Abbey Pub 'Scrambling' To Make Repairs After Morning Fire Shuts It Down

CHICAGO — A Tuesday morning fire at The Abbey temporarily shut down the popular pub and concert venue and put its weekend shows in jeopardy.

The fire broke out near the back door of The Abbey, 3420 W. Grace St., at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, said Thomas Looney, whose family owns the Irving Park pub.

Firefighters quickly put the fire out before it could spread to the front of the business, Looney said. But the bar and stage area did suffer smoke and water damage, he said.

"There's a lot of water damage, a lot of firefighting damage," Looney said. "The windows were broken out. They had to cut a hole in the roof."

Because of the damage, the bar will not open Tuesday and possibly for a few days after that, Looney said. Shows scheduled for the main stage will likely not go on as scheduled, he said. The shows could be moved to the bar-area stage or be moved to another venue, Looney said.

"We're scrambling right now," he said. "I don't even know when I'll get the OK to open right now."

Looney said crews are already working to clean up the building while the fire department works to determine the cause. He said he has no idea how the fire could have started.

Nobody was hurt in the fire, Looney said. Tenants live above the building, he said.

"We'll be open soon enough," Looney said. "There will be a fresh coat of paint and everything."

 

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