Tampa bars and nightclubs penalized for COVID-19 violations
Aaron Mesmer reports
TAMPA, Fla. - Five popular Tampa bars and nightclubs are appearing before City Council today after repeated COVID-19 ordinance violations, and at least two well-known bars have already been hit with suspensions.
City attorneys say MacDintons Irish Pub, Club Prana, The Ritz Ybor, Club Skye and King Corona Cigars and Cafe have all been given plenty of opportunities to come into compliance with the city’s ordinance, but code enforcement officials have found they are still consistently in violation. We re here again as a last resort. We don t bring these cases after a first citation. In fact, this is the second citation, Assistant City Attorney Susan Johnson-Valdez told council members last month during a hearing for 7th & Grove.
Another Tampa bar escapes penalty for alleged coronavirus violations
City Council members vote 4-3 to dismiss a city case against an Ybor City bar.
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Crowds of patrons gather in Ybor City on 7th Avenue as they celebrate New Years Eve at nightclubs and restaurants on Friday January 1, 2020. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]
Updated Mar. 4
TAMPA â It took three votes and two weeks, but the Purple Heart Bar Lounge & Grill wonât face any sanctions for violating city and county coronavirus orders.
The 4-3 decision on whether the Ybor City lounge was putting the community at risk is the latest in a series of hearings by the city that began last month.
Tampa City Council holds more hearings to consider suspending alcohol licenses
No liquor licenses suspended for now
and last updated 2021-02-22 18:59:14-05
TAMPA, Fla. â Two Ybor City businesses went before Tampa City Council on Monday for hearings to consider suspending or revoking their alcohol licenses.
Hearings were for Purple Heart Bar Lounge and Grill and 7th and Grove in Tampa, part of a citywide crackdown on reckless behavior, targeting repeat violators of the mask mandate.
âItâs important to note that weâre here today as a last resort,â said Susan Johnson-Velez, senior assistant city attorney. âThe express intent of both orders was to seek voluntary compliance with the provisions and to educate and warn of the dangers of non-compliance.â
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4 Ybor City bars may lose liquor license for allowing patrons to ignore mask mandate
Elizabeth Fry reports
YBOR CITY, Fla. - The city of Tampa has made it clear: Inside a business, you must wear a mask, except if you re actively eating or drinking. However, in Ybor City, they say not everyone is following the rules. We found that there are approximately 10 establishments that have ignored the warnings and ignored the first citation and ignored the second citation, said Gina Grimes, an attorney for the city of Tampa.
Monday morning, Purple Heart Bar Lounge and Grill, Seventh & Grove, The Ritz Ybor and Club Prana will all make their case as Tampa City Council decides their fate. The four bars are in jeopardy of having their liquor license suspended or even revoked, as the city said they have failed to enforce the mask ordinance among their patrons despite several warnings.