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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Nightlife Hooverville on Fire

Posted by Christopher Frizzelle on Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 9:09 AM

Slog tips are pouring in this morning that Hooverville—the bar on First Avenue S with free peanuts, hilarious bathroom graffiti, and an awesome staff—is on fire. One tipper writes: "Just drove past Hooverville and it has smoke barreling out of it. The roads are blocked and fire engines are on scene." Nothing on either of the daily's websites yet. Nothing on Komo or King's websites yet. Anyone there? Anyone taking photos?

UPDATE: The Seattle Times has this, which reads, in its entirety: "First Avenue South between South Royal Brougham Way and South Lander Street is closed as Seattle firefighters battle a fire at Hooverville, a bar at 1721 First Avenue South." And the P-I has this.

UPDATE 2: Komo has this photo and says the fire's out.

UPDATE 3: And yet the tips keep coming. Someone else writes, in an email sent a couple minutes ago (long after Komo says the fire was out): "Hooverville is on fire. Or at least their building is. Multiple alarm blaze. Big fire. Sad."

Comments (27) RSS

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I work within a few blocks. When I got in at 8 there were dozens of emergency vehicles blocking 1st Avenue South at Holgate, which is the last turn before Hooverville.

Posted by Sean on February 25, 2009 at 9:16 AM

KIRO TV had a brief about this fire on their website earlier this morning.

Posted by HL on February 25, 2009 at 9:17 AM

I went near that area on my way to work this morning, just before 8am. 1st Ave S was blocked off from Holgate Rd north. I could see smoke coming from Hooverville -- it wasn't black smoke at the time, it was a brownish color. Don't structure fires usually produce blackish smoke?

Posted by davmorgan on February 25, 2009 at 9:20 AM

Nothing on Komo or King's websites yet.

Kiro radio had reports about it more than an hour earlier than your post. But no one listens to the radio anymore.

Posted by stinkbug on February 25, 2009 at 9:23 AM

the what?

Posted by scott on February 25, 2009 at 9:39 AM

So rather than, you know, actually doing some journalism yourself you're crapping on other media outlets for not having the story fast enough for you?

What a joke.

Posted by Typo too on February 25, 2009 at 9:56 AM

#7 finishes out today already.

Posted by winner on February 25, 2009 at 10:07 AM

Hooverville?
Sounds like just another straight bar. Should we be sad?

Posted by i want to care. really i do. but... on February 25, 2009 at 10:12 AM

fuck you 9 - you worthless faggot.

Posted by OH IM SO GAY THAT MAKES ME BETTER THAN YOU on February 25, 2009 at 10:15 AM

I thought Hooverville was owned by a couple of gay guys? No?

In any case, they're certainly not just another Pioneer Square-esque "bro's and ho's" bar. Gays are welcome and go there regularly. I think the bar is even a sponsor of an ECSA gay softball team this year.

Posted by a gay on February 25, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Given all the depression era talk, I thought there was an actual Hooverville in Seattle that I didn't know about and it was on fire. I'd never heard of the bar.

Hope nobody got hurt.

Posted by PA Native on February 25, 2009 at 10:35 AM

So mentioning that other news outlets don't have anything on the story = crapping on them?

Get a life.

Posted by w7ngman on February 25, 2009 at 10:36 AM

I am amazed at some of these comments - lame and immature. I frequent hooverville and am bummed about this. I hope that it is not too bad.

Posted by Carmota on February 25, 2009 at 10:40 AM

Poor hot Max Portnoy will have to find another job! And yes, a coupla gay guys own the joint.

Posted by i like people on February 25, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Hooverville is in fact owned by two of the coolest faggots I know in the whole city. Billy is a huget favorite of mine and I am so sorry that this happened. Billy - if you read this pay no attention to the insensitive twits that only care if R Place is on fire (when in fact it pertually is - it is also perpetually nauseating). BILLY AND HOOVERVILLE ARE AWESOME!! You shall rise from the flames, my friend.

Posted by twinbabymama on February 25, 2009 at 11:10 AM

Crap - I love Hooverville. It's not "just another straight bar," especially to this homo. It's the douche-less and bum-free alternative for before/after Safeco. Hope it can re-open soon.

Posted by Explorer on February 25, 2009 at 11:17 AM

@12, there were several Hoovervilles in Seattle back in the 1930s, and the largest one was approximately right where that bar is/was. Hence the name.

Posted by Read it in the Times on February 25, 2009 at 12:31 PM

Hooverville is one great Seattle bar. Billy and Todd are two of the coolest bar owners in the area. It has been my bar since it opened. How very sad....

Gonna miss the peanuts!

LONG LIVE HOOVERVILLE!

Posted by Damn fire on February 25, 2009 at 1:01 PM

damn, that bar was on my short list of seattle bars a dedicated drunk must visit before keeling over, but didn't. crap. hope they rise from the ashes.

Posted by drinker on February 25, 2009 at 1:57 PM

Hooverville IS a wonderful and lovely bar.
I'm crossing my fingers for them.
Yes a wonderful place. Known to host bunnies, KLOWNs, Santas, and happiness of all sorts. Good luck Fellas!!! We love you. You are definitely one of Seattle TRUE class acts!

Posted by Prickles The KLOWN on February 25, 2009 at 2:28 PM

I hope that wasn't another unattended bong.

Posted by idaho on February 25, 2009 at 6:30 PM

ahhh wasnt' their bar manger fired from the showbox for sexual assualt (rape) and theft and a bunch of other stuff. why would they hire someone like like that?

Posted by let the comments fly on February 26, 2009 at 3:23 AM

:( LOVE-LOVE-LOVE HOOVERVILLE!!!

Posted by Yer Mom on February 27, 2009 at 8:03 AM

BILLY TODD AND HOOVERVILLE WILL RISE AGAIN

Posted by cascade on March 2, 2009 at 11:30 PM

Hi all -- Hooverville is being rebuilt and will be open soon. Thank you all for all your support and well wishs from the crew at the bar. It will be bigger and better than ever. Thanks again -- Todd and Billy

Posted by Todd and Billy on March 5, 2009 at 9:26 AM

I just saw an event on FB to support the Bartenders of HV. (?) Gotta be the worst bartenders in Seattle.... yeah yeah,.. they're cool with their tattoos and Georgetown accents.. get serious

Posted by l.a.LibbysFatAss on April 3, 2009 at 12:09 PM

No bartenders at Hooverville live in Georgetown

Posted by justthefacts on April 7, 2009 at 11:45 AM