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Categories: Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
Neighborhood: FremontTue-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat. 5:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sun. 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m.
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I've been here a couple times in the evening when it turns into "Da Club" and frankly I'd rather not comment.
My fave part is coming here during happy hour on a Sunday especially this past summer when the mister is on and there's music. Many fun times indeed! Love the bartender! She's nice and quite the hottie! Pizza and pitchers for $5 each? DEAL!
Seen a few shows, performed a few times, had a few drinks, played a couple games of pool, celebrated a birthday.
Nothing special, but not bad either.
Sound system is decent. Acoustics are pretty good for a small venue. Bar and ticket prices are a little inflated, but that comes with the territory in Fremont. Staff is friendly enough, food is standard fare.
Not much else to say... their booker does a great job finding talent to bring to the stage, otherwise you'd find yourself on Capitol Hill or downtown.
NOTE: I'm reviewing this place on the basis of a show, so if you're looking for general bar/food info, I shall direct you to other reviews.
I attended the Datarock show recently, and was not only shocked by how horrible the sound was (the bands were also obviously irritated by the lack of skill of the sound guys as well), but how terribly they treated the headliner. Because they let Mad Rad completely stomp over the other bands' sets (they didn't even let Kav get off the stage, and refused to let Esser play until the club SHUT OFF THE SOUND and tried to shoo them away) and didn't assist with any band setup at all, Datarock ended up going on a half-hour late and didn't even get through their entire set before Nectar shut down the lights and shoved everyone out the door. The whole experience was handled so wretchedly, it made me ashamed for the ENTIRE Seattle music scene in general, that international headlining bands got treated such like poo. Good job making us all look like d-bags, Nectar staff.
I was gonna head here to see the Neon Indian show in November, too - I WANTED to like this place. And I will admit that the outside bar area seems pretty nice, and I don't know about their food. But for shows, it's wretched. Go elsewhere.
2.5 stars. In a nutshell, the venue was too small for the band: Picoso.
When the band starts you hear, "Llego Picoso! Llego Picoso! Llego Picoso!" Okay, I get that Picoso has arrived, but, where in the world am I supposed to dance??? By default, you almost have to dance merengue or borchata instead of salsa to every song at Nectar because there's just not enough space to do anything else. If a man or woman gets dejected by this and goes to order a stiff drink, say perhaps a 7 & 7...he or she gets a cup full of ice with very little of the good stuff. Not a good night for me here. I was hoping a night out would improve my mood a little bit, but, this place didn't really do it for me. Nectar would be fine for a different style of music. Like seeing reggae or a thrash band or something that doesn't require much space where you could just bump, jump, our bounce...not for salsa where you need 3 feet for your cross body lead though. Speaking postively for the band, I think that Picoso deserves something a little better than this. On a positive note for the venue, the line to the bathroom moved very quickly. :)
Me and the guys had killer time here!! We came early so NO COVER, door guy just let it slide. I had 4 L.I.I.Ts for 20 bucks (well 22 with tip). They were really strong and got me hammered. There's a small area for dancing that was SLAM PACKED with people dancing and having a good time. They played really good music all night. I played 2 rounds of pool with some pretty good looking girls who said they come there all the time...I think I'll start coming here all the time too!
I've gone to live shows at Nectar a handful of times in the last year, and it has yet to disappoint in any way.
Arrive before the show's opener starts and you're likely to have the cover charge waved. Great open table- & chair-filled outside lounge area for mingling or being lazy once the show begins. Strong, inexpensive drinks ($4 rum & cokes, gin & tonics, $5 long islands, etc.) and decently expansive beer selection on tap to give you extra encouragement to shake your booteh. Fun upstairs seating loft for more of an aerial view of the stage and dance floor. And most importantly, fantastic sound permeating the grounds and guaranteeing a great night.
Especially as a few of my local favorite bands are playing here a bit more regularly, I shall definitely be back.
I will first establish that this place is AMAZING. My best friend and I decided to stop in here during a recent adventure to Fremont. What could be a more pleasant surprise than an $8 pitcher of Mac and Jacks during happy hour? ....Well, nothing really, but that's not my entire point.
Service was attentive after we ordered first at the bar. The hummus platter was pretty standard, but at $4 during happy hour there was absolutely nothing to begrudge them for. We decided to sit outside and the mood was great. Somebody even let his puppy of its chain and I got to play with it, thus sealing the deal for a five-star review of Nectar.
I always have a blast here. If its a music show or just chilling out having some drinks. I love the pizza. The outside sitting area they sure made a hell of a lot nicer and upstairs is real chill. Only problem is sometimes they have crappy sound men working the shows. Even if you don't like the music that is playing, they should still do their job right and make good sound bump out the speakers.
Great live music venue in Fremont!
They have an amazingly large outdoor area that blends seamlessly into the main general lower bar. +++ Is the upper balcony, very spacious.
My only complaint is $$ cover 8+ mid-week...but the acts that come through there (I saw Sambada last night) are quality, so hey! I hope they are getting a good cut of that cover charge!
It's a GO!
Oh, how I love this place. I come here all the time. The music is awesome and very eclectic. Staff is super cool. Plenty of room inside and out and great place to strike up a conversation with the opposite sex and meet some cool people. Happy hour is great too, awesome pizzas!
I went to Nectar for the first time on Tuesday night, and while I didn't get the memo that I'd need a scraggly beard and blank expression to fit in, I still liked the place. The aesthetics aren't much to write home about (standard small music venue: beer-stickied floors, not many seating options), but I thought the acoustics were pretty great.
My friend and I ordered a couple Blue Moons (bonus points for the orange wedges!) and nabbed a good spot on the floor where we could swoon over the sexy, melancholy frontman. Unfortunately, we happened to be standing next to the lead singer of the opening band, who was trying his very best (and very loudest) to pick up an equally annoying girl. All during a very quiet, soul-baring set of Willie Nelson covers. Def the most disrespectful display of sheer douchery that I've seen in awhile.
But Nectar was pretty cool. I can't wait to check out the next Prince vs. Michael night!
Nectar is a great place to go for happy hour - particularly in the summer. Today it was kind of cold out by 6:30, so we had to move our table to under the heating lamp. However, in the summer they have misters outside that cool you down when the heat of the day becomes unbearable. It's a pleasant feeling to be drinking cold beer and feel the cool spray of water on your skin at the same time.
I've also been here at night when they've had live music. It's a fun environment to listen and dance, but it does get a bit loud (which does makes sense...).
My friend and I tried the hummus plate and the macho nachos, which were mediocre. I'd say the food isn't fantastic, but it's not bad. An $8 pitcher of Mac and Jac's makes it worth it though!
I've had some great and not as great times here.
Great energy. Great job of getting some different sorts of bands than many other clubs don't (world, beats etc). great size overall. can be very fun, most people seem to be having a good time which makes many people happy.
some problems I've noted....
"smoke free" gets quotes- don't stand anywhere near the entrance to the patio if you dont like smelling of smoke, since there is no physical barrier between the admittedly quite awesome patio and inside.
also bring cash for the outside bar.
I've encountered some pretty rude men here (sure, I wanted you to push that chair into me. I also appreciated when you shoved past me to the front. At 5'3 I can easily see over you and came 2 hours before you just for the hell of it, not purposely to get a good spot up front....) and largely obtuse women (most of whom were too drunk to notice they were hitting people or pouring their beer on others-possibly understandable but still not preferable). also the bar can be a bit of a disaster to get to when it gets crowded, as its on the far inside and there is usually no walking room.
To agree with others, The bar isnt great at keeping track of who got there first. the bathrooms are totally inadequate.
By moving to Seattle, I chose to accept that the sun and I wouldn't be seeing each other as frequently as I would like. So when the sun chooses to show its shiny face, I like to go somewhere where we can spend some quality time together. One of those places is an outdoor patio, which Nectar just so happens to have. Plenty of seating, lights and heaters, and a view of the happenings in the heart of Fremont is enough to draw me to Nectar's patio.
As for the rest of the venue, there are, at times, three bars fully operating, which drastically cuts down on wait time. The upstairs offers a good view of the stage with a little less crowd. And the bathrooms could use a good cleaning.
Nectar seems to book enticing, smaller shows and hosts fun dance parties, so I'm sure I'll be back. Rain or shine.
So you have to know what you're getting yourself into.
Last time I was at Nectar I got into a fight in the bathroom line, helped a bartender pick up pieces of a bottle that smashed when it hit the concrete dance floor and left at 2 in the morning covered head to toe in beer. In a word, Nectar is a shitshow.
I wouldn't go here on an average night out in Fremont. Usually I'm careful even when walking past on the sidewalk on an average night out in Fremont. But if a band I like is playing, I make sure to get there early so I can get in before they call capacity. It's small enough to feel exclusive, large enough for dancing - all in all a fun place to hear good music...as long as you know what you're getting yourself into.
Alright, so I've been back a few times now and I'll give them another star because:
- It's a pretty good venue for live music and they often have bands I like
- If you find the guy with the thick glasses, you can get strong drinks and quick service
- People boogie down
Still maintain my objections to the nasty bathrooms and general whiteness (though I've come to realize the latter is Seattle's fault, not Nectar's)
This review is for the "Global Rhythms" night, and please keep in mind that it's coming from a girl… Read more »
Nectar has the best happy hour pizzas, good'n'stiff inexpensive drinks, the absolute best outdoor patio (it's huge and has a hot weather water mister. how cool is that!), the best damn staff and an awesome live music scene. What more could a fella ask for? (don't get me started) Well, actually, I am annoyed sometimes by smokers on the patio. But, no biggie...they'll soon die off, making more room for me!
My last stop during my neighborhood crawl! This place is cool! Not too small and not too big of a music venue... The sound system is pretty crispy and slammin'!
I went to see my fellow Cali boy Daedalus play... It was really fun seeing him rock some Seattle booties! That band Vellela Vellela was amazing to watch too! Funky! Like american version of Stereolab.
Nectar's crowd vibe is pretty fun and friendly! Hot chicks too! ;)
Yes the bathrooms are nasty but isn't that a staple of bars in general? The key is to be drunk enough not to think about getting hepatitis as you hover inches over the toilet seat. However, I'm willing to overlook the nasty bathrooms because the Nectar has so much more to offer!
Great happy hour specials, huge projection screen for watching "The Game," Live music every night (though make sure you know what you're getting yourself into). Be sure to check out Prince Michael (the DJ who only spins Prince and Michael Jackson) who always draws a crowd.
Nectar is small but it has a big heart.
the fact that it is so small makes it perfect for GOOD hip hop artist who like to connect with their crowd and are not having to perform to a sea of people. for the most part whenever i got to Nectar Lounge it is for smaller name hip hop artist who have few but devote followers.
UNI and BLU was the one that inspired me to write this review their 12/07/08 show just blew my mind. UNI (a hip hop group from englewood califoria) got off stage and went into the crowd to finish their set mics and all got down danced and performed with the crowd they didnt just stand on stage. only at nectar i feel would any artist feel safe enough to get off stage and rock a crowd from INSIDE the crowd.
Nectar Lounge i got mad love
Good for:
1) Live music/dancing. Even on nights without a big "name", Nectar usually has some bluesy band playing that makes you want to shake your groove thang.
2) Drinking. The bar is VERY fast, and friendly. Great place to do shots and reconvene dancing :)
3) Meeting friendly folk in Fremont. (tongue twister!! whee!!)
Bad for:
1) Sitting. (At least at shows). I believe they should add a big 2nd floor loft to enjoy the music at tables. No sitting at night.
2) Dressing up. Don't bother, you'll look out of place.
3) Going to the restroom. They are disgusting, tiny (usually 1 out of the 2 bathrooms are out of order in the ladies, or missing the all-important T.P....) When I say tiny, I also want to point out that it's two stalls, one sink from the '80s, and enough room for maybe one other person to hold the door open. This is why the line is usually out the door and almost bothering the bar.
If the bathrooms are going to be this small, they need to repaint and get some Glade air fresheners (and this includes the dirt-ridden walls in the bathroom hallway).
4) Headliners on weeknights. Usually they won't go on until 11:30pm on Tu/Wed/Thurs with a bunch of opening acts before.. don't believe it when they say 9pm show -- you can arrive at 10 or 11. If I'm prepped for it, sure I can rally, but a lot of weeknights I'm too tired to wait that long. Hey, I have to teach the future of America the next day, bright and early. :)
I always have a good time here when we stop in, but some things can be improved.
I had avoided Nectar like the plague. Its in Fremont which is my second least favorite place in Seattle. To make matters worse there are a ton of hip-hop shows there and I am an avid hip-hop fan therefore I miss a lot of fucking shows. I found out a favorite group of mine, Sweatshop Union, was performing there and vowed to suck it up. Fremont, here I come!
Nectar is small. That was the first thing I noticed but wasn't a problem for me since I enjoy the small club environment. My friend and I went up to order some brews and oh no! my request for a Manny's resulted in a cup full of foam. The bartender had to run back and connect a new keg. She was deeply apologetic for the mishap and I told her no sweat. I can wait for beer. Boy, can I.
It was a great fall night so the big garage doors were rolled up. My friend and I checked out the outdoor area which was quite spacious. There was a crowd but not so much you felt suffocated. My friend and I hung right beneath the roll up doors. It was great being able to hang partially inside Nectar and outside. We got a great view of the stage and honestly the place is small so there really isn't a bad place to be.
Despite my Fremont hate I'm glad I decided to check out Nectar. I will be there more often now. No more missed shows for me!
This is my favorite bar in Seattle. Here's a list of things that are great:
The Staff
The Outside Bar
The Inside Bar
The Upstairs Bar
The Patio
The Music
The Atmosphere
The Location
Doing well with what they have got.
Nectar is located in an old garage in Fremont which was later converted into a baby-diaper laundry service for years. Stylishly re-done as a two floor club the venue has been booking some of the best and most diverse music in seattle. Accoustics can be marginal at times and the small size can get people dancing early on slow nights and leaving early on busy ones (too packed). They added an nice covered outside area and outside bar too.
This place was fun! Saw some Reggae show here about a year ago and was impressed. The venue itself is newer, but built in that 'Seattle Style' with wood slates and metal siding, very REI. (I love how Seattle has that distinctive style). I think I remember the neighborhood being cool, with little bungalows and cool shops nearby.
Anyway the people of Seattle are what really make this venue cool. See in DC, if you go to a concert, PEOPLE DON'T DANCE. People just stand there, too cool to dance (or too uptight). Here in Seattle everyone was grooving. People in Seattle are also friendly. I met a bunch of kids and had a great time. Really, anywhere is Seattle is probably cool (except for some yuppie places that probably exist there) but this one stuck out as especially cool.
I love Nectar - the music, the atmosphere, the hand-muddled margaritas. When its nice out there is no better happy hour than sitting out on the patio among the tropical plants sipping on a cool one and eating a crunchy pizza. Can't wait for Prince Vs Michael this Friday!!
I'm gonna say it:
"I really wanted to like this place"
...but having to push my way through gobs of icky frat boys on the streets of a Friday or Saturday night in Fremont...
(Where do all the hot frat boys hang out??
Never mind - oxyMORON)
...only to arrive at the door of the club to be greeted by someone vomiting....and it was only about 9 o'clock...
(TWICE!!!)
...is not fun.
I caught Michael back when he was still black, and Prince when he was Prince v.01
you kids have fun.
I will only come here for beer on the patio with Betsey and the dawgs.
I walk to most of the venues where I see shows, so having to journey across town is a bit of a pain. However, Nectar is still a better music venue than the ones that are within walking distance, so it's worth the journey. There's much more room to dance, a loft for people who just want to stand around and peoplewatch, and a comfy outdoor patio for the smokers and/or to cool off if the dancefloor gets too hot.
I have to say that this has become one of my favorite places in Fremont to go. They have a great mix of music for on different nights.
More laid back crowd and full of happy people!
This place is awesome for when the sun is out because of it's big outdoor deck, rivaled only by the Red Door. Evenings here have always been hit or miss. I've been here when tons of people are there, the music is bumping, the cover is inexpensive and it's a ton of fun. I've also been here when the music is lame, the cover as overpriced as the drinks, and dead. Those times luckily are not as often.
This place is more open than the High Dive and not as douchy as the Ballroom. Check it out!
What a strange night at Nectar! Traveling through a space-time warp, my ears were greeted with Michael Jackson, and Prince, and nothing BUT Michael Jackson and Prince, (except for the unfair advantage the DJ gave Michael by playing Janet tunes during his floor time) as all of us sweaty dancing people struggled to come to terms with the age-old question: who is KING? Michael or Prince? (Wait - Elvis might be angry!)
Well, it's no contest for me, as Prince is a genius. Even Michael himself gave a nod to the-man-who-at-one-time-needed-only-a-symbol-to-id entify-himself HOW many times by naming his sons all PRINCE Michael? What's the more important part of that name, ladies and gentlemen? We're all about the well-muscled, "petite-er" than thou man of Purple. But they didn't give his music as much time as they gave Michael Jackson's, at least not before I left.
In terms of the club itself (oh - I guess that's supposed to be the point of my review?) it lived up to its club status by almost never having toilet paper in the women's bathroom, having an acceptably sticky dance floor and long waits for drinks at the bar. I did like the outdoor patio, though. Cooling off outside every few songs was necessary in order to avoid passing out and being trampled by avid 80's music fans. (Of which I am one).
I give it four stars because rarely have I seen such enthusiasm in club-goers - almost everyone was dancing almost all the time, which just makes for a fun night. Whether that is due to location, atmosphere, or the music played, Nectar got something right.
Nectar is the best all around joint in Seattle. It has great happy hour, outside seating and they book great music. It is a little bit cramped for concerts but I have to say the bookings trump that.
Every time I have been to Nectar I have enjoyed my time. It is the perfect spot to sit out and have cold brews during the summer. Just the other Saturday, I was able to check out a great band that you rarely get to see in Seattle.
Holy crap! Prince and Michael Jackson are going to have a dance off competition! Who will win?
Nectar is a pretty cool place to get your drink on. Liked the layout of the place and the patio outside was pretty cool. Plus, they had a pretty clean bathroom.
I hated the fact that there is a $10 minimum on a tab. If you plan on just drinking one beer, bring cash.
Zipzap Zubidy Bop!
Mm hmm, yeah um, you're patio, yeah, that's a saving grace for you. Well that, and your Michael Jackson vs. Prince night- I loves me some dancing to the 80's-especially Prince, "I just want your extra time and your...*shakes ass* KISS!" My honky ass is one of the bestest amongst my honky brethren, in the white-man's-stand-in-one-spot-and-shuffle around-like-you've-gotta-pee-while-looking-at-the- ceiling-and-biting-lower-lip dance.
Otherwise, your drinks were weak and overpriced, no coat check, crowded dance floor, cover, and you gave me a blister from dancing! Ok, that last one isn't your fault, but I'm so blaming you for it anyway! hmpf
Not much to cover that hasn't already been covered.
My first Yelp event! w00t for me! We arrived at 9:45 or so, and found parking RIGHT AWAY! holy shit, what? score! and close by too!
The drinks were good, and actually cheaper than I had planned on, so that's a plus. Next time, I'm asking for mel or tony's tab however.. ; )
My coffee bitch described it to me before I went, and he got all the material things right (cemet floor, balcony table area, etc) and the rest (glassy eyed white people not dancing) totally wrong for last night!
The line to the ladies bathroom was typical of any bar or club, and there was, *of course* no line for the men's. The 3 guys in there when I visited were very nice and all washed their hands. I was complimented for washing mine as well. For a guy's bathroom, it was clean...wow.
I had a great time, I have not done the 'out dancing' thing in a while and it was a great time. I really liked the DJs and they did a good job on the Prince v Michael choices. Although, I thought they pulled out the "bigger" MIchael hits a tad early..(though my sense of time was..uh..way off)...and pulling out the Jackson 5 and Ms Jackson at the end was a cheap ploy to make Michael a winner!
My friend and I finally gave in at just before 2am ..which I believe means I outlasted all you yelping-youngins' ....and headed back to the burbs'.
I'll do my best to return to the Nectar again, it was fun!
I loved this place! I went at saw Lal Meri last week... the venue did not get packed which was nice because I didn't have to bump elbows with people.. bad becasue I wish more people knew about them... The drinks were delish and strong! I have their signature Lemon Drop which was very tasty. We also ordered a pesto pizza which had so much flavor and it was only like $10. I really enjoyed this venue and will deff. be back for more shows. (also the bathrooms were so clean!!)
Nectar is probably my favorite bar/venue in Seattle. The outside area really enhances the atmosphere and the vibe is always so down to earth and chill. It has everything you could want: outside area for smoking and mingling, stage/bar area for getting down, upstairs for blending in and people-watching.
Great place to catch a reggae or "world music" type show in particular.
Clinton Feron headlines regularly, so if you're into reggae, it's a great way to catch a solid and inexpensive show (usually about $10).
There are times when I sit around thinking to myself. If only there was a place where I could pay for a small dancefloor full of people standing and drinking on the floor. A place where when I order Whiskey Sours that taste very sugary and make me diabetic. A place with long lines to get to the bar. Oh, and if they can forget about having a coatcheck that would be even better. Is there a place like that? Oh, and those mentioned mixers with a splash of alcohol... Can they be more expensive than drinks on first ave in Belltown? What? There's a place like that? It's called Nectar Lounge? Awesome.
I give this two stars only for the upstairs balcony. There's a bar up there, and it's like the Bronze.
Nectar played host to my best friend's wedding rehearsal "dinner" and drink-fest/frat party this past Friday. In from San Francisco for the weekend, we were consistently surprised by the awesomeness of Seattle bars. In fact, we may defect. The bars were just that good.
Nectar is like a garage with a huge bar, a bandstand, a dj booth, a patio, and a loft. If you don't think that sounds like a major score, let me add that they have delicious bar food in enormous portions for rock-bottom prices and the music ranges from gangster rap to old school hip hop to metal to pop and everything in between. They were having some trouble with the sound system the night we were there, but it seemed like they were working it out.
The cocktail waitresses jet around awful fast in their itsy-bitsy skirts and took great care of our group all night. The bartenders were friendly and chatty and it was not hard to get a drink at the bar on a Friday evening (this is the opposite of San Francisco and I really appreciated the change of pace). Great bar, huge space, awesome vibe. Now when do we get one of these in SF??
went here for an album release party and it was quite the drive from my pad in the eastside. rolled up n found parking on one of the side streets. pretty big covered patio with huge garage doors im guessing they open in the summer. decent sized stage with an upstairs with tables n booths. lighting was dark like any normal venue but they also served cocktails and had pizza to order. drinks were decent, girls were few and far between. being why i was there i wasnt expecting any jaw droppers. alot of older ladies lookin for younger lovin i suppose.
seattle has a dope hiphop scene. maybe because its cold n everyone bundles together. i see the same cats at all the shows. everyones got love for one another. its pretty cool to see a group of people who are pretty different for the most part and see em all vibe over good music.
spent about 30 bucks n got pretty trashed, mixing drinks doesnt help but hey- good music with great people. that aint neva bad. they had old posters on the walls and had alot of stuff that im into so im sure il be back in the next few weeks.
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