Slog - Comments on Problem Clubs

Comment by I'm a Nuclear Bomb

I'm a Nuclear Bomb — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:41:55 -0800

Well, well, well look at that. All of those clubs seem to have a lock-down on attracting this city's biggest douche-bag contingent. Real big surprise top find out that's where the problems stem from.

Comment by Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:48:19 -0800

Those places all suck ass.

I hope they get shut down and replaced with anything at all better.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:49:03 -0800

First Ave, First Ave, and oh, First Ave.

Comment by Frank

Frank — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:51:51 -0800

Cowgirls and Venom are owned by the same people right? Frat bars most of them. Not one live music venue which is nice to see

Comment by tsm

tsm — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:00:54 -0800

At least he's restricted his unjustified harassment to shitty clubs so far. Can he also take down Club Lagoon before we vote him out?

Comment by Zander

Zander — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:02:52 -0800

No, not one live music venue. Seems that Protect-the-clubs-and-save-live-music line is a simplistic lie after all.

Comment by Frank

Frank — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:05:32 -0800

@6 - what the fuck are you talking about Zander? You often sound nutty on here, but what do you even mean by your comment? Please enlighten us.

Comment by Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:07:46 -0800

According to the article, it was only the West Precinct though. And on a personal note, I couldn't care less about LCB violations. But violence in and around the clubs definitely is a problem, IMO.

Comment by Katelyn

Katelyn — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:12:03 -0800

I'm thrilled that someone's finally naming names in this whole thing and am more at ease knowing that I hate all the clubs on the Shit List. I'm surprised Tommy's wasn't on there though...

Comment by neo-realist

neo-realist — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:30:59 -0800

I'm a little concerned that after they close the yuppie scum pickup joints on that list, they'll come after places like the Crocodile, El Corazon, and Nuemos. But I think what they'll do is say that the music is too loud, the sprinkler systems aren't up to code,or the club has a loitering problem as pretexts for possible closure. All to make the city safe for white gentry

Comment by longball

longball — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:37:00 -0800

Oh my god, that exactly matches MY list of clubs that need to be bulldozed along with all their patrons! Get rid of those hell holes and douchebags from the burbs won't have reason to visit the city any more. I am all for it!

Comment by Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:41:25 -0800

Well ain't that funny! Dey's not all black clubs!

Comment by nonocnoc

nonocnoc — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:16:41 -0800

what about noc noc? Eww. no west seattle or u dist joints (or gay clubs?). Why did they only report on the west precinct?

Did not know about "LiquorStat" very interesting. Not that there's anything wrong with the list, those places do suck.

Comment by hit that shit

hit that shit — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:43:19 -0800

I'm so going to all those places this Sat. nite. Hell yeah, this is the best Stranger Suggests ever, Thanks!

Comment by absurdist

absurdist — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 20:59:21 -0800

neo-realist, what do you consider a "yuppie scum pickup joint" around here?

Comment by Cook

Cook — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:21:12 -0800

I have a question. What happens to all the assholes that go to these clubs if they are shut down? Do more and more of them start invading the good clubs? I'd hate to see more clubs go the way Sugar went//is going, but at least they brought theirs on themselves. Maybe I'm just hyping it up too much though...

Comment by Greg

Greg — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:46:30 -0800

Well, I better check 'em out before they get shut down, then.

Comment by pgreyy

pgreyy — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:56:46 -0800

I have a question. What happens to all the assholes that go to these clubs if they are shut down?--Cook.

I agree...

And moreover, I'm really sick of this "holier than thou" attitude which has saturated this topic in its various forms on this board.

Just because YOU don't happen to patronize these establishments or enjoy what entertainment they offer--is that enough of a reason to demand that they but shut down (or "bulldozed along with all their patrons")?

Back when I was a dj, I spun regularly at Last Supper Club... I had a great time there--either working or seeing other cool djs. I understood that some of my hipster friends didn't enjoy patronizing the club...they didn't like the vibe there... They sought out other options where they felt more at home.

That's cool. That's how it's supposed to work.

But, unless these clubs are doing something specifically illegal--I don't see how there's any point to shutting down these clubs just because you don't like who goes there...or being happy to take away the options of those who patronize these particular clubs, when you'd be screaming to high heaven if the tables were turned (as they so often are...)

If the problem is with how the some of these patrons act, then it is up to law enforcement to deal with them...when they act that way...and to help the clubs in dealing with them so that everyone can have a safe, fun time out...

Shutting down clubs as a response to how some idiots behave is merely a very expensive game of Whack-a-Mole...

Comment by Gitai

Gitai — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:05:07 -0800

I need some hard numbers here. Just naming the clubs and saying LiquorStat (which sounds like a command you'd give to a bartender) says they're bad without more info doesn't do it for me.

Comment by tsm

tsm — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:16:12 -0800

@18 - yes, granted. But I still must admit to being a little relieved that the clubs they're going after (unfairly) are at least the ones with a high douchebag quotient.

Comment by Zander

Zander — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 22:23:35 -0800

Frank, I will try to connect the dots for you. Many have argued that protecting the clubs would protect live music. I say this a false postulate as many of the clubs in question seldom if ever play live music. Protecting these clubs will not protect any live music becuase they do not support live music as it is.
I am not worried about seeming a nut-job to you and others. I am actually kind of proud of not guzzling the group-think kool-aid that so many think is hip and informed.
Does my disagreeing with you make you uncomfortable? Is open debate somehing you would like to see go the way of the dodo?

Comment by reichertsatool

reichertsatool — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:05:17 -0800

i have to say, i really hate overhearing conversations like, "damn, dude, i think this is my last beer, got a long drive back to issaquah tonight"

but damn those suburbanite wives are slutty!

Comment by argh!

argh! — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 23:15:01 -0800

#6: The problem is that the new 'nightclub' rules would apply to everyone, not just the sucky joints. If we could just pass laws again places that suck, then we'd be fine, but try putting that into law.

It's like trying to pass laws against jerks. One person's jerk is another person's best friend.

Basically, this isn't a legislative issue at all. It's an enforcement issue, which is an executive function.

Comment by K

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:32:17 -0800

Having been to J&M once, which was once too many, I'm having a hard time caring.

Send the frat boys to Bellevue, I say, let the technocrats deal with them.

Comment by wf

wf — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:19:43 -0800

i have to agree that these bars totally suck. and i actually don't care where their patrons go. and i do wish club lagoon would get shut down. yet. i don't think the government should have the power to shut these clubs down except in real emergency situations. almost none of the comments on this list are saying that these places are so dangerous and unreformable that they must be closed. only that their patrons are offensive. that's not enough. and however cool it might make you feel to hate on these clubs, the judgment is too easily turned against you by power hungry politicians and dickwad neighborhood "activists." there's no knowing where this process could end. best not to go there.

Comment by girl in spain

girl in spain — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 02:56:54 -0800

most of your comments suck.
read some berthold brecht and learn.
what they do now to this clubs, they'll do later to your 'hip' clubs.

Comment by JessB

JessB — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:14:37 -0800

Do people actually use the term "hipster" in real life? I heard it for the first time in that Late Night Shots comments thread @ WashingtonCityPaper.com or whatever. Then again today in this comments thread. The best part is that people seem to be actually using it as an insult. Let me just point out: lamest fucking insult ever. Closely followed by lamest fucking term ever. Hipster? WTF?!

Comment by Matt from Denver

Matt from Denver — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 06:41:58 -0800

Not that any of this affects me any more but... You all should be careful about wishing for these places to be shut down.

These clubs were listed for having more than 20 "police incidents" from January 2006 to April 2007. As the article points out:

The summation released Tuesday includes police reports near or in clubs whether or not charges are filed. It doesn't factor for severity. Nor does it distinguish when it's the clubs calling police -- as the city asks them to do.

This is pure politics. Maybe these particular clubs are unpopular with a lot of Seattle, not just the Stranger reading hipster set. If so then Nickles is trying to rally support by targeting unpopular places. But these rules will apply to everyone. Some are relieved that the list is only of yuppie hellholes but they will use these rules to go after your favorite watering hole. Don't be fooled by the fact that it isn't listed here.

Comment by maxsolomon

maxsolomon — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:04:49 -0800

@ 10:
"I'm a little concerned that after they close the yuppie scum pickup joints on that list, they'll come after places like the Crocodile, El Corazon, and Nuemos. But I think what they'll do is say that the music is too loud, the sprinkler systems aren't up to code,or the club has a loitering problem as pretexts for possible closure. All to make the city safe for white gentry"

hate to break it to you, but the patrons of those clubs ARE the white gentry.

Comment by What a shame

What a shame — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:17:28 -0800

like the homeless problem -you don't solve anything by closing a shelter... you just move the problem somewhere else.
also are you freaking CRAZY?!? actually hoping the city government will take control in that manner? more security, frat/douchebag rehabilitation programs...

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 09:24:29 -0800

it's funny that people say frat (and it has to mean UW, SU, PLU), while those neighborhood's clubs attract west seattle blue collar types and uppity eastsiders.

Comment by Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:06:17 -0800

#29 - Thank you. Well said.

On another note, as a fan of dance music, I think closing Venom and Last Supper Club would be a drag for those of us who enjoy going to see big-time DJs spin. Yeah, there are some lame jagoffs who frequent those two clubs. But more often than not, the superstar DJs like Digweed, Kleinenberg, Van Dyk, etc, play there.

The haters on this board might not give a shit, but I like living in a town with a wide spectrum of entertainment choices, not just indie (or should I call it "hipster"?) rock and local stuff. A big-time town should provide a home for big-time DJs. Shutting down some of the very few venues here that cater to them is lame. Are we a city or a bunch of suburban hicks?

Comment by thee gotdam AHW

thee gotdam AHW — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:15:06 -0800

"west seattle blue collar types"

jeezuz

Comment by Bellevue Ave

Bellevue Ave — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:35:25 -0800

does the truth hurt?

Comment by Cato the Younger Younger

Cato the Younger Younger — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:41:35 -0800

Since I am getting ready to move back to Cap Hill in a few months I just want to say it is a bad idea to shut the clubs down. The assholes who do cause the problems will only move up the clubs on Cap Hill and start more trouble up there. (Imagine Club Lagoon on steroids on a Saturday night).

Comment by infrequent

infrequent — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:10:01 -0800

it's like free speech... you have to protect the right of people to say stupid things so you'll have the write to say smart things. just because the stupids are targeted doesn't mean they don't deserve defenders. you are defending yourself.

Comment by infrequent

infrequent — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:13:25 -0800

it's like free speech -- you have to protect the right for people to say stupid things to ensure your right to say smart (or politically challenging) things.

you have to protect the stupid clubs in order to save your smart clubs.

Comment by Tony

Tony — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:40:29 -0800

I'm so glad our block-headed mayor is making such a huge fuss about nightlife while failing to show leadership on issues that actually matter.

Comment by Katie

Katie — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 14:13:31 -0800

The City (Nickels) keeps saying that it is the clubs fault that all this violence is going on outside the clubs. How can the club regulate what goes on across the street or in the parking lot next door...the problem is the lack of police. And did anyone read that article in the PI last week where an officer ADMITTED that he is less likely to bust someone for suspicious behaivor because he is afraid he is going to get sued? I am not saying that all cops are good, I'm just saying that things are getting way out of hand and the good cops can't do their job because of it.

You don't like the clubs? Then don't go there. You don't like the neighborhood? Then don't live there. Easy solution.

Comment by Larry

Larry — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:06:20 -0800

Just would like to say it has been mentioned prior that nothing was brought up about these clubs in the past years up until all of a sudden downtown is becoming the new mecca for condos and townhomes, i'm sure when mr. Smith comes and buys his 500,000 dollar 200 sq ft apartment/condo he isn't going to want to hear the people outside the clubs screaming and talking and having a good time until 2:00 AM or later no matter where they are and whether its a crime or just people having a good time. I feel like this is a pretense to a reason to start a round of these types of targeting even on the clubs you all call the good places will be affected eventually. I have been to a few of the places on the list and I've been to a few of the places you all call the good places to hang out and well I have just as much fun at both so you know its all like the post prior said by the DJ, it's all your opinion and what you like. As far as moving the clubs go ahead and your sending the money to Kent, Tacoma, etc, and guranteed because I've seen it in other big cities I've lived in, that if those clubs move and start making good money the others will follow then you will be driving yourself to Kent or Tacoma or wherever to enjoy a night out. Just my piece of the pie, take or leave it. *L* :)