A Heartbreaking Loss in Downtown SLC

On the evening of August 12, 2025, a devastating three-alarm fire swept through a historic block of Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City. The blaze began in the kitchen of the London Belle Supper Club and spread rapidly, consuming several of the city’s most iconic restaurants and bars, including Whiskey Street, White Horse Spirits & Kitchen, and Los Tapatios, along with two neighboring businesses.

The fire caused an estimated $5 million in damages and injured three firefighters — one with a broken ankle, another with smoke inhalation, and a third who was briefly trapped by debris. Thankfully, all are expected to make a full recovery, and no patrons or staff were seriously hurt.

For many, these restaurants weren’t just places to eat and drink — they were gathering spaces, cultural landmarks, and a huge part of Salt Lake City’s identity. The block itself is historically known as “Whiskey Street,” a name dating back over a century.

A Personal Note: White Horse

This tragedy hits especially close to home for us. White Horse has long been one of my favorite restaurants in the city, and earlier this year it played a special role in our community.

When we welcomed participants of the April 2025 Moab Monsters Photo Safari, we gathered for our first group dinner at White Horse. It was the perfect way to kick off the adventure — good food, good conversation, and the excitement of a new journey together.

In fact, in one of the photos of the fire’s aftermath, you can clearly see the very booth where our group sat that night. It’s surreal and heartbreaking to think that a place tied to such great memories has been reduced to ash and rubble. On another trip, I surprised Dan with dinner and dessert for his birthday right up there at the window… and you see that in the last image. Regardless dinner, service and the atmosphere were always top notch at White Horse.

Let me tell you a little something else about the White Horse; what made the bar unforgettable. The whole place was dominated by the bar, and more specifically, the back bar. It stretched up behind the bartenders 6 or 8 rows, filled with bottles and backlit. Thats how you knew this place was serious about drinks. But more fun and much more personal are the bartenders. They LOVED making drinks…. but not in the way you think. I would love to go in and just say, “I’m feeling like mescal today… with fruit.” And the bartenders would make up a drink for you… on the spot! ANd not just that- they would give you a card with your personalized recipe. So unique, and so White Horse.

Looking Ahead

While the damage is immense, the spirit of Salt Lake City is resilient. City leaders have already pledged support, and the Downtown Alliance has launched an employee assistance fund to help the hundreds of staff members suddenly displaced. Within days, the community raised over $75,000 to support workers — though the need is much greater.

We’re incredibly sad to see White Horse and the other businesses lost in this fire, but we’re also grateful no one was seriously injured. Our hope is that the owners will be able to rebuild quickly and that these spaces — so important to the fabric of our city — will rise again stronger than ever.

Until then, we’ll hold on to the memories of great meals, shared laughter, and the community these places created.