Originally published October 22, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified October 22, 2007 at 6:46 PM

Church will replace controversial Belltown nightclub Tabella

Mars Hill Church is buying the property that was once home to the controversial Belltown nightclub Tabella Restaurant & Lounge. The property at 2333...

By Sanjay Bhatt

Seattle Times staff reporter

Mars Hill Church is buying the property that was once home to the controversial Belltown nightclub Tabella Restaurant & Lounge.

The property at 2333 Western Ave., which is expected to sell for $3.95 million this week, will become Mars Hill's new downtown campus, said Tim Gaydos, the church's downtown pastor.

The transformation will be a welcome change for Belltown residents who complained to the city about the nightclub. Opened in 2005, the club quickly developed a reputation for attracting fights and large inebriated crowds.

After a July 2 shooting down the street from Tabella that injured an 18-year-old bystander, Mayor Greg Nickels unsuccessfully asked the state Liquor Control Board for an emergency suspension of Tabella's license.

But the nightclub's liquor license was coming up for annual renewal, and city officials vowed to challenge the renewal.

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