bars

A Franklin County judge denied a request from a group of Columbus bars and restaurants to block a temporary state ban on liquor sales after 10 p.m.

Five Ohio bars were cited in the first weekend of the state’s new order banning alcohol sales past 10 p.m.

Bars and restaurants around Ohio will be pouring their last drinks at 10 p.m. on Friday, and they must close their doors an hour later as state officials try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The leader of the Ohio Restaurant Association says the move could come close to devastating bars and restaurants that depend on late-night business from alcohol sales.

Citing a number of coronavirus outbreaks stemming from bars, Gov. Mike DeWine says he's asking Ohio Liquor Control Commission to consider an emergency rule prohibiting the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants after 10 p.m.

Story updated Tuesday, July 28 at 4:15 p.m.

A Franklin County judge has blocked a Columbus rule requiring bars, restaurants and nightclubs to close by 10 p.m. nightly.

A bill that would allow bars and restaurants to use parking lots, green space and even streets for social distancing for customers is now being considered by the Ohio Senate. 

In Columbus, nine bars and restaurants were cited for violating social distancing requirements after patios were allowed to reopen Friday.

As the state reopens, Gov. Mike DeWine insists, the success of the economy depends on whether Ohioans follow social distancing protocols.

Gov. Mike DeWine says the state will do "whatever we have to do" to enforce social distancing measures if bars and restaurants fail to restrain crowds. His comments came Sunday after pictures of packed Columbus bars went viral on social media.