COLUMBIA CITY – The south-end’s new restaurant, bar and music club opens tonight with a grand opening celebration featuring 21 acts over four days.

The Royal Room – a 99-seat venue run by Steve Freeborn, Tia Matthies and popular local jazz keyboardist Wayne Horvitz – will feature live music seven nights a week, a full bar, and kitchen with dinner, late-night and weekend brunch menus.

“It’s been a thrill to work with Steve and Tia on this project, and something I have dreamed of for a long time now,” said Horvitz. “We hope to create something that really supports local music, for a variety of reasons – artistically, culturally, politically and socially. Seattle has a great scene, and great venues, and the Royal Room aspires to compliment that scene while putting something a little different in the mix.”

Thursday through Monday nights the venue’s programming will feature creative music in a variety of styles with an emphasis on local musicians and artists. Musicians, composers and artists will be booked for extended weekly residencies of six to 10 weeks with an emphasis on special projects unique to the venue. Tuesdays and Wednesday’s will feature national and touring acts in ticketed shows.

Go here for the opening weekend line up.

The Royal Room is located in the Royal Esquire Club at 5000 Rainier Avenue South in Columbia City. Photo/Daniel Sheehan