The story
Re-bar opened in January 1990 at 1114 Howell Street, just south of Denny Way, in the former Axel Rock club space. Steve Wells and Pit Kwiecinski ran it as a funky, counter-cultural, gay-friendly dance club with disco nights, art exhibits, theatrical productions, burlesque shows and occasional live bands. It was licensed for beer and wine only.
DGC Records and Nirvana held a Nevermind release party there on Friday, September 13, 1991. Bruce Pavitt spun the album. The band reportedly brought in a half gallon of Jim Beam, which violated Washington liquor law, and the party grew rowdy after the free beer ran out. Krist Novoselic threw a tamale and food fights broke out, with guacamole splattering guests in suits.
Wells rounded up the band and got them out of the club. When liquor board agents arrived, he ended the party. Novoselic later recalled that they had just been kicked out of their own record release party.
Everything that was here
- 1990–present · still open
Re-barNightclub
On September 13, 1991, Nirvana's Nevermind release party here ended with food flying and the band being escorted out by the club's co-founder.
See the map in 1991 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Sydney Hih Building
Hotel Randolph
Sub Pop Records (Original Headquarters)
Paramount Theatre
The Crocodile (Original Location)
Comet Tavern
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
El Corazon (The Off Ramp)
Cloud Room at the Camlin Hotel
The Off Ramp / El Corazon
Frederick & Nelson
Trader Vic's (Seattle / The Outrigger)
Linda's Tavern
Know something about Re-bar? An old photo, a date, a memory of what stood here before?
Add it on the map