Capitol Hill’s Comedy/Bar opened in 2023 in an area as soon as occupied by the Membership Lagoon (well-known for the edgy Lamborghini on its roof). The comedy membership, based and run by comedians Dane Hesseldahl and Jes Anderson, was, for probably the most half, a stunning success story. It had a lot of hit nights (for instance, Queers to the Entrance), and have become the go-to vacation spot in a neighborhood that was a comedy desert. The membership additionally acquired a creed-bump from the viral story that it rightly cancelled a present by 4 “comedians” who had been on that regressive/anti-woke/politically incorrect tip. Absolutely the Comedy/Bar was in a state of affairs not dissimilar from that expressed within the 1984 theme tune for the film Breakin’: “…there is no stopping us.”
Effectively, there was one factor, which Gwen Guthrie made plain within the 1986 tune, “Ain’t Nothin’ Goin’ on however the Hire.” When the Comedy/Bar opened, the town was nonetheless recovering from the lockdown, and this, in keeping with Hesseldahl, resulted in a lease that was reasonably priced however, alas, restricted to 2 years. As the tip of that point neared, the homeowners had been knowledgeable that the hire would certainly enhance, they usually discovered the rise had no relationship with the membership’s earnings. What to do? Increase the membership’s measurement and operation and e-book greater names. However how do you do that if you find yourself dwelling paycheck to paycheck? Flip to buyers. This flip met with speedy success: two buyers with deep involvement within the comedy trade, and sufficiently deep pockets, supplied the Comedy/Bar a lifeline. However the funding got here with main modifications to the membership, the primary of which was the venue’s identify (it is now the Emerald Metropolis Comedy Membership). The second was a major enhance in seating—from a 100-seat venue to a 275-seat one. This, in keeping with Hesseldahl, will make it “the most important devoted comedy venue in Seattle.”
“With this new capability,” Hesseldahl mentioned to me throughout drinks at Publish Pike Bar & Cafe, “we’ll be a sexy different for comedians who’ve historically solely performed bigger venues like The Neptune or The Moore. We’re taking on the complete ground and absolutely reimagining the house to create the absolute best comedy expertise.” The brand new membership is predicted to open in late April.
Although Hesseldahl declined to call the buyers, he made it clear that he and Anderson “could be a part of the transition [and would] retain an possession stake, and [Jes would] be serving to with operations and reserving as we transfer into this subsequent part.”
