The Rhino Room temporarily closed at 11th and Pine

The Rhino Room, a well-known nightlife venue in Capitol Hill, has been closed for over a month, creating uncertainty about its future. Ownership has not responded to inquiries from local news sources, and the club's website now displays a domain sales pitch, indicating a potential lack of operations. Patric Gabre-Kidan, who opened the venue in 2013, has been a significant presence in Capitol Hill's nightlife, especially as one of the few Black business owners in the area. The Rhino Room has weathered numerous challenges, including the pandemic and the tumultuous events surrounding the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest (CHOP) in 2020. The building itself, which dates back to 1918, has seen various changes, with previous tenants like The Stranger and Value Village moving out.

Despite ongoing efforts by property owner Legacy Commercial to attract new office tenants, the upper floors above the venue remain vacant. A recently filed city permit for elevator upgrades lists The Stranger as a contact, hinting at a possible return of this former tenant. However, for now, the Rhino Room's future remains uncertain amidst the silence from its ownership.