14 Bars In Twin Cities Metro Violated COVID-19 Order: Report

TWIN CITIES, MN — Investigators with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division, along with law enforcement partners around the state, recently spent two weeks surveilling 919 Minnesota restaurants and bars looking for violations of Gov. Tim Walz’s Emergency Executive Order 20-74, which enacted regulations to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Investigators were specifically looking for employees violating mask requirements, adherence to social distancing with tables less than six feet apart and establishments serving to more than 50 percent capacity. Violations could lead to fines or loss of an establishment liquor license, according to a news release.

Warnings Sent to Establishments

During the two-week sweep (July 4-13), investigators sent 10 warning letters to bars and restaurants that violated all three areas of emphasis. Investigators sent an additional four letters on June 26 to establishments violating the order.

Authorities said the bars and restaurants include:

• Neisen’s Sports Bar, Savage
• K & J Catering , North St. Paul
• Route 47 Pub & Grub, Fridley
• Long Siding Bar & Grill, Princeton
• Danno’s, Anoka
• CoV, Wayzata
• Hoban Korean BBQ, Minneapolis
• Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant, Shakopee
• Arnie’s Friendly Folks Club, Shakopee
• Princeton Speedway, Princeton
• Rollie’s, Sauk Rapids
• Breakfast Bar, Minneapolis
• The Stadium, Annandale
• Cowboy Jacks, Minneapolis

Education before Enforcement

In addition to the warning letters, investigators spent time educating establishments that violated one or two of the points of emphasis. The majority of the violations included employees failing to wear masks.

Solutions included:

• Marking areas for better social distancing.
• Mask education.
• Canceling of bands.
• Unplugging pool tables, dart machines, etc. to establish better social distances.

Plea to Customers

Investigators also found many customers violating the order’s seating guidelines. Under EO-74, seating is limited to four people or six for immediate family members. Establishments reported many customers moving tables or seats together to allow for larger groups in one area.

"By educating establishments and the public, our hope is that it leads to better compliance," said DPS Commissioner John Harrington.

"We can all do our part to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and keep our businesses open by wearing a mask, social distancing and adhering to establishment seating limits.”"

Read Emergency Executive Order 20-74 here