Longtime Ballard Country Bar Shingletown Saloon to Close After 11 Years

The popular honky-tonk spot known for line dancing and live country music will shut its doors on April 25.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:33pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration composed of bold, jagged geometric shapes in warm earth tones, capturing the honky-tonk spirit and country music culture of the now-closing Shingletown Saloon bar.The vibrant, country-tinged atmosphere of Shingletown Saloon will be missed by its loyal patrons after over a decade as a Ballard neighborhood institution.Seattle Today

Shingletown Saloon, a beloved country music bar and dance hall in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, has announced it will be closing after 11 years in business. The bar cited financial challenges and an 'unstable Seattle economy' as the reasons behind the decision to shutter the popular honky-tonk spot on April 25.

Why it matters

Shingletown Saloon was one of the few remaining venues in Seattle that specifically showcased live country music and provided a space for line dancing. Its closure is another blow to the city's dwindling country music scene, which has already seen the potential closure of another longtime country bar, The Little Red Hen, due to a lease dispute.

The details

Shingletown Saloon first opened in the summer of 2015 on the quieter side of the bar-hopping stretch of Northwest Market Street in Ballard. It started as a gastropub with a playlist leaning toward classic rock, but over the years it transformed into a country music hotspot known for line dance lessons, $5 drink specials, and even 10 weddings that took place at the bar over the course of its 11-year run.

  • Shingletown Saloon opened in the summer of 2015.
  • The bar will close its doors on April 25, 2026.

The players

Shingletown Saloon

A country music bar and dance hall that operated in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood for 11 years, known for hosting live country music, line dancing, and even weddings.

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What’s next

The closure of Shingletown Saloon on April 25 will leave Seattle with even fewer venues dedicated to live country music and line dancing. The future of another longtime country bar, The Little Red Hen, also remains uncertain as it faces a lease dispute trial this month.

The takeaway

Shingletown Saloon's closure is a significant loss for Seattle's country music scene, which has already seen a decline in dedicated venues. The bar's 11-year run as a hub for line dancing, live music, and community gatherings highlights the challenges facing small, independent music venues in the city's rapidly changing economic landscape.