Ballroom in Fremont

We went in there on July the 3rd during the zombie walk. We were dressed as zombies but besides that we acted normal. The bartender ignored us and told his waitress that the punching period of the night was about to start. One of the customers jokingly asked him where his zombie spirit was and he said that it was the fact that he had to work more that upset him. We left after hearing this and went next door where we had a great time.

Posted 07/08/09

The Wednesday night trivia at the Ballroom is by far the best trivia night in town! We have been to many different trivia nights around the city and they don't even come close. Every once and a while we will go try out a new trivia spot and we quickly run back to the Ballroom, nothing else compares! Tommmy is a great host, with an awesome personality who keeps everyone engaged, has great questions each week, keeps the game going at a good pace and the trivia has different facets which keep it interesting. Whether we win or lose we always have an amazing time at Trivia with a Twist!

Pros: Trivia, the staff

Cons: none

Posted 02/04/09

I went to The Ballroom with friends a few weekends ago and we had a great experience! Unlike some other places in Fremont and around Seattle, this place actually has enough space to move around and quite a bit of seating to accomodate its guests. It does get busy at night, but not overly-crowded which makes for a good atmosphere. The bartenders were great and all the drinks I had were wonderful! We chose to sit by the firepit, which was a nice spot to warm-up after walking outside in the cold. There's a good mix of people here, pool tables are clean and well-kept and the DJ and dancing were pretty good, as well. I recommend going before 10 to avoid cover charges and to get priority seating.

Pros: Ambience, service, seating, music, drinks

Cons: Parking can be a pain

Posted 12/16/08

I have been going down to Fremont for a couple years now, after I returned from college. The atmosphere in general is amazing and the town is just fun to be in. Until you get to the ballroom. I read on here from 2007 that purses were stolen from people and coats etc, Ill give you one more. I was there with a crowd of like 12 people, we knew what we were getting into when we walked in, crowded bar, loud music and so-so drinks, which was essentially just what we were looking for. What I was not looking for was to have something put in my drink...I ended up blacking out (after one drink that I remember drinking mind you) and passing out in a corner. Luckly my fiance was there to carry me out of the bar while I was still passed out. The scariest part of all this was that he carried me out past the bartenders, past the bouncers and no one asked a thing, like "Hey does that belong to you?" Nothing. I could have been carried out by the creep who put something in my drink. Not a good crowd, if you choose to go keep an eye on your purse, coat and your drinks.

Posted 10/23/08

I have been a regular at the Ballroom since the day it opend. I have seen the Ballroom change and grow and the Ballroom it is today is the BEST!! It is a great place to hang out during the week and early on the weekends. I admit sometimes I like to people watch late night on the weekends. The entire staff at the Ballroom is GREAT! If you go in there once, the next time they remember you! That is a rare find in Seattle. Everyone needs to give the Ballroom a try once!

Pros: Great space and staff

Cons: NONE!!

Posted 05/15/08

I am so appalled, all around not a good experience if it weren't for the company I was with! Our waitress at first was very nice and helpful but as soon as she got a couple of tables of guys she was only to be seen flirting with them. Our second round of drinks sat at the bar for five minutes before I got up to get them with our waitress MIA. If you decide to give them a try anyways I recommend sticking with beer as the rest of their drinks are weak, seriously WEAK. The music I swear they kept bumping up the volume 10 notches every 30 minutes. It was difficult to carry on a conversation when we first got there but it just kept getting louder. I woke up with a sore throat from trying to talk. It seems like they are trying to compete as a "club" with Belltown or something. Then to top it all off at the end of the night when we asked for our check we waited another ten - fifteen minutes before I got up AGAIN to go do something our waitress should have been on top of. I shouldn't have to go ask AGAIN for my bill. Sadly enough the tab was started on my card therefore I couldn't just pay in cash and be done. Unfortunately our party had six people at one point during the night and therefore they charged us the automatic gratuity. She didn't deserve the 18% but the rest of the staff didn't deserve to be stiffed on her behalf. I can't stress how much I DO NOT recommend this bar.

Pros: The wings were good.

Cons: Poor service, poor service, poor service, poor service.

Posted 05/15/08

On weekends, it's a huge scene. Three quarters of the hook ups are initiated by women. Consequently, guys who go around hitting on women are guys that other women don't want. The men who do the best are those who get along well with (and are recognized positively by) other men.

The large booths are often taken over early by groups on weekends, sometimes for special occasions. So get there early or reserve a space if you're planning a soiree. Avoid open-toe shoes, large purses and dangling cell phones.

Only people with limited exposure to the real world leave their personal items unattended in any large establishment. Security at the Ballroom has improved dramatically. Overtly drunk people are not admitted or are 86'd if they drink too much inside.

Weeknights are pleasant in such a large space. There's a DJ on Thursday nights too, when it's not crowded. I love their pizza.

It's drawing a more diverse crowd now. The Ballroom is always a good time.

Posted 04/19/08

I used to be a big fan of the Ballroom when I was in college but recently I have been dissapointed with the crowd that is taking over. Rather than college kids, it has become a thug bar. On a recent visit my purse was stolen from right next to me. It had my belongings and a friend's inside. At the time of the theft, the staff was less than helpful even though our wallets and keys were taken. The next day, they failed to return my phone calls and when I finally got a hold of them, they left me on hold twice for more than 3 minutes. This is not the first time I've had things stolen here. About three years ago, someone stole a coat of mine that was at the table with us.This is not the bar it used to be and I would not recommend it. If you go, keep your coat and purse on....the crowd is not to be trusted.

Cons: Crime

Posted 12/28/07

WOW!!! Did I get an introduction to party time last Saturday night! I was playing pool with a friend of mine an all of a sudden there was people kicking next to us giving us help on our pool shots, as well as buying us shots and drinks. This place is incredible!!! I will be here every other day. Amanda ROCKS! Thanks for the greatest customer service, this is something very rare in a heavy stream industry like this. Thanks to all, I will see you very soon...

The Tiqulia and Carrona was Great!!!
Take care'

Frankie S.

Pros: Amanda, the drinks, and everybody else that put this event on.

Cons: PARKING, Please take a cab!!!

Posted 03/11/07

About a dozen pool tables, heated outdoor area (fireplace and heatlamps), small dance area (with a cage) and a few tables and stools to lean on... this place is typically packed with decent looking, drunk college kids. Yes, I was one of them, but now that I'm not I still enjoy it very much! I like that you can chill out and play pool, and once you've got a good buzz go and tear up the dance floor. It can get packed in there, though. The food is typical bar fare, large portions and decent priced. It's really a good time for anyone in their twenties.

Posted 11/20/06

Basic facts - pool tables, good beer and general congregational space makes the "Ball Room" seemingly attractive. Fremont has a lot of circulation of people on the street which usually makes for eclectic crowds, especially on the weekend. However, such is not the case for the Ball Room. Drunken college girls and guys are in full force and are hard to gauge - sometimes entertaining but usually just a cause for going elsewhere. However, the general experience of this otherwise clique-y meeting spot improves if you are able to secure a pool table that isn't in the way of people back-and-forthing from the dance floor. The floor is often sticky in high traffic-areas and the high-traffic areas are often consumed by clowns.

Pros: good beer, pool tables (when available)

Cons: weekend crowds, general attitiude of younger patrons

Posted 10/24/06

A perpetual Greek Row field trip extravaganza. Although I must admit that I've only been there on Fri/Sat nights, I can assure you that at those times you'll be banging elbows with all sorts of of Kappas and Deltas and so forth. This is where Mr. and Ms. Greek put on the ritz and go be cooler than you. Unsurprisingly, the place is a bonafide "meat market," yet there seems to be a vibe unapproachable hostility among the female patrons. Maybe I'm just a wuss, but I think it's actually that thier a bunch of skanks who'd prefer a man who waxes his chest and employs a devil-may-care attitude when it comes to bottoning the top of his shirt.

Pros: hey, they got booze, eye candy, very busy pool tables

Cons: soulless, unjustifiable cover, crowded

Posted 06/30/05

this place is always fun. Definitely a place to easily meet new people. If you go home w/out at least some digits, go home and stay there.

Pros: crowded, hotties

Cons: crowded

Posted 06/26/03

everybody knows about the ballroom, tuesday nights is college night, and it is less crowded and easier to meet people and dance. lots of locals on week days. super fun! good, fun crowd!

Pros: strong drinks, hot bartenders, outdoor area

Cons: line on weekdends

Posted 03/10/03

Yeah, I'm sure the dancing is great if you can ignore the beer being spilled down your leg by the extremely drunk couple making out next to you. No actual dancing occurs here, in fact the last several times I've been there the closest I've seen was people too drunk to walk leaning on eachother. It's basically a big meat market where it's impossible to get a drink and it's too crowded to move. The music was okay, outside is nice, those are it's only redeeming factors.

Pros: outside available, trendy

Cons: crowded, expensive

Posted 11/08/02

Not really everything I hoped it would be, but plenty of nice eye candy. Just don't talk to anyone, trust me on this one. It's too cliquish, and the beauty there is only skin deep. Great place for pool though (if you can find an open table). A few too many frat boys for my liking though....but all in all, a great club, especially for Fremont.

Pros: Great Layout, Huge Bar, Good for pool

Cons: Long Lines Fri/Sat, Frat hangout, Cliquish

Posted 07/25/02

After hearing friends rave about the legendary "ballroom" I decided to see what all the hype was about. Needless to say, I was far from disapointed. The cocktails were great, the staff was friendly and there were plenty of people to meet. I would definitly recommend this bar to anyone who has recently graduated or would just like to run into some old friends.

Pros: Hot guys and gals, Casual, Comfortable

Posted 07/17/02

In my opinion, I am way too old for this place, but I've been a few times with work friends... Much to my surprise, I have consistently been approached by fratboys offering stud service, which has been somewhat flattering and very amusing. I've always had a great time, but probably for the wrong reasons! The pool tables seem very crowded, and any place else is better for dancing - the DJ might as well be playing some cheap 70s compilation CD and the dance area is in a sweaty little cave. What this place seems to do best is provide space for rather conventional young people to flirt and get drunk and act "wild." It's definitely fun for what it is.

Pros: meat market, yummy wine selection

Cons: meat market, smoky, crap DJ

Posted 06/20/02

This place is ok on weeknights, and I especially like sitting outside when it's nice. But the place can be a real meat market on the weekends...

Posted 05/20/02