COLUMBUS, Ohio — A bar in Lakewood is one of six that was cited by the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) after receiving complaints of blatant violations of orders in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
According to a release from the OIU, agents visited Patio Tavern in Lakewood and issued a citation for improper conduct, including 'disorderly activity and limitation on hours for sales and on-premises consumption.'
Gov. Mike DeWine signed an order last month ordering bars and restaurants to stop serving alcohol by 10:00 p.m. The Ohio Investigative Unit says Patio Tavern was serving drinks well beyond that time.
"OIU agents observed multiple alcoholic beverages being served to patrons inside the establishment between 10:30 and 10:50 p.m. At approximately 10:55 p.m., agents entered the premises to take enforcement action and observed an additional alcoholic beverage being served, as well as a lack of social distancing and patrons congregating around the bar area," the OIU release added.
Three bars in Athens were also cited, along with one in Washington Court House and another in Whitehall. These cases will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission for potential penalties, including fines and/or the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.
Earlier this month, the Ohio Liquor Control Commission suspended the liquor permits at two Northeast Ohio establishments for violating the state's COVID-19 health and safety regulations. The Wine Vault in Vermilion was given a 2-day suspension of its liquor permit, while Put-in-Bay Resort faces a 20-day suspension.
“We see that most of the permit premises are following the precautions put in place to make their establishments safe and they are complying with the directives,” said OIU Enforcement Commander Eric Wolf. “As agents continue to conduct compliance checks they take enforcement action when egregious violations like these are observed.”
