Crimson C
Categories: Dance Clubs, Lounges [Edit]
Neighborhood: Pioneer Square209 1st Ave S
(between Main St & Washington St)
Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 340-1700
- Hours:
Mon 3:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Tue, Fri 3:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Wed-Thu 3:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Sat 8:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: Yes
- Music: DJ
- Best Nights: Mon, Tue, Wed
- Happy Hour: Yes
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
- Coat Check: No
25 Reviews for Crimson C
A Belltown bar in Pioneer Square. I am sure that is how everyone describes Crimson C. One big difference - there is no way this bar would be completely empty for happy hour, like it was when my friend and I stopped in, if it were in Belltown. There were maybe six people in the place.
Happy hour is until 7pm like ALL should be but rarely are. The food is really basic but fine and dirt cheap. It is kind of hard to mess up potstickers and egg rolls. The $3 wells are in tiny glasses but I forgive them because the drinks were strong! Overall, a really good happy hour spot, especially if you have a large crew of people. I still don't think I will be in Crimson C anytime soon on the weekends. No matter how great the bar looks, it is still in Pioneer Square.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
The first thing I noticed about this Pioneer Square bar is that it doesn't look like it belongs in Pioneer Square, which could perhaps explain its near emptiness, while the J&M next door had people spilling out the front.
Crimson C is all red and black, dark wood, Asian-inspired interior, with a HUGE bar taking up almost an entire wall. Their Happy Hour menu prices are $3 wells, $2 Miller (ew), and $3, $4 or $6 appetizers. The apps are pretty standard - Spring Rolls, Fresh Garden Rolls, Red Curry Mussels, Pot Stickers, Tempura Prawns & Vegetables, Thai Wings, Lettuce wraps, Calamari, Fried Tofu and BBQ Pork. We opted for 2 cheapies: the potstickers & spring rolls @ $3 each. Not bad, not great, but just fine for deep fried food. Next time, I wouldn't mind trying the Red Curry Mussels (altho seafood at a bar always makes me tiny bit nervous).
The drinks were tasty - they don't use the cheapo liquor here, but the catch is this: they come in the tiniest little baby drink glasses that I've ever seen. Still, after three of them I was pretty tipsy, and tipsy for $9 works! Plus, the staff was pretty nice - so, I'll probably give it one more go for a weekday Happy Hour spot...or two...or three. :)
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (3)
I'm glad I no longer have to fear for my life when walking into this establishment. I mean, I hate it when I have to worry about getting hit in the back of the head by a stop sign when I'm out just trying to have a good time.
But Larry's is gone, and in its place is a surprisingly sophisticated lounge. It stays true to its name sake and is drenched in crimson and crimson-like colors. The sleek and uncomfortable chairs confirm that this is a modern and sexy place to chill. The bar staff is knowledgeable and quick to attention. Although there was plenty of space, I wish it was more open rather than having a small but sturdy iron gate delineating the bar area from the non-bar area.
The crowd of patrons is an interesting blend of ex-frat guys, anti-Starbucks liberals, as well as Emo's and Goth's. It's not like they were all hanging out, but they were all there together which is a bold statement for Crimson.
It's called diversity. Celebrate it.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (3)
Pleasantly surprised.
I'd been here once before, and found it underwhelming, but the Elite event opened my eyes to its lovely booths and atmosphere.
It IS in Pioneer Square, so I can only imagine what it's like on a weekend night, though. Bring your dirty shiv, ladies!
My friends and I tried this place out for happy hour Friday, and it was pleasantly empty and chill. Who knew? Just four or so other groups of people there. A classy, pleasant atmostphere, quick and helpful staff, stiff well drinks, and good appies. Not sure how I'd feel about this place during prime drinking hours... But great for a lazy happy hour.
I'd never had a reason to go to Crimson C, until a few DJ's I liked were playing there on a Thursday nite.
It's a gorgeous space - the tables being spacious and the red everything? I liked it.
Not a great place to dance, however - it gets crowded really quickly.
Tip your bar staff well when at Crimson - they are awesome!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Ah Crimson C...how I love thee.
I could give it one less star because, like Betsey S. and Riss mentioned, the DJ was a big weirdo; it was a musical version of "Red Light Green Light":
Green Light - good boogie down music would play, so we'd get up and wind our way to the dance floor only to find...
Red Light - he'd changed the song to something nobody knew/liked.
But I must give it five stars, and here's the why: I had fun. Dancing. At a club in Pioneer Square.
Granted, I got there early (so no line and no cover), I was with a group of friends (so no crowd issues, because I just wasn't paying attention),
and I didn't have to deal with dudes (was with my husband). So...there were a lot of supporting factors.
Also it's right next door to Mediterranean Mix, the only place to get some vegematarian food at 1:30am in Pioneer Square.
And I have to give them kudos because this place used to be Larry's, and they got rid of the stripper/I'm gonna get gonorrhea from touching the doorknob vibe. I suspect blow torches and copious amounts of bleach were involved. Either way, I salute you.
People thought this was:
Useful (9)
Funny (11)
Cool (10)
As far as clubs go, I really like this one. It's an excellent place to dance, if you can keep up with the ADD DJ.
There were two on Saturday when we were there for GRIND (um, I thought Eric Nies would be there? WTF?) and one of them did a mashup of "Doncha" by the Pussycat Dolls and "Swass" by Sir Mix A Lot, which I loved. I mean, the Dolls totally ripped that "doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me" line off from Mix... The first DJ who played would do well to give his songs a little longer play. Dancing got a lot better later in the evening, or maybe it was because I'd had more vodka by then.
The crowd was not horrible... except for 'getting right in your face to try to make you dance with him' guy. Seriously, all of a sudden he was two inches from my nose. Buddy, I do not wish to have a staring contest with you, and if you're gonna do stuff like that, at least have a breath mint. By the way, have you met Mr Betsey S? For the most part, the crowd was cool. The dance floor had less grinding couples and more actual dancing than most places, so I really liked that.
Awesome decor, I love the red wood with the brick. The light box bench seats are a really good idea. It's a smallish place but the staff did a good job not getting it too packed full. Luckily we had two booths, because there is no coat check!
I had a really great time dancing with friends and Yelpers! I'll be back next month. Once a month is my Pioneer Square Club limit.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (7)
Cool (7)
One star for huckleberry vodka, one star for the yelpers and boobies shirts. (ok, really, the boobies are worth 5 stars, but Crimson gets no credit for that!) And a little half star hidden in there for letting us toast our huckleberry vodka to our beloved Scott K.
The red wood is very nice. The booths were a good size. Something in the "vibe" here is just off though. All the individual pieces (bar, tenders, decor, music) just were not "jelling" together last night. The whole thing felt ....off.
But wow. So not my crowd. I am still having nightmarish flashbacks of "scary girl" and her "dancing".
The DJ really ruined the night for me. Music that loud needs to have SOMETHING cohesive that gets you on the floor and keeps you there. Managed a nice bit of shaking w/ the ladies for a bit, but just couldn't get into the music.
I would assume the first rule of DJ school is when people head toward the dance floor en mass for a particular song...and leave en mass when you stop that song midway to somehow go in a completely different direction musically that you are supposed to NOTICE and play music the crowd is into. But I'm not a DJ so apparently I know nothing.
I'd be willing to give it another shot for an HH or a better DJ just to see if the vibe improves, but I will have to be already intoxicated and get in free to do that.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (6)
Cool (6)
My head, she still pounds. Was it the INCREDIBLY LOUD MUSIC? Or was it the huckleberry vodka drink special? Or was it the effort of trying to memorize so many Yelper's names at one time?
I have extremely low expectations for night clubs. Especially ones in Pioneer Square. Heck, lets be honest here...I do not consider myself a nightclub kind of person. I haven't frequented them regularly since before my Burning Man days...and let me tell you, those days have been past for some time now. And even then, I mostly went to gay bars.
So what was I expecting? Hmmm...overpriced liquor...wrong! Blah decor...wrong! Gross bathroom...wrong! Obnoxious crowd...not so bad, but when one is surrounded by the loving blanket of Yelp, such things are easier to ignore. Loud music...CHECK. CHECK. CHECK.
As other reviewers have mentioned...the crimson wood tables that fold up into the wall are definitely the best feature. They are awfully cool. This place serves food? I had no idea. I would have enjoyed myself much more if I could have heard more of the conversations going on at my own table, but overall I was pleasantly surprised.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
So they had their grand reopening this week and are now serving an Asian Fusion menu. It was virtually empty for lunch, but the food took an average amount of time to arrive. I had the sweet and sour chicken which wasn't battered and friend like at most places, but it grew on me.
Apparently all of Pioneer Square has a mouse/rat problem, where they burrow into buildings and whatnot. This place is no exception, though according to the owner (?) the exterminator said they're great compared to lots of places. I'm giving them 4 stars because not only did they not try to hide the existance of the mouse (my friend saw him but I didn't), but they repeatedly apologized, explained the situation, and said an exterminator was scheduled to come.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
On my quest to try different places in Pioneer Square I've found some gems like Triangle Pub... And then there are places that are the equivalent of Norbit or Epic Movie. And then there's Crimson C. I know that there are people who sit around thinking "If only there's a place like Amber without the long line and fewer people. And if they can have slow service, and overpriced drinks, that'd be awesome". Seriously, if you want cheap drinks, go to the Triangle. Cheap beer? Go to the Pioneer Square Saloon. Cheap food served the same hour you ordered it? Go anywhere. Better Happy Hours, go to Contour or McCormicks. More fun? Go anywhere else
The only person I'd recommend this to is a girl from the Midwest for her 21st birthday... As a spot to start out at.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Crimson C
Yeah, "C" like the letter "C".
Not like the "Sea"
I hate these kinds of 'clever' names. DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO MAPQUEST OR GOOGLE OR YELP this place if you don't know that it is in fact a "C" not a "Sea"?????
Once you actually get here you will enjoy the beautiful decor and the fantastic happy hour specials which promote social interaction between po' non-profit whores like myself and Micro-soft type dweebies with ridiculous amounts of excess income.
Crimson C is still fairly new so its a perfect venue for a party or impromptu drink fest.
It is also very much like Switzerland, a place of beauty and a respite from political or economic persecution.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (8)
Cool (9)
The main thing about Crimson C, clearly, is the tables, yes, those ruddy big slabs of wood that swing down on hinges from the walls. Most impressive to contemplate, but, as solid as they look, they quiver a bit under the elbows.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
If this place were in Belltown, it'd be the next happenin' bar. Unfortunately it's in Pioneer Square and I have a feeling not many people know about it.
The decor is hip and swanky but out of character with the more sleazy tavernesque Pioneer Square establishments. The tables had interesting yet comfortable booths; positioned in a way so that conversation easily flowed.
The bar itself spans a good length of the space and was quite impressive.
Happy hour boasts all appetizers and certain beers for $2.00 and well drinks for $3.00.
I had a well greyhound for starters, ordered some waffle fries and coconut skrimps for eats and washed that all down with a crisp Blue Moon; everything was tasty.
I thought to myself, this would be a perfect place for a YHH because we could go and easily take over the joint. I'll give it another try before I officially propose this to make sure Tuesdays aren't just slow nights. It was pretty dead tonight though. I also thought it'd make a good first date drinks type of spot.
People thought this was:
Useful (26)
Funny (12)
Cool (17)
I had no idea this place existed. It took the spot of the ill-fated "Larry's Nightclub," which had been shut down since I'd arrived here, and past which I'd walked dozens of times, having once been a frequent Pioneer Square luncher.
The space is, as has been aptly mentioned, "calculatedly chic," with its booths' starkly illuminated footwells; the murphy bed-esque deep red woodgrain tables; and its low-backed benches that'd literally and figuratively lower the barrier to socializing with adjacent, alluring groups of patrons. Crimson C does seem a little pristine and spartan when contrasted with the grizzly, "spit in a glass and call it washed" look of The Central or J & M, but I suspect it fits right in with the more trendy places in Pioneer Square, like Last Supper Club and Trinity (though I can't comment first hand).
We patronized this place just has happy hour had ended (6 PM). Somewhat confusingly, though, the appetizers are $2 through 9 PM. We tried the bruschetta and the pita pizza as appetizers, and though it vaguely reminded me of a hack job like an english muffin pizza, the pita pizza was tasty, with its fresh mozzarella. Bruschetta was unremarkable, good or bad.
For dinner, I had a mozzarella panini that itself was a little disappointing, being small and somewhat sparse on ingredients. It was also not prepared "until warm and crispy," as the menu promised. In retrospect, I should have just gotten another pita pie. The waffle fries that accompanied the sandwich, however, were done just right. Hooray. Prema seemed to enjoy her Crimson C salad. And I was tempted by the crab ravioli, which sounded great, but for which I wasn't feeling exorbitant enough, at twice the cost of my sandwich, or--sliced another way--eight appetizers.
I was underwhelmed by the chocolate covered strawberries dessert, which my dessert fiend dining companion ordered. Granted, chocolate strawberries are a decadence, but must their price reflect this so ostensibly? Seriously, $6 for four chocolate-covered strawberries that were taken out of the freezer five minutes before they arrived at our table (obvious by the beads of "sweat" forming on the solidified chocolate as moisture in the air condensed on the surface of the chilled berries) and then covered in what I swear is Hershey's syrup? I know it's an extravagance. Just don't take advantage of me so explicitly.
I can't comment on the cocktails, being more of a beer drinker myself. I think the keg line for the Alaskan IPA could have stood to be flushed out, but it was passable.
Although I was underwhelmed by multiple facets of our experience there, the service was not one of them. Christian (I looked on the bill) appeared to be the only front-line employee working on this evening, and although attendance was relatively thin, he did a wonderful job of catering to our needs in a friendly and professional manner.
Crimson C is a young enough establishment that it'd be premature to judge it absolutely at this juncture: it has yet to really find its roots. Belltown has more than enough trend--too much for its own good, I dare say. It doesn't need Crimson C. I suspect with a bit of menu revision to strengthen the offerings, Crimson C could become a welcome new addition to the Pioneer Square landscape.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (1)
I didn't know there was a bar in Pioneer Square where you could whisper and still be heard on a Friday night until I walked into Crimson C. Completely out of place on a block of old bars and taverns, Crimson C serves up hip and trendy to a demographic that's hanging out 5 miles away. With a lack of bodies coming through the door, it's BYOEC -- Bring Your Own Eye Candy.
The happy hour specials are decent and the appetizers are cheap well into the evening. The portions are small, so be prepared to order a lot (3 wings for $2). Our favorite was the fries -- both cheesed and uncheesed.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
The first thing that strikes you as you enter the door is the decor. It's apparent that whatever Larry's used to be no longer resides in this uber-hip, opium den with a great variety of brands of Scotch. The main drawback to the place is its location. If it was moved just up the street to Belltown or Fremont, it would make a killing. It's almost too good for the Square and, consequently, suffers from a demographic that is more tourists than regulars. Hopefully, it'll build a following, but I can't see myself trekking down to the Square solely for the purpose of getting a drink there when there are an infinite number of choices along the way.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
We went there for a group lunch, there was 3 other people in the place and we had a group of about 23. I understand serving that many people is not an easy task, but the failed miserably. We arrived at 12:15 and I left at 1:15 after having had my appetizers 45 minutes prior and still not gotten my entree. Pizza and Panini are not that hard to prepare.
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Haven't tried the food (yet?), but for what it's worth - the club aspect:
It was very quiet for a Sat. night. Things of note: friendly barstaff, confused DJ and the oddest mix of folks you could ever hope for: indie white kids, Exzhibit's((however the hell he spells it)) biggest fan and his rotund gal pal, the emaciated drunk girl who 'knew the DJ' and wanted everyone to know and a few folks who had seen many episodes of Dance Party USA.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Update 02/28/2008
I was recently back in Seattle and went by this place on the way to a Seahawks game. It didn't look nearly as appealing as I remember (therefore taking away a star). I was going to stop in for a pint but it felt like it was going to take forever to get a beer. Wondering if the service has gone down a little?
---------------------------------------
I'm about to jump on a flight and yet I'm making time to give Crimson C it's due props; that's how much I enjoyed it. Great decor and being able to watch the NBA playoffs made this place perfect for a Friday evening happy hour.
My friends and I commented that if this place was in NY it would be absolutely packed but since it's in Pioneer Square it was pretty empty. My hope is that this place will do well since Pioneer Square needs more trendy places.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
I went to Crimson for happy hour with a couple friends from work. There was a little too much attitude coming from the staff for such a new and calculatedly hip venue. The drinks and food were okay - nothing really stood out. When the bill came, we had been charged something like $3.67 for the booze in the drinks and $1.83 for the drink itself. Weird. I would cautiously venture back in, but only after this place has a few more months to find its legs.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
This place just opened a few weeks ago. We stopped by after the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square, and we were VERY pleasantly surprised!
Crimson C's decor immediately drew us in, and we curiously looked at the menu. After salivating over a few descriptions, we were seated promptly and ordered. WOW. We had a crab stuffed ravioli in the most amazing sauce and the most incredible Margherita pizza!
The place isn't very big, and I imagine that once the word gets out, it may get crowded quickly. But for now, I think we just found a new favorite in Pioneer Square!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Attitude, definitely. Chic, too. But it just isn't in the right 'hood. There's a biker bar next door and homeless bums around outside. Not really the best location. What a craphole Pioneer Square is.
The night I was at Crimson it was African-American poetry night. One poet even quit early in frustration because: 1) few people were actually there and 2) the typical uptight, white Seattlite would never be able to relate... no surprise there.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Since I work in Pioneer Square I've tried just about every place around, and I've been to Crimson C all of once.
The decor is ... interesting. It seems they're going for a nautical-y, Asian-y kind of thing, even thought the menu is distinctly Italian. But it is different, so one star for that.
The food is good. The group I went with all had pizza or pasta and everyone was satisfied if not impressed. One more star.
Service? No, sorry. We were a group of about 8, the only people there, and while the server was fairly attentive the food preparation too far longer than an establishment serving lunch to business clientele should take. No stars.
But here's the clincher that means I'll never go back: One of our party ordered a Maker's on the rocks and was charged $2 for the ice in addition to the drink! When he asked the server why he was being charged for ice she presented some cockamamie excuse about how an "on the rocks" drink has more alcohol in it.
Sure, the Central (next door) might be darker and danker, but my drinks are always cheap as well as strong and the ice is always free.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
Pioneer Square: It isn't…
Despite being known as a mecca of homeless people… -
Best & Worst Seattle…
Seattle's night life is hard to master and he's my… -
Greyhound. A girl's got…
Preferably with Ketel One and pink grapefruit…
Hot and New
- The Hideout
48 reviews
Neighborhood: First Hill
- Full Throttle Bottles
11 reviews
Neighborhood: Georgetown
- How To Cook A Wolf
56 reviews
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
- Via Tribunali
79 reviews
Neighborhood: First Hill
- Kisaku
76 reviews
Neighborhood: Wallingford