First Call: The Recession's Over, But Hooverville's Back in Business

First Call is a weekly Voracious feature in which we walk into a bar and ask the bartender to make us his or her favorite drink.

The Watering Hole: Hooverville, the best bar in town for people who like peanuts, Mariners, The Black Crowes, or work at Starbucks' headquarters down the street.

The Atmosphere: After a fire closed the bar from February to September, the new innards look a tad glossier than the worn cushions, stools, and dart board that made it a go-to spot for a pre-show Manny's. But the revived Hooverville has lost none of its welcoming feel.

The Barkeep: Sean McAteer: "You pretty much can't have a bar in this town without having Manny's on draft. When I was younger, I liked brown ales and sweeter tasting beers. But as I've gotten older--and more cigarette smoking--I got into hoppier beer."

The Song that's playing while McAteer is telling me this is Kid Rock's "I Am the Bullgod."

Drink of Choice: McAteer pours me an Anderson Valley IPA, and a Speakeasy Pale for my friend. I'm not a smoker, but as I've gotten older, I've warmed to pale ales myself, and can no longer drink Mac&Jacks. I could drink this shit all day.

Hooverville's Across the Street From Showbox SoDo: McAteer's noticed that fans of The Pogues drink a lot of Pabst, while Black Crowes fans go straight for the micro brews. "The Pogues crowd is more quantity over quality."

The Hives Came In Once: "They tried to play a little rock star status, and ask us if we would stay open past two. They're great guys, but, sorry."

Did the Regulars Return When the Bar Re-Opened? "They were almost ready to beat down the door."