The Old Pink demolished after Monday morning fire

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Old Pink, a popular bar on Allen Street in Buffalo, was destroyed in a fire early Monday morning.

The fire was first reported around 5:45 a.m. Monday with flames and heavy smoke coming from the bar. The fire was mostly put out by 7 a.m. as flames were no longer coming from the building. Officials said the building was beyond saving and an emergency demolition was completed Monday afternoon.

Damages were estimated at $1.25 million, though fire dispatchers overheard on the scanner echoed the sentiment of many around Buffalo: “How do you put a price tag on the old Pink Flamingo?” a voice could be heard asking.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. When fire crews arrived there were workers who were leaving, but nobody was inside of the building.

According to the bar’s Instagram page, it was established in 1990 in its current iteration. The bar became beloved in the Allentown neighborhood and across Buffalo, known for its steak and bologna sandwiches as well as its music.

“It’s definitely just so sad to see. so many people have so many memories in there, I’m thinking about the steak sandwiches, all the good times when the bars are closing the pink’s always open,” said Buffalo resident Amanda Lopez, who lives across the street. “It’s always available to people, so I know it’s going to be tough for a lot of people to deal with. It’s been there for so long, not even just for my generation but generations before me.”

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here .

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here .

Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter .