Fire Damages Backyard Bar in Downtown Fort Lauderdale

A fire at the Backyard bar on Southwest Third Avenue spread to the neighboring Poorhouse bar before crews brought it under control.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single low-rise building silhouette with a thin column of gray smoke rising into a pale sky. — A fire broke out around 3 a.m. Monday at the Backyard bar on Southwest Third Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale and spread to the neighboring Poorhouse bar before crews brought it under control. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A fire broke out around 3 a.m. Monday, November 9, 2026, at Backyard, a bar on Southwest Third Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Fire crews brought the blaze under control in approximately 30 minutes, and no civilians were injured.

Why it matters

The fire spread from Backyard, which was unoccupied at the time, to the neighboring Poorhouse bar, where people were inside. Smoke was visible from a distance and could be smelled as far away as Andrews Avenue, affecting nearby downtown businesses.

Crews brought the fire under control in approximately 30 minutes after it broke out around 3 a.m. on November 9, 2026. No civilian injuries were reported across the two affected bars.

The details

The flames started near a stage toward the back of Backyard and quickly spread to the adjacent Poorhouse bar. Smoke could be smelled as far away as Andrews Avenue.

Monday, November 9, 2026, around 3 a.m.: Fire breaks out at Backyard.
About 30 minutes later: Crews bring the fire under control.

Openings & Closings

The fire at Backyard on Southwest Third Avenue disrupts the nightlife cluster of downtown Fort Lauderdale, where bars and restaurants operate in close proximity. Temporary or permanent closures of venues in such clusters can shift foot traffic to nearby establishments.

Patrons of downtown Fort Lauderdale bars may face temporary closures or changed hours at affected venues while damage is assessed. Residents near Southwest Third Avenue may notice smoke or disruption from the incident.

The takeaway

Fires that spread between neighboring venues can affect businesses beyond the original site, so bar patrons and nearby businesses benefit from knowing the status of establishments before visiting.