Jodi Ecklund (left) and co-owner Denise Burnside plan to bring live music and more to Beacon Hill. Finally.
Jodi Ecklund (left) and co-owner Denise Burnside plan to bring live music (and more) to Beacon Hill. Finally.

Former Chop Suey talent buyer Jodi Ecklund and ex-Showbox general manager Denise Burnside plan to open a new bar/restaurant/music venue called the Clock-Out Lounge on Beacon Hill (4864 Beacon Ave. S. at Columbia Way) in early February 2018. "The focus of our new business is fostering the local music scene as well as the community of Beacon Hill and surrounding neighborhoods," Ecklund said in an e-mail interview. The Clock-Out Lounge will host live music Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with the rest of the week dedicated to karaoke, DJs, "and other entertainment that activates the space and brings people together. We are working to create a partnership with some talented food purveyors, and will be excited to share that information at a later date."

Burnside and Ecklund—who plays guitar in the punk group Pink Parts and has also booked events for Pettirosso and at Pony, as well as curated the 'Mo-Wave Festival—are pioneers in the sense that Beacon Hill currently has no official live-music venues. (There are a couple of houses on Beacon Hill that occasionally host shows, however.)

Ecklund has lived there for many years and has noticed the migration of artists and blue-collar workers to Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Georgetown, South Park, and White Center as rents on Capitol Hill and surrounding 'hoods have become exorbitant. Those same economic forces, she notes, have caused clubs to take fewer chances on local musicians than they'd done in the past. "We'd really like to foster a space for that creative community in the south end of town," Ecklund explained. "Our location is super-easy to get to by bus or car from all directions, and we hope that accessibility helps bring people together."

What do Clock-Out Lounge's owners think they can bring to Seattle nightlife that it’s currently lacking? "Our goal is to continue to foster community," Ecklund said. "We are very passionate about supporting the local music scene. We aim to provide a safe space where all are welcome. Additionally, we plan to have diverse events with the hopes of having a little something for everyone."

"I've learned that Seattle is passionate about community-building around music and art, and I feel we could benefit from more spaces that foster face-to-face connectivity," said Burnside, who's also worked as director of business and operations at KEXP, plays bass in Pink Parts, and is currently in the leadership executive MBA program at Seattle University. "I'm excited to work with all the great folks in the Seattle entertainment industry to bring new experiences and fun to the Beacon Hill neighborhood. We will definitely have lots of fun!"