Tractor Tavern

First time attending a concert at Tractor Tavern! It’s a small venue but it’s clean and there’s room to stand. It’s a fun aesthetic as well and the bartenders are super nice. Sadly there’s still annoying concert goers that think the space is theirs but what you ya gonna do?? Ha. Definitely a good place to catch some smaller events and in a fun area of Ballard for before and after food and drinks.

Awesome venue, one of my favorites that I’ve been to in Seattle! Caught the Jesse Daniel show here in August and loved the initiate atmosphere. Real friendly staff too.

We saw Alejandro Escovedo at the Tractor, my first visit to this Seattle classic. Was not disappointed! It's an intimate venue and sound was great. I love the readily available on tap filtered water station, too. No waiting in line to ask for water!

Great Place. Yesterday I attended a concert of Ukrainian Band Vopli Vidoplasova and a debut of Ukrainian folk rock band Steam Machine. Sound was great, enough space to enjoy music, leaving space at the bar and quieter area near the entrance hallway. 3 restrooms, dedicated merchandise spot, wardrobe, backstage room for performers. Secured fenced parking space available. Staff were friendly and professional. Recommend for event. Check out their website for more information.

In my first visit to Tractor Tavern last week, I saw a trio of bands showing the variety to be found in Seattle’s music scene courtesy of Karōshi, New Age Healers, and Suzzallo. The variety of drinks at the bar as well as reasonable pricing and hospitable staff made it easy to settle in for a great night of music. The sound was consistent and clear throughout the night. I know I’ll be back for another show whether it is an artist I’m familiar with, or just in need of a good night of live music.

Tractor is an intimate music venue that’s great for seeing your favorite shows and bands you may have not heard of. Lots of local musicians mixed with bands from all over the world. It’s always a great time - we especially love watching country artists and dancing - it has a great dance floor for two-stepping and Western swing style dancing!

My husband and I found parking (🥳) and showed up for the Bowie Blast. In LA, I always went out for Bowie's birthday. I have to look far and wide for anything like that in Seattle.(Still a native, so put down the pitch forks) Here it was. It was $25/person and my husband and I are trying to be prudent with money. It is very, very hard to save when you can't go out for less than $100 these days. I work in education so.... yeah. I thought we were late to the show so I asked for a discount on the cover. They said the band just started and they couldn't do that. I apologized and said I wasn't trying to haggle at all. The staff was very kind to us, even tho we were waffling. I've come to expect the cold front. The bartender who served me at the comedy show just before the Tavern refused to make any human contact. He just handled my cash and handed me my drink, like a robot. I still have warm blood pumping through my veins. Tractor Tavern was so warm and friendly. They gave us time to talk about it outside. We stepped outside. The music was percolating through the glass. I am a classic rock junkie. I took us back in. At the bar, I asked for a double. The bartender moved to the side to reveal a sign that said "no doubles". I laughed and apologized. He was kind and made a friendly joke. I seriously don't expect anyone to be nice to me anymore. I expect a chilly silence. This was so welcoming and warm. I wasn't treated like a jerk even tho some of my questions could warrant that response. They allowed me to be new and be human. The music was amazing. Let the children lose it. Let the children use it. Let all the children boogie. Thank you for keeping the human vibe alive and friendly. We will be back.

One of my favorite Seattle music venues. It's a classic! It just feels like home and has a very cool edgy western vibe. Wear your cowboy boots! Always great music, and a diverse selection of shows. I always know it's going to be a good show here!

Best Nashville bar that's not in Nashville. I've never been to a bad show here. I've seen many performances here that I know the artists could be playing in much larger venues. Either the Tractor is really good at booking, or the artists like playing there, or both. Lots of great restaurants nearby.

No food here. Only beverages. What a fantastic small venue with excellent sound. Parking is tricky in Ballard but totally worth the drive. I recommend using spot hero and reserving a spot. I was able to park really close for $9.00. I also recommend arriving early. Because this is a no seating venue so you can grab a seat at the only bench along the wall. And when the show starts you can stand on the bench which provides a great view! The service here is super friendly and the bathroom is well, a bathroom. Not fancy, small and clean: super fun overall vibes! Going to keep an eye on there calendar. Enjoy life! SYOY!

I've been going to the Tractor for nearly 20 years. It's a funky little music venue in Ballard, emphasis on little. But it's a great venue to catch local and not so local talent, with decent sight lines throughout most of the venue. It can get really crammed full with people, depending on the band, making it very difficult find a place to stand or to wind your way to the bar to grab a refill. There are also precious few places to sit, so you'll likely be standing the entire time (unless you're one of the lucky few near the stage or along one of the walls). I found the staff at all levels to be friendly and accommodating, the bartenders in particular, who, despite the crowds, remembered the drink orders each time we stepped up.

As a frequent concert guest, I go to a lot of small venues, navigate a lot of different places, and generally have a good time... all while in a wheelchair. Shocking.. I know Most places have an ADA area where people like myself can sit and watch without an obstructive view or the risk of being tripped over. I showed up to this venue an hour before doors open, let the staff know I was there and made arrangements to come to the side door. However the bathroom is down steps, the merch table is down steps, the bar.... down steps. No space for me anywhere. I ended up at the back of the room, tripped over, drinks spilled on me, kicked, and only able to see the butts of the people crammed in front of me. I left a few minutes into the show after being tripped over by a woman who actually gagged when she looked down at my leg and yelled my legs don't work. ( For reference my legs are fine. ) I'm really disappointed.

Great environment to catch a variety of musical acts. The staff is always friendly, and it's in a phenomenal location.

Great place to hang out with great music. I am waiting for future bands to play there

I am so disappointed in the Tractor Tavern (I want to stress this has nothing to do with the bands). When I purchased a ticket for a band that I love, I did not know that this was a "no seat venue" (except for a very few against the wall). I saw "general admission" when I purchased the ticket (not standing room only). Most folks have to stand for hours (and a few can sit on raised platforms but super uncomfortable). Disabled folks better have a walker with a seat. Better be young. I complained to the manager and he replied I should have known this was no seat option. I asked how? Then I asked if they complied with ADA regulations; he insisted that they did. I don't believe it. They want to pack the place like airlines overbook. I will never be back.

I had such an amazing wedding after party at Tractor Tavern! A huge thank you to Jeff and team for being so easy and wonderful to work with, and for the fantastic music. Cannot recommend this space enough for wedding after parties in Ballard. Hope to be back soon! :)

Small booze and beer selection, but the decorations are pretty fun. Lots of posters of bands that have come through, but not too much to spoil the country aesthetic.

Tractor Tavern is a cool, hip little venue for acts to come through and do their thing. Not a large venue so I don't think AAA acts will come through here, but that may be kind of the draw and it's not all that large of an audience area. I'd suggest getting in early if you're on the shorter side. I could see getting screwed as the crowd rolls in and not being able to see anything an hour into performances. Everything you'd expect is here. ID checker dude. Ticket checker dude. Bar girls. Bathrooms. Stage. Area to stand and watch the stage. Tucked in the corner is where the band can stock their merch for purchase. That's it. At least as far as I could tell. The acts sounded good, but I'm not sure if I can chalk that up to their equipment or the actual venue. Tickets aren't outrageously expensive but you gotta be prepared for the service fees. Right on the busy Ballard Ave. there is plenty to get into before or after concerts so that's pretty cool too. Not a bad spot to catch a show.

If there is any place you want to go for live music in seattle, this is it. There are multiple shows on same day and you can hear different local artists. It's not a large space so I would suggest coming early to get a good spot. The acoustics of the place or the equipment if the place can be done better.

I have seen hundreds of shows at the Tractor. In all that time, I've never seen a bad one. Not one. Never. Plus the staff, from the doorman to the bartenders, fast, efficient and friendly. It's like they know how special the place is and they each do their part to keep it cool, safe, clean and fun.

Reeks of great music, close up. You will stand. Greatest show this year, so far... Shinyribs!!! Eat before you go.

I have a torn MCL,ACL, and meniscus. I was singled out for bowing my head after walking with a bum leg

This place is amazing. It is cozy inside, the bartenders are friendly, the sound system is great for live music. I top of all that, they have beer. Hard to beat. I'll be back.

If you like left-of-the-dial country and Americana, the Tractor is one of the best music venues in the world (although it also hosts plenty of other types of artists). I've honky-tonked from Nashville and Austin to New York City and Tokyo, and there's nowhere like The Tractor. It's a special place. Yes, it can get crowded, and there's limited seating. Come early if you want to nab a seat on the bench by the wall. Or, for a more relaxed dance floor, check out Conor Byrne, which is down the street in Old Ballard.

Although this place seemed to have plenty of dance floor they pack you in like sardines. Not my style. Came here for the prince and George Michael tribute band concert. We left after about an HR as we were crammed in a corner. It's hard to even move. I could see this place being fun if you don't mind having strangers touch you and smelling other people (body odor, lotion, cheap perfume etc) the entire time. I am used to concerts but not like this so it wasn't for me. The bar was also hard to get to. Staff manning the front were very short with people and didn't seem like they wanted to be there. But it could have been a long/busy night. I can't judge on what I don't know. This was a Saturday night which I know is busy anyway.

The perfect Seattle music venue...intimate, livelier than most...it's got all the vibes and a healthy rotation of great bands/musicians. Pick a show...any show...and go!

Can anyone here explain why I just paid a $10 service fee on top of the $40 for two tickets? No worries if that's just highway robbery, indie rock style, but just looking to call a spade a spade....

Took care of me when someone was being over the top rude. I will come back specifically because of the staff

Fun, small music venue in Ballard, usually showcasing local artists. I dig that. My friends and I came here for a 90's-2000's Party, and had a blast here! You can get tickets online, where we saved five bucks versus at the door, and there is a will call where as soon as you walk in, there's an employee with a list of ticket-buyers to check off. The space is split in two rooms: the bar and stage. The bar is where you walk into as soon as you enter Tractor, and in the back is the restroom. The stage is in the other room where you can still see and hear the performer from the bar at a distance. Sound quality and lighting was good. They don't serve food here - but have a full bar, and the drinks are strong and cheap here! Bartenders are much friendlier here than at other music venues I've been to, where they can get cranky from how busy the place gets but never got that feeling here. They also have a coat check in the room where the bar is for $3 cash. Overall, this is a nice space to listen to some music and dance! Friendly staff, lots of support for local artists and a full bar, necessary for any of those dance moves!

(This review is based on my experience of trying to buy advance tickets from the box office.) I try to save money and avoid extra service charges on tickets by buying directly from venue box offices. I called Tractor during their daytime box office hours and was told I could buy tickets for advance shows at their box office when they are open for other shows. I planned my evening around doing this and was amazed by how horrible the response was when I got to the venue. First, after waiting in a short line, I was told by the door guy that he had to help the people behind me get into the show before he could sell me tickets. That night's show was far from starting, but sure, no big deal. As I was waiting, he suggested that maybe the other employee standing next to him could assist me with the other computer they had next to his. That guy froze and said he had to go check with the owner back at the bar. He came back and said "Can you come back at 10:30pm?" Mind you, this was at 8:30pm. I let him know that I wasn't planning on just hanging around for two more hours to buy tickets. Then he said I can just buy them online, to which I let him know I was there to buy them in person to avoid the service fees. He was nice about it overall and I could tell his hands were tied by whatever the owner told him. By this time, there was no one left in line (other than me) and no one trying to get into the show. Then the two staff conferred with each other and the first guy says "Yeah, I guess the system is down or something. It will be back online at 10:30pm." So, your system is suddenly down, even though while I was waiting you were using it to look up online tickets for people arriving for that night's show, and you also know the exact time your system will be fixed?!?! So, on top of them refusing to sell me tickets, they blatantly and insultingly lied to me about the reason. Now, Tractor is far from my favorite venue in Seattle, but I've been to a good number of shows there and have spent plenty of money there, having mostly enjoyed my experiences. This was a very frustrating experience that I will have to consider in the future when there is a band I want to see that is unfortunately playing there. If you can't handle the stress of selling advance tickets at your door when you have ten people in the venue (but nowhere near the ticket counter) before the show starts, then just don't tell people it's an option! It's ridiculous to tell customers you will provide a service and then just tell them "nevermind" when they show up to give you their business. I guess you have no interest in treating your customers well, even when they are trying to give you money. I'm very disappointed in you, Tractor

Fun place to see live music, considering there are not many options. However, they over sell events to the point where you cannot move, you can never sit down, and you're on top of each other, which is really not enjoyable. Meanwhile, they also are extremely vigilant about mask enforcement, which is kind-of ironic because if they cared about covid safety they probably wouldn't over sell the place to the point where you can't move and everyone is 4 inches away from each other. Idk, maybe it's just me but I'd rather pay more for more space than pay $25 to be "packed in like sardines" and unable to move.

Tractor Tavern is an intimate concert venue in the heart of Ballard. It is standing room only and doesn't really have a bad location since you can see the stage from just about every place on the floor. There are 2 bars, one just as you walk in, and another inside near the stage. You can hear the music from both bars, so I would suggest going to whichever line is shorter. There is also a water station inside the venue at the back (to the left of the stage) where you can fill up a cup at your leisure. There are also 2 bathrooms. One just as you walk in (next to the bar), but it is a single stall so there was a line most of the night. The other bathroom is in the back of the venue, just to the left of the stage. Coat check is available as well ($3/item).

Was pretty disappointed at the bar service today. When my card declined at the bar for an annoying reason, I got yelled at by the bar keep, and they refused to give me my card back. Of course, I covered my bill, but the service was rude and handled the situation unprofessionally. Don't feel like going back any time soon.

Paid $50 (40 + 10 in fees) to a show I could not attend. They told me to kick rocks. They don't care. They closed their box office and use ticketweb. I'm a musician and I have blacklisted this place as well as ticketweb. They can go right ahead and fuck right back off.

Great venue for live music. Been to more than 10 shows here. Depending on the night, music ranges from quieter indie rock to fun standing room only, fast and loud stuff.

Lovely space for live music and hanging out with friends! They do charge a $10 cover on weekends but doing so ensures that it doesn't become overly crowded - this was a relief as some places in Ballard get uncomfortably warm and crowded on busy summer nights. One of my friends suggested this place and so the four of us came in to enjoy the live music and company. The drinks were refreshing and the space was like that of an old repurposed barn. It was a good first experience and I look forward to seeing more live music here in the future!

A haunting tune plays on the pre set PA in the empty 2 room "Tractor"... This is rumored to be Ballards best music venue but the 8.00 show has a sparse turnout... A few scruffy hipsters all with big rimmed glasses clutch their PBR tall boys for dear life.... The anticipation for this unpretentious show is less than vibrant with their understated passive aggressiveness. A band playing for no one but me may sound exclusive... But it is only 7.45...

Only got drinks, not food, but had a good beer selection and a fun band playing in the back! Was a lot bigger of a venue than I realized from the outside and had a lot of fun here, will be back!

**This review is for Tractor Tavern as a sample sale venue** I went to Tractor Tavern for a Joe's Jeans sample sale. The location was convenient (especially with the free parking on Shilshole) and there was an appropriate amount of floor space to accommodate the sale boxes. The stage was perfect for the DJ setup. However, there were no suitable areas for changing garments. The lighting was also quite dim in some places and blinding in others -- both lighting conditions were not ideal for shopping. There was limited bench seating (fixed) along one wall. If you're attending a clothing sample sale here: - Wear leggings and/or a tank top to try clothing on over - Leave big purses at home

First trip to the Tractor Tavern, to see Aaron Crawford. The place is very interesting and as a sort-of farm girl, I dig it. The bartenders were really nice and there is a self-service water station which is awesome for us DDs! We got there at 8 when doors opened, scored a table along the side which seemed like a good idea until the place got full and then we couldn't see much. No biggie, as we made our way to the front of the crowd during the break between bands and ended up right next to the stage. The bathrooms are pretty awesome/eccentric. Looked like they sell bags of chips if you desire a snack after all the dancing. They also have a coat check, for $3/item. It's Ballard so parking is a challenge but there is street parking (if you are super lucky!) and paid lots. Or take an Uber like most of the people we saw. Lots of restaurants and shops nearby to check out!

My first Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) ever!! I was invited by friends. I was not going to join, but drove in front of the tavern and got a parking spot right across street! I was like awesome! I went without knowing what was happening. All I knew was everyone was happy, dancing, and kind of drunk! It was a concert venue and playing Mardi Gras style music, which is very interesting to me. It was very upbeat and really made me super happy. And, I can't believe I only had a cup of water still being kinda high. It's the music! It only cost me $10 by the door. And, the main show started at 10:30, which was late for me but I sucked it up. I was glad I stayed and had such a good experience. Bartenders are friendly! Imagine water was all I ordered (it's free) and they didn't yell at me! Their bathroom!! Oh my... It may be just slightly better than the bathroom in Baranoff if you know what I am talking about! If I am lucky all the time with parking, I'd be here more often for sure!

Oh Tractor Tavern, why have I endured 6 long years of concert attendance without you? Boo hoo! Saw American Authors and Royal Teeth here. The Colourist opened. I was very impressed by them. Glad to add another band to my fledgling list. The sound here is fabulous, and it is a great venue size-wise. Big enough for lots of standing, with a few tables nearer the bar. Bar and door service was great. Tickets are SO CHEAP. If you're ever bored in Ballard, just wander this way. The show I saw was THIRTEEN DOLLARS including taxes and fees. Odds are it will not be sold out, so save a few bucks and go $10 at the door. Anyone want to go? I'm buying!

Looking for a great spot to see a band in Seattle? The tractor is a great small club. Outfitted like your grandfathers barn, The vibe is very laid-back and fun here. There isn't too much seating but we arrived half an hour after the doors opened on a Wednesday and snagged the cushioned bench right by the stage. For $15 we saw an opener that was better than a lot of main acts that we've seen, and a headline act from Australia that was outstanding. They had four IPAs on tap and about 10 taps total as well as a full bar. Not much for food except for peanuts so eat something before you get here. Highly recommended. Come here and have a great time.

Look, the ticket stand is my first impression of a place. The door person was a bit rude, but hey it was crowded. He's probably cranky. The bar keeps the drinks flowing with their "kindly step away" after your order sign. The atmosphere is definitely the tavern style- tall wooden walls, low lighting, a couple of seats, but mostly standing room for the concerts. Great sound this time around, last time we had to bring earplugs for everyone in our group. Unapologetic drunk dancers stumbling towards us. The environment is playful, but you really don't want to get pushed around. That's what elbows are for! As for the bathroom, get in, get out. Don't look, don't breath, don't listen. It's not pretty and if they can't budget for cleaning it up routinely, then it's damn disgusting, but hey drinks and live dancing music. It's hard to compete with. It's still a four Stars!

Awesome bands and good servers. Be prepared to stand for whole concert though as there are only a couple of tables and one long bench against a wall. Overall great acoustics and fun place.

The Tractor Tavern is a fantastic venue in Ballard for music enthusiasts. Always quality national & local bands playing on this tiny stage. It's an up & close experience for the music fan so a must head to venue and grab brew to see your favorite band.

I think I legitimately love this venue! It's everything you love about small venues...the ability to be close to the performers, great sound and cool vibe. Went to a sold out show last night and there was NEVER more than a 2 minute wait at the bar. That is a testament to how well the bartenders do at getting you served and on to the next....and they were NICE too....you didn't leave having felt like they were just pushing you through to get to the next customer. There were 2 small problems that caused a 4 instead of 5 star review....no seating other than a wooden bench along one wall, While I anticipated this and wore sensible shoes I can imagine this isn't ideal for everyone. Secondly the bathroom, the only problem with small venues is small bathrooms. The bathroom line was longer than the bar line every time....because there'e only 2 stalls.

Bar is pretty average, made a good amaretto sour ..good sound system. Prices are decent. But they manage to pack WAY too many people into a very small space. You will be stepped on, ran into, just about wear someone else's drink, and stand the entire time you're there. I stand all day for work, so I didn't enjoy the place as much as some others may..

I love the Tractor! The only thing that could possibly make it better would be a photo booth! Regardless, this is a neighborhood gem.

I've been to the Tractor for numerous shows over the years and have never had a bad experience. The sound has been great and not too loud for the size of the venue. But, of course, the closer your are to the speakers the more ringing in your ears you can expect the next day. The crowds have always been pretty friendly and not aggressive. The Bar pours the drinks that are reasonable and don't seem watered down. But what really matters is that the stage is nicely raised and there good viewing lines throughout the venue. The only downside is that now that I'm over 50, I have a hard time standing for the entire time. I wish there was more seating. Have a great time.

You'll will probably go to this small, over-packed, sweaty venue if there is live music you want to hear but keep your head down low when entering bc the front door folks are shockingly mean.

You get FOUR STARS if you have Ian Tyson in the house. Pretty hard to rap on any other aspect of the place. I will tell ya this, you better have eaten before you come as the food is next to no where. An OKAY beer selection, but let's face it, that's not the point of the place either. It's probably best that it doesn't have great beer, or decent food. Hell, as long as they have acts like Tyson, WHO CARES?!?!

I have only been to The Tractor once and it was A LOT of fun! I was there to see one of the greatest bands ever! Deertick! It was sorta odd how they had a closed off area that didn't open till right before the show, so everyone was sorta crammed together. The drinks were good and after the show the bartenders lent me a black marker so John could sign some things for me. So extra stars for the staff's kindness alone! I'd definitely come back here for another great show.

I was very disappointed and frankly disturbed by my experience here. I went here with a group of friends for a 90's night that we were all really excited for. After dancing for an hour or so, my friend was kicked out for...not really sure of the reason? I saw a cluster of shoving going on between people but not much else. Definitely nothing that warranted what happened next. Next thing I know I'm outside witnessing my friend kneeling on the pavement with a huge gash on her elbow, screaming in pain because she had just been pepper-sprayed by the bouncer who kicked her out. Thank god for the two women who helped her by calling the fire department and requesting a saline for my friend's eyes. Just from hugging my friend, I got some on my arm and immediately got a painful rash myself, I've never been pepper sprayed but just from that exposure I can't imagine the pain my friend was in. The callous actions of the bouncer and door guy were totally uncalled-for. The music was great and the bartenders were nice but there are plenty of venues in Seattle I could say the same for and not fear for my safety. I will never come here again unless I can be assured that management takes the safety and respect of its patrons seriously. Shame on the Tractor Tavern.

Saw a show there and the sound system was terrible. You couldn't hear any of the vocals of the first band, reverb everywhere and between set changes they did a full sound check of one band that took over 45 minutes. The headliner who had their own sound tech was great however. It could be a great venue for intimate shows but until they get a decent sound tech and they didn't make the audience sit through a 45 minute sound check between bands. In addition the ladies room was a joke. One normal sized stall and one stall you literally have to turn sideways to get into. Ridiculous.

I love coming here for concerts! I've been to two shows in the past 2 months. It's so much fun to have dinner/happy hour drinks somewhere on Ballard Ave and then pop in here for the concert. The interior is tastefully decorated and relatively clean. (I really enjoyed the Halloween lights and decorations!) Bathrooms were not so bad for bar bathrooms. As other reviewers have mentioned, this place never seems uncomfortably crowded. We went to a sold-out show, but there was plenty of room to move around, the bar never got too crowded, and the will-call line was very manageable. The bar has a decent selection of drinks on tap, bottles, and your standard liquor options. Be advised that they charge $.50 per card swipe, so it might be a good idea to pay in cash if you're going to be stopping at the bar quite a few times.

Came here for a concert so just to clarify, this is about the venue NOT the show. Pros: It's a really great intimate space for live performance and allows the audience to get right up close to the stage, and thus the artists can get really personal with their audience as they feel so inclined. There seemed to be enough separation between the bar-area and the main floor to allow for all-ages shows with minors in attendance, while keeping it open enough in the room that the bar-goers didn't seem totally closed-off. Cons: Not enough seating!!! And this was a BIG con for me. God forbid you actually get tired and need to sit and rest at any point during the show, because other than the stools at the bar and a handfull of benches along ONE wall, there is NOTHING. I'm sure that's handy for their square-dances, but otherwise, people better be willing to share or they'll be making friends with the floor. Oh and, I recommend bringing your concert earplugs because, although I def don't mind a loud concert, in a small space with acoustics like this, there's just not a lot of places for those sound waves to go other than crashing back over the audience. Jussayin, it can be a little jarring if you're not prepared.