I grew up in my parents’ bakery in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The bakery was connected to the Wah Mee Club, an after-hours nightclub. As a child, I’d pretend to fall asleep so my father would carry me through the club to his car. With half-open eyes, I’d catch glimpses of the lights, the people, and the energy that filled the space.
Then, everything changed in 1983, when 13 people were shot and killed inside the Wah Mee Club. I was five years old, and I never set foot in that space again until my thirties. When I finally did, it was a time capsule—coats still hanging on chairs, tea cups with old tea stains, cigarette butts in ashtrays. It was haunting, but it also reminded me of how nightlife has both shaped and, at times, shattered our community.
Donnie Chin, the Chinatown-International District’s protector, played a huge role in shaping that community. He was always the first to respond when emergencies struck and help was slow to arrive. When I was working on the Louisa Hotel’s restoration and facing setbacks, Donnie would stop by to offer words of encouragement and tell stories about my father—stories I cherished, as I barely knew my dad before he passed.
In July 2015, I drove past an after-hours club in Chinatown. People were crowding the street, and I slowed down to let them pass. The next morning, I got the call: Donnie had been shot and killed in the crossfire outside that very club. To this day, I walk past the site and trace my fingers along the bullet holes still etched into the wall. Sadly, there have been many more shootings since.
Donnie’s death left an immense hole in our community. In his honor, many of us formed community and block watches to try and carry on his legacy. But despite our efforts, the violence persists. Just two weeks ago, another shooting near my Rainier Beach home outside an after-hours club claimed two more lives.
When Francisco David Escatell tragically lost his life in an after-hours nightclub this past summer, we were deeply involved in extensive outreach with his surviving family members and family of those who were lost in the past two years. These moments of outreach were emotional for all of us. Francisco’s older sisters are fighting for justice and to make sure that no more families have to endure what they’ve gone through.
The reality is that venues operating between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.—where people gather to socialize, smoke, or dance—exist in a legal grey area. These are not licensed restaurants, dance venues, or adult entertainment establishments. Yet, they continue to exist, and people of all ages continue to seek late-night spaces to gather. That’s not going to change.
So, let’s make these spaces safer.
Seattle is a world-class city. We deserve an after hours nightlife that reflects that—vibrant, well-run, and safe. We can build on the safety protocols already required for nightlife venues open before 2 a.m., such as trained security, weapons screening, crowd control, video surveillance, and—most importantly—access for first responders and inspectors, even if there is an incident. That must change.
This year alone, there have been 17 shootings associated with nightlife venues, the majority of which occurred around 2 a.m. These aren’t just statistics—they’re lives cut short, families devastated, futures stolen.
While the state controls liquor laws and service hours, Seattle can lead the safety conversation. We can set the stage for a safe, thriving after-hours economy that supports safety, community, and culture. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, now is the time to get this right.
People will continue going out late, and we’ve been to too many funerals for young people who never knew the person beside them had a gun. Donnie and Francisco’s family, and all those who mourn loved ones lost in similar circumstances, deserve justice, safety, and peace.
The Seattle City Council will vote on after-hours nightlife legislation this Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Let’s honor those we’ve lost by creating a safer future. Let’s set a new standard, lead the way, and build an after-hours economy that’s rooted in our values—vibrant, safe, and community-centered. We can’t afford to wait for another tragedy. Let’s choose safety. Let’s choose vision. Let’s act now.
Tanya Woo is a community organizer and former Seattle City Council member.
