2 Oakland County Businesses Cited For Coronavirus Violations

LANSING, MI — Two Oakland County businesses have had their liquor licenses suspended after state health officials say the businesses violated multiple health guidelines in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission on Thursday said it issued emergency suspensions of the liquor licenses and permits at Punchline Comedy Lounge in Southfield and Birdies Indoor Golf & Bar in Oxford.

According to an emergency suspension released by the MLCC Thursday, an investigator from the MLCC enforcement division began investigating Punchline Comedy Lounge, 29555 Northwestern Highway, on Jan. 23 after receiving an anonymous tip on Jan. 22 that the lounge was violating a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order requiring face masks and prohibiting large public gatherings.

An investigator took several photos inside the building and its parking lot showing that the lounge was full of customers and the parking lot was full of vehicles, according to the MLCC investigative report. Customers inside the business were not socially distanced and few customers were wearing masks, the report says.

The investigator had previously contacted the business on Dec. 21 regarding a separate complaint, according to the investigative report, and the business denied that gatherings were taking place.

A separate emergency suspension also was filed against Birdies Indoor Golf & Bar, 980 N. Lapeer Rd., in Oxford. According to the MLCC investigative report filed in that case, an investigator visited the business on Jan. 8 filing a complaint from the local health department regarding alleged violations of the MDHHS face mask and gathering orders.

When the investigator arrived at the business, they reported seeing "several unmasked patrons inside," according to the filed report. In the back of the business, a recreation section with multiple stalls where people can play indoor golf, contained five customers playing golf without masks and some drinking alcohol, the report indicates.

More customers were seated close together at the bar, and "did not appear to be of the same household or group as they did not speak with each other," the report said.

The investigator returned to the business on Jan. 29, according to the report, escorted by Oakland County Sheriff's Deputies, and found nine people at the bar not wearing masks and not socially distanced. In all, 45 people were in the business, the report shows, none of whom were wearing masks.

Punchline Comedy Lounge and Birdies Indoor Golf & Bar are scheduled to appear before an Administrative Law Judge Monday for a virtual hearing via Zoom to determine whether the summary suspensions should continue, or if other fines and penalties should be imposed.