Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Washington Nightclub For Decades
By Sherri Adams|Published February 28, 2023
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Sherri Adams
Author
Sherri Adams is a writer, photographer, and travel enthusiast from the Pacific Northwest. She has always been passionate about writing and the opportunities for connection through the written word. When she’s not writing, you can often find her at the seashore with her toes in the sand and her nose in a book.
When you think of iconic nightclubs in Washington, one comes immediately to mind. The Crocodile music venue and bar has been a fixture in the Seattle music scene since its inception as the Crocodile Cafe in 1991. Legendary grunge bands got their start and gained a local following after performing at the Crocodile, some going on to see huge national and worldwide success. With an unparalleled lineup of musical entertainment and comedy, it’s not hard to see why countless celebrities and fans alike have loved this iconic Washington nightclub for decades.
The Crocodile got its start in 1991 during the peak of Seattle's grunge scene as the Crocodile Café in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood, quickly becoming a popular music venue.
Music lovers related to the introspective and dark themes of grunge music in the early '90s, and the Crocodile provided a perfect outlet for musicians and fans.
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The Crocodile has seen a lot of big names over the decades.
Fans of the local band, Mudhoney were shocked when the opening band, "Pen Cap Chew" actually turned out to be hugely popular grunge band, Nirvana in a surprise performance. Tickets for that show were a mere three dollars!
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Seattle's own Soundgarden played an early career gig at the Crocodile.
In the early '90s, the Crocodile stage served as a secret venue for headliners of Seattle's Bumbershoot Music Festival to try out their set. It wasn't unusual to see Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam chatting at the bar with Joey Ramone or Kurt Cobain playing pinball with members of Alice In Chains.
Rolling Stone Magazine named the Crocodile one of the best clubs in America. You can still see amazing, local musicians and comedians at this iconic club.
Who knows? You might even be lucky enough to see the next major star before they hit it big.
The Crocodile continues to be a premier venue for live music and celebrity sightings, beyond the grunge genre hosting the likes of Green Day, Snoop Dogg, Lizzo, Sia, and Billie Eilish, to name a few.
If you’re looking for a hip venue with the best in local music and comedy, be sure to check out the Crocodile in Seattle. Have you ever been to the Crocodile? What band did you see? We’d love to hear about it in the comments. Take your love of music on the road with this epic record-store road trip.
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