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The News Tribune announced that Hell's Kitchen will move downtown Tacoma mid-December on its Tacoma Rock City blog. Reporter Ernest Jasmin stated the costs associated with upgrading the Sixth Avenue spot to code RCW 19.27.500 - Washington state's sprinkler code throwdown - as the main reason why the Sixth Avenue rock club will move into the space formerly occupied by Stephanie's Gospel and Jazz restaurant, which sits across from the Frank Russell building.

The Sixth Avenue location's last show will be Nov. 28 featuring Seattle's all-female AC/DC tribute band Hell's Belles as the headliner.

Many hardcore Hell's Kitchen fans cheer the move downtown.

"I think it's fantastic," says old school rocker and band booker for the Acme Grub Cage Denise Casson. "Hell's Kitchen will no longer have to worry about shutting down due to the sprinkler law, and Tacoma will keep it's main venue for larger acts with a larger capacity, possibly attracting more established bands. The move will create a 'downtown club district' for music."

The new location will be located near Cans, Matador and the soon to be reactivated Drake's, which is set to be reopened under a new name and draw.

"It'd be great if the clubs downtown collaborated on a festival like the Scion Garage Fest that just took place in Portland as an annual event, not only for local commerce, but to strengthen Tacoma's reputation as a place of music," Casson adds.

She is not alone in her thoughts of thinking bigger than the venue itself.

"I think it will be great for downtown and for Flash (Hell's Kitchen's booking agent)," says rocker and Tacoma Boys wine and beer goddess Donna Herren, who is also the founder and brainchild behind Tacoma's Balls Deep Kickball Team. "Hopefully, it jump starts some new business for both. I will however miss the Sixth Ave. location. It's close to home and all my other favorite bars. But, it's good to see growth in Tacoma."