Allegheny County restaurant task force shuts down 2 repeat offenders for covid-19 violations

Health inspectors shut down two Allegheny County restaurants, for the second time, over the weekend for flouting covid-19 restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus, according to reports from the county health department.

On Saturday at Savoy in the Strip District, inspectors noted patrons orderings drinks without food along with service at the bar. Current health orders dictate that no service be provided at a restaurant’s bar, and patrons must be seated at a table. The report noted about 250 people inside the Penn Avenue restaurant – more than the 25% occupancy allowed at the time – along with hookah smoking being allowed inside.

The restaurant must remain closed for at least seven days, and owners have to provide inspectors with a written operating procedure detailing how they will comply with the various health orders in place.

Restaurant management could not immediately be reached Tuesday morning.

It was the second violation for the restaurant since the pandemic-related restrictions were put into place. In August, Savoy was dinged by inspectors for employees failing to wear masks, and the report noted that the owners didn’t know what the building’s maximum occupancy was.

Saturday was also the second time Seven in Downtown Pittsburgh was shut down as well, records show. The restaurant closed for seven days in early August after inspectors noted patrons being served at the bar, some without ordering food. They wrote there were more than 25 people at what the owner had described as a private party.

During Saturday’s inspection, employees wouldn’t allow inspectors inside, according to the report. They noted six people being allowed into the restaurant past 11 p.m.

A restaurant representative could not be reached for comment Tuesday morning.

Another Saturday inspection saw the shutdown of Hottie’s Martini and Cigar Bar in Carnegie, where inspectors said food is ordered in as opposed to being served by the restaurant. They noted overcrowding at the bar, smoking indoors and alcohol being served past 11 p.m.

Two Swissvale bars shut down Sept. 11 for covid-19 violations reopened over the weekend: Roundz Lounge and Wilson’s Nite Out.

During the inspection at Roundz, county health inspectors found the bar serving alcohol past 11 p.m. and without food, noting that the front door was barricaded and patrons were using the side entrance. They wrote that people were smoking inside, and no employees had masks on at the start of the inspection.

At Wilson’s Nite Out in Swissvale, inspectors found the bar open past 11 p.m. and “zero physical distancing.” They wrote there were “too many people to count at the dance floor and first floor bar.” Employees were not wearing masks, they said, and patrons were smoking inside and drinking without food.