Department of Public Safety Statement on Recent Compliance Checks at Bars and Clubs in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA - The Department of Public Safety is aware of community concerns circulating on social media regarding recent law enforcement action at some licensed establishments (bars/clubs) in the city of Pittsburgh.
These are compliance checks conducted by the Nuisance Bar Task Force (NBTF), which is a multi-disciplinary team of law enforcement and non-law enforcement partners working together to ensure that licensed establishments serve alcohol and conduct business in a legal, safe, and responsible manner.
Based on complaints from residents and business owners, the NBTF routinely conducts compliance checks on liquor-serving establishments in the city of Pittsburgh that are, or may potentially be, in violation of various laws.
Examples of these include: loud noise, over-occupancy, illicit drug use and sales, occurrence of violent incidents, serving alcohol to minors, as well as Health and Fire code violations.
Compliance checks are focused on the business itself to ensure compliance with state, county, and city laws and ordinances. The checks are NOT focused on the patrons and are intended to ensure safety for all customers and employees of the businesses.
Members of the NBTF include:
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Police - Narcotics and Vice detectives
- Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
- Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, Pittsburgh Office
- Allegheny County Health Department
- City of Pittsburgh Office of Permits, Licenses, & Inspections
- Allegheny County District Attorney's Office
In the first quarter of 2025, these are some of the establishments throughout the city where the NBTF has conducted compliance checks:
Controversy - 1635 W. Carson Street
Lefty's Bar - 900 Western Avenue
Galaxy Lounge - 7246 Kelly Street
Pitch - 1515 E. Carson Street
7101 Lounge - 7101 Frankstown Avenue
Tags Bar- 1 E. Amanda Avenue
Shales Cafe- 1208 5th Avenue
Heights Tavern - 1400 Crafton Blvd.
Darbeas Tavern - 1962 Lowrie Street
Upscale Elite Sports Lounge - 3121 Penn Ave. (unlicensed establishment operating as a speakeasy)
Nuisance Bar Task Force representatives from each of the above agencies coordinate unannounced compliance checks at bars/clubs within the City of Pittsburgh in an effort to ensure the establishment is operating safely and within the law.
No establishment is randomly targeted and the NBTF only operates within its legal mandate.
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