City investigators cited one River North restaurant and bar for violating COVID-19 regulations during St. Patrick’s Day festivities this weekend.
Clutch Bar was cited for operating beyond capacity — with 60 patrons in a space for 50 — and allowing more than six people at a table and spacing tables too close together, according to Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The bar, located at 316 W. Erie St., was the only establishment cited as part of the Saturday sweep of bars and restaurants, which included 40 full investigations, with an additional 49 businesses observed.
In a statement, BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareno thanked businesses for following the safety guidelines.
“While there were some small issues, by and large Chicago’s bars and restaurants did what was necessary to control crowds and ensure compliance with all of the COVID-19 regulations,” Escareno said.
Heading into the weekend, as part of a push to keep crowds from gathering during a celebration that historically has packed revelers into bars, city investigative teams said they would increase efforts to make sure COVID-19 regulations were being followed.