Last night I went to see Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground at the Triple Door, and it was a completely different concert experience than most of the places in town. They have tables set up for a dinner cabaret, a fancy wine list, and exorbitantly priced food. The beautiful sound system makes up for all this, though, and quite a few bands are booking here now that the Crocodile has closed. So, here are a few observations for the next time you find yourself contemplating going to a show at the Triple Door:
- Buy your tickets ahead of time. If you're going with a group, make one group ticket purchase so you're seated at the same table.
The Triple Door arranges their seating ahead of time, so even if their show doesn't sell out (like it did last night) you might be shunted to the standing-room-only crowd in the back. That area has varying degrees of visibility, but it always has people crossing in front of you to get to the restrooms. I had a cushy booth seat that was quite lovely!
- Eat ahead of time -- or order the fried rice to get the most bang for your buck.
When you order tickets or look up concert info on the Triple Door's site, they recommend getting there two hours before the show starts "to save your table." We arrived about an hour ahead of time and our eyes popped a bit at the prices for show venue food--then again, what else would you expect from a place that gets their food from the same kitchen as the Wild Ginger? After hemming and hawing, I ordered the fried rice and received a ginormous plate of it for about $5; it ended up feeding about three of us (followed by vows to get more food after the show because we're cheapsters). Another option is to arrive super early for their Happy Hour, but most of the appetizers are tiny little dishes meant to accompany drinks rather than fill your stomach.
- Try the Triple Door's Bloody Mary. It was $6, spicy-hot like I haven't found anywhere else in Seattle, and delicious.
Did I miss anything? Kay Kay put on a spectacular show. I got a bit distracted by the music.
1 imaginary stella said on February 19, 2008
I love the Triple Door -- it makes me feel so jazz-era cool listening to great bands while sitting in plush seats with swanky drinks amidst fancifully dressed folks (whose outfits you can actually study, as everyone's sitting). Can't wait to see Grand Archives manana!!
2 imaginary dana said on February 19, 2008
Hah!! This is great advice; I'm totally gonna go for the fried rice next show. I adore the Triple Door as well. Makes me feel like I'm in some sexy Speakeasy back in the day!
3 Deborah Barnard said on February 19, 2008
I actually do like the Triple Door, but listening to Kay Kay while sitting down was odd--I kept bouncing in my seat while stifling the inner urge to dance.
4 ChrisB said on February 19, 2008
I highly recommend the Triple Door to anyone who will listen (and I swear I'm not on their payroll), but I think that if you buy your tickets ahead of time, they'll make sure you get a seat (which I think is first-come first-served).
I know it can be pricey, but they really, really do treat you well there. I always get a good place to sit when I'm there and the waitstaff won't hassle you if you don't want to get a drink and will continue bringing carafes of water. Everyone there is always super-friendly (they even sent me a thank you card once!).
5 Deborah Barnard said on February 19, 2008
I think the seats are first-come, first-served in the order of when you bought tickets? Since the show was sold out, I'm pretty sure the last people to get tickets were the ones who had to stand in the back.
Tickets for Kay Kay were decently priced, $10 was totally fair.
6 imaginary stella said on February 20, 2008
Here's something interesting -- I just called the Triple Door to find out what time Grand Archives go on stage tonight. The told me to make sure to call them ahead of time if you're running late for any reason, because they release tix 15 minutes after the start of the show. Late-comers, beware!
(PS for anyone interested, the gal said GA should go on around 8.15 for tonight's first show -- though that time isn't set in stone. I'd bank on showing up on time and getting one of those bloody marys!)
7 Chris Weber said on February 20, 2008
This is why I love the Triple Door!
#1. I am an old man who likes to sit down.
#2. The shows starting before 9:30pm are all ages, so I can bring my son.
#3. The food is delicious with many vegetarian options. Yes, it can get pricey, so either eat before, or just prepare to give yourself a treat and make it a big night out!
#4. The private rooms upstairs are a fun place to have a small party while seeing music!
#5. It sounds and looks good and it is clean... did I mention that I am old and like to sit down.
*** Obviously it is not the ideal place to see every kind of music... sometimes standing up in a dirty bar without my son is the way to go, but the eclectic booking keeps me going pretty regularly.
8 Kyle Johnson said on February 20, 2008
I was there for Kaykay.. and now tonight for GA and the lovely sera cahoon. I cant wait!! this venue rules.. we could all use some swank now and then
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