The White Rabbit - Closed

  

11-04-2013

This place has a horrible vibe. I cant say enough bad about it. They look for their revenue on the backs of bands and could care less about artistic integrity. Promotions are really weak. Just avoid this dump and all of the shit that goes with it.

  

04-05-2013

The staff changes everytime you play there it seems. The sound is not bad or great - pretty straightforward. Not much promotion on the venue's end, getting people out to Fremont even on a weekend is like pulling teeth but they're under some strange belief that you should bring in 100 people. There's no incentive offered to the musicians for from the venue to it's patrons to entice anyone to play/go there - The venue is nice enough inside and there's a small backstage area (no private bathroom though if I remember) - Since they charge a 175.00 fee for the door and sound guy, they could care less if the ENTERTAINMENT makes any money. Because, after all... people go there to see the door & sound guy right? Of course they need to be paid first.... :/ If you never play here, it won't have any bearing on your career. They split door money 25/25/50 to the headliner - so if you bring in a lot of people as an opener, the headliner will benefit from your crowd before you ever will. Lame.

  

02-23-2012

I suspect a confused previous reviewer. I've played this venue when it was TOST and now The White Rabbit which is under new ownership and with new staff.
I think the previous reviewer is basing his review when it was TOST, which I would agree was a lost cause venue to perform at. Awful deal for bookings. Cannot count how many nights of a packed house and in the end walking away with <$40. Awful, very suspect. Nobody keeping an eye on the door or misreporting, door personel letting friends in, outrageous room fees. Just as bad as it's twin next door The High Dive.

The White Rabbit however is better, although not perfect. It's managed very well and employs good staff and door person.

And for the record, I've been seeing the thursday funk-jamband for many years now and sitting in many times as well. They must play there for the fun of it because their guest list is massive. The band is massive as well. I do not know how they're getting any pay.
I know it helps greatly in filling the place up with people trying to look like a big scene, but all that does is set a bad tone for all bands who play there. Those aren't my words either.

Bar is small this is true, although I've never waited long for my micro-brews at White Rabbit.

TOST was awful. White Rabbit is much better.

  

02-22-2012

Another Seattle room where the guy running sound will definitely make more than the bands playing there. Their "room fee" is pretty steep for the size of the room. On a 2 or 3 band bill with a $5 cover you'll have to flip the room several times to make any decent money. I have played here on a 2-band bill and made no money at all. Yes the draw has a lot to do with this but the truth is the sound guy will make more than the musician's playing even with 100 people paid.

The room itself is decent but the atmosphere seems cold and a little uninviting. It has a really small bar as well. I have rarely seen this place packed except for Marmalade on Thursdays. If it does get packed people will opt for one of 20 other places in Fremont rather than wait at the bar for a drink so even if your music is great, people will walk.

Mondays and Thursday are locked in with 2 regular weekly performers so those night are out. They do little promotion beyond a weekly ad in the Stranger and Seattle Weekly. It's really on the band to make posters and promote.