by Chris W. on Rock Box is swank, without swank prices. It's probably not the cheapest joint in Seattle's outskirts, but it's very reasonable, with all the looks of a nightclub. Nice hosts, wonderful interior design, good English language song choices, iPad menus for easy queuing and boozy sausage-fingering, a great drink selection, and the rental rates are reasonable for the premium spot (right off Broadway makes a tempting end-point for the night.) I've been here twice, once to close the place out at 4, and having booked the big room for NYE. The regular booths are roomy enough for 5, and the party room was just gorgeous with big ol' TVs, host-arranged dry snacks, costume accessories (I sing better while wearing bunny ears, I'm sure), and enough space for 30. Come! Visit! You don't have to dress fancy, but you will be impressed.
by Phil M. on If I told you that there were models swinging from the ceiling on giant gossamer scarves, would you believe me? Hunkered in the bowels of the Maritime hotel, Hiro is a Japanese-themed nightclub with a wooden milieu. I mean wooden literally --- the walls and ceilings are made curved dark- wood rails, providing not only a warm atmosphere, but a symmetrical (and appropriately nautical) one. There are two levels---the downstairs area is home to tables, a couple of bars, and an open central area with comfortable seating. This is the area reserved for those feeling the music, as well as the effects of any recreational pharmaceuticals recently ingested. The upstairs is more compact, with booths and plenty of space around the bar to talk with friends. And the aforementioned swinging adds a certain something (what's Japanese for je ne sais quoi?) to the environment. When you walk into a place, and there are attractive women literally dangling from the rafters, it makes it a little easier to pay $7 for a beer. Also hanging from said ceilings are traditional Japanese paper lanterns, bedecked with a variety of Japanese characters. The soft lighting adds a warmth that's missing from other clubs. I don't often make it to clubs, but if asked, I would definitely recommend Hiro to anyone.
by Mari Klingerman on I dig clubs, but this place doesn't really do it for me. It takes forever to get to the bar and the bartenders always look distracted by something else. They have enough going on that you can find some kind of music that you like, but it's just too much. However, they do have awesome rock shows now that Bowery bought into them since they weren't doing well and sometimes they have really cool events, but i'm really selective about when I bother to head over there.
