The Crocodile

This fabulous little music venue used to be one of Seattle's greatest music-type-dives. Then it mysteriously closed up shop about a year ago. It has reopened with a pretty swanky new interior, and it is hosting some amazing shows. I saw Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground (a great Seattle band), as well as The Builders and the Butchers there the other night. It was lovely. The floor is small enough that those of us who barely break five feet don't get swallowed up in the crowd, unable to see anything. They also have a great balcony space, if you (as a fellow vertically-challenged human being) want an even better view. The bartenders are great; the drinks are reasonably priced; overall, I'm in love with the place.

Showbox SODO

This is an offshoot of the Showbox at the Market. It is one of my least favorite venues for basically anything. Neither the floor nor the stage is raked, so if you are not in the very first row, or seven feet tall, you really can't see anything. I've seen two shows there: Of Montreal, and the Tim and Eric Awesome Show (on a side note, this show is only worth watching if you're extremely into diarrhea). Both were very visually oriented, so I missed a lot of the effect. The venue does get some big acts, but shows are always overpriced. The only reasons I can think of to go there are: they have a band that you absolutely have to see, and can't make it to Portland for; the point of the show is to be in the crowd, not to see what is on stage; or you just want to pay a large cover to get drunk in the lounge while some sort of something goes on at the front of the room.