Columbia City Theater

My wife and I had a really disappointing time tonight. We’re visiting family from out of town, and we don’t get to take vacations often. Our vacation dollars are limited so we try to spend them carefully. We selected Columbia City Theater after searching online for best live Music Venues in Seattle. We expected to hear some fun local sounds and have a good time. Instead we spent a lot of time waiting, and waiting. The venue itself looks nice, and is intimate. The kind of place I might like to see a concert and have a few drinks. However, I agree with a previous Unilocaler that the seating was uncomfortable. It looked like the band member had to move benches around…
We came to see a concert for Mr. & Mrs. Something. When arrived a little early and decided to have a drink. While we were waiting my wife and I kept asking each other if we where in the right place. There was an open mic night going on in the front bar, and nothing that made it clear you where at a concert venue. The door bouncer had his phone out and grunted at me while he checked out ID’s. After handing back our ID’s he said nothing and went back to looking at his cell phone.
The whole evening lacked the «polished» professional quality that differentiates a bar that has «free live music» and a concert you pay for. The open mic night in the lobby while we waited; sounded better, and was free! The doors where supposed to open at 8, and the venue was nearly half an hour late in even getting the doors open. At about 9:00 there where about 10 people in the room (including the band). It mostly consisted of their friends and family, which doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is when that it took nearly an hour for the first act to start. I don’t want to disparage a new singer, but the first act was disappointing. After an hour and fifteen minutes of waiting to hear something that we’d pay money for, my wife and I went to ask for a house manager.
At first the bartender seemed to be cool about it and said that he would get the production manager to get us a refund. When the production manager came down things went down hill rapidly. He came across as being very arrogant and condescending. I’ve been to concerts before, I understand how opening acts work; however, this is not a sold out venue for an A list band. We where kept waiting, had the online ticketing been more forthcoming and direct that the main act didn’t start until 10:30 we wouldn’t have rushed over to the theater. The production manager was very argumentative and literally refused to do anything to address our frustrations, make the situation right, or even try to find a way to make it a good time. His confrontational and condescending attitude made me and my wife feel very uncomfortable. I can only describe the interaction as unprofessional. Instead of being confrontational the management should have found a way to address our concerns and make it an enjoyable evening.
At that point we decided to leave and go find something fun to do with our evening. Fortunately we didn’t spend a lot of money on tickets. Columbia City Theater was a very disappointing way to spend our last night in Seattle.

My visit to this theater was to see the Burlesque pageant, and it was definitely a memorable experience. The theater is inside of a bar, so cocktails were flowing and the crowd was pretty eclectic. It smelled a little funky in the venue, but once you’re buzzed, it goes away.
This was my first time seeing a burlesque show, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was very entertaining and there was definitely a lot of sex appeal being shown on stage from a variety of women and body types. It was also funny and not for the faint of heart. Have an open mind and check it out!

I saw a burlesque show here. Great little theater. The view and sound were great. I would check out another show here if I find one.

Definitely a must go to! I attend the burlesque shows there and the shows are amazing. The performers are great. The seats are cushioned and close to the stage. 2 bars– one inside the performance area and one outside. Drinks are strong and the staff is friendly.

Very unprofessional and rude bouncer. The posted advertisements for the night’s show listed one price, while the chalkboard at the venue showed another. The bands were charging $ 8 for the show, while the Columbia City Theater on their own attempted to raise the price to $ 10 at the door.
I attempted to pay the previously advertised price (from the bands’ own flier). The bouncer said: «ten.» I asked «umm, the flier says $ 8. Where does it say $ 10?»
Rather than explain or engage in any way, the bouncer replied in as few words as possible and rudely said «I say $ 10.» After I disagreed with this price, the bouncer said «you need to have a good night» and asked me to leave.
After several attempts to enter, including with a text message from a band member as this exchange was happening (moments before the show was to begin and he was to go on stage which granted me permission to enter, saying «you don’t need to pay, explain you are with the band») the bouncer ignored all discussion with me, would not acknowledge the text, would not speak with the band, and could manage to utter only «have a good night» repeatedly to me.
This theater has great potential and works with a variety of talented bands, but when their staff acts this unprofessionally they will lose not just customers but also possibly the acts themselves.
Stay away.

Went there for an acoustic show and I was less then impressed (by the venue) the tickets were «general admission» which is fine but not when its a TINY room for a sold out show with no organization at all. I’m 4’11 and had to spend most of the time in the entrance area by the front bar because I couldn’t see anything and I was tired of people bumping into me spilling their drinks and making nasty body odor. But I guess that’s you get when you cram 200+ people into a space with no staff to keep things comfortable.
The venue was shockingly understaffed. With a sold out show we dealt with one very busy clearly over whelmed bartender. It’s not fair to expect ONE young woman to serve that many people.
The performance from what I saw/​heard was amazing just maybe next time, Columbia City Theatre take into consideration the TYPE of show your hosting and plan accordingly from there.
I will not be returning to watch any shows at this venue.

Neat little space — weirdly accessed and somewhat uncomfortable seating but the drinks are strong and the fact that short little ol’ me had to stand in order to see was made better by the alcohol :)

Cute little intimate theater next to Tutta Bella in Columbia City. I say «intimate» because I saw mostly naked men and women there shake themselves feverishly as burlesque performers, of course. It was awesome. Not every Sunday nights end watching people strip their clothes off, and Columbia City Theater fit the bill where there was a need.
The places is very small, so most seats will be close to the stage. This usually will be good depending on what you see there (please see above why I was there). You can drink at your seats, with an amply stocked back bar, and the sound system was just fine.

Great space: quaint, great location, and everyone working seemed sweet and helpful.
I was close to giving a 3 star rating because the views in this space are REALLY BAD. I know it’s an old theatre and budgets are tight, but please try to build in some tiered seating or buy/​build more platforms. Having to crane your neck to see something on stage, because of tall people in the three rows in front of you, is not a good option.

Great venue. Decently priced drinks, good acoustics. Awesome part of town — I can’t wait to catch more shows here!

I hope this venue gets more shows. The ambiance of this theater is amazing. Upon entering you my belly up to the bar before your head into main theater. Once you enter the music zone you won’t be disappointed in the size of stage and amount if floor space to watch…
Plenty of diverse and quality restaurants in the surrounding area before you go to the show so a great evening you shall have if you venture to go!

Columbia City Theater is a totally awesome music venue and a gem of a place in the city of Seattle. The set and floor possess a great vibe that further set the mood for the star of the place: the music. The acoustics are great, and the bathrooms are surprisingly clean and nice smelling for a concert place. Columbia City Theater misses out on the full five stars because of a lack of a coat check. It’s cold, yo, and I’d rather not carry around two of my layers of clothes while rocking out to the beautiful sounds of Seattle live music.

I was really disappointed by the feel of this theater.
They were very late on their will call opening and for some reason they thought blasting Judas Priest and Speed Metal so loud you can’t hear the person across from you in the bar while waiting was a good idea. By the time they opened the will call 20 minutes late my head was spiting.
The bar tender can’t make a dirty martini to save his life but it’s probably not his fault considering he was swamped, which made for very long drink waits.
Watched food orders come out during the seemingly endless bar wait, bar tender tries to scream what was on the plate (not a patron or table name) over the speed metal then walks away leaving them to wait while their food gets cold.
Compared to some of the other small theaters in the area like Theater off Jackson this place leaves a lot to be desired, we wont be going back anytime soon.

This is a pretty fantastic local venue. They have a bar up front when you enter, and in the music room in back, there is another bar. Beautiful stage and environs. Great sound too.
For bands-​they provide a recording service to record your show. Excellent green room.
There are a couple of other late night bars and restaurants right nearby also.
I will definitely be back to hear live music here.

I like this venue, however, something can be done about the seating. I was super uncomfortable in my dress the night I came to see Undressed to Kill (which was a super awesome burlesque show put on by the Stripped Screw ladies). It was super warm in the theater, and I’m sure it wasn’t just because the ladies were smokin’ hot. But with all seriousness, it was flippin hot as tits in there! I was sticking to my cheap plastic seat! I kept squirming around (no, not because I was getting turned on by the show) but I have low back issues so it was hard to sit still for the length of the show.
Next time I’lll make sure to wear pants and perhaps find a better seat to sit in. Or have a place where I could stand… Not sure if I’d come back unless it was a standing room only show.

This venue is GORGEOUS. It’s small, but I loved the atmosphere here. The sound is great, and it’s intimate. And did I mention gorgeous? I’m glad that I finally caught a show here, because I cannot wait to return.

Wednesday karaōke here is where it’s at. You can always get a song in in a reasonable amount of time, but it’s well attended enough to be fun and entertaining. If you live in the neighborhood, you can imagine the ecclectic crowd it draws. If not, come see! Definitely worth your time.

Thie Columbia City Theater is a gorgeous stage to both watch a band play and to perform on. They’ve got a great sound crew and ther green room with all of their couches and balcony access is awesome! There’s also a grand piano that is always on stage, excellent for bands that can utilize this. They have a bar in the theater room as well, so no need to run out to the lobby bar for your libations.
I love watching my friends play here, and I love playing on this stage. Sure, it’s a trek if you live in the city, but it’s barely a trek — maybe a15 minute drive. And it’s easily worth that drive.

A grand old girl, she is.
I love her, despite the hit-​or-​miss shows that end up here.
We discovered last time there was a bar set up in back, which I don’t think I’d ever seen before, it was a welcome addition for sure.
Some of the seats are a bit uncomfortable but I like the set up, how sometimes it’s little tables with a few chairs for that VIP up front feel, sometimes theater style.
I had a kick ass drink last time, and the staff were all super nice so what’s not to love?

Columbia City Theater sticks to what it does best… It plays off of the community and vibe of what my neighborhood brings. I love going to concerts here because not only does it feel great to support your community, but also because the theater is a flashback in time. The brick walls and classic stage provide for a great backdrop to any performance on the stage. Capacity is probably around 200 people, but even when packed it doesn’t seem like you are wedged in there.
We have only gone to see local acts from Seattle and Portland so far, but the acoustics have been great. Since the stage is raised you always will have a great view. It is an intimate place to see some great bands. Next up is the Coldwar Kids on the first weekend in March.
The Bourbon bar is attached and you can get some clever drinks there before entering the venue. They will even let you take your drink from the bar in, but you need to get it in one of their handy plastic cups. Rotating beers are also on tap.