Gay bar in Minneapolis’ Loring Park closed after fire

A collision on the street outside apparently sparked the blaze.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 24, 2024 at 10:18PM
The 19 Bar, seen in 2012, is closed after an accident outside sparked a fire. (Joel Koyama/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The 19 Bar remained closed Sunday after a collision on a street outside apparently sparked a fire in the longstanding gay bar in Minneapolis’ Loring Park.

The Fire Department was investigating, but the blaze Saturday apparently started when a garbage truck hit a power pole and the lines fell onto the bar, Council Member Aurin Chowdhury said.

No one was hurt, the bar said in a Facebook post, but added that it will be closed indefinitely.

“We will have to face this challenge one day at a time,” the post said.

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Josie Albertson-Grove

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Josie Albertson-Grove covers politics and government for the Star Tribune.

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