Licensing hearing for Hottie’s Martini Bar, accused of ignoring COVID-19 rules

PITTSBURGH — Hottie’s Martini and Cigar Bar in Carnegie became a hot spot during the pandemic, known for ignoring COVID safety rules and attracting big crowds. Now, it could lose its liquor license over complaints that poured in from nearby residents as a result.

A Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board hearing got underway Monday to determine if Hottie’s license will be renewed. On day one, five Carnegie police officers testified at the hearing, reviewing more than one-hundred citizen complaints about the bar.

As 11 Investigates reported exclusively in April, neighbors led the charge to get Hottie’s declared a nuisance bar this past spring.

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“We’re just being good neighbors to each other, looking out for each other,” said nearby resident Jim Minahan.

Many of the neighbors will testify at the hearing on Tuesday, which is being held by phone conference. Nightlife at Hottie’s has been much quieter in recent months, but residents say they don’t trust it will stay that way if Hottie’s license is renewed.

“My concern is it goes back to the way it was before,” said Frank Shimatzki, who lives nearby. “The urination, the drinking, the alcohol, the fighting, the noise levels. Everything not conducive to a neighborhood bar.”

“It was awful. The people, the cars, the noise level, everything,” said Linda Evans, whose front porch is about 30-feet from the back of Hottie’s building.

Neighbors shared video of big crowds and chaos outside the club in the early morning hours back in April. They showed everything from overflowing crowds to public drunkenness to arrests being made by police.

“Our fear was it would go beyond a public nuisance to dangerous activity, like gun fights,” said nearby resident Jim Minahan.

They say they’ve had enough and want to see accountability for the owners.

“Please do not renew this guy’s license,” said Shimatzki, expressing what his message will be to the LCB hearing officer when he testifies on Tuesday.

Several neighbors are scheduled to testify Tuesday as the hearing continues. It is unclear if anyone representing the owners of Hottie’s, Three Duran’s, LLC, will testify at the hearing. The owners did not respond to requests for comment.

After the LCB hearing is over, the hearing examiner will issue a report within 28 days, which will be given to the board. The board will then make a decision on whether to renew, deny, or issue a license with contingencies for Hottie’s. There is no designated timeline for a decision, which could take several months.

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