There are no good ways; but there are professional ways or there are truly bad ways to cancel events and lay off old staff when you acquire a business. This person bought a 100 year old third space and seems surprised that the entire village of people who have been holding it down are naturally upset at being treated like disposables. The silencing, patronizing, and belittling of critics is not a good business look. Regulars make up a significant portion of annual income for most bars, and event spaces' bottom line. I guess we'll find out if he can replace them all with his pals. Since the buyout and after seeing new management's unprofessional behavior and refusal to hold any accountability for it, I can no longer recommend this venue.
Aaron J. Shay
I used to play this venue regularly. It's had a big role in my life, and I've met many friends in this space.
However, their new owners are not to be trusted. They recently canceled every booking and fired every employee, all without any notice. Some booked artists only learned they were out of work due to a social media post. This is extremely unprofessional.
Do not book your event here! You'll have a better experience anywhere else.
Ashley King
I am severely disappointed with the new owners of this establishment. It used to be a great spot full of love and community. The new owners have canceled all standing shows including comedy, variety, burlesque, and more. On top of that, they fired all the current staff. I am disgusted.
Sarah Gilbert
I can’t recommend The Rendezvous under its new ownership. The way this transition was handled showed a complete lack of respect for the artists, staff, and community that have kept this space alive for decades.
Instead of speaking directly with employees or event organizers, the new owners let everyone go and cancelled all shows by posting on social media. Many people found out they were out of work or that their events were gone with no warning, right before the busiest season of the year. Some staff still haven’t even been allowed to collect their own belongings.
This isn’t just about “renovating” a space. It’s about erasing the very people who gave it meaning. The Rendezvous was a cornerstone for Seattle’s creative community, but treating staff and artists like they’re disposable is not honoring its history—it’s destroying it.
Seattle deserves venues that actually value the people who make the art, not just the profit. Until that changes, this space is no longer the community hub it once was.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sarah Marie Gilbert
I can’t recommend The Rendezvous under its new ownership. The way this transition was handled showed a complete lack of respect for the artists, staff, and community that have kept this space alive for decades.
Instead of speaking directly with employees or event organizers, the new owners let everyone go and cancelled all shows by posting on social media. Many people found out they were out of work or that their events were gone with no warning, right before the busiest season of the year. Some staff still haven’t even been allowed to collect their own belongings.
This isn’t just about “renovating” a space. It’s about erasing the very people who gave it meaning. The Rendezvous was a cornerstone for Seattle’s creative community, but treating staff and artists like they’re disposable is not honoring its history—it’s destroying it.
Seattle deserves venues that actually value the people who make the art, not just the profit. Until that changes, this space is no longer the community hub it once was.
Seth Lottinville
Popped in early evening for some drinks before the concert. Love the vibe. Bartender was real nice. I can see they have a lounge upstairs which looks pretty cool. I didn't eat but I could tell the other customers enjoyed their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rebecca T
We came in for a drink and some drag bingo, and stayed because of the friendly and fun people. They had comedy going on, which we didn’t watch, and a meetup group who we sat with for a while. The bartender was great, and the overall vibe of the place was welcoming, entertaining and fun. Glad we stopped in!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ben Staadecker
Went here for a battle jacket meet up group and had a great time! Cool bar downstairs, the meetup was upstairs. Seemed like cool people, not too busy on a Tuesday night, they had karaoke starting at 8. Nice little spot in belltown. No food, even though Google shows a food menu, but there are tons of places close by to grab a bite to eat
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Ashli Choi
Had a terrible and unpleasant experience with the lady at the front door who gave us attitude from the moment we walked up. Atmosphere once inside was not great, and we decided to leave before paying the cover to get inside. Not worth being disrespected and unwelcome.
EDIT: We did not have anyone underage in our group. We even waited outside the door for a good 10 minutes as there was no one there to check IDs. It is understandable that the reservation was cancelled because we were late, but the rudeness that we were met with at the door was distasteful. We were asked, “what are you here for?”, and were told, “we don’t do that” when we mentioned we were a private party. Seems to me that we were quite literally unwelcome from the moment we walked up to the door.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Leila E
Bartender was rude and aggressive toward customers. I didn’t even end up ordering a drink because the vibe was so hostile, so only commenting on service.
Hangry, overworked mommy bartender working at 7pm-7:30pm was rude
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Grayson P.
The staff were so incredibly kind to my friend and me tonight!! Would definitely recommend spending your time here.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Rob Carbray
Had so much fun
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Cougfan#93 Rod
The place was empty and the bartender was far from friendly. The music choice was aweful. The beer was good but the cocktails were not. I was leaning toward giving this bar 2 stars, but I get the feeling I caught this bar on a bad day.
There are no good ways; but there are professional ways or there are truly bad ways to cancel events and lay off old staff when you acquire a business. This person bought a 100 year old third space and seems surprised that the entire village of people who have been holding it down are naturally upset at being treated like disposables. The silencing, patronizing, and belittling of critics is not a good business look. Regulars make up a significant portion of annual income for most bars, and event spaces' bottom line. I guess we'll find out if he can replace them all with his pals. Since the buyout and after seeing new management's unprofessional behavior and refusal to hold any accountability for it, I can no longer recommend this venue.
I used to play this venue regularly. It's had a big role in my life, and I've met many friends in this space.
However, their new owners are not to be trusted. They recently canceled every booking and fired every employee, all without any notice. Some booked artists only learned they were out of work due to a social media post. This is extremely unprofessional.
Do not book your event here! You'll have a better experience anywhere else.
I am severely disappointed with the new owners of this establishment. It used to be a great spot full of love and community. The new owners have canceled all standing shows including comedy, variety, burlesque, and more. On top of that, they fired all the current staff. I am disgusted.
I can’t recommend The Rendezvous under its new ownership. The way this transition was handled showed a complete lack of respect for the artists, staff, and community that have kept this space alive for decades.
Instead of speaking directly with employees or event organizers, the new owners let everyone go and cancelled all shows by posting on social media. Many people found out they were out of work or that their events were gone with no warning, right before the busiest season of the year. Some staff still haven’t even been allowed to collect their own belongings.
This isn’t just about “renovating” a space. It’s about erasing the very people who gave it meaning. The Rendezvous was a cornerstone for Seattle’s creative community, but treating staff and artists like they’re disposable is not honoring its history—it’s destroying it.
Seattle deserves venues that actually value the people who make the art, not just the profit. Until that changes, this space is no longer the community hub it once was.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I can’t recommend The Rendezvous under its new ownership. The way this transition was handled showed a complete lack of respect for the artists, staff, and community that have kept this space alive for decades. Instead of speaking directly with employees or event organizers, the new owners let everyone go and cancelled all shows by posting on social media. Many people found out they were out of work or that their events were gone with no warning, right before the busiest season of the year. Some staff still haven’t even been allowed to collect their own belongings. This isn’t just about “renovating” a space. It’s about erasing the very people who gave it meaning. The Rendezvous was a cornerstone for Seattle’s creative community, but treating staff and artists like they’re disposable is not honoring its history—it’s destroying it. Seattle deserves venues that actually value the people who make the art, not just the profit. Until that changes, this space is no longer the community hub it once was.
Popped in early evening for some drinks before the concert. Love the vibe. Bartender was real nice. I can see they have a lounge upstairs which looks pretty cool. I didn't eat but I could tell the other customers enjoyed their food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We came in for a drink and some drag bingo, and stayed because of the friendly and fun people. They had comedy going on, which we didn’t watch, and a meetup group who we sat with for a while. The bartender was great, and the overall vibe of the place was welcoming, entertaining and fun. Glad we stopped in!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Went here for a battle jacket meet up group and had a great time! Cool bar downstairs, the meetup was upstairs. Seemed like cool people, not too busy on a Tuesday night, they had karaoke starting at 8. Nice little spot in belltown. No food, even though Google shows a food menu, but there are tons of places close by to grab a bite to eat
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Had a terrible and unpleasant experience with the lady at the front door who gave us attitude from the moment we walked up. Atmosphere once inside was not great, and we decided to leave before paying the cover to get inside. Not worth being disrespected and unwelcome.
EDIT: We did not have anyone underage in our group. We even waited outside the door for a good 10 minutes as there was no one there to check IDs. It is understandable that the reservation was cancelled because we were late, but the rudeness that we were met with at the door was distasteful. We were asked, “what are you here for?”, and were told, “we don’t do that” when we mentioned we were a private party. Seems to me that we were quite literally unwelcome from the moment we walked up to the door.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bartender was rude and aggressive toward customers. I didn’t even end up ordering a drink because the vibe was so hostile, so only commenting on service.
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Front door person hella rude
Service: 1
Hangry, overworked mommy bartender working at 7pm-7:30pm was rude
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The staff were so incredibly kind to my friend and me tonight!! Would definitely recommend spending your time here.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Had so much fun
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The place was empty and the bartender was far from friendly. The music choice was aweful. The beer was good but the cocktails were not. I was leaning toward giving this bar 2 stars, but I get the feeling I caught this bar on a bad day.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
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