The Rabbit Box Theatre, a vibrant music venue and community hub located in Pike Place Market, is now on the market after three years of operation since its opening at the end of the pandemic. Founded by Tia Matthies and Robynne Hawthorne, the club has become known for its diverse range of events, including live music, burlesque, comedy, and literary showcases. Despite its eclectic offerings, The Rabbit Box has faced numerous challenges since its inception.
Tia Matthies, the co-founder, reflects on the challenges stating, ‘The Rabbit Box has struggled from day one, for many reasons beyond our control.’ Opening during the pandemic meant the venue was ineligible for Covid-era grant relief programs, adding to its financial burden. The club has sought various solutions to remain afloat, including the exploration of establishing a nonprofit and creating a membership program.
Conceptualized by Robynne Hawthorne, The Rabbit Box was designed to serve as a creative living room—an intimate space for music and storytelling. Situated in the former Can Can club, the venue has undergone significant renovations, including revamped sightlines, added archways, and decor that features antique elements. Notably, the reclaimed wood flooring is sourced from an old horse stable in Tennessee, echoing the building’s storied past from the early 1900s.
The venue also boasts a professional-level sound system crafted by renowned Seattle music producer Gary Mula, who played a pivotal role in its setup and became a partner in the business. The club has maintained a schedule of live music most nights of the week and hosts family-friendly events such as magic shows and film screenings for audiences of all ages.
Before The Rabbit Box, Hawthorne had successfully produced events at various locations, including The Pearl Coffeehouse and Hotel Albatross. Meanwhile, Matthies is celebrated for her work in founding iconic venues like OK Hotel and The Rendezvous. Following 38 years of involvement in the nightclub scene, Matthies has decided to step away from her business responsibilities to retire alongside her husband, Steve Freeborn, and focus more on her visual art pursuits.
In December 2024, Matthies, Freeborn, and co-owner Wayne Horvitz transitioned their stakes in The Royal Room to new owner Reese Tanimura, indicating a shift within the local entertainment landscape.
Hawthorne emphasizes the importance of providing stages for emerging artists, saying, ‘We can host young unknowns unlike a lot of other spaces.’ Matthies adds that every artist, regardless of their success, requires a nurturing space to experiment and develop. Designed with this philosophy in mind, The Rabbit Box is intended to attract both established performers and new talent.
Since its establishment, The Rabbit Box has featured a diverse lineup of artists, including No Wave spoken-word artist Lydia Lunch, Seattle’s Damien Jurado, and Grammy-nominated musician Tracy Bonham. In its formative years, the venue highlighted the work of local artists such as Leeni and Caitlin Sherman, while also collaborating with venues like The Triple Door to enhance the local music scene.
Matthies hopes that a buyer interested in preserving local music culture will take the reins, expressing, ‘I’m hoping that someone, in the spirit of old school Seattle music—the same spirit that helped nurture Nirvana—might be interested in keeping this little gem alive.’ She points out the importance of understanding and maintaining Seattle’s rich musical heritage and the venues crucial for fostering its growth.
image source from：seattlemag
