Talk:Seattle/Downtown

Safeco Field

content from Safeco field moved to here, for consideration for merger with existing content

Best seats - The best seats are in the Diamond Club. The Diamond club includes the first few rows directly behind home plate as well as a large club area under the seats. A Diamond Club ticket includes an all you can eat buffet and any concessions you desier, delivered to your seat. While Diamond Club seats are sold only on a season ticket basis individual game tickets can often be purchased from the owners of those seats as well as directly from the Mariners ticket office. The Mariners have a liberal season ticket exchange policy which often results in great individual seats being made available.

Charter seats - Charter seats are likewise only available on a season ticket basis and after paying a "licensing fee." The first few rows of the lower bowl are all charter seats.

Terrace Club - Terrace Club seats are contreversial among Mariners regulars. The seats include access to a pair of lounge areas, private concession areas and restrooms. However, the club fee makes Terrace Club seats more expensive than all but the Charter and Diamond Club seats. You can sit much closer to the action for less money. Terrace Club fans consider the extra ammenities, larger, padded seats and wait service worth the price. They would also argue the elevated location on the press box level gives a better view of the game than the box seat location.

Bargain Seats - If you're looking for a bargain, the lower outfield seats offer an excellent vantage point. Right field seats offer the best opportunity to enjoy watching a game while sitting in the sun. Sunglasses and a cap will be required to see the action on a bright day. The View Box seats, in the upper deck also offer great value. Seats in the upper and outer parts of the 300 level are not worth their inexpensive price unless you can't get better for a sellout. The same can be said for the center field seats below the scoreboard. If you really want to go cheap buy a center field seat and walk around he ballpark as the game progresses enjoying the many excellent vantage points offered in standing room areas.

Program and Scorecard - If you want a program and/or scorecard you have two choices, the Mariners magazine and the Grand Salamie.

Mariners Magazineis a publication available throughout the ballpark. As it's produced by the Mariners it is simply a high prices, glossy propaganda tool. If you want a souvenier go ahead and get one but don't expect to be informed by anything you can read. They sell a scorecard also. The nice feature is up to date rosters for both teams. Unfortunately the scorecard itself is just a bunch of rectangles.

Grand Salamie is an independent publication where you'll get honest analysis of the Mariners and all teams playing at Safeco during the month. The Grand Salamie also comes with the best scorecard you can buy at a Major League game. Be aware you'll have to purchase the program from a vendor outside of the stadium. Thankfully Safeco has a liberal re-entry policy. Just make sure you have your ticket when you walk out.

Food - Food and drink in the park is among the best, in terms of quality and choice, in Major League baseball. Prices are typically high. Outside the park you'll find many better options.

F. X. McRory'sLocated just north of Qwest Field, McRory's was the place to hang before and after games when the Mariners played at the Kingdome. It has a large bar and excellent food, sort of Irish steakhouse style. With the move south to Safeco Field McRory's has taken second place to the Pyramid Ale House.

Pyramid Ale HouseThe Ale House is located right across 1st Ave from Safeco Field. It's essentially a very large northwest style brew pub. However, if you want to have dinner arrive a couple of hours before game time. If you're not there early expect to have a long wait and likely miss the first pitch. Alternatively you can enjoy beer, sausages and live music in their beer garden.

Jimmi's on FirstJimmi's opened in 2007. It features an upscale dining ambiance. However,unlike the Ale House you can get a seat in the bar without arriving hours early. Stick to the beer, drinks are mediocre and prices are steep.

VendorsIf you want to eat on the cheap bring your food. Safeco will allow food into the park but not drinks, of any kind. There are numberous vendors on the steats that sell dogs, candy, even pizza, all of which you can take into Safeco.

Scalpers - Those guys you see with the "I need tickets" signs are not usually buying, except at a steep discount from face value. They're selling. Good seats are available when the Mariners are not playing well. If you're a good negotiator you can get them below face value. Make the scalper make the first offer, don't settle for anything more than 75% of that first offer. If he won't drop his price you can easily find someone who will.