Photo by staceyviera.

The Tune Inn, the venerable pub which was forced to close after a fire broke out inside its kitchen on June 22, has no shortage of supporters. It’s no surprise, then, to hear that a fundraiser for the bar’s wait staff has materialized.

The Friends of Tune Inn, an alliance of several Capitol Hill residents and businesses, will host a fundraiser on July 15 at the American Legion Post 8 at 224 D Street SE, just a few blocks from the Tune. The benefit will rally funds for the ten staff members who worked at the restaurant and are not covered by the bar’s insurance policy. (The kitchen rebuild will be covered, but the employees — who make a living on tips — have found themselves out of a job for the next few months.) The event will run from 3 to 10 p.m., and organizers hope to raise $50,000 — neighboring restaurants will donate food to the cause and the Friends are promising live music, raffles for prizes from Capitol Hill businesses and artists, and a chance to purchase some Tune memorabilia — including booths inside the bar. (Literally having your own booth at the Tune sounds quite enticing, I must admit.)

The bar will remain closed for the foreseeable future while the kitchen is rebuilt.