Shooting prompts downtown bar's closure

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A troubled downtown bar is being shut down after a teen was shot out front of the business on New Year's Eve.

Mayor Byron Brown and Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda held a 4 p.m. press conference Friday to announce the immediate closure of Social Bar and Nightclub. A 19-year-old man was shot out from of Social on New Year's Eve after a fight inside spilled over into the street.

"This is the third club that the city has worked aggressively to shut down that wasn't operating according to the laws of the City of Buffalo. The first was Barcelona, then Big Bad Wolf, and today, Social Nightclub," said Mayor Brown.

Social was also shut down in April of 2012 after Buffalo's co-mingling law went into effect and officers found people under the age of 21 inside. The State Liquor Authority has now revoked the bar's liquor license.

Mayor Brown said, "Right after the New Year's incident I sought the immediate closure of the club."

"There was a pattern of violent activity. In the case of Barcelona, you had a stabbing within the club. In the case of Big Bad Wolf, you had shootings just outside the club with incidents originating inside. In the case of Social, you had a shooting outside the club after a fight inside," said City Corporation Counsel Tim Ball.

Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda added, "We've cited five clubs for serving underage kids we sent in with NYS Police. It is a problem; it continues to be a problem."

The mayor says Friday's shutdown sends a clear message that Buffalo will enforce the laws against irresponsible club owners and managers.

Peter Altholz is co-owner of The Lodge, a business opening where The Bayou used to be located on Chippewa. He believes Chippewa has a lot of potential.

"We want to be a place where people who work here during the day can feel comfortable eating lunch," Altholz said. "We want to cater to people coming down here before the theater. That's really what's going to change the face of Chippewa."

Altholz says multi-purpose venues will be key to turning Chippewa around. He cited examples like Soho Burger Bar, Mighty Taco, and Dinosaur BBQ as a few examples.

The Lodge is set to open in early March.