A west side bar served liquor and operated a sit-down buffet, defying Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's orders, Cincinnati police said Tuesday.Queen City Lounge, in the 2100 block of Queen City Avenue, has been shut down and one person has been charged.According to Assistant Chief Paul Neudigate, the bar was caught operating Sunday night. That was after DeWine issued a statement mandating that all of Ohio's bars and restaurants close amid the COVID-19 outbreak. His order went into effect at 9 p.m. The establishment resumed business as usual after those hours, Neudigate said. At that point Sunday night, police say the bar received a warning.On Monday night, police said the bar did not heed police warnings, and 40 people were inside the establishment."They put a sign up in the window that said 'members only' to try to get around the law," said Capt. Paul Broxterman.At that point, police said they took action, shutting down the bar, and charging the person responsible. Neudigate said the person charged is not the property owner."They were operating as a bar. My understanding is they had a full buffet and it's unfortunate. I understand that people do want to get out, but we're just like everybody else. We're staying at home and abiding by what the governor put out," said Neudigate.Neudigate added that police are following the governor's orders, and people defying those orders put officers at risk of exposure."Please voluntarily comply. Let's get through this together," said Neudigate.The establishment has now been padlocked and barricaded, officials said. City officials will also seek to remove Queen City Lounge's liquor license and food permits.The state of Ohio now has 50 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. Those cases have been reported in the following counties: Belmont (2), Butler (6), Cuyahoga (24), Franklin (3), Geauga (1), Lorain (3), Lucas (1), Medina (2), Stark (3), Summit (2), Trumbull (2) and Tuscarawas (1).

A west side bar served liquor and operated a sit-down buffet, defying Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's orders, Cincinnati police said Tuesday.

Queen City Lounge, in the 2100 block of Queen City Avenue, has been shut down and one person has been charged.


According to Assistant Chief Paul Neudigate, the bar was caught operating Sunday night.

That was after DeWine issued a statement mandating that all of Ohio's bars and restaurants close amid the COVID-19 outbreak. His order went into effect at 9 p.m.

The establishment resumed business as usual after those hours, Neudigate said. At that point Sunday night, police say the bar received a warning.

On Monday night, police said the bar did not heed police warnings, and 40 people were inside the establishment.

"They put a sign up in the window that said 'members only' to try to get around the law," said Capt. Paul Broxterman.



At that point, police said they took action, shutting down the bar, and charging the person responsible. Neudigate said the person charged is not the property owner.

"They were operating as a bar. My understanding is they had a full buffet and it's unfortunate. I understand that people do want to get out, but we're just like everybody else. We're staying at home and abiding by what the governor put out," said Neudigate.

Neudigate added that police are following the governor's orders, and people defying those orders put officers at risk of exposure.

"Please voluntarily comply. Let's get through this together," said Neudigate.

The establishment has now been padlocked and barricaded, officials said. City officials will also seek to remove Queen City Lounge's liquor license and food permits.

The state of Ohio now has 50 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. Those cases have been reported in the following counties: Belmont (2), Butler (6), Cuyahoga (24), Franklin (3), Geauga (1), Lorain (3), Lucas (1), Medina (2), Stark (3), Summit (2), Trumbull (2) and Tuscarawas (1).