What other venue boasts a lineup as eclectic and high-profile—from Mark Bittman on baking to Penn Jillette on weight loss to New Yorker staff writer Jeffrey Toobin on the Supreme Court and the presidential election—for as little as $5? Seattle’s signature stomping ground for the nation’s intelligentsia features more writers and scientists and artists and musicians and linguists than seems possible to cram into one calendar. The early-20th century Roman-revivalist building in the heart of First Hill once belonged to a prominent Christian Science church; now, it’s the home of the intensely curious, the politically engaged, and the eager to be entertained. 1119 8th Ave., 652-4255

First runner-up: Seattle Mariners

Second runner-up: City Arts Art Walk Awards

Honorable mention: Reset, Seattle Secret Shows

Read about the rest of the Best of Seattle Reader Poll winners here. If you didn’t get a chance to vote this go-round, make sure your voice is heard next year. Email us at bestofseattle@seattleweekly.com and we will let you know when nominations open for BoS 2017.