Sneaking in under the radar, Seattle suddenly finds itself with a new LGBTQ+ venue as of November 17th.
In the northernly neighborhood of Fremont, of all places.
It’s DRAGSTER and it’s the heart of Fremont’s nightlife neighborhood and in a space familiar to most longtime Seattle area residents. Dragster has taken over the former Fremont Ballroom space at 456 N 36th Street which until September had been occupied by Talaricos Pizza restaurant. That business, an offshoot of their original pizza place in West Seattle, closed up shop and the Dragster team began their buildout immediately following.
And, Dragster has some familiar names at the helm…it’s co-owned by Jeremy Walcott, the general manager of Capitol Hill’s popular Rhein Haus, the German themed restaurant and bar which has hosted several drag shows and Pride events over the last few years. Word on the street is, Dragster was funded by the Weimann/Maclise restaurant group who own Rhein Haus and the Mexican restaurant Poquitos on Capitol Hill as well as other restaurants in town including Ballard’s Stoneburner, Macleods, and Sabine, and White Center’s Beer Star plus venues in Leavenworth, Washington and Denver, Colorado.
Per their “About” page, the new venue plans on producing drag events featuring local, national and international talent in addition to other shows and DJ dance parties. Dragster features a full bar and food menu that includes Mexican, German, Mediterranean, and Thai dishes.
Via their webpage:
“We started Dragster with the idea of cultivating community in mind.
We wanted to create a place for LGBTQIA+ nightlight and events the likes of which we haven’t always been able to find in Fremont (why should Cap Hill get all the fun?)
We work hard to ensure our space is a safe and fun haven for everyone to enjoy and feel welcome. Keep an eye out for our rotating events featuring local, national, and international talent.
Beyond providing amazing shows, music, and dancing, we hope we can use our space and platform to support both the local queer and Fremont communities in a way that fosters friendships and talent while uplifting different voices.“
Dragster is just the most recent example of new LGBTQ+ venues choosing locations outside the longtime Capitol Hill and Pike/Pine neighborhoods. Rising rents in those areas have forced many entrepreneurs to seek locations in different parts of the city. In recent years, new clubs have opened in the SoDo, White Center, and Beacon Hill neighborhoods with varying degrees of success. Dragster is the first new venture north of Seattle’s Ship Canal/Lake Union/Montlake areas. The only other strictly LGBTQ+ bar in that area is Changes in Wallingford, the beloved little karaoke bar that has been open for decades.
Dragster will have their Grand Opening festivities this coming weekend with a Glow Party on Friday, December 2nd featuring DJ Sessions then on Saturday, December 3rd, a big drag show party with KENDALL GENDER from Canada’s Drag Race and local drag performers like Anita Spritzer, Other performances by your local queens; Anita Spritzer, Kristie Champagne, Sable Jones St. James, Rowan Ruthless, and Ursula Major. They’re selling tickets for the Saturday event and you can snatch them at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grand-opening-drag-show-tickets-466503904737
Get more info at their website: https://www.dragsterseattle.com/events
It looks like the hours for Dragster will be Thursday through Monday, open from 4pm to 2am and closed on Tues/Wed.
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
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