bars

The restaurant industry has been battered by the pandemic. Three out of five Ohio restaurants surveyed said they are at risk of closing permanently without additional government aid.

The new stimulus bill could provide a lifeline, but many in the industry are worried it will be too little too late.

A nightclub on Columbus's far East Side is under investigation by state officials for a "flagrant" violation of COVID-19 health restrictions over the weekend. 

Ohio’s restaurants and bars say Congress needs to get to work immediately to give them more federal dollars to offset the losses associated with the pandemic.

To combat the state's renewed surge of coronavirus cases, Ohio is issuing a curfew that requires most retail establishments to close from 10 p.m.-5 a.m.

Gov. Mike DeWine says the curfew will take effect Thursday, Nov. 19 and last for 21 days, after which point the order will be re-evaluated.

More than a half a million people work in Ohio’s bar and restaurant industry, which is pushing back on an announcement from Gov. Mike DeWine that he would consider shutting down those businesses next week if the state’s COVID-19 numbers don’t improve.

Gov. Mike DeWine is strengthening Ohio's face mask orders, which could result in the closure of businesses that don’t enforce the wearing of masks by employees and customers. Next week, the state will look into possibly closing bars, restaurants and fitness centers if COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Ohio State will kickoff its football season after a nearly two month delay on Saturday and while the university is asking fans to avoid gathering together to watch the game, local bars are hoping to see an influx of business.

A political battle is brewing over the mandatory 10 p.m. early last call at Ohio bars and restaurants.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine cited consecutive days of record-high COVID19 cases last week when he nixed plans to extend operating hours where alcohol is served. The Ohio Senate has responded with a measure that would repeal the governor’s curfew.

The mandatory 10 p.m. shutdown of liquor sales at Ohio bars getting pushback from owners, customers and elected officials. But Gov. Mike DeWine says the curfew has to stay in place for now.