The Comeback Seattle
{{Short description|Defunct bar and nightclub in Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
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| address = 1950 1st Avenue S
| city = Seattle, Washington
| country = United States
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| coordinates = {{Coord|47.5845|-122.3340|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| owner = {{Flatlist|
- Floyd Lovelady
- John Fish
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The Comeback Seattle was an LGBTQ-friendly bar and nightclub in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood, in the U.S. state of Washington. Described as a gay bar and queer sports bar, The Comeback hosted drag shows and RuPaul's Drag Race viewing parties. The short-lived bar opened in early 2022 and closed on April 30, 2023. It was co-owned by Floyd Lovelady, a former general manager of the gay bar and nightclub R Place, as well as John Fish.
Description
The Comeback Seattle was a bar and nightclub on 1st Avenue in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood that catered to the LGBTQ community.{{Cite web |title=What happened to The Comeback?: Rumors circulate surrounding the closing of the SoDo club |url=https://www.sgn.org/325266 |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Seattle Gay News |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160130/https://www.sgn.org/story.php?325266 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The Comeback: R Place rises again |url=https://www.sgn.org/309359 |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Seattle Gay News |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160135/https://www.sgn.org/story.php?309359 |url-status=live }} Writers for The Stranger described The Comeback as a gay bar, a queer sports bar, and a "gay-sports-dance bar ... that evolved out of" the gay bar R Place, which had operated on Capitol Hill.{{Cite web |last1=Baume |first1=Matt |author1-link=Matt Baume |last2=Burns |first2=Chase |last3=Keimig |first3=Jas |title=Finally, It's Showtime |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/02/28/67388161/finally-its-showtime |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |issn=1935-9004}} The Comeback had go-go dancers, weekend dance parties, and a weekly drag show called "Lashes", featuring local and touring performers. A taco truck often operated outside.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-14 |title=A First-Timer's Guide to Queer Nightlife in Seattle |url=https://theticket.seattletimes.com/neighborhoods/queer-bars-in-seattle/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Seattle Times |publisher=The Seattle Times Company |issn=0745-9696 |oclc=9198928 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205165444/https://theticket.seattletimes.com/neighborhoods/queer-bars-in-seattle/ |url-status=live }}
The space was approximately 9,000 square feet and had a seating capacity of 150 to 200 people. The building consisted of modular walls, a game area to play darts and pool, and gender-neutral restrooms.{{Cite web |last=Baume |first=Matt |author1-link=Matt Baume |title=Here Comes The Comeback: New Queer Bar Eyes December Opening in SoDo |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/12/07/63432222/here-comes-the-comeback-new-queer-bar-eyes-december-opening-in-sodo |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2022-11-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130014915/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/12/07/63432222/here-comes-the-comeback-new-queer-bar-eyes-december-opening-in-sodo |url-status=live }} The Stranger{{'s}} Renee Raketty noted the large open space with an "impressive stage and long bar". She said the venue was ADA-compliant, "with all the public areas on the same floor", and said the space had a large prep kitchen, a walk-in refrigerator, an office, and other private areas.
History
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| image1 = The_Comeback_Seattle,_December_2022_-_4.jpg
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| alt1 = Photograph of the interior of a building
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| footer = The bar's interior, 2022
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Co-owners Floyd Lovelady and John Fish{{Cite web |last=Baume |first=Matt |author1-link=Matt Baume |title=Another Nightclub Opens in SoDo |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/01/11/64648463/another-nightclub-opens-in-sodo |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205062434/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/01/11/64648463/another-nightclub-opens-in-sodo |url-status=live }} opened The Comeback in early 2022,{{Cite web |last=McCall |first=Vivian |title=Slog AM: Special Session in Olympia, Chauvin's Partner Convicted, Judge Rejects Rep. Zephyr Reinstatement |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog-am/2023/05/03/78975780/slog-am-special-session-in-olympia-chauvins-partner-convicted-judge-rejects-rep-zephyr-reinstatement |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515042123/https://www.thestranger.com/slog-am/2023/05/03/78975780/slog-am-special-session-in-olympia-chauvins-partner-convicted-judge-rejects-rep-zephyr-reinstatement |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The Comeback ushers in the era of "Homo-SoDo" |url=https://www.sgn.org/313557 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Seattle Gay News |language=en-us |archive-date=2023-12-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223160122/https://www.sgn.org/story.php?313557 |url-status=live }} in a building which had housed the bar, event rental space, and nightclub Eden Seattle. Previously, Lovelady was the general manager of the gay bar R Place.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-25 |title=As LGBTQ+ nightlife returns, will the scene be forever changed? |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/as-lgbtq-nightlife-returns-will-the-scene-be-forever-changed/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122035937/https://www.seattletimes.com/life/as-lgbtq-nightlife-returns-will-the-scene-be-forever-changed/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, Matt Baume of The Stranger said that with Lovelady managing The Comeback, he felt as if it was R Place's "spiritual successor". According to Lovelady, The Comeback was meant to match the spirit and mood of R Place by bringing back old activities.
The Comeback was Lovelady's first bar to own. Following R Place's closure, he and Fish (a former patron) formed The Comeback Seattle LLC, acquired R Place's social media accounts, and became co-managing partners of The Comeback.{{Cite web |last=Regan |first=Holly |date=2022-03-02 |title=As Seattle's Gayborhood Migrates, Capitol Hill Queer Bars Fight to Remain a Refuge |url=https://seattle.eater.com/22906922/queer-bar-seattle-capitol-hill-wildrose-r-place-lgbtq-neighborhood-gentrification |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Eater Seattle |publisher=Vox Media |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324213833/https://seattle.eater.com/22906922/queer-bar-seattle-capitol-hill-wildrose-r-place-lgbtq-neighborhood-gentrification |url-status=live }} The SoDo location, approximately twice as large as R Place,{{Cite web |title=Former manager of R Place to open LGBTQ+ bar/club in SoDo |url=https://www.djc.com/news/ae/12143813.html |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |language=en |archive-date=2021-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022201651/https://www.djc.com/news/ae/12143813.html |url-status=live }} was proposed by the SoDo Business Improvement Association; Lovelady found SoDo appealing because of its relatively lower cost, central location, nearby parking availability, and limited noise restrictions. R Place's head security host was hired to work at The Comeback.
The Comeback's redesign was led by Andrew "Ace" Grant Houston{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Chase |title=Slog PM: A Comeback in SoDo, Two Geniuses in Seattle, and One Hannah Krieg! |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/09/28/61517762/slog-pm-a-comeback-in-sodo-two-geniuses-in-seattle-and-one-hannah-krieg |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527160844/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2021/09/28/61517762/slog-pm-a-comeback-in-sodo-two-geniuses-in-seattle-and-one-hannah-krieg |url-status=live }} of House Cosmopolitan. Houston told Seattle Gay News that he was proud of his work, as the bar "represents the continuation of local Capitol Hill history in spirit". The bar raised funds for the renovation via Indiegogo.
In November 2021, Eater Seattle said The Comeback was planning to open in December.{{Cite web |last=Streefkerk |first=Mark Van |date=2021-11-10 |title=Island Soul's Sister Restaurant Arleana's is Coming to Kirkland |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2021/11/10/22774789/island-souls-sister-restaurant-arleanas-is-coming-to-kirkland |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Eater Seattle |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515212337/https://seattle.eater.com/2021/11/10/22774789/island-souls-sister-restaurant-arleanas-is-coming-to-kirkland |url-status=live }} In December, the business was hiring bar-backs, bartenders, hosts, servers, and other positions, and aimed to host a grand opening on February 11.{{Cite web |last=Tomky |first=Naomi |date=2021-12-31 |title=Dearly departed: The restaurants Seattle lost in 2021 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/seattle-restaurants-that-closed-in-2021-16738960.php |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |publisher=Hearst Communications |issn=0745-970X |oclc=3734418 |language=en |archive-date=2023-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515120215/https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/seattle-restaurants-that-closed-in-2021-16738960.php |url-status=live }} In January 2022, The Comeback held a soft launch and moved the grand opening to mid-February due to supply chain issues. Silky Nutmeg Ganache headlined "Lashes" in February. Other events the bar hosted in 2022 included a ten-week drag competition called "So You Think You Can Drag", an after party for a bar crawl held in conjunction with Pride Month,{{Cite web |last=Streefkerk |first=Mark Van |date=2022-06-01 |title=How to Celebrate Pride Month at Seattle Bars and Restaurants |url=https://seattle.eater.com/2022/6/1/23148141/seattle-pride-2022-bars-restaurants |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Eater Seattle |publisher= |language=en |archive-date=2022-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601184331/https://seattle.eater.com/2022/6/1/23148141/seattle-pride-2022-bars-restaurants |url-status=live }} and RuPaul's Drag Race viewing parties.{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Chase |title=RuPaul's Next Seattle Queen |url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/01/04/64628085/rupauls-next-seattle-queen |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=The Stranger |language=en |archive-date=2022-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205002130/https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2022/01/04/64628085/rupauls-next-seattle-queen |url-status=live }}
The Comeback closed on April 30, 2023.{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2023 |title=SODO BIA highlights unique opportunities, challenges that exist for businesses in the neighborhood |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/challenges-opportunities-sodo-businesses-seattle/281-f58a4602-b9b0-467a-925e-2e35f8c97284 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website= |publisher=KING-TV |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-05-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505024222/https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/challenges-opportunities-sodo-businesses-seattle/281-f58a4602-b9b0-467a-925e-2e35f8c97284 |url-status=live }} According to a social media post, the bar closed as a decision to "step aside" and let others influence the Seattle's LGBTQ community and scene. The Comeback had a "blowout" liquor sale, and the "Lashes" series was moved to Unicorn. In April 2025, The Seattle Times reported, "Following the closure, local businesses and police say illegally operating nightclubs continued to operate at that building and others in the area, leading to violence and nuisance behaviors. In August, while the First Avenue South building was listed for sale, a 22-year-old man was shot and killed at a party inside." The building is slated to become a sobering center.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=After 6 years, King County finds a permanent site for a sobering center |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/mental-health/new-sobering-center-to-open-in-sodo/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}
References
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External links
{{Portal|LGBTQ}}
- {{Commons category-inline|The Comeback Seattle}}
{{LGBTQ culture in Seattle}}
{{SoDo, Seattle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Comeback Seattle}}
Category:2022 establishments in Washington (state)
Category:2023 disestablishments in Washington (state)
Category:Defunct LGBTQ nightclubs in the United States
Category:Defunct nightclubs in Washington (state)