Tractor Tavern

11/20/08

Idaho loves The Tractor!

by karenrohn at Citysearch

We drove over from Idaho to see the Bottle Rockets and Massy Ferguson. We were not disappointed!

Where else can you drink, get happy and hang with the bands?! It was like being at a small town bar with great live music. We visit the Tractor every time we are in Ballard!

10/09/08

Disrespecting the music experience

by Ashbetty at Citysearch

Let me preface this by saying I don't get out to live music much these days. I used to live in Austin, Texas and we saw shows all the time there, but it's been a while. That said, I went to the Tractor the other night to see Star Anna perform. She is one of my favorite new artists. I saw that she was performing at the tractor and I bought the tickets online. In every listing I saw, her name was listed last of the three different groups performing, so naturally I assumed she would be the headliner. Music was to start at 9:30, but because we thought she was coming on last, we didn't get there until 9:50. As I approached the club, I could hear that she was already performing. As we entered the place, I observed that the posted list was also showing Star Anna last. I tried to ask the guy at the door about the change in order. I said, "I thought Star Anna was performing last." He said, "You heard wrong." Of course we were shouting above the loud music so it was hard to communicate. I said, "It's not 'what I heard'. It's on your sign out there." He shrugged his shoulders. We went inside and listened to her remaining 5 songs. There was a small group of fans who were clustered around the stage and alot of people hanging around who didn't seem interested in the music as well and were being very loud and chatty while she performed. I couldnt' figure out why they didn't go and hang out in the section by the bar rather than disturb our experience. Overall, it was pretty annoying and I felt disrespected. Even more than that, I felt like the music was being disrespected. It was disappointing.

08/02/07

Always great music & great drinks!!

by angelatini at Citysearch

A couple of things right off the bat...the Tractor Tavern is primarily a music venue. It has barely any seating because for most of the bands they showcase you want to be on your feet and close to the action! It is also a dive bar. If you can't get into the spirit of dive bars then don't come. We don't want you there anyway, elitist. It's not a pick up bar and you likely won't hear sleazy come-on's. ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE HUGE PRO'S. They have some of the best bands play there, with reasonable covers. There is room to dance if you make room. Most choose the very front if the crowd isn't big or the very back, by the soundbooth, if it is. It always depends on the show. The drinks are reasonably priced and if you are kind to the bar staff (read: tip on each drink), mighty strong. It's the best no-nonsense, MUSIC LOVER bar in town, with some of the best sound around. As a singer, it's also a great stage on which to sing...I would recommend it for bands to play, too.

• Pros: Music is always great. Drinks are strong. Room to dance.
• Cons: The yuppies and hippies that sometimes descend on it.

02/28/07

Great Music / Dump

by seajnt at Citysearch

Great music, dump of a place. Very few seats, and the one bench in the back tips over if you are not careful.

12/16/05

Lots Of Music

by jiffxx at Citysearch

The tractor has local and touring Americana and roots rock bands 6 or 7 days a week. It has taken the acts that played The Backstage, a much better venue that closed 6 or 7 years ago. Nothing special about the space. It doesn't lend itself to sitters and dancers co-existing. Cramped restrooms right beside the stage. No service as there's only two tables and own counter. Good beer from the bar which is too close to the stage for quiet acts.

• Pros: sound system
• Cons: service, comfort, smoking allowed