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.“

Christopher Frizzelle was The Stranger's print editor, and first joined the staff in 2003. He was the editor-in-chief from 2007 to 2016, and edited the story by Eli Sanders that won a 2012 Pulitzer...

27 replies on “Hooverville on Fire”

  1. 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.

  3. 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?

  4. 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.

  6. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. @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.

  18. 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!

  19. 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.

  20. 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!

  22. 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?

  25. 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

  26. 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

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