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Monday, April 30, 2012

Bars The Funhouse Property Has Been Sold

Posted by Kelly O on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 4:33 PM

I am sad to report that it is now official - The Funhouse will be moving from our current location.

Our landlords sent us a notice informing us that the building has been sold and we have 6 months to vacate the property, ending our tenancy on October 31, 2012.

Obviously we are devastated by this news.

My business partner Bobby & I are now going to begin the process of finding another location for our business. Ideally we'd love to find a somewhat central location that can host a bar & live music. In the best case scenario we'd love to find a place to buy, but barring that renting another space would be acceptable too.

Our hope is to take over another space by Oct/Nov, thereby minimizing down time and at best keep all of our staff employed.

The building the Funhouse occupies originally opened in the late 1930's under the name Tex's Tavern. Tex's was in business for 50 plus years, until it became Zaks in the 1990's. Bobby took over the business, opening the doors on Halloween night 2003.

When word went out about us possibly losing our business the public outpouring of support was overwhelming, and while we desire no charity (The Funhouse is a for profit business, after all) we are hoping to hear suggestions from our supporters about possible new locations.

One of the things some folks were hoping for was getting some kind of landmark status for the building, but my understanding is this happening is way on the outside of possibility. Obviously we'd love some kind of last minute miracle to keep us in our current location, but we must be pragmatic and plan on moving.

So this ain't over yet. I have to look at this as something positive. Who knows what cool stuff will happen in the next few months?

And to anyone wanting to support us - please come down and buy a drink. We could use your business!

Brian Foss
Funhouse Co-owner/Booking Agent

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Comments (27) RSS

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I've always liked going to shows at the Underground Events Center in Belltown. Kind of divey, not huge, maybe too small for the Funhouse crowd, but I wish there were more shows there! Don't know who owns it or what the story is, but could be worth investigation?

Posted by Megan Seling on April 30, 2012 at 4:44 PM

Take over Chop Suey!

Posted by just a thought on April 30, 2012 at 4:46 PM

Or is that place where Blockbuster Video used to be completely out of the question?

Posted by Just a thought on April 30, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Part of the space that used to be Hollywood Video on Broadway? Close to the Highline!

Posted by Kelly O on April 30, 2012 at 4:52 PM

no 2 and 3, the best part about the Funhouse was that it was off that incestous hill of shit

Posted by there's more to seattle on April 30, 2012 at 4:53 PM

This blows. The Funhouse is probably my favorite venue to play & attend shows. Best staff & the sound guys are total charmers. I'm glad it won't be "gone" gone, but I will miss that basketball hoop :(

Posted by s.maxim on April 30, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Capitol Hill doesn't need another rock club. I really can't think of a space downtown besides Kelly's Pub (sketchy dive bar, I've seen punk shows there before).

The U-District seems ripe for another club, even though the Kraken/Galway is holding it down for fans of aggressive music, it's too small for a lot of the bands Funhouse books.

While a little North, someone needs to save the Shanty Tavern. It went from being open every day, to just doing rockabilly, punk, country and rock shows and only opening Friday and Saturday. Now it's maybe open one weekend night a week and doesn't seem to ever have live music. It's a good sized space and hosts the Rockabilly Ball car show and daytime bands. And has a big free parking lot and now a booze free strip club next door, instant clientele for drinks during the day and slow times.

Posted by dan10things

on April 30, 2012 at 5:05 PM

Megan @1, that whole thing is owned by the Low Income Housing Institute, and is earmarked for tearing down and rebuilding as affordable housing in the long run. Maybe in the interim they'd be willing to do a lease though?

I'm wondering about that banner the Stranger's landlord hung off the side of your building. It suggests the entire adjacent Value Village space needs new tenants - maybe since Greg Lundgren got stymied in his hope the Lusty Lady owners would rent that for a big arts center, could he take a floor or two for that, and the Funhouse the rest?

Posted by gloomy gus on April 30, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Until October, true blue fans should go there as much as possible, to support 'em

Tonight there's $1 Rolling Rocks all night, plus music:
Old Blue, Enemy Combatant, Can't Complain, The Whywolves

Posted by Kelly O on April 30, 2012 at 5:16 PM

What Kelly O said... So much foot traffic being right next to Dicks!

Posted by Whaaa on April 30, 2012 at 5:27 PM

Will miss the building and location, but I will follow wherever they go.

Posted by bunnypuncher

on April 30, 2012 at 5:34 PM

The Kangaroo and Kiwi is moving to Ballard, so their Greenlake space is assumedly going to be vacant...

Posted by celluloid_jam on April 30, 2012 at 6:02 PM

The only reason I'd like to see them move to Capitol Hill would be to make a future festival like the SoundFest they tried to do much more feasible. I didn't go primarily because the venues were spread out all over the place, so having a bunch in a relatively close space would be great for something like that. But that'd be a once-a-year kind of thing.

Someone on Facebook suggested they take over the old Tubs space. I think that's a great idea, personally, though I have no idea how the size/layout compares to what the current Funhouse has. But they could possibly turn part of that parking lot into a patio area and keep the basketball/BBQ alive. Zoning in that area probably wouldn't allow that though.

Posted by T on April 30, 2012 at 6:17 PM

Buy the RIMROCK in Lake City....

Posted by jsolo on April 30, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Please Don't move to Capital Hill or Georgetown that's all I ask U don't necessarily need another space that is already a bar that's going or gone out of Business You just need a space with the proper dimensions for occupancy, show room, bar and equipment spaces plus the other requirements that you all know about by now. I'd suggest however looking into spaces that used to house grocery stores 1st of all, this would provide you with refrigeration capabilities plus a space that you could totally convert to you own design and these come in various sizes so you would just have to have Bobby do the overhead vs Capacity math and Brian think about what kind of bands and shows and crowds he can expect to bring into the new location. Joey Piss Drunk would be glad to help in any of your endevours in these areas especially in designs for Stages and show rooms and of course the things that bands and other artistic endevors need to make a show run smoothly and economically ie (storage,dressing/green rooms, Bathrooms!! (very important 4 traveling bands), loading, backlining, soundproofing, ect ect..... Just Sayin git us a Big ole barn and we'll put on a SHOW!!! (with the availability of strong Drinks and hopefully maybe Good Eats as Well!!!) JPD

Posted by joey piss drunk on April 30, 2012 at 7:44 PM

@7...my husband used to play there. Owner is kind of a dick and has been trying to sell for years, but is asking too much.

Posted by julie russell

on April 30, 2012 at 7:52 PM

Yes I was just thinking that No Apartments too close It is a little small but might work.

Posted by Hendog on April 30, 2012 at 8:31 PM

I have no problem believing That the Rimrock owner is a dick Those old North End small business Guys.........

Posted by Hendog on April 30, 2012 at 8:44 PM

No...the Shanty owner

Posted by julie russell

on April 30, 2012 at 9:11 PM

But that's Lake Shitty for you

Posted by julie russell

on April 30, 2012 at 9:13 PM

Stay in Belltown/Denny area. Or move to Interbay. Whatever you do, don't lose that clown.

Posted by Kat Zzz. on April 30, 2012 at 9:28 PM

Stay in Belltown/Queen Anne. Or move to Interbay. Whatever happens, don't lose that clown.

Posted by Kat Zzz. on April 30, 2012 at 9:33 PM

I would like second (third?) Kelly O's suggestion, for entirely selfish reasons.

Posted by bleedingheartlibertarian on April 30, 2012 at 10:31 PM

Its a shame they turned the place across from key arena into a big dumb sports bar.......cause that coulda been it !!!!

Posted by pjw on April 30, 2012 at 10:50 PM

@24 I'm pretty sure the Skybox is closed. There was recently a design review to tear the building down and build condos.

Posted by Wheedle on May 1, 2012 at 7:56 AM

Closing night will be one hell of a party, I will miss this place, wish they would move to the CD.

Posted by Cascadian Bacon on May 1, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Lake City is potentially ripe for something like this. I think the Shanty isn't a bad idea.
A location in the South End (further south than Col. City) could potentially work as well. Basically I'm fifthing all the "please, not on Cap Hill. They don't need it. Other places do."

Posted by gi on May 1, 2012 at 1:37 PM