Dozens of licensed restaurants, bars and clubs in Pa. cited for violating COVID orders

• By Sue Gleiter/PennLive

Dozens of licensed establishments in Pennsylvania have been cited in December for violating the state’s COVID-19 mitigation orders.

According to the latest monthly reports from the Pa. State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, citations have handed out to several establishments in central Pennsylvania including Funck’s Restaurant in Palmyra, Anastacia’s Restaurant & Bar in Harrisburg, Harirai Krup LLC in Shippensburg and Bottoms Up Bar & Grill in Hanover.

Luzerne County had the most with 11 businesses cited, followed by Lackawanna and Westmoreland, each with five establishments cited.

The bureau is tasked with ensuring restaurants, bars and social clubs with liquor licenses are safe and following Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID mitigation efforts. The unannounced visits are part of regular compliance checks, but some are prompted by complaints submitted by the public.

Establishments can waive charges before an administrative law judge. Penalties range from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses to up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. In the worst cases, liquor licenses are suspended or revoked.

About 21 establishments in the state have had licenses suspended in connection to COVID-related inspections, according to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

State police have been publishing weekly compliance reports since early July. Since then, officers have performed more than 66,442 checks and issued 2,054 warning letters to those found breaking COVID protocols. The agency has also issued citations to 582 establishments in the state.

Officers are ensuring establishments are following pandemic protocols including mask-wearing by employees and customers, no bar seating, occupancy rules and an 11 p.m. alcohol sales cutoff. They also oversaw Gov. Wolf’s order calling for establishments to cut off booze sale at 5 p.m. on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving Day.

Other agencies including the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are penalizing establishments for not following guidance.

Complaints regarding licensees not complying with COVID-19 prevention guidelines can be submitted to the BLCE at 1-800-932-0602 or reported via an online complaint form.

Here are the latest citations released by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, broken down by county:

Adams County

Taverna 5450

5450 Fairfield Road, Fairfield

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, did not provide at least six feet of distancing between tables or physical barriers between tables, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, permitted customers to consume alcohol and food while not seated at tables or booths, furnished alcohol sales for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. and permitted customers to have alcoholic beverages on premises after midnight.

Allegheny County

Big Rick, Inc.

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks at all times.

Penn Eve Hospitality, LCC

Operating as Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club, 1620 Pennsylvania Ave., Pittsburgh

Served or sold alcohol to a patron in a transaction that didn’t include a meal.

13 Hamilton, Inc.

Operating as Tugboats, 105 West St., Chalfant

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks and served and/or sold alcohol to a patron in a transaction that didn’t include a meal.

Beaver County

New Sheffield Cafe, Inc.

2211 Sheffield Road, Aliquippa

Allowed a patron to be seated and/or served at the bar.

Cambria County

Tulunes Steak & Alehouse

90 Lulay St., Johnstown

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, served and/or sold alcohol to a patron in an on-premises transaction that didn’t include a meal and permitted patrons to consume food/alcohol while not seated at tables or booths.

Carbon County

2008 Riverwalck Saloon

8 Centre St., Parryville

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, permitted patrons to be served alcohol/food while seated at tables or booths, sold alcohol to a patron in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and sold alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m.

Clinton County

Williamsport Hospitality Group

Operating as Clinton Country Club in Lock Haven

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal on Nov. 13 and 15.

Columbia County

Intoxicology Department, LLC

131 W. Second St., Berwick

Allowed a patron to be served or seated at the bar and did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks on Nov. 14 and 15.

Crawford County

Black Bear Inn

36009 Lake Road, Union City in Bloomfield Township

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed a patron to be served at the bar, allowed patrons in excess of 25% capacity without enrolling in the state’s certification program, allowed patrons to possess or consume alcohol after midnight on Oct. 7, 30 and 31.

Cumberland County

Harirai Krup LLC

29-31 Seneca St., Shippensburg

Did not provide/require employees to wear face masks. Also, failed to comply with order mandating responsible alcohol management certification.

Dauphin County

Anastacia’s Restaurant & Bar

1535-37 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg

Interfered with LCE officer in performance of their duties; fortified, adulterated or contaminated liquor; engaged in disorderly conduct; and corporate officer was visibly intoxicated on the premises. Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide or require employees to wear face masks. Allowed patrons to be seated at the bar.

Elk County

Protective Fraternal League

214-18 Chestnut St., Saint Marys

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, served alcohol without a meal with transaction, allowed patrons to be seated at the bar, sold alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. and permitted patrons to possess and consume alcohol after midnight on Oct. 16 and 31 and Nov. 1.

Horton Township Sportsmens Club

5197 Route 219, Brockport

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks and served alcohol without a meal in a transaction on Oct. 13.

The Brew Bank Brewing Co.

255 Main St., Ridgway

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, served alcohol without a meal in a transaction and allowed patrons to be served at the bar on Nov. 7 and 13.

Erie County

The Jammin’ Vine Bar & Grille

11884 E. Main St., North East

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and permitted patrons to consume alcohol and/or food while not seated at tables or booths on Sept. 26 and Oct. 22.

Kim’s Townhouse, LLC

21 N. Main St., Union City

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar on Nov. 16.

Eagle Aeries #4516

14456 Main St., Wattsburg

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal on Nov. 6, Dec. 4 and 6.

Huntingdon County

The Friendly Tavern

419 Penn St., Huntingdon

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron in an on-premises transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed a patron to be served at the bar, permitted patrons to be served while not seated at tables or booths and sold alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Oct. 9.

Indiana County

Falcornetix, Inc.

Operating as Tunnelton Inn at 10 E. Third Ave., Saltsburg

Served or sold food or alcohol intended for consumption inside the premises and did not require customers or employees to wear masks on Dec. 17.

Lackawanna County

Sisko’s Cafe

35 N. Main St., Carbondale

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and sold alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Nov. 20.

The Black Road Pub & Eatery

320-322 Keyser Ave., Old Forge

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks and sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal on Nov. 16.

Italian American Club of Olyphant

101 N. Garfield Ave., Olyphant

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide or require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be seated at the bar, permitted patrons to possess/consume alcohol after 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Miners Beer Garden

302 Pancoast St., Dickson City

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premise consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and allowed a patron to be served/seated at the bar.

Buddy Clarke’s Tavern

1604 Clay Ave., Scranton

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed a patron to be served/seated at the bar, and sold, furnished or gave alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption after 11 p.m. and allowed patrons to possess or consume alcohol after midnight on Nov. 6 and 7.

Lancaster County

WG Restaurant Corp.

Operating as Brass Eagle Family Restaurant at 5725 Lincoln Highway, Gap

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, allowed patrons to be seated at the bar, furnished alcohol sales for on-premise consumption after 11 p.m. and permitted customers to have alcoholic beverages on premises after midnight.

Lebanon County

Funck’s Restaurant

664 W. Main St., Palmyra

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, furnished or provided alcohol sales for on-premises consumption after 5 p.m., permitted customers to have alcoholic beverages on premises after 6 p.m.

Luzerne County

Rob’s Pub & Grub

232 Nesbitt St., Larksville

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be seated at the bar, allowed patrons in excess of 25% capacity without certifying, permitted patrons to consume alcohol/food while not seated at tables or booths and served alcohol in a transaction for on-premises consumption that didn’t include a meal on Nov. 13 and 27.

Backo’s Mine

250 Pringle St., Kingston

Did not require patrons to wear masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear masks, allowed a patron to be served at the bar, permitted patrons to consume alcohol and/or food while not seated at tables or booths and sold/served alcohol for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include food on Oct. 29.

Rush Inn

220 Zerby Ave., Kingston

Sold/served alcohol for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include food on Nov. 18.

Tomato Bar & Bistro

7 Tomato Festival Drive, Pittston

Allowed a patron to be served at the bar on Dec. 1.

Mocanaqua Sporting Club

126 Main St., Mocanaqua

Didn’t provide or require employees to wear face masks, served and/or seated a patron at the bar, sold/served alcohol for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include food and permitted patrons to possess/consume alcohol after 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Whiskey Business

87 Wood St., Wilkes-Barre

Did not require patrons to wear masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear masks, sold/served alcohol for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include food on Nov. 13.

First Kiss Productions

165 Route 11, West Nanticoke

Did not require patrons to wear masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear masks, allowed a patron to be seated and/or served at the bar and allowed patrons to possess/consume alcohol after 6 p.m. on Oct. 22 and Nov. 25.

Capones Bar & Grill, Inc.

520 Main St., White Haven

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks.

Morgan Hills Golf Course

219 Harveyville Road, Hunlock Creek

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, permitted patrons to consume food/beverages while not seated at tables or booths, allowed a patron to be seated or served at the bar, sold or furnished alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption after the person finished their meal, furnished or gave alcohol for on-premises consumption after 5 p.m. and permitted patrons to possess/consume alcohol after 6 p.m. on Nov. 25.

Smoke Rings Cigar Bar, Inc.

1008 N. Vine St., Hazleton

Did not allow customers to wear masks; sold, furnished or gave alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption to patrons after 11 p.m.; and allowed patrons to possess/consume alcohol after midnight on Dec. 4 and 5.

Leisure Tavern

553 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre

Did not allow customers to wear masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and permitted patrons to be served food/beverages while not seated at tables or booths on Nov. 27.

Monroe County

Camelback Lodge, Aquatopia

193 Resort Drive, Tannersville

Sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption with a meal transaction on Oct. 10.

1836 Saloon

2605 Milford Rd, East Stroudsburg

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks and sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption with a meal transaction on Dec. 4.

Northumberland County

End Zone Bar & Grill

216 N. 10th St., Kulpmont

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and furnished, sold or gave alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Aug. 28, Sept. 11 and 24, and Nov. 7 and 8.

Potter County

Wharton Tavern

East Fork Road, Austin

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and allowed a patron to be served or seated at the bar on Nov. 13.

Somerset County

Knuckleheads Saloon, LLC

1866 Penn Ave., Jerome

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and sold alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Nov. 7.

Sandi’s Country Bar & Grill

8804 Somerset Pike, Boswel

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed patrons to consume food/alcohol while not seated at tables or booths, furnished or gave alcohol for consumption after 5 p.m. and permitted patrons to possess and/or consume alcoholic beverages after 6 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Nov. 23 and 25.

Susquehanna County

M. Wadd Corporation

Operating as Hayloft at Route 267, Lawton

Did not require customers to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar and furnished/sold alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. on Nov. 21.

Brackney Inn

769 Brackney Hill Road, Brackney

Did not require customers to wear face masks or require/provide them for employees, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, allowed a patron to be served/seated at the bar and sold/served alcohol for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m., allowed patrons to be served food/alcohol while not seated at tables or booths and permitted patrons to possess/consume alcohol after midnight on Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 and 4.

Washington County

Hawkins Home Post Aid Association

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide or require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar and sold and/or served alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal.

Westmoreland County

Brandy’s on Main, Inc.

200 Main St., Irwin

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks and allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar.

Danny V, LLC

Operating as Hugo’s Taproom, 106 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar and served alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal.

Ligonier Tavern & Table

139 W. Main St., Ligonier

Allowed a patron to be served/seated at the bar.

Rialto, Inc.

Operating as Baldy’s Original Pizza at 25 W. Otterman St., Greensburg

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar, served alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, sold or furnished alcohol for consumption after 11 p.m. and permitted patrons to possess or consume alcohol on-premises after midnight.

Schwab Enterprises, Inc.

Operating as Oklahoma Inn, 1544 Hancock Ave.

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, allowed a patron to be served/seated at the bar and served alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal.

Wyoming County

Lovelton Hotel

528 State Route 4010, Mehoopany

Did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/require employees to wear face masks, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal and allowed a patron to be seated/served at the bar on Nov. 20.

York County

Bottoms Up Bar & Grill

304 Poplar St., Hanover

Sold prepared beverages and mixed drinks for off premises consumption, did not require customers to wear face masks and didn’t provide/ require employees to wear face masks, did not provide at least six feet of distancing between tables or physical barriers between tables, sold alcohol to a patron for on-premises consumption in a transaction that didn’t include a meal, permitted customers to consume alcohol and food while not seated at tables or booths, furnished alcohol sales for on-premises consumption after 11 p.m. and permitted customers to have alcoholic beverages on premises after midnight.