Thursday, June 27, 2013

MarQuee Lounge is closing

Posted By on Thu, Jun 27, 2013 at 2:55 PM

After five years filling a unique niche in Spokane nightlife, the MarQuee Lounge is closing.

The club announced the news today, citing the end of the lease agreement. Earlier this year it was voted Best Dance Club by Inlander readers in the annual Best Of poll. Tonight is its last-ever Thursday night party.

Here's the full news release/obituary: 

MarQuee Lounge, age 5 years and 2 months, will pass away peacefully in its sleep (due to the completion of its lease agreement) at 2:00am on the morning of July 1st in the year of our lord 2013.

The lovechild of local entrepreneurs Jeremy Tangen and Matt Goodwin, MarQuee Lounge was born into the open arms of a city that desperately needed an outlet for late night entertainment, dancing and questionable decision making. 

Finding its way in mid 2008, MarQuee quickly became well known for its chiseled good looks, top of the line sound system, incredible laser and light shows, popular music, and bottle service that was not not be found anywhere else in the city. 

As the years went by, MarQuee aged with with the grace and poignancy of a true dignitary. New VIP sections were added, the 2nd floor was completely remodeled, there were continuous upgrades to the sound and light features, and of course, there were the parties.... and oh my, how MarQuee loved to party. 

People traveled from great distances to spend the evening with MarQuee; dancing, drinking, laughing, and getting weird. Lines of freshly pressed button-ups and father-not-approved mini skirts stretched around the block on many nights as anxious hoards of Spokane's party goers waited to enjoy MarQuee's warm embrace. 

While there were certainly a fair share of tears shed, they pale in comparison to the overwhelming amount of joy, love and general happiness that MarQuee was able to generate for its lucky guests. All of whom, MarQuee loved in return.

MarQuee was an active member in the Spokane community as a member of the Downtown Spokane Partnership and Greater Spokane Incorporated, while also hosting events for the city's many businesses and organizations on a regular basis. 

Countless awkward/memorable/beautiful moments during various parties can be attributed to MarQuee's ability to allow all of its guests to temporarily suspend the tedious and monotonous reality that has become their day-to-day life. MarQuee was in fact, a breath of fresh air for Spokane's overworked and under-loved blue and white collared workers alike. 

MarQuee Lounge is survived by a talented and hard-working staff of 32 incredibly diligent (and painfully beautiful) bartenders, cocktailers and security. It also leaves behind a laundry list of thousands of satisfied customers, a staggering amount of started relationships, and 5 years of awards and acclaimations for being Spokane's favorite night club as voted by you, the ones MarQuee must sadly leave behind.

Arrangements have been made to celebrate the life of MarQuee Lounge throughout the course of the weekend. To pay your respects, or gather a few last precious memories, please feel free to visit 522 W. Riverside.

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Lisa Waananen

Lisa Waananen is the web editor and a staff writer at the Inlander. She specializes in data and graphics, and her recent cover stories have been about family history, the legacy of Spokane photographer Charles A. Libby and genetically modified food...