Swissvale bar closed again for covid violations

A Swissvale bar is shut down for the second time for violating covid-19 restrictions meant to safeguard against the spread of the virus, Allegheny County records show.

Wilson’s Nite Out, on Denniston Street, can reopen Friday if owners and management submit a covid-19 safety plan.

Owners had previously submitted a plan after the bar was shut down the first time on Sept. 11. They reopened a week later.

The latest inspection, which took place just after midnight Oct. 9, noted that the previously submitted safety plan “was not being followed.”

Wilson’s management could not immediately be reached for comment.

The inspection report noted that customers were still coming into the bar at 11:35 p.m., midnight and 12:15 a.m. Inspectors also saw that drinks were still being served after midnight, while state orders mandate that liquor sales stop by 11 p.m.

Those orders also dictate that any alcohol sales have to be accompanied by food orders, and inspectors “did not observe all of the customers eating meals.” They also noted bar service on both the first and second floors – something else prohibited by the state mitigation orders.

Some staff and customers were not wearing masks, according to the report, and “no physical distancing was observed.”

Inspectors wrote that the second floor of the bar was operating as a nightclub with a DJ and “no customers sitting.” State orders prohibit smoking even in facilities that allow it. Inspectors said the bar was “filled with smoke.”

Gov. Tom Wolf late last month cleared the way for restaurants to increase their capacity to 50% of that stated on their occupancy permit – if owners completed a self-directed covid-19 safety course online.

Inspectors said they weren’t able to determine whether Wilson’s management had completed the course but counted 225 people coming out of the bar. Code enforcement officers told inspectors the combined legal occupancy of the first and second floors is 157.