The year 2007 threatens to be a bummer for Seattle nightlife—new condos are replacing beloved bars, the mayor is pushing for draconian nightclub regulations, and existing clubs are preparing to install costly new sprinkler systems in order to comply with changes in state law. But not all of this remodeling is a drag, and some venues are making promising changes for the new year.
In case you haven't seen the posters all over Capitol Hill's utility poles, Comet Tavern finally has booze— and as of last Friday night, they also have hiphop. Nite Owls and Cancer Rising played the rock dive's first-ever hiphop show, warming the place up nicely for the enthusiastic, boozy crowd—Cancer Rising even threw the straggling rockers a bone with a number sampling Weezer's "Undone (The Sweater Song)." The crowd was a lively mix of regulars, weekenders, and dedicated fans, all getting along swimmingly in the fairly packed bar. The Comet has a long history of hosting Seattle's rising underground talent, and it seems that in 2007 they know that means hiphop.
Not everyone was getting along so well across the street at Neumo's—after being booted from the Hell's Belles show by security, some asshat kicked over a scooter belonging Neumo's employee Suthap Manivong, drawing multiple cop cars to the busy 10th Avenue and Pike Street intersection. Lousy drunks aside, though, Neumo's booker Steven Severin is enthusiastic about the club's remodel—they've added a much-needed new bar in the show room, and he's looking forward to a busy spring once the renovations are complete.
Over at Chop Suey, booker Colin Johnson is also looking forward to an exciting spring—he's launching a campaign to make the club the destination for Friday night revelry, adding an impressive lineup of monthly nights to the club's calendar. First and third Fridays will go to Clayton Vomero/Death of the Party's popular dance night, Sing Sing (formerly at Havana), which will feature the usual top-shelf DJs and bring in live acts like Kid Sister with Flosstradamus.
Before the night launches on February 16 with Hollertronix DJ Low Budget, Vomero will be hitting the road as DJ Pretty Titty along with Vancouver, BC's DJ My!Gay!Husband! to bring their particular brand of booty shake to the lower regions of the West Coast.
Starting in April at Chop Suey, the second Friday of each month will host a massive gathering of Seattle's electronic music talent, uniting Decibel, Fourthcity, Simply Shameless, and Electrosect for a two-room, 18-plus night that may regularly run as late as 4:00 a.m. Electrosect's Patrick Haenelt—currently responsible for Tuesday night's Oscillate at the Baltic Room—has lined up Get Physical stars Booka Shade to kick the as-yet-unnamed party off right. Last but not least, Comeback (minor conflict of interest alert) will hold on to the last Friday of every month, ensuring that all the neighborhood's new condo owners (and this paper's editor) will face yet another year of explaining vintage gay porn to their children. 
