City shuts down bar with history of shootings, liquor law violations

An illegal East Side bar has been barred up by Columbus city attorney Zach Klein.

According to a press release, Klein and the city’s Property Action Team filed a temporary restraining order to shut down an illegally-operated bar that went by the names of Atlas, LV Lounge and De La Soul on the East Side. The order was issued on Aug. 12.

The bar is located at 5200 Riding Club Ln.

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“This bar has been the scene of two shooting incidents just this summer, and already has a long history of violence and other serious disturbances to the neighborhood,” said Property Action Team attorney Sophie R. Yano. “We had no choice but to step in quickly and shut it down to protect public safety.”

The later of these two shootings, which took place in August, resulted in multiple injuries.

In 2022, the city filed a lawsuit against the prior tenants of the location, to declare it a public nuisance due to “shootings, shots fired, fights/disturbances, stabbings, criminal damages, and loud noise.” The business at the time was also operating as a bar without a valid liquor license.

The city filed another lawsuit in 2023 which was withdrawn, as the business closed on its own accord.

In July of this year, Columbus Police received calls that security guards on the property were carrying assault rifle, pointing them at individuals and spraying mace. Later in July, police also received calls that alcohol was being served to minors.

A follow-up hearing for this case will be held Aug. 20.

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