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Bar, restaurant owners rally against Allegheny Co.‘s alcohol ban in front of City-County Building

PITTSBURGH — A group of about 50 peaceful protesters including servers, bartenders, restaurant and bar owners, most of them wearing masks - all who say they heavily rely on alcohol sales to make money - gathered today.

“Not only that, people aren’t going to come out and eat a nice dinner and not be able to have a glass of wine or something,” said Al Falcione, owner of Linden Grove.

On Thursday, protesters rallied against the countywide ban for on-site alcohol consumption at businesses after officials said they’ve seen COVID-19 hotspots at local bars, especially in Oakland and South Side.

“I guess they feel people are getting out of control if they drink alcohol. I didn’t have that problem,” Falcione said.

Owners following the rules say they feel they are being punished for the actions of a few.

“Look at the ones causing the problems, go in, shut them down, give them the warnings, let the other ones open back up,” said Matt Simmons, who helped organize the protest.

Several cars driving past honked in support.

We saw protesters holding signs that read “Bring our bars back” and “Let us serve!”

“If they are worried about people lingering at a bar I understand it, so shut alcohol sales after,” said Marcia McElahaney, owner of MJs Steel City.

Closing bars early was one suggestion they made. Another was restricting the number of drinks served.

Many owners tell me they are fighting to stay open.

They all agree the blanket ban of selling booze is unfair.

“Cause we were shut down for three long months and I didn’t make a dime and they finally reopened us and we started making some money again and now they say we can’t serve alcohol which is going to kill us,” McElahaney said.