Located in the heart of Ballard’s historic district, Conor Byrne Pub is more than just a beloved live music venue — it’s a vibrant, community-owned cooperative redefining how we preserve and nurture local music spaces in Seattle.
As Ballard’s first community-owned music venue, Conor Byrne Cooperative blends over a century of musical heritage — dating back to its days as The Owl Saloon — with a fresh, people-powered vision for the future. With over 600 member-owners and a nonprofit arm fiscally sponsored by Shunpike Arts, we’re committed to investing in our stage, supporting early-career musicians in the Puget Sound, and creating resilient arts programming that’s as diverse as the community we serve. Whether you’re here for our long-standing Open Mic Night, high-energy Country Dancing, low-key matinee shows for early birds, or our rotating happy hour events like music trivia and bingo, there’s always something happening. At Conor Byrne, we’re all about great music, good times, and growing a creative space where everyone belongs. Come be part of the music — and the movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bar
Do you offer any ADA Guest Accommodations?
Conor Byrne Cooperative is ADA accessible throughout the venue with limited seating available. If you would like to request ADA accommodations for seating, please email info@conorbyrnecoop.org prior to the show date. If no seating is available on day of show, please see a staff member who can help assist you with securing seats.
Is there general seating?
Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. We recommend getting here early to secure seating. If you would like to request ADA accommodations for seating options, please email info@conorbyrnecoop.org prior to the show date.
Can I come to a show if I’m under 21?
Unfortunately no. This venue is 21+ unless otherwise noted on the ticket page – no exceptions! Everyone who enters must present a valid form of ID to be in our venue. Photos of your ID or passport on your phone or printed out are NOT ACCEPTED. However, a print out official state ID temporary license/ID is acceptable.
The Washington State Liquor & Cannabis Board dictates what is acceptable: https://lcb.wa.gov/enforcement/acceptable-identification
What happens if I leave my card at the bar?
Feel free to give us a call or send an email to verify that your card is here. It can be claimed with a valid ID during normal operating hours. Note that we automatically charge 20% gratuity to cards left at the bar past closing.
Do you have a lost and found?
Yes. If you left an item behind, please give us a call or send an email. Please note that if your lost item is left unclaimed for an extended period, we reserve the right to donate the item, dependent upon storage capacity.
When are you open?
Sunday 12pm - 2am
Monday - Saturday 5pm - 2am
Am I allowed to bring in outside food?
Yes you can bring in outside food, but no, you cannot bring in outside drinks - no exceptions. Whether you’re looking for spirits, local drafts, a properly poured pint of Guinness, or non-alcoholic options, we’ve got you covered at our fully stocked bar!
The Venue
How do I get there?
We’re located at 5140 Ballard Ave NW. Parking is street parking only. There are a couple of accessible parking spots available nearby. The venue is accessible by public transportation.
Where can I buy a ticket?
Tickets can be purchased on hour home page, through Venue Pilot. Tickets are also available for purchase day of show with cash or card at the door. These are the only two supported purchase methods so please beware of sellers offering tickets through other sources. Tickets are non-refundable.
How do I book a show?
For all booking inquiries, please contact booking@conorbyrnecoop.org with your electronic press kit and digital content. Please be aware that due to the volume of booking requests we receive, we cannot answer all emails. For more details, see our booking page.
The Co-op
When did Conor Byrne become a co-op?
In an effort to preserve this Ballard music institution, a group of employees, musicians, and community members came together to form the Conor Byrne Cooperative and purchase Conor Byrne from the previous owners in May 2024. With the massive support of our co-op members, we will be celebrating our grand re-opening in August 2024.
Why a Co-op?
As rising costs threaten small businesses including venues and bars, we envision a brighter future through collective ownership. By transitioning Conor Byrne into a cooperative, we aim to foster a sense of shared ownership, engagement, and responsibility among its stakeholders while also preserving its cultural significance and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Our cooperative model provides new revenue streams that will keep our doors open and music flowing.
That sounds pretty cool. Why kind of perks do members receive?
Not only will you own a piece of Ballard history, you will receive sweet perks such as member drink specials, special event access, as well as receiving voting rights at our annual members meeting. Learn more by visiting our membership page.
Count me in! How do I become a member?
You can purchase your lifetime membership for a one-time fee of $300 or pay it in $10-25 monthly installments across 1-3 years. For more details and to sign up, view the co-op section of this site.
Are there other ways to contribute to the success of Conor Byrne Cooperative beyond membership?
Yes! We are fiscally sponsored by Shunpike, and are able to accept tax-deductible donations through them.
You are also now able to purchase Class A Preferred Shares. You must first be a member in order to purchase these shares. Please email invest@conorbyrnecoop.org to connect directly with the leadership team on how you can make a larger financial impact via our fiscal sponsor or Class A Preferred Shares.
Can I contribute in other ways that aren’t financial?
Absolutely! In fact this whole co-op came into existence because of folks in the community who volunteered their time, expertise, and ideas. Pretty wild, right? If you have special skills that you would like to volunteer including admin, graphic design, etc., please do drop us a line at info@conorbyrnecoop.org or check our linktree for specific help requests.
Can I trade volunteering for a membership?
Unfortunately, our bylaws do not allow for this.