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Waid’s owner vows to stay open but says he’s done fighting over liquor license

Waid Sanvil tells CHS he’s calling it quits in his fight against the state to retain his liquor license for his nightclub and restaurant at 12th and Jefferson.

Following a contentious Tuesday hearing and after missing a key deadline for filing an appeal by a matter of days, Sanvil confirmed to CHS that he has had enough of the tussle but plans to keep Waid’s open — without a liquor license. He says his options include continuing to operate the restaurant by day and operating as a private club, an after hours venue or a hookah bar. Waid’s is already promoting itself as a daytime World Cup venue with three HD screens showing games. Of course, the promotion might need a tweak given what Sanvil says is his decision to quit the fight — the happy hour beer and booze specials would likely have to go.

In February, CHS spoke with Sainvil who said racism and the push of gentrification was driving authorities to target his establishment after a series of liquor and drug violations at the 12th and Jefferson bar.

“It’s a black thing,” Sainvil said. “This is the only place in Seattle where black people from all over hang out.”

In 2012, a series of drug busts were orchestrated by SPD at Waid's. A full account of the violations as documented by the City of Seattle is included on this CHS post

In 2012, a series of drug busts were orchestrated by SPD at Waid’s. A full account of the violations as documented by the City of Seattle is included on this CHS post

According to a liquor board representative, Waid’s faced five enforcement violations and one licensing issue that were to be examined in court over six hearings after the board initially decided not to renew the club’s license.

We have not yet confirmed what the next steps will be for the liquor board in the case. UPDATESanvil has agreed to the revocation of his license and will be unable to sell liquor as of next week.

This year’s push follows a string of attempts to strip the club of its liquor license over the years. Seattle Times columnist and Central District resident Danny Westneat wrote about the last round of challenges for Waid’s in 2010.

In march, many Waid’s patrons and friends attended a community meeting with Seattle Police to voice their support for the dance and music venue.

UPDATE: Sanvil posted the following message to Facebook:

After years of fighting the City and the WSLB, on my own terms I have decided to relinquish my liquor license. This week is my last week serving liquor at Waids. Thank you to all for all the supports. This is simply a new chapter. Waids is not being close. If you’re a promoter looking for an all ages venue, here it is. If you’re a promoter looking for an after hour venue, here it is. Anyway, so is life. Sometimes, gotta move on.

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Just Wondering
Just Wondering
9 years ago

Gentrification? Schmetrification. I’d be more interested in hearing from the people who live nearby and lived nearby well before the place was opened. From what I’ve heard, they have been the ones being pushed out by all the drama and noise.

Mike
Mike
9 years ago

Maybe a few less shootings now!

CapitOl Hill Monster
CapitOl Hill Monster
9 years ago
Reply to  Mike

fewer shootings THERE. They’ll just move with the crowd to wherever they go to party if Waid’s closes.

Until SPD actually DOES something about the gang problem, the bangers will continue to go from club to club.

Capitol Hill Pre 2k
Capitol Hill Pre 2k
9 years ago

After reading your comment, none of the searches I performed turned up any complaints about gang activity. Where are you getting this information? I’d love to see a police report. In all my years working at Seattle venues, Waid’s was actually quite low on my list of venues which suffered from gang violence, so your statement surprises me. Standard club problems, certainly, but no more so than any other large Capitol Hill or Pioneer Square venue. I never once dealt with gangs there.

Jordan
Jordan
9 years ago

Waid’s has had some gun violence, but not that much compared to other establishments and about par on noise and violence as the Blue Nile next door. Almost all of the noise complaints come from one person, a lady who moved in after Waid, and the drug busts if you can call them that were orchestrated by SPD in order to shut Waid’s down in part to stop the lady from calling multiple times a night for noise. But over all, the really bad patrons from Waid’s a couple years ago are in jail and the place has cleaned up entirely. At this point in the game, it is gentrification even if it did start with violence and noise.

Neighbor
Neighbor
9 years ago

Focusing on the restaurant and establishing some consistency is a good idea. Even as recently as this week I’ve walked by Waid’s on several weekday evenings and the gate is closed, sign off, place deserted while posted hours indicate it should be open. Aside from the brief venture with the hot-dog stand (that after reading the CHS linked police reports might have only been a drug selling front) it did stop seems as though the club has been the primary focus for a while.

I live a few blocks up Jeff and am hoping this change will lead to some less chaotic Sunday nights at 3 am, but also bring Waid some new success!

BB
BB
9 years ago

It’s always about racism when no valid argument is available.

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[…] Despite a recently finalized battle with the state liquor board the venue still has plans to set up for World Cup viewing. They will replay games too if you miss […]

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[…] this month, CHS reported on Sainvil’s vow to keep his troubled club open despite the state’s decision to strip Waid’s of its liquor license following years of […]