest this bar to anyone. Although it was fun dancing in a huge group of people who enjoy 80’s music, for the younger crowd (early to mid 20’s) I feel like it’s not the right place to be.

I love this bar, I love this bar. I LOVE THIS BAR!
Husband and I went for the Heart V. Fleetwood Mac competition, and all the bands where amazing! If there are more events like this, I’d move in next door. The building is huge, especially with the dance floor. I do wish they had more seating though, especially when you are drunk. It was also very hot with all the people. Maybe get some A/​C?
I was a little frustrated with the first bartender, she would not except my Military ID as proof of age. I’ve always been told that it’s against federal law to turn that down as form of ID, but I really didn’t want to argue and get thrown out, I was so excited about the music! Other than that, I had a blast and loved the venue. I will be back!

According to my Über drivers, and other locals, Chop Suey was a local favorite. I went for their re-​opening night, as my friend’s husband was going to perform. I feel like it’s not my usual crowd and venue, but I definitely had a great time. The performers were awesome. When we were there, they did not yet have a full bar available so I stuck with my vodka cranberries. On the plus side, drinks were cheap! Everyone was really friendly and fun, and I honestly really enjoyed this place.

One of Seattle’s best local dives for a $ 15 live concert show– great service, cheap drinks, and never too packed. I’ve been coming for years and love their sound, lighting, evolving décor and casual cool vibe.

Great place to see Great Lake Swimmers. Not sure what the other reviewer was talking about with the sound. Sound here is awesome.

The «audio engineer» aka burn out with a backwards hat is killing the eldridge gravy show. Too much feed back and leaving mics on and other rookie mistakes. Doesn’t know how to EQ the room. Horrible -.-

I have to believe this new listing for Chop Suey is due to their brief closure and renovation with new owners.
The remodeled version is much nicer!
Where there was once a long wooden wall/​barrier to keep the under 21 crowd is a nice long bench filled with tables and chairs.
There are a handful of cool pinball machines near the front window with the photobooth machine.
they’ve jazzed up the «lounge» area with a nicer bar and seating.
The cheesy Chinese decorations have been replaced with hipstery vintage paintings and posters.
I look forward to my future visits to the new Chop Suey.