Where have all the flowers gone?

Some would argue that the best gay nightlife in Seattle is nearly 3 hours away...in Vancouver, BC. (Personally, I don’t even find Vancouver all that good either) The gay clubs in Seattle have had there ups and downs over the years with some of the hottest clubs to come to the scene eventually closing down after being open only a relatively short time. Some have transformed themselves several times such as the current Neumo’s which was at least three different gay clubs before its current forum of being mostly a straight venue for live music. Where The Brass Connection use to be, the once hot Blu Video Bar also closed down and to eventually become the very straight War Room hip hop bar. Sugar completely changed its format from gay to attracting a crowd similar to the War Room.
For a while in Seattle, sadly for them, the to place to be for straight people was Pioneer Square with its one-time cover charge, tavern style dance clubs and live music. However, the area was inundated with suburban rednecks and was also becoming dangerous from a few thugs who were more interested in stirring up violent confrontations. What may have started with the more alternative club, The Vogue, sprang up new hip straight clubs on Capital Hill right next to the gay clubs. The format was a smaller and darker candlelit lounge type establishments. And some of the younger hip straight crowd began preferring the relative class and safety of gay Capital Hill. Soon the crowds of Pine and Pike Streets were becoming much more mixed as the straight scene elevated itself way beyond the pub like Capital Hill straight bars of Linda’s, the Comet Tavern, and Kincora Pub. Straight but mildly gay friendly establishments like Cha Cha Lounge, Chapel, Barca, and Capital Club appeared.
I certainly would not suggest that this has contributed to the decline of gay clubs in Seattle. It should have intensified the atmosphere, style and energy of Capital Hill. When Thumpers recently closed down they blamed it on how everyone is so connected on the web now. No longer do people need to go out to bars in order to meet that special someone. However, the transformation of Capital Hill is probably more related to the interests of the club owner to survive the dwindling desire of gays in Seattle to remain in the boundaries of a gay ghetto. Gays were becoming more orientated with the mainstream of Seattle’s nightlife such as in the chic new bistros in Belltown and downtown.
Well the good part is by having the gay scene concentrated to just a few mediocre establishments on any given weekend you can expect to be partying with THE crowd that is there to have fun. Just like the power of political parties, over time gay Seattle has had its ups and downs and maybe the future has a revival in store for Seattle.