What a Croc!

Another Seattle institution is vanishing before our eyes. I'm speaking of the Crocodile Cafe, which had shut its doors for good earlier this month. This morning I arose at 6:30 am to capture it before it becomes another Starbucks or Subway. Here are a few angles:


My first visit to the Croc was in summer of 1992, to see Terry Lee Hale, who opened up for Solomon Grundy. Probably one of the more memorable occasions was the night in 1993 that I went with my brother Steve to see Polvo. He was egging me on from across the room and I ended up hurling a glass of water in his direction. I think a few people were upset about being splashed, and one of the employees asked that I not do that again. Probably the closest I've come to getting ejected from a club. Steve ended up hugging Polvo's drummer that night.

My last visit to the Crocadile was to see Joseph Arthur in the Fall of 2006. The Crocadile never changed a whole lot over the years, and never tried to modernize as other clubs did. It was a simple cafe and club where you could go see good bands relatively cheap and in small space. I'm not optimistic about what is to spring up in its place. I'm envisioning someplace safe and comfortable for the yuppies to enjoy an exquisite meal.

Alas, nothing lasts.