Club Motor Reviewed
Seattle is full of nooks and crannies, and in the way of clubs, bars, warehouses, and hole in the wall places you need a GPS to find, there is a full range of diversity in every corner. Some are loud, some are quiet, and some are just for the regulars. The industrial district of Seattle, named SoDo for being south of the now non-existent King Dome, is home to train tracks, alleys, factories, diners, banks, corner stores, and several venues escaping the busy streets of Seattle, only coming to life when the rest of the district is quiet and dark.
As First Avenue heads southward, the busy Emerald City culture gives way to a quieter, more spread out area, where the factories expand out, and the lights become more distant. It's along this road that you'll find a small sign above a door. That's where you'll also find Club Motor.
While inconspicuous on the outside, Motor is a great little venue. It holds that warehouse charm, with its paned windows and high ceilings, yet its age and rustic nature are reminisce of something else. Something... cozy. It is exactly the kind of building that feels aged and functional at the same time.
The spacious entry climbs up towards the main level, and you are brought to the main event. A large room stretches towards the back of the building, with a permanent stage off in the far right corner. Once you've taken a few more steps, you'll notice the bar on the right, caged off by a 4 foot wall the length of the room topped by a chain link fence that reaches 14 feet up. This wall and fence assembly allows Motor to be one of the only venues in Seattle that accommodates all ages and a 21 and up area in full view and close proximity to each other. The effect is rather like a play pen for adults. The 50ft bar can accommodate a large crowd, and has full view of the main stage just beyond the fence.
Speaking of the main event, this is something not to be missed. Motor has a sound system that is one of the best in the city. The bass will literally rumble your entire body. Twelve Cerwin Vega 18" folded subwoofer boxes sit at the front of the stage, sure to cause at least 24 hours of hearing fatigue when running at their peak. Your friends might be annoyed that you keep saying, "WHAT?!" but it'll be completely worth it. The lighting system is only slightly less than fantastic, with intelligent lighting and bright black lights. Other areas of the club and bar are oddly well lit, something we don't normally see at a venue of this type. They contrast the dark dance floor, supplying all of the ambient light. The contrast is a strange effect, and depending on the lighting on the main stage, can be too much, but overall they make the venue safer by lighting the corners a little better than no lights at all. Together, the lights and sound create an atmosphere that bring together the masses, again and again.
Behind the building is a roped off area for patrons to get a breath of fresh air. Of course by ropes I mean yellow police tape. In my last experience, this was NOT a smoking area, but simply a place to get away from the noise and get refreshed before going back inside. It was nice to have a place to go outside without also being assaulted by the stench of cigarettes and having the smoke seep into my clothes. It was quite possibly the first event I've ever been to that I didn't come home reeking of cigarette smoke. This is not always the case however (and frequently isn't), so don't assume that it will be this way every time.
The staff at Motor is friendly and accommodating. Security is thorough, yet they seem to understand the difference between observant and rude. The staff works together, and makes sure the patrons have the best possible time. They have a wonderful chemistry with each other, and the atmosphere they create is warm and welcoming. This is a true pleasure, and a refreshing change from the cold and alienating staff at other venues. The staff at Motor handles the crowd with ease, all while doing a better job at keeping the venue running smoothly throughout the night. The bathrooms are kept well stocked, and the doors are managed efficiently, moving any lines through the pat down and on to the ticket area quickly and smoothly. The owners of Club Motor are a part of the team as well. They have a big part in making sure the venue is run to their standards, which includes being as accommodating as possible. The entire experience is hard to beat.
That is, until it's time to leave. This is when we see the staff at Motor become the people they are paid to be: No nonsense types, herding the masses towards the doors. You don't have to go home, but you sure as hell can't stay here. Even those part of the production crew have a hard time resisting their imposing force. Even still, it's not enough to dampen the vibe that Motor creates. You come away feeling fulfilled. A night at Motor is always a fun night out.
As First Avenue heads southward, the busy Emerald City culture gives way to a quieter, more spread out area, where the factories expand out, and the lights become more distant. It's along this road that you'll find a small sign above a door. That's where you'll also find Club Motor.
While inconspicuous on the outside, Motor is a great little venue. It holds that warehouse charm, with its paned windows and high ceilings, yet its age and rustic nature are reminisce of something else. Something... cozy. It is exactly the kind of building that feels aged and functional at the same time.
The spacious entry climbs up towards the main level, and you are brought to the main event. A large room stretches towards the back of the building, with a permanent stage off in the far right corner. Once you've taken a few more steps, you'll notice the bar on the right, caged off by a 4 foot wall the length of the room topped by a chain link fence that reaches 14 feet up. This wall and fence assembly allows Motor to be one of the only venues in Seattle that accommodates all ages and a 21 and up area in full view and close proximity to each other. The effect is rather like a play pen for adults. The 50ft bar can accommodate a large crowd, and has full view of the main stage just beyond the fence.
Speaking of the main event, this is something not to be missed. Motor has a sound system that is one of the best in the city. The bass will literally rumble your entire body. Twelve Cerwin Vega 18" folded subwoofer boxes sit at the front of the stage, sure to cause at least 24 hours of hearing fatigue when running at their peak. Your friends might be annoyed that you keep saying, "WHAT?!" but it'll be completely worth it. The lighting system is only slightly less than fantastic, with intelligent lighting and bright black lights. Other areas of the club and bar are oddly well lit, something we don't normally see at a venue of this type. They contrast the dark dance floor, supplying all of the ambient light. The contrast is a strange effect, and depending on the lighting on the main stage, can be too much, but overall they make the venue safer by lighting the corners a little better than no lights at all. Together, the lights and sound create an atmosphere that bring together the masses, again and again.
Behind the building is a roped off area for patrons to get a breath of fresh air. Of course by ropes I mean yellow police tape. In my last experience, this was NOT a smoking area, but simply a place to get away from the noise and get refreshed before going back inside. It was nice to have a place to go outside without also being assaulted by the stench of cigarettes and having the smoke seep into my clothes. It was quite possibly the first event I've ever been to that I didn't come home reeking of cigarette smoke. This is not always the case however (and frequently isn't), so don't assume that it will be this way every time.
The staff at Motor is friendly and accommodating. Security is thorough, yet they seem to understand the difference between observant and rude. The staff works together, and makes sure the patrons have the best possible time. They have a wonderful chemistry with each other, and the atmosphere they create is warm and welcoming. This is a true pleasure, and a refreshing change from the cold and alienating staff at other venues. The staff at Motor handles the crowd with ease, all while doing a better job at keeping the venue running smoothly throughout the night. The bathrooms are kept well stocked, and the doors are managed efficiently, moving any lines through the pat down and on to the ticket area quickly and smoothly. The owners of Club Motor are a part of the team as well. They have a big part in making sure the venue is run to their standards, which includes being as accommodating as possible. The entire experience is hard to beat.
That is, until it's time to leave. This is when we see the staff at Motor become the people they are paid to be: No nonsense types, herding the masses towards the doors. You don't have to go home, but you sure as hell can't stay here. Even those part of the production crew have a hard time resisting their imposing force. Even still, it's not enough to dampen the vibe that Motor creates. You come away feeling fulfilled. A night at Motor is always a fun night out.
