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Steve and Nathan hired the gay chief de cuisine from La Furno (one of Seattle's best Italian restaurants in the 70's and 80's) to be in charge of the kitchen. It was a great party to mark the beginning of what has become an institution in Seattle gay life. Thumper's had their Grand Opening Party on April 27, 1985. Steve Nyman and Nathan Benedict are sad to announce that after 21+ years of serving Seattle's gay community, Thumper's Restaurant and Bar will be closing on Saturday Oct.21, 2006. The email announcing the benefit came with a press release laying out Thumper’s backstory, and if you’re at all interested in Seattle/Capitol Hill history (and aren’t prohibitively snooty about less-than-elegant press-release writing) you should definitely give it a read after the jump. The next-to-last-night-Friday Oct 20-brings “a gala evening of cabaret,” featuring such talents and Thumper’s mainstays Arnaldo!, Charles Baker, Ruby Bishop, Jeannette D’Armand, Mikel Poulsen, the Boys from Gaydar Productions, Cheryl Serio, and Marcus Wolland, with proceeds benefitting the gay/straight youth chorus Diverse Harmony. Thumper’s final night will be next Saturday, October 21. Thumper’s, the grand old gay restaurant/piano bar at 15th and Madison on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, is closing its doors after 21 years. Re-bar’s not the only legendary gay landmark headed for the exit.