City Puts 'Nuisance' Bar on Notice

Photo informing patrons of three-day closure on Bar 118's Facebook page.

A Beverly bar deemed a public nuisance was ordered to by the city to shut its doors for three days after a flood of complaints from neighbors about noise, litter and crime around the business.

Bar 118, 11848 S. Western Ave., reopened Wednesday after the mandatory three-day business closure. A message the bar’s Facebook page told patrons that Bar 118 would be closed on March 14 and March 15 and apologized for any inconvenience but to “Be ready for hot Wednesdays!!!! March 16th Wednesday kick off!!!!”

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said that his office was flooded with complaints from neighbors of loitering, loud noise after the bar had closed, litter and debris in the area around the business and other quality of life issues. O’Shea he filed a complaint with the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

“To resolve that complaint, the bar owners have reached an agreement with the City that included a three day business closure and a legally enforceable plan of operation,” O’Shea said in an email blast. “The plan of operation includes a number of commitments intended to promote better business practices.”

The bar is licensed to Chandler George, Inc., and designates one of Bar 118’s co-owners, Javon Cherry, as the main point of contact for 22nd District Police and the BACP.

According to the plan of operation, Bar 118 has agreed to have security staff at the bar on Fridays and Saturdays. Bar staff will also monitor the area around the premises and alley to pick up trash and make sure patrons aren’t congregating in the alley 30 minutes after closing.

Security officers will check IDs to determine that patrons are over age 21. Intoxicated persons who show up at the bar are barred from entering.

In addition, Bar 118 will install and maintain five cameras inside the establishment, and investigate installing another security camera in the back alley with the building owner.

The liquor licensee and security officers are required to report any illegal activities occurring on the premises to Chicago Police.

The conditions of the plan are legally binding and enforceable by city authorities. Violations of the plan could result in fines, suspension or revocation of the bar’s business license.

Bar 118 opened in the Beverly neighborhood a year ago, after which neighbors began complaining of an uptick in crime that hadn’t occurred before the business was there.