The Showbox
The Showbox is a 1939 art deco ballroom at 1426 1st Avenue in downtown Seattle, near Pike Place Market, where the main floor is standing room and the bar seats go first come. It has no parking of its own, so plan on a nearby pay lot or a street space. Leave backpacks, outside drinks and reusable water bottles at home, and bring ID: only over-21s enter the bar areas, and many shows are 21-plus.
Before you go
- Capacity
- 1130
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoor: general admission ballroom with a lounge off the lobby
- Official site
- showboxpresents.com
- Next festival here
- Decibel Festival, Expected September
Worth knowing before you go
- Reusable water bottles and hydration packs are on the banned list along with outside food and drink.
- The camera rule is set by the artist and only known on the day; point-and-shoot cameras and phones are usually fine.
- Over-21s who buy food or drink in Kerns Music Shop, open an hour before doors, get in first.
- Will call opens at door time only, and tickets bought at the box office carry a $5 fee.
- Children 2 and under are free at all-ages shows only; no children at 21-plus events.
Festivals here
Venue basics: No parking; pay lots nearby · Standing main floor, bar seats first come · All entries accessible; viewing house right.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want a standing-room show in a historic downtown ballroom near Pike Place Market.
- You are over 21 and want the bar and lounge before doors.
- You need accessible entry and a set ADA viewing area.
Think twice if
- You want to drive and park at the door: the venue has no parking.
- You are bringing children: many shows are 21-plus and under-21s cannot use the early lounge entry.
- You want a guaranteed seat: the main floor is standing and bar seats are first come.
Getting there and parking
The Showbox is at 1426 1st Avenue in downtown Seattle, near Pike Place Market. From I-5 southbound take the Union Street exit, from I-5 northbound the Seneca Street exit, and follow either west to 1st Avenue; turn right and look for the Showbox marquee on the right.
The venue has no public parking of its own. There are several pay lots nearby and some street parking if you are lucky.
The box office opens at the scheduled door time, and will call tickets can only be collected on the night with photo ID for the name on the order. Kerns Music Shop, the lounge off the lobby, opens one hour before doors, and anyone 21 or over who buys food or drink there goes into the show first. The venue is cashless and takes all major cards; tickets bought at the box office carry a $5 service fee.
Accessibility
All entrances are accessible and the venue meets ADA guidelines. ADA viewing is at house right, and a venue representative will show you to the accessible restrooms. Accessible tickets are sold through AXS.com; if they sell out, buy general admission and tell security of your needs on arrival. Sign language interpreters can be requested by email at least two weeks ahead.
Seating cannot be guaranteed: the room is general admission with a standing main floor, and if accessible tickets have sold out staff will do their best on the night.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (showboxpresents.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at The Showbox. The venue's own pages are the place to check: showboxpresents.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Kerns Music Shop, the lounge just off the lobby, has a full bar and serves food and drink from an hour before doors, and there is a main bar in the ballroom. Only people 21 or over may enter the alcohol service areas, with a US or Canadian driver's licence or ID card, US military ID, passport or a listed Washington tribal ID as the only accepted proof.
No outside food, drinks or drink containers come in, including reusable water bottles and hydration packs, and outside alcohol means immediate ejection. No backpacks or bags larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches, no markers, no weapons, chains, pocket knives or multi-tools, and prescription drugs must be properly labelled. Point-and-shoot cameras and phones are usually allowed, but the artist's policy rules and is only known on the day; a coat check takes restricted items.
Quick answers
Is there parking at The Showbox?
No. The venue has no public parking; there are several pay lots nearby and some street parking.
Is The Showbox wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All entries are accessible, ADA viewing is at house right, and accessible tickets are sold through AXS.com. Seating cannot be guaranteed if accessible tickets sell out.
Can I bring a water bottle into The Showbox?
No. Outside food, drinks and drink containers, including reusable water bottles and hydration packs, are not allowed.
Are children allowed at The Showbox?
Only at all-ages shows, where children 2 and under are free with a paying adult. No children are admitted to 21-plus events.
What ID do I need at The Showbox?
A US or Canadian driver's licence or ID card, US military ID, passport or a listed Washington tribal ID, showing date of birth, photo and expiry. Only over-21s may enter the alcohol service areas.
Can I camp at The Showbox?
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at The Showbox. The venue's own pages at showboxpresents.com are the place to check.
How old is The Showbox?
It opened on July 24, 1939 as an art deco ballroom and marked its 75th anniversary in 2014.
A little history
The Show Box opened on July 24, 1939 as an art deco ballroom and marked its 75th anniversary in 2014. Its stage has hosted Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, the Ramones, Gypsy Rose Lee, Pearl Jam, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Prince, Foo Fighters and The Roots.
The lounge took back the name Kerns Music Shop in 2014, after the 1946 store where a local trombone player named Johnny Kerns hosted musicians and where Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole each once sang a song or two.