ALL-AGES SHOWS AT THE CROCODILE
LOCATION
The Crocodile is Seattle's famous live music venue, where bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and R.E.M played before they became popular. It is in the Belltown neighborhood.
EXPERIENCE INSPIRATION
My Mom really likes the song "No Roots" by Alice Merton and my Dad noticed she was coming to The Crocodile, so he bought us tickets. My parents really love seeing live music in small venues and they wanted me to check it out. We went with our friends Isabel, Keelan and Ted.
GOOD FOR
Adults and kids who love experiencing live music in an intimate setting and are fine with standing during an entire show, which can last until 11 p.m.
HIGHLIGHTS
Crocodiles in the hallway en route to the All Ages Section.
Many people don't know that The Crocodile has all ages shows that kids can go to. Seeing a show at The Crocodile is so different than seeing a show at Key Arena, mostly because it is an up-close experience. You can see musicians' expressions and techniques much better because the stage is so close to the standing area. The main page of The Crocodile's website has a calendar of upcoming shows, which notes if they are "All Ages" or "21 and Over."
THE ENVIRONMENT
The Crocodile is small and intimate and has two sections for minors. One is on the floor, to the right of the stage. The other minor section is in an upstairs loft. The night I went to The Crocodile it was louder than typical stadium performances, so if you have sensitive ears, I suggest you bring earplugs or noise cancelling headphones (although my parents wanted me to wear earplugs to protect my eardrums anyway). In the under 21 section of the venue there is an upstairs loft space with couches and chairs where you can see the performance from above. Although the upstairs loft offers a better view, the floor is made of wood and absorbs all the bass and makes the floor shake. So if you don’t really don't like having your insides shake from the bass, or hearing the music at its loudest because the speakers are mounted next to the loft, I suggest you stay downstairs. But if you aren’t specifically sensitive to noise, the upstairs loft is fun.
BEING CLOSE
Experiencing live music up close in a venue for the first time is really a treat because nowadays, a lot of concerts are in stadiums or big venues. So if you want to be really close to the performers at the concert, this is the place to go. Being closer has a more home-like effect and that is what this venue has.
DRINKS
The crocodile has a 21 and over bar where the adults can get drinks, but they have to be consumed outside the minor section (there is a rope between the minor and adult section, where adults can stand with their drinks). Kids can obviously only have non-alcoholic drinks, which our security person said had to be in a different colored cup. There is also a water jug with plastic cups in the upstairs loft area.
FOOD
Don't be fooled by the name "Back Bar" because it is an all-ages restaurant at The Crocodile that serves wood-fired pizza, and seems perfect for a pre-show dinner.
Overall, the crocodile is a fun and up-close experience. I hope this article helped you understand the overall experience of the music venue, The Crocodile!
Bella standing next to Macklemore's chopper at The Shop, located in Seattle's SODO neighborhood. If you decide to visit, check out Ethan Stowell's restaurant "Derby" next door.
About the blogger: My name is Bella Stephens, and I am a 5th grader who loves to explore Seattle and the Pacific Northwest with my parents and friends. Currently, some of my favorite PNW places to visit are Seattle's MoPOP and Kubota Japanese Garden, Vancouver, BC, and the North Cascades Institute and Sun Mountain Lodge in Northeast Washington. I hope my articles inspire the young at heart to prompt their legal guardians to get out and experience the beautiful PNW.