Downtown Dive Bar Hank's Hangs it Up Tonight After 60 Years

There goes the damn neighborhood. While never the most sought-after or down-and-dirty dive bar in town, Hank’s Bar on Grand Avenue held a special place for locals wanting nothing more than to be left alone. Tonight at midnight, the 60 year old bar closes for good.

Eater was on hand last night to check in on the old place one last time, and chat with folks who have been coming for years.

A few key highlights:

• Even the bartenders didn’t know the place was closing. Staff found out about an hour before their shifts started at noon.
• The property owners haven’t said a thing. Other than putting up notice of closure, ownership has been mum on what’s to come. Lots of folks speculated that they’re likely to board up the place until someone can come with enough cash to raze the entire Stillwell Hotel, where Hank’s is located.
• For one night only, don’t plan on getting 86’d. A joke went around the bar about trying to get thrown out one last time, just for the hell of it, though no one working the bar seemed particularly interested in helping out.
• Fewer options for the working crowd. City workers and nearby construction crews have been using Hank’s as a refuge for years. Many were on hand last night, swapping stories and wondering about where to go now that downtown is changing so fast.
• There were more than a few unfavorable King Eddy comparisons. The revamped Skid Row dive in question got remade last year, and lots of locals seemed none too pleased. Most agreed that the divey details are what gave Hank’s the sort of charm they were after, and even if it reopened with a new coat of paint, it’s likely the place wouldn’t feel the same.

Head down to Hank’s tonight for one last round, and join the crowd at the bar in singing the praises of one more fallen downtown dive bar.