Lawlor's Remains Closed After Overdoses

CHICAGO — A Mount Greenwood bar where five men overdosed Sunday afternoon on an unknown substance remains closed, according to city records.

The Chicago Fire Department responded to several overdoses at Lawlor’s Bar, 3636 W. 111th St., where five people had become stricken at the bar, Ald. Matt O’Shea said. CFD called for additional ambulances and paramedics.

“They administered Narcan to the unconscious adults on the ground,” O’Shea said. “If not for that, it would have had a tragic ending.”

The five bar patrons were all men, ages 37, 42, 41, 41 and 46. They were transported to OSF-Little Company of Mary and Advocate Christ Medical Center in fair to serious condition.

The bar has remained closed since Sunday. Lawlor’s said on Facebook that the bar was temporarily closed “to address some alleged building code violations unrelated to the events on Sunday.”

In situations that draw a police or fire response, a team of city departments will go in to inspect the establishment.

“I haven’t known a team not to find anything,” O’Shea said.

A spokesman for the Chicago Department of Buildings violations cited previously at Lawlor's "had not been addressed and were also observed during the most recent inspection" that took place earlier in the week.

"They are now being included in the latest inspection results. All violations will be forwarded to the Department of Law for possible enforcement action in Cook County Circuit Court," the statement said.

The Department of Buildings (DOB) takes public safety and quality of life issues very seriously. The violations that were cited previously at 3636 W. 111th Street had not been addressed and were also observed during the most recent inspection. They are now being included in the latest inspection results. All violations will be forwarded to the Department of Law for possible enforcement action in Cook County Circuit Court.

In a statement to news media, the bar owners said they were “shocked and concerned” about Sunday’s events.

“Lawlor’s is a small neighborhood establishment that’s been a member of the Mt. Greenwood community for 15 years," the Lawlor family's statement read. "We are shocked and concerned about what took place this afternoon and are praying for the health and well-being of everyone involved. We are working with the Chicago Police Department during this active investigation.”

~ This story has been updated with new information.