New Admiral Theater lounge debuts with Saturday concert

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Ever been upstairs at the Admiral Theater? It’s been roped off as long as we can remember. But this Saturday night, when a triple-bill concert enables the Admiral’s new management to launch a new era in its alter-ego as a live-music venue, patrons will be able to enjoy the newly christened Crow’s Nest Lounge. Read on to find out more about the lounge, Saturday’s big show, and what else the Admiral has up its sleeve:

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That cozy couch is part of the Crow’s Nest Lounge setup, along with tables and chairs against the railing on the Admiral’s upper level. Not far away, there’s a two-keg cooler in place, rented from neighboring Mission, that the Admiral will use to serve two beer selections during Saturday night’s concert – Manny’s (from Georgetown) and Rainier. The Admiral just got its liquor license for serving beer and wine; entertainment director Dinah Brein McClellan says they’re not intending to become a “walk in any time” lounge or bar, but they feel this will enable them to attract better crowds for live shows, like the one happening this Saturday. “We’d like people to view it a little like the Paramount, or Moore Theater,” she says. And they’re bringing in a popular local bartender to work the event: Leslie from Redline Music and Sports. (Dinah’s posted a job listing for PT bartender in the West Seattle Jobs Offered section of the WSB Forums, by the way.)

She’s hoping for a big turnout, not just because that’s what any venue operator would want, but because this is the start of a new era for the Admiral. Before the management change four months ago (WSB coverage here), there were some live shows, but now there’s a sound system that Dinah says will be run by an award-winning engineer. Here’s the scoop on the show: Headliner is West Seattle’s own Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, just signed to a label (you can hear their music on the Admiral’s new MySpace site), with The Hands and Panda & Angel (snippets of their music are on the Admiral MySpace too); host is DJ Troy from KEXP, and Graig Markel from Animals at Night will also be featured. Tickets are $10 in advance (available online here).

Also coming up at the Admiral, in addition to ongoing improvements in the regular movie offerings: The Seattle premiere of an aspiring cult movie called “Repo: The Genetic Opera” on November 11th, shortly after a weekend of special events celebrating West Seattle movie star Frances Farmer – November 7th and 8th, those events will include screenings of Farmer movies “Come and Get It” and “Rhythm on the Range,” the Jessica Lange biopic “Frances,” as well as a cocktail reception – with hors d’oeuvres catered by Shadow Land (whose name is Farmer-inspired) – benefiting Navos, the new name of the umbrella organization operating the former West Seattle Psychiatric Hospital (Farmer struggled with mental illness), and an afterparty at Shadow Land.

The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (which just joined WSB as a sponsor – more on that later this week) also plans screenings at the Admiral Oct. 24-25 (see the full schedule here, including a late-night “Rocky Horror Picture Show” event – that usually just happens at the Admiral the first Saturday night of each month).

With those offerings and more, Brein McClellan says they’re trying to keep this West Seattle icon going strong, and hoping you will show your support by attending shows like the one this Saturday. By the way – the Admiral’s tiny balcony, long closed, isn’t entirely off-limits any more:

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Nothing fancy, the Admiral folks stress, but history isn’t always fancy. They’re working hard to bring this landmark into the future; if you want to help it not just survive but thrive, you can do your part by supporting its offerings and suggesting what more you’d like to see (contact info’s on the Admiral’s website).

21 Replies to "New Admiral Theater lounge debuts with Saturday concert"

  • sea-sea October 9, 2008 (3:26 am)

    I think it would be much classier if they kept to movies only, restored the interior a little more and continued with the lounge upstairs serving a small selection of cocktails in again, a classy atmosphere…not overdone, just nice.

  • morcaffeineplease October 9, 2008 (6:46 am)

    More live music in West Seattle is a great thing, and Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, beer and cocktails and a KEXP dj, well, what more could you ask for? Thanks to all involved for working to make West Seattle a live music outpost.

  • steph October 9, 2008 (8:05 am)

    I love this. A reasonably priced place to see local musicians. You can get your drink on if you so choose. I think it’s a great first step in the right direction. Thanks to the new owners of the Admiral for making good use of the extra space.

  • i-agree October 9, 2008 (8:09 am)

    @sea-sea

    I agree 100%. It would be terrific if we could have a pint or cocktail while watching a movie. A scaled down version of the Alamo Draft House in Austin if you will.

  • worms Roxanne, I'm afraid of worms. October 9, 2008 (8:19 am)

    Keep after it guys. WS is ripe for a live music venue like this.

  • P October 9, 2008 (8:37 am)

    I am all for anything that is new and exciting which this really sounds like it is. Another reason to stay in West Seattle and avoid that ugly bridge for something fun to do, and its not expensive either!

  • d October 9, 2008 (9:34 am)

    A friend and I went to one of the comedy shows in August. It is a nice, intimate venue and has many charms about it. Perhaps it was just the beginning doldrums of the new use, but the turn-out that night was dismal. The audience had a little over a dozen people. The theater has such potential, but it desperately needs supportive patrons attending. I hope that the audiences have grown since that night.

    Good luck Admiral!

  • villagegreen October 9, 2008 (10:04 am)

    This sounds awesome! A lounge definitely makes the venue more appealing IMO – Manny’s and Rainier are the perfect choices.

  • fiz October 9, 2008 (10:08 am)

    I remember the gorgeous murals on the walls and ceiling and hope that they will be uncovered. I was fascinated by them as a kid. We seldom go to the Admiral because of the dust in the draperies that hide the murals, makes it hard to impossible for some of us to breathe.

  • mickeymouse October 9, 2008 (12:35 pm)

    Will these live music shows be open to those under 21, with the alcohol just upstairs?
    Always looking for places for young people to go hear live music!

  • dinahmite October 9, 2008 (12:49 pm)

    I’m so happy “most” of you approve. To answer ‘Mickeymouse”, there will be some shows that are labeled strictly 21 + like Saturday’s. Other times, for all ages-shows like the soon to be Grease Sing-A-Long and Sock Hop (does that sound like a cool idea?) we will restrict the upstairs lounge area, and allow those under 21 admission. YA’LL COME!
    Dinah

  • Erik Walum October 9, 2008 (1:00 pm)

    Bravo Admiral Theater. This place has been ripe for something like this for a long time. My friends and I are always talking about how great it would be to have the Admiral be like the Mcmenamins beer theaters in Portland, serving up pizza, beer and cheap movies. Adding live music is a no-brainer. I hope they succeed!

  • JH October 9, 2008 (1:18 pm)

    I just want to know if we can still make out upstairs like we did in the 70s/80s.

  • Suits are not boring October 9, 2008 (2:27 pm)

    Is there any updates on what is going on with those who donated $40 for a seat under the old managers? I do understand that this was under the old managers, but had bought it as a gift for a friend. I am not expecting the money back, it would be nice to have an Admiral-themed alternative for her :) I gave them my name and a canceled check awhile back.

    I am excited about all the new stuff going on there! Glad they are doing so much!

  • fiz October 9, 2008 (2:50 pm)

    JH, that was going on a long time before the 70s/80s! I only know that by rumor, of course.

  • jesuit_grl October 9, 2008 (2:56 pm)

    As a life-long west Seattleite, I am so glad someone is working to keep this theater going and growing. I started out going to double features here as a kid in the 70’s (I seem to recall it cost $1.25 to get in, 50 cents for popcorn and 25 cents for a small drink) and look forward to seeing more movies and other shows here as well. I hate most of the growth and change going on in “my” neighborhood, but this is one I can get behind – thanks, Brein and Dinah!

  • WSB October 9, 2008 (3:43 pm)

    suits, that’s the next Admiral feature that I’ve been meaning to do for a while, the followup on that.

  • Lindsey October 9, 2008 (4:07 pm)

    DJ Troy is also “West Seattle’s Own,” by the way. I think this is a great idea and I can’t wait to go to Saturday’s show. Brent and the boys usually put on a great show, even better on Saturday because I won’t have to take a cab home.

  • pedalhead October 14, 2008 (12:15 pm)

    awesome show saturday night! keeping it all ages w. 21+ over bar upstairs would bring more people. keep it up!

  • Elizabeth October 16, 2008 (12:51 am)

    I can’t wait for the Frances Farmer night! I hope you’ll keep posting about it!

  • dinah October 25, 2008 (5:27 pm)

    FRANCES FARMER UPDATE.

    We were able to get November 7 proclaimed as FRANCES FARMER DAY in Seattle. Mayor Nickels issued the proclamation this week,

    November 7th starts with a cocktail reception at the Admiral at 7:00 p.m. Dress up in 30’s STYLE. (old Hollywood).

    At 7:45 – local historian Pedar Nelson will deliver a truly interesting look at the life and times of the iconic actress.

    At 8:30, we screen, Come & Get It (Farmer’s first movie).

    Saturday at 4:00 we will show, Rhythm On The Range with Bing Crosby. This movie is great for all audiences. At 9:00 that evening, there will be an acoustic performance of Kurt Cobain’s, Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge followed by the edgy Frances, which garnered an academy award nomination for Jessica Lange.

    An after party at Shadowland (named after the William Arnold book). They too are celebrating their FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

    Tickets are available through BPT or at the Admiral. There is a special 2-day pass for $20.00 good for all 3 movies.

    Don’t miss this!

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