Fred Wildlife Refuge

Went to a pre-​wedding function here a month ago, It’s a great venue for a small to medium party. It was a mermaid theme and there were videos on the wall. A small stage for entertainment. Staff was great!

I hosted a large event here in April 2015. It was wonderful.
The space is great; you can project on the white walls, and the lighting packages can be adjusted to your desires. We hired an aerialist, and that was amazing and a real crowd pleaser. The photobooth was so much fun and really unique to our event. The upstairs, with its little nooks and fun animal print décor was very different and lent a special vibe to my event.
There are four bathrooms, two single stalls and a two stall space. There are two bars, one upstairs and one downstairs. Note: if you need accessiblity, there are entrances on the bottom and top floors, but no elevator.
Our DJ played from up top, and we used the stage as dance floor. It was a lot of fun for the more adventurous members of our group. Our event was fantastic, and people were really happy.

Had my wedding reception here. My husband and I loved the location, fun atmosphere, and floor plan. The rental price is very reasonable, especially compared to more traditional wedding venues.
The service we received while organizing the event was ok, which is why I’m not giving 5 stars. Email responses were very slow (even just days before the event), and we had a hard time coordinating the video wall projections, which we had paid extra for.
A few minor details were forgotten about the day of the wedding — but no one noticed, and everyone had a really fantastic time!
Would recommend.

Went to a wedding here. Nice venue, but what really stood out was how fantastic the photo booth operator was. He worked great with groups of all sizes. Our drinks were good, and the projection walls really set the mood for the party theme.

As event producers, we have become big fans of Fred Wildlife Refuge. It’s in a great location right off Broadway on Capitol Hill, has an unusual and interesting two-​level floor plan, GIANT projection walls, good sound, a full bar, and is staffed by enthusiastic and helpful folks. The space is flexible, big enough for up to 300 guests, and easily customized.
Beyond our own events, we’ve attend a bunch of things here, and always enjoy going. If you are looking for a rental venue, especially one that comes with a helpful production team, definitely check out Fred Wildlife.

This place is so unique and cool! You have got to see it to believe it. I am such a fan.

I’ve been here for a range of events, from private Decibel kickoff parties to, most recently, a Twin Peaks dance party.
The Fred is bigger than expected from the outside. Lots of space on the dance floor, nice high ceilings. Upstairs has a vantage over the floor and little rooms and cubbies in case, as some drunk revelers asked us, you want to get flirty. Answer: of course. And did I mention the vintage flocked animals lurking in the corners? It used to be a photography studio in the ‘40s, and management has kept those little props as décor. Be careful with the coyote, though — his legs fall out and he has a predilection for autoerotic asphyxiation. The fun décor and variety of spaces offered makes the Fred a wonderfully versatile venue, great for wedding receptions, photoshoots, dance parties, art shows, live music… pretty much anything you can consider. And on Capitol Hill, doesn’t our wildlife need a refuge? Thanks, Fred!

Quirky. Unique. And always a good crowd at FRED.
FWR is an awesome event space. Two floors of fun — downstairs serving as a great performance/​dance space with projection ready walls for whatever sort of backdrop your event might need. I was most recently here for a Twin Peaks themed party and downstairs served as the Black Lodge’s dance hall. Upstairs you have a great view of the performance area, nooks and crannies for sitting and sipping your strongly poured drinks, great spaces for showcasing artwork, catering, what have you. Not to mention taxiderpy animals to keep you company and entertained when plastic limbs happen to accidentally fall off.
Staff are friendly, the AC works well for a smaller space that can get easily packed, the sound is killer, and it is always a good time here.

Fred is a fairly unique space, excellent sound, great visuals, drawing good promoters that then draw good crowds to their parties!
The rooms and décor are quirky without seeming artificial, the staff is friendly with a few confusions occurring here and there with regards to event deets (not having info on VIP free drink tickets, etc.) but their pours are strong and with stories interspersed with the drinkmaking.
I’ve been to three or so events at FWR, and all have been excellently put on and managed. More a giant house party than a club vibe, with no crashers to ruin the fun.

2 Story Event Space Rental located in Capitol Hill.
I’ve been here for several events, a Unilocal party and then most recently was the KEXP Amplifiers party. So, I do appreciate how versatile it appears to be for live music, DJ’s and other art events.
The large walls work great for projection and the back space worked well for a photo booth area.
It really is a blank canvas you can design how you want for a party, I’ve seen it morph several times.
The good and bad is looks like you would have to bring in and do a lot of décor on your own here, so could be tricky if you have a tight budget. Projection really is a cheap decoration ;) and at least there are a few couches, chairs to sit on, lamps to look at but mostly is a bare open space.
Note that Events seemed to be cash only. Location is good to hop over to other bars after an event here.

Just LAME in all ways! I’m sure in theory somewhere it could have been cool or even functional, but in reality it is a complete failure.
False advertising= no bar at shows that are advertised and tickets sold as a 21+ event. The staff was rude and disinterested since all they are there to do is tell people they have to go somewhere else to get a drink.
Bad lay out, bad sound, bad everything. Not impressive unless I compare it to a freshmen dorm room party. This is lame space that needs some major help to be worth paying any door to loose your hearing in and still have to go somewhere else to be able to buy a cocktail or sit down.
Even with really cool performers this space radiates lameness as a venue, failing to provide basic or advertised services as a business.

I rented FRED for a sit-​down music and aerial show in 2011.
Pros: The white photo room with projectors was perfect for the visuals I wanted, the space was already rigged for aerial, the location, and the laid back staff
Cons: It was expensive ($ 600 per show + rehearsal time), they had a truss but no lighting (brought my own), and I could only seat about 40 people a show.
Summary: This is a party space more than it is a show space, and I don’t think I will use it for the purpose of a show again.

Lion, Tigers, and Bears, oh my.
The Unilocal event at the FRED was fantastic! Unilocal knows how to throw a good party, and Unilocalers know how to party good. FRED’s the two-​level venue was spacious and open. The food, provided by Wild Ginger/​Triple Door, was great, as usual. The unique cocktails and the wines were also very tasty. Who’d have known that such a gem of a place is tucked away in the middle of Cap Hill!

Well, it’s all over. The massive Monday night Unilocal takeovers have been exhausted, but, would I do it all again?
The jury is still out on whether I will ever enjoy clubs or really snooty, upscale lounges, but the FRED is so different from any «venue» I’ve experienced and its’ moldability is truly the best attribute. Three out of the four weeks I got to watch a relatively empty space become a party plaza over the course of three hours and I was never left unimpressed. The owners are very cool and willing to help with whatever changes you ask and they even humored my idea to throw a swingers party with hot tubs (does anyone have 20 grand I could borrow with no intent to return?).
Multiple bar locations, room to dance, room to set up booths and demonstrations, multiple bathrooms, stairs that don’t endanger the lives of the drunk… It’s just a good place to throw a party, without a doubt.

This place seems like it could be used for just about any type of event. Lots of wide open space that can be used for a variety of different purposes. Anything from a fashion show to a Super Bowl party could be held here.
Parking is a bit of an issue, but that’s normal for anywhere downtown. Either way, this shouldn’t deter you from holding or attending an event at FRED.

Great venue for the party animals in all of us. From the bearskin rugs to the pink tiger print lampshades, this place has got everything you need for a wild party. Great atmosphere, great people, and a whole lotta drinks makes for a ferocious night of socializing.
The only negative aspect of this venue is the parking space but what venue in Seattle doesn’t struggle to provide ample parking space for people? It’s a jungle out there. Just be sure to find street parking nearby or carpool with some buddies to make it to the party on time. With that being said, this place is awesome. This was my first time at the FRED Wildlife Refuge but I’m sure it won’t be my last.

This an an AWESOME venue. I used to plan parties, and I would have loved to do a party at this venue. It’s a pretty large space too. Probably can hold about 500 people (but don’t quote me on that — I am just guess-​imating).
The only drawback (and this is from ²⁰⁄₂₀ hindsight) is that there are only a handful of parking spaces in front of the venue. However, I was expecting none. So having the few reserved parking spots that was a pleasant surprise.

This place was perfect for the video shoot for my colleague Katie Kate. I had no idea this place existed and I think its just a sick ass awesome space!
PS: Check out the video!

This is the most unique and versatile venue I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Whether you come for a funky wedding, a photo shoot, to view local art or to reserve the space for dance lessons, singing lessons, etc — the vibrant colors and funky wall décor will make you want to keep coming back. There are a few different spaces so it’s possible to host something small and quaint or big and kick ass.
I want to elaborate more but I almost prefer to keep it a surprise and make you come see for yourself. All I can say is you enter into what you believe is a house and suddenly you look through a window and wow… it’s a BIG venue tucked away in Capitol Hill. So awesome. Someone, please host an event here and invite me. I want to keep coming back!

The upstairs of this place reminds me of any famous pornstar’s living room in the early 80’s. Great for 50 – 80 people. Great location. I love that this exists as a venue option.
We had our company xmas party here. It’s great for photoshoots, small stages and basically any event.
Parking is a little tough on the weekends so be prepared.