While investigation continues into a fight at The Lodge which led to a temporary mandated closure, the popular West Chippewa Street bar and grill re-opened on Tuesday under new restrictions.
Mayor Byron Brown said The Lodge will be held responsible for a brawl which spilled onto the streets of Buffalo and involved gunfire in the early morning of Monday, June 20.
“I think we have sent a very clear message that bars, restaurants and nightclubs have to be responsible for their operation,” Brown said. “They are part of the equation of protecting the health and safety of this community.”
During an ongoing 60-day investigation, The Lodge will close at 11 p.m. instead of 2 a.m. on weekends, will not be allowed to host third-party promoter events, and will remain under the watchful eye of the Buffalo Police Department.
The BPD confirmed that known gang members were in attendance at the private event during which the brawl started. No one was hurt by gunfire, but one man was hospitalized and one arrest was made. The person who fired the shots has not been identified.
In recent years, the city has permanently shut down eight establishments for similar incidents. Brown made sure to note that while The Lodge has been allowed to remain open, the decision comes only after a “very cooperative investigation” which resulted in a “mutual agreement” between the city and The Lodge’s attorneys.
