Showbox, Seattle

The Showbox, initially named the Showbox Theater, is a renowned music venue situated in Seattle. Established in 1939, it has showcased a wide range of music genres throughout the years. From the Jazz Age to the Grunge Era, this ballroom has welcomed esteemed performers like Duke Ellington, Muddy Waters, and the Ramones, as well as local talents such as burlesque artist Gypsy Rose Lee and grunge bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, TAD, and Screaming Trees.

Originally constructed in 1917, the building now known as the Showbox was originally erected as the Central Public Market. In 1939, the structure underwent significant renovations in the Art Moderne style and was transformed into a performance venue named "The Show Box." For the next eight decades, it predominantly functioned as a performance space, with occasional periods of other endeavors and short periods of vacancy.

The memorable era of the Showbox that remains etched in the minds of many began in the late 1970s with new management. During this period, the Showbox showcased Punk Rock and New Wave bands, eventually establishing itself as the premier rock venue in the city. In the 1990s, alongside fostering Seattle's burgeoning rock scene, the Showbox also hosted comedy shows. While experiencing several changes in management in recent times, the Showbox continues to serve as a pioneering music venue and a prominent symbol of Seattle's identity as a music city.