Cha-Cha Lounge

Said the touring musician to the venue host, "So where's the cool place to hang out in this town?" The venue host answered, "Uh, that'd be Cha-Cha Lounge." That little exchange has been repeated and repeated and repeated; just about every member of just about every big band that's been through this little town has ended up—before or after the show—at Capitol Hill's Place to Be. And then there's the persistent chatter of Seattle's local music scene movers and shakers, who regularly convene at the Cha-Cha to discuss the various matters of the day—you literally cannot roll your eyes in this joint without spotting some variety of hipster. Whether all the big shots attract or repel you is your business, but this much is true: The drinks are strong, the bartenders typically broadcast some damn decent rock, and we know of no better place in town to play Who's Who. 504 E. Pine St., 206-329-1101.