It’s been a good week for Chris Hansen. Now that its game on for his Seattle arena proposal (approved by City Council on Tuesday night), Hansen, a Seattle-born hedge fund manager now based in San Francisco, wants to show his appreciation. Hence he’s making a gesture that should resonate with local sports fans: He’s buying the city a round.

Over at pro-arena site sonicsarena.com, Hansen posted a letter of thanks to supporters, concluding with these magical words: “I would personally like to buy you all a beer at F.X. McRory's this Thursday from 5-7. First beer for everyone is on me.” Those open to unsportsmanlike conduct might even some Hanna Raskin-esque disguises in hopes of finagling second, or even a third beer.

Hansen's offer ricocheted around news blogs yesterday; F.X. McRory’s owner Mick McHugh says his Occidental Avenue bar, yards from the soon-to-expand stadium district, is bracing for “quite a celebration” on Thursday. Why his bar in particular? McHugh says Hansen worked for him as a dishwasher when he was 17 years old, at his Leschi Lake Café, now the location for Leschi’s BluWater Bistro.