Storefront: Rock the Casbah
2008 is turning out to be the year of the BAR in Downtown Spokane. Yesterday we mentioned The RIFF which will open in early summer. Today it's The Casbah. The Casbah, a music and dance club, is taking up residence in the former ballet studio above Chicken-n-More. An old VFW hall this place has loads of vintage elements but will be undergoing a complete renovation. A single street-level door marks the entry, and once you wind your way up the narrow and long stairs to the second floor entry hall you have a straight shot view of the old art-deco bar.
The place has a massive ballroom off to the left complete with stage and a soaring ceiling. To the right of the main entry hall plans are for a billiard room and a smaller more secluded 'chill room'. The idea is to offer a variety of recorded/live music and performers during the week and on any one night. Like The RIFF, The Casbah is aiming for a Hoopfest Weekend opening.
The place looks pretty interesting from the pictures. I just wonder if downtown will be able to sustain all these bars? Especially as gas and food prices continue to rise. Drinking will never go out of fashion... but you still have to be able purchase the drink!
Posted by: benJAMMIN" | April 01, 2008 at 11:22 AM
There is so much potential in that area! I think once the ridpath returns to its former glory....and someone decides to build an office and or condo tower at the southwest or northeast intersection of Sprague and Washington, that area would be great!
Posted by: rob | April 02, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Spokane's [more historic] version of Holocene? Maybe I shouldn't be getting my hopes up too high (again)?
Sounds like Hoopfest weekend is going to be a lot more than just basketball this year. See you all there!
Posted by: Mariah McKay | April 02, 2008 at 07:38 AM
Your interior photos are spectacular. Pure untouched vintage design. Now if someone would look to the exterior and remove awnings and metal doors we would have a real gem! The 60's were great but not from a design perspective..
Posted by: Jim | April 02, 2008 at 08:24 AM
this club will feature the best dj's and select bands/artists that cater to dance. the dance floor is huge, the sound system and visual displays will be state of the art, but it will still maintain that downtown, loft feel.
see you in June!
Posted by: casbah | April 02, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I have my hopes up really high for this place. The location is great, and the plans for many different rooms means that my friends and I won't have to split up anymore if some want to dance and others want to play pool and watch sports. Can't wait till opening night! I'll be checking the Casbah for sure!
Posted by: Heidi | April 02, 2008 at 08:48 PM
One thing I do know is that I hope something will be done about the step stairway going up and down or else you will have alot of tipsy people falling down them on there way out! Otherwise....looking forward to grand opening!
Posted by: rob | April 02, 2008 at 11:34 PM
One of my earliest memories of downtown Spokane is tagging along with my dad to a jazz jam session in an old, dark, dusty, 2nd story space some 20+ years ago. I'm pretty sure that's the spot. Anyone know anything about that period of it's history? glad to know we'll have another music venue downtown!
Posted by: katherine | April 03, 2008 at 02:12 PM
A friend said he saw a few punk bands there in the 80s. It was originally a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hall...
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | April 03, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Is there a "Dyno Denny" that works there?
Posted by: JEFF WOOLSEY | April 03, 2008 at 04:24 PM
Jeff Woolsey?
Holy shit.
Posted by: casbah | April 03, 2008 at 10:53 PM
MetroSpokane: reuniting friends and family for almost 3 1/2 years...;)
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | April 03, 2008 at 11:20 PM
heh heh!
I went to high school with JEFF Woolsey in CA. Damn.
Posted by: casbah | April 04, 2008 at 10:31 AM