Coming 2027 - Bottlerocket Seattle
The Crocodile to Renovate Closed Venues, Reopen Basement as Bottlerocket Social Hall in 2027
SEATTLE, AUGUST 31, 2026 – The Crocodile, one of the country’s most historic independent venues, is pleased to announce the long anticipated news of the reopening of its basement venues - combining the shuttered Madame Lou’s and Here-After venues into one larger venue; Bottlerocket Social Hall. This will be the first extension of the incredibly successful Pittsburgh venue, and will bring their unique curated programming, guest experience, and commitment to community to a new city for the very first time.
“Since the day we bought The Crocodile, we have heard from so many people about how deeply missed Madame Lou’s and the Here-After are, for both performers and guests. Figuring out the future for the Croc’s basement has been our top priority since day one, and it’s something we wanted to make sure we got absolutely right,” says Bottlerocket founder and Managing Director of The Crocodile, Chris Copen. “The more we looked into the various possibilities in front of us, the more we realized that we already had a perfect concept in Pittsburgh to combine the most missed aspects of both venues; the Alt Comedy headliners of Here-After and the Touring & Local bands of Madame Lou’s. Plus all of the original Bottlerocket specific programming we have developed over the years - like Elvis Bingo, Bario Kart, Bad Movie Bingo, and more”
This new venue is expected to accommodate 400 guests for concerts, and more than 200 guests for seated comedy shows. It will feature tiered viewing areas, an expanded bar, best in class All-Ages access, and the same intimate, old school feel that has made the Pittsburgh venue a landmark spot for performers and guests alike. Bottlerocket’s design will take inspiration from both the original Bottlerocket in Pittsburgh, and the Seattle building’s past as the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific; a history that mirrors the Pittsburgh venue's past life as a Steelworkers Social Club.
The Crocodile team has already been in touch with many of the people whose events found long-term homes in Here-After and Madame Lou’s, and look forward to welcoming them back into the building. Shows are actively being booked, with the venue targeting a March 2027 opening. The same community driven approach that has powered the Pittsburgh venue is expected to be rolled out in Seattle, including its famous Membership Club; which hosts over 1000 active members in Pittsburgh and offers guests drink discounts and 3 free shows a month. “Chris and his team in Pittsburgh have built an incredible community of performers and fans, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand that community into Seattle - combining it with The Crocodile to create a truly one of a kind venue complex” says Mike McAvoy, CEO of Comedy Tent, which became a partner in Bottlerocket last in June of 2025 and purchased The Crocodile in June of 2026. “This is a space that can truly be the best room in town for comedy, dance parties, live music, film screenings and community events; or whatever else Chris and the Bottlerocket team happen to think of next. That mix of programming from night to night is what has made Bottlerocket in Pittsburgh so exciting, why we wanted to work with them initially, and what we look forward to adding to the Seattle creative landscape.”
In addition to Bottlerocket, The Crocodile basement will also be adding a separate full service bar highlighting the Croc’s long and storied place in Seattle music history. This bar will be accessible to the public nightly, without a ticket for a show required, and will offer tasty pre- and post-show snacks and dinners. The Crocodile itself will experience no downtime as a result of these basement plans, nor will the new ownership groups efforts to continue investing in the nightly guest experience in the main room.
ABOUT BOTTLEROCKET Founded in 2022, Bottlerocket Social Hall is a time capsule bar and venue in the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Offering 7 nights a week of programming that spans across Comedy, Music, Movies and More in a perfectly preserved 1970s dive bar. It has welcomed performers such as Pete Davidson, Geese, Chris Fleming, Caleb Hearon, Sarah Sherman, Jerrod Carmichael, and is one of the busiest small capacity venues in the country. It was named “Pittsburgh’s Best New Bar” in 2023 and “Pittsburgh’s Best Dive Bar” in 2024 and 2025. For more information: https://www.bottlerocketpgh.com/
ABOUT THE CROCODILE The Crocodile has been a staple of Seattle's music scene since it was opened by Graham Graham in 1991. It has been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of best Club venues in the U.S. and hosted legendary acts like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Cheap Trick, R.E.M., Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and more. Since relocating and expanding in 2021 The Crocodile has remained a flagship of the Belltown community, adding the Hotel Crocodile and two smaller venue footprints to its operations. For more information: https://www.thecrocodile.com/
ABOUT THE COMEDY TENT Comedy Tent is a holding company dedicated to owning and operating the full scope of the comedy business — from training, to live venues, to film and TV production, and everything in between. Led by industry veterans Jimmy Miller (founder of talent management firm Mosaic) and Mike McAvoy (former CEO of The Onion), and backed by Elysian Park Ventures, the company is building an enduring home for comedy across every format. Since its 2022 launch, Comedy Tent has acquired Upright Citizens Brigade, the iconic comedy institution and training program, and Abso Lutely Productions, followed by its most recent acquisitions, Bottlerocket Social Hall and The Crocodile.
