Pioneer Square's Habitat Beach located just at the end of S. Washington St at Alaskan Way S.

Picture courtesy of SEAToday

• Hello Summer!

• Catch a free concert in the park

• Seafair returns to the district

• Enjoy First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square

• Browse our calendar for more entertainment and events in August

• And More!

• The Seattle Hit List: The Best New Restaurants In Seattle (The Infatuation)

• Marcus Lalario Is Behind Every Scene (Seattle Met)

• The 15 Best Restaurants in the Seattle Area 2023 (The Stranger)

• Downtown Seattle's New Beach Offers Refuge for People, Salmon (The Seattle Times)

Summertime in the Square

Catch a Concert in the Park

Free, live, and local music continues this month as part of the 2023 Downtown Summer Sounds concert series! From glitch-hop and neo-folk to indie pop, country and rock, there’s a genre for everyone. Stop by City Hall Park and Occidental Square, and enjoy some of the best local talent from around the Pacific Northwest.

Headed to more than one concert? Be sure to pick up your free stamp card from the friendly faces at the DSS umbrella. Attend any six concerts and collect a stamp, then return your card to be entered to win a stay at The Edgewater Hotel!

The Downtown Summer Sounds concert series is funded by Metropolitan Improvement District ratepayers.

Ship Tours at Pier 46

The spectacle known as the Seattle Fleet Week returns to Seafair once again. The celebration starts with the Parade of Ships through Elliot Bay, followed by a week of events where the public is invited to meet the sailors and guardsmen, enjoy free music, and take ship tours. 

Seafair has hosted Fleet Week on the Seattle Waterfront since 1950 in celebration of the men and women who serve our country. This year Seafair, along with Boeing, the Seattle Navy League, and the Port of Seattle, is proud to welcome the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy. 

Experience the power and majesty of naval vessels up close. Tour the impressive ships, meet the dedicated sailors, and gain insight into their vital missions. Free ship tours will be available August 2-6 on Pier 46, 66, and 69 between 9:30AM-3:00PM.

Hot Jazz at the Gallery

Frederick Holmes and Company Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art is proud to offer another extraordinary evening in their ongoing monthly series- Hot Jazz at the Gallery. This month, features two perforamnces from Adriana Giordano with Jovino Santos Neto (Saturday, August 12 7:00-9:30PM) and Ari Joshua (Saturday, August 26 7:00-9:30PM). For more information on the performers and tickets, visit the gallery website.

Celebrating The Roaring 20's

Step back in time and experience the roaring 20’s like never before. Join Smith Tower on Saturday, August 19 for a lecture series that includes the thrilling tale of Roy Olmstead and the largest non-violent rum running operation in Prohibition history. Experience enlightening crystal ball readings in speakeasy back rooms, find our Absinthe Bar to your liking and enjoy the sounds of brass and strolling entertainment that will take you on a journey through the history of Smith Tower. Enjoy a themed summer teatime with authentic 1920’s faire at our Lookout or head to our Observatory Bar where you can grab some giggle water. Dress your best, and don’t forget to embrace your inner rum runner when you join us this August! For more information on The Roaring 20's Festival and other happenings at Smith Tower via their website.

A Sweet Deal

Officially the most reasonable way to thrive this summer in Pioneer Square. Lady Yum is offering $5 for one exquisite macaron and one spirit-lifting glass of bubbly. Gather your people. Alert the book club, the garden club, your pole dancing crew, your acupuncturist, and your co-workers, or anyone looking ho-hum. Come to Lady Yum, sink into their seats, indulge in the $5 special, and feel like you are doing life right. Then if you want, order the $5 special again, because you can get it every day.

Open Mic Night

Join Heard Coffee for an evening of art, culture, and community at their open mic night on Wednesday, August 16 from 6-8PM. Heard Coffee welcomes all singer/songwriters, poets, musicians, and performance artists to share their work in a safe and supportive environment.

This is an inclusive event, and performers of all backgrounds and identities are encouraged to participate. Whether you're a seasoned performer or new to the stage, this is your chance to showcase your talents and connect with other artists in the community.

Heard Coffee kindly asks that performers sign up in advance to secure their spot on the lineup. Please email [email protected] or send a message at @heardcoffee on Instagram to sign up.

Native Indigenous Presentations

Join Seattle Parks and Recreation and partners for a series of Native Indigenous Presentations at City Hall Park in July and August. All events are FREE and open to all. All events are noon to 1 p.m. except where otherwise noted below.

Historic Storytelling

Klondike Chris is back with Tales of the Klondike! Join Klondike Chris each Wednesday through August from 12:15p to 12:45p at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park as he brings live readings of colorful Klondike stories. Come from work, come from home, or come from all the way across the Atlantic and bring your brown bag lunch too! The Klondike promises that these tales are completely true events. More or less.

Free Shuttle Returns

The Free Waterfront Shuttle has returned after a three year hiatus. The 20-seat, wheelchair-accessible minibus will operate until Sept. 24, sporting the same blue-and-orange markings as past years. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. The service will operate with a north and south loop, which includes two stops in Pioneer Square.

For Neighborhood Businesses

With the Sounders FC, OL Reign, and Mariners seasons underway, August will see plenty of foot traffic coming and going from the south end of the district.

To better inform business operations on game and event days, follow this link to the Lumen Field and Event Center, WAMU Theater, and T-Mobile Park event calendar.

Visit here for an update on the MLB all Star game's event attendance levels and economic impacts, schedule, information on how to prepare your business for All-Star Week, and resources available for the Pioneer Square neighborhood.

View the Newest Exhibitions and Artists

Join Seattle’s Original First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. The art walk is FREE & self-guided, every First Thursday of the month, and parking is free from 5p to 10p!

Check out www.FirstThursdaySeattle.com to learn more about the event and how to obtain free parking during Art Walk.

Be sure to visit our neighborhood eateries and bars for a bite to eat or to grab a drink.

Save $5 with code PIONEERSQ on First Thursday Artwalk with Veo, one of Seattle's new bikeshare providers.

Learn more about their class II e-bikes in Seattle here.

Photo: Courtesy of Foster White Gallery

Art Installation Celebration

This First Thursday, a revamped public art installation will be unvield. Natural Movement is a free, publicly accessible kinetic sculpture and installation in Nord alley created from bicycle wheels and painted aluminum disk-canvasses. The installation hosts about ten artists' two-dimensional work affixed to the spinning wheels and one barrel sized prayer wheel.

The celabration event will be held from 5-8pm in Nord Alley (between 1st and Occidental, Main and Jackson) featuring tunes from WIZDUMB.

This project was funded by the Pioneer Square Business Improvement Area Inspiration Fund.

Art In the Park

The Alliance and Art XIV, will be producing a pop-up art installation at City Hall Park this month. Beginning on Friday, August 11st Art XIV will create a large cube to serve as a canvas for a large scale art piece. The installation will stay in the park until early September. Additionally, on Saturday, August 12th and Sunday, August 13th there will be food trucks and a music performance in the park. This project is funded in part by Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Looking for more to do? Browse our calendar for more entertainment and events in the neighborhood in July.

Local Business Owner Spotlight:

Giuseppe Pezzano, Nduja USA

Welcome to Pioneer Square! Tell us what you love about the neighborhood/ what made you choose to locate your business in Pioneer Square?

What we love about the Pioneer Square neighborhood and why I chose to locate my business here is the unique blend of history, vibrant culture, and thriving community. Pioneer Square has a rich historical background, with its cobblestone streets, charming architecture, and the sense of stepping back in time. Moreover, Pioneer Square is a hub of community engagement. It boasts an array of local businesses, independent shops, cozy cafes, and lively restaurants. The close-knit community fosters a sense of belonging, and the support among business owners is exceptional. It's truly inspiring to be part of a neighborhood where collaboration and mutual success are highly valued. We can't wait to showcase the best of Nduja Salumi and provide you with a truly remarkable experience.

Can you take us through the journey of how Nduja came to be? 

The story of Nduja USA Italian gourmet store is a journey fueled by passion, culinary exploration, and a deep love for Italian cuisine. It all began with a group of friends who shared a love for Italian food and a desire to bring the authentic flavors of Italy to their local community.

We were inspired by the incredible diversity and quality of the Italian culinary traditions, that are our traditions. Our vision is to share our artisanal savoir faire and we focused on a product that we personally love and eat a lot; the Calabrian regional specialty known as Nduja di Spilinga a spreadable spicy salami. 

We embarked on a mission to create a destination that would not only offer authentic Italian products but also serve as a hub for culinary education and cultural appreciation. We spent months researching and sourcing the finest Italian ingredients, forging partnerships with small-scale producers and artisans who shared their commitment to quality and tradition. With this curated selection of gourmet Italian products in hand, we established Nduja USA Italian gourmet store in a charming location that mirrored the warmth and ambiance of an Italian marketplace. The store is a haven for food enthusiasts, a place where they could immerse themselves in the flavors, aromas, and stories behind Italy's diverse regional cuisines.

How would you describe your business and what do you think makes it unique? 

Nduja USA Italian gourmet store is a culinary haven that encapsulates the essence of authentic Italian cuisine. Our store is more than just a place to find high-quality Italian products—it is a gateway to the rich flavors, traditions, and stories of Italy. What sets Nduja USA apart and makes it truly unique is our unwavering commitment to sourcing the finest, handcrafted Italian ingredients directly from small-scale producers. We prioritize quality and authenticity, forging strong partnerships with artisans who share our passion for preserving traditional culinary techniques. At Nduja USA, we curate a thoughtfully selected range of products that span the diverse regional cuisines of Italy. Our shelves are filled with treasures that embody the richness and diversity of Italian gastronomy. We take pride in offering our customers an opportunity to explore and experience the flavors that have made Italian cuisine world-renowned.

What are some of the hopes you have for Nduja Salumi its 1st year of operation in the neighborhood?  

Nduja Salumi embarks on its first year of operation in the neighborhood, we have a variety of hopes and aspirations for this exciting new chapter. Our primary goal is to become an integral part of the community, fostering connections and leaving a positive impact on both our customers and the neighborhood as a whole. In addition to providing exceptional products, we envision Nduja Salumi as a hub for culinary education and exploration. We hope to organize tasting events, workshops, and demonstrations that allow our customers to delve deeper into the world of salumi, expanding their knowledge and appreciation of this timeless Italian tradition. We want to share the stories behind our products, the regional variations, and the artistry involved in crafting each piece. We are convinced that this will attire more businesses and hopefully Italiani businesses so we can create the Little Italy envisioned by Luigi De Nunzio, one of the most beloved ambassador of Italian cuisine in Seattle.

Any specifics to highlight? Anything you would like to add? 

We have some exciting highlights and offerings to share with you. First, we are thrilled to announce we have a special guest CiaoBellaKitchen Pasticceria Italiana Pop-Up, renowned for her exceptional pastries made with organic ingredients and authentic Italian flour. We love support newborn small businesses and this also allows us to expand our offerings and provide a delightful selection of sweet treats to complement our artisanal salumi.

We are also open to collaborations with local businesses, chefs, and organizations that share our passion for Italian cuisine. If you have ideas or proposals for partnership opportunities, we encourage you to reach out to us. We believe that working together can create unique experiences and promote the culinary scene in our neighborhood. Every Friday night, we invite you to join us for aperitivo, a traditional Italian ritual of enjoying drinks and appetizers before dinner. Experience the relaxed and convivial atmosphere as we serve a selection of carefully curated drinks and delectable bites to kickstart your weekend in style.

Announcing the 2023-2024 Neighborhood Map and Guide

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is excited to announce the release of its annual Neighborhood Map and Guide for the year 2023-2024. The newly designed Pioneer Square Map and Guide brochure is now available in print form at various local Pioneer Square establishments and online on the Alliance website. 

Now in its seventh year of production, the Pioneer Square Neighborhood Map and Guide is an introduction to Seattle's original neighborhood, with a  surplus of places to be and things to enjoy for local visitors, out-of-towners and newcomers. Beautiful illustrations of iconic neighborhood sights, wayfinding maps and stunning photography on each page combine to create a truly engaging pamphlet that covers everything you need to know about our neighborhood. 

The 2023-2024 Pioneer Square Neighborhood Map and Guide is published by the Alliance for Pioneer Square, with financial support from 4Culture. 

The Alliance Welcomes Angela Nguyen as Marketing Manager

The Alliance welcomes the newest member of our team, Angela Nguyen, to Pioneer Square. Angela has joined the Alliance as Marketing Manager as of this month.

Angela has more than eight years of experience as a marketing professional, with a background in e-commerce and social media. Along with her work in marketing, she’s also a small business owner and dance teacher. Angela is excited to join the team and help support the mission of the Alliance for Pioneer Square.

Fall Networking Event

You're invited to join the Alliance for our fall networking event. Stop by and connect with your neighborhoods! This event is open to anyone who owns property, a business, or works in Pioneer Square. Complimentary food and beverages will be available.

Date: Thursday, September 28th

Time: 4:00p – 6:00 p

Place: LMN Architects - The Shop

(723 1st Ave)

Drop in anytime during the networking event and RSVP here. For any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. We cannot wait to reconnect with all of you.

Each Friday, we give neighborhood businesses and organizations the opportunity to share a series of photo and video content to the Alliance for Pioneer Square’s social media channels via stories, feed posts, and live video updates, for the entire day.

Fill out the Google Form to get started with the process or email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is nearing completion of work on and around 1st Ave S between S Royal Brougham Way and S Dearborn St under the South Access - Surface Street Connections Project. This project was part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct removal and replacement. More information is available here.

Waterfront Seattle Construction Ongoing on New Alaskan Way

Waterfront Seattle continues building the new Alaskan Way. Starting as early as Monday, July 31, construction resumes on Alaskan Way S between S Main St and Yesler Way to build the final configuration of traffic lanes.This work is expected to take place in three phases, beginning with nighttime signal work, then the transition of ferry access from Pier 48 to Alaskan Way S approximately the week of August 7, and wraps up with the completion of the sidewalk, bike lanes, curbs and median in the location of the former access from the Pier 48 remote holding area.

Starting as early as the week of August 7, Yesler Way between Alaskan Way and Western Ave will close to westbound traffic for a new two-way protected bike lane. Eastbound traffic will be maintained via the existing lane. Westbound traffic on Yesler Way will be required to turn right onto northbound Western Ave.  

Elliott Way will have travel lanes in each direction, new sidewalks, landscaping, bike lanes, pedestrian paths and signalized crossings. Additionally, the improved pedestrian bridge and stairs at Lenora St will also be opening to the public along with Elliott Way featuring new railings, landscaping, and a signalized intersection at Elliott Way.

Head to Waterfront Seattle's website for more information, construction updates and to sign up for weekly emails. Text "WFSCN" to 474747 to receive text updates. You may also contact Waterfront Seattle via email or by phone at (206) 499-8040.

Westland Hotel Construction

Project consists of ​​a substantial alteration of the existing six-story Westland Building in the Pioneer Square Preservation District. The masonry and heavy timber structure was originally constructed in 1907 and is being converted into a 120-unit Hotel. Complete renovation includes seismic retrofit, new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, alarm system, elevators, and envelope improvements to the extent possible with historic preservation requirements. One-story rooftop addition at level 6, and new enclosure over existing Seattle City Light transformer vault​​. This project is a part of the developer’s larger project, Railspur, which includes the adjacent 419 Occidental and 115 Jackson buildings.

The work to be performed in the upcoming month:

• Continuation of slab demo and footing excavation
• Installation of underground MEP
• Place footings
• Level 2 structural demolition
• Man Lift Erection on North Building Elevation

For the above activities, JTM anticipates the following street/sidewalk/parking/etc. closures:

King St – The North parking lane and sidewalk directly in front of the Westland Building will be closed throughout construction for material staging and delivery. JTM has erected site fencing and cones to keep all construction activities within the fence line. During days with concrete pumping, JTM will be closing the Northern West-Bound lane of King St, as well as the parking lane, for truck staging.

Earl Douglas Alley – The alley from King St to the alley intersection throughout construction for material staging. JTM notes that this will not prohibit access to the bodega, café and bike shop located in the Northern half of the alley at 115 S Jackson. Manlift erection to occur at the intersection of the Earl Douglas Alley. JTM will barricade around erection to keep general public out of harms way.

1^st Ave – No closures scheduled at this time.

Visit The Alliance for Pioneer Square’s website for an interactive project map and up to date information on of current and future public realm projects.