CLEVELAND, Ohio – Ohio investigators said Friday that workers at FirstEnergy Stadium violated state restrictions by selling alcoholic beverages after 10 p.m. during the Cleveland Browns' last home game.
The Ohio Investigative Unit cited Aramark Sports & Entertainment Services with serving alcohol after hours when the Browns squared off against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 17. Under rules the state imposed to stop the coronavirus spread, establishments cannot sell liquor after 10 p.m.
A news release the unit issued Friday said Aramark and the Browns organization cooperated with agents and that the case arose because of a citizen complaint.
A Browns spokesman said in an email that the organization did not realize that the state’s alcohol restrictions also applied to football games.
“As part of our Responsible Restart Plan approval process, we communicated our intention of applying our NFL approved best practice procedure of ending alcohol sales and services at the start of the fourth quarter,” the spokesman said. "We now understand that adhering to the state order of concluding alcohol service at 10pm also applies to FirstEnergy Stadium, even though our venue doesn’t fall under the category of being a bar or restaurant.
“We are clear on the order and will comply with the rules in place for every game going forward,” the statement concluded.
The Browns game citation was one of six cases the Ohio Investigative Unit highlighted in its news release. It said agents visited several establishments after they received complaints of “blatant” violations of the state’s restrictions and issued the citations on Thursday.
Of the six cases mentioned, three were in Cuyahoga County.
EJ Tavern Inc, which operates as Dreamers in Cleveland, was cited with disorderly activity, selling liquor after hours and allowing patrons to consume alcohol after hours. Agents and Cleveland police officers saw about 75 patrons close together at 11:35 p.m. when they visited and said staff did nothing to try to facilitate social distancing, according to the release.
Patrons were drinking, even though the state coronavirus restrictions prohibit people from drinking alcohol at establishments after 11 p.m., the release says. Adult entertainers were also giving private dances to patrons, according to the release. Bartenders continued to serve after hours, according to the Ohio Investigative Unit.
Agents also cited AMK Group LLC, which operates as Bonkers in Garfield Heights, with selling alcohol after hours. They saw 12 people at the bar when they want and watched a bartender serve two shots to patrons after 10:30 p.m., according to the release.
Other establishments that agents cited are in Norwalk, Toledo and Cincinnati.
The citations will go before the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, which will determine whether the bars will face penalties, which could include fines and the suspension or revocation of liquor permits.