Cincinnati is asking a judge to shut down the In Between Tavern, arguing the downtown sports bar has turned into a persistent public-safety problem. City officials have filed a civil lawsuit seeking to close the longtime haunt, saying repeated violence and illegal activity tied to the property have left them with no choice. The push comes in the wake of a fatal October shooting in the 300 block of Sycamore Street after a Bengals game, where a man was killed outside the bar.
According to WLWT, city attorneys allege the In Between Tavern "has become a repeat source of violence and illegal activities" and are urging the court to shut the business down to head off more trouble. WLWT reports that the station is working to obtain additional details about the complaint and related filings.
Deadly October Shooting and Arrest
In October, officers found 34-year-old Justin Johnson shot multiple times inside his car on the 300 block of Sycamore Street outside the tavern, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, WCPO reported. Police arrested 50-year-old Robert Shaw that same day. Prosecutors later set his bond at $2 million and charged him in Johnson’s killing, according to court records and reporting.
Legal Grounds the City Is Using
The lawsuit appears to lean on Cincinnati’s chronic-nuisance authority, a tool that lets the city target properties tied to repeated police calls and seek civil penalties. Under Chapter 761 of the municipal code, officials can pursue fines and litigation to abate what they label chronic nuisance premises, and state law gives courts power to issue temporary closure orders and schedule fast-track hearings when the city seeks an injunction. The process and timelines are laid out in Chapter 761 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code and Ohio Revised Code §3767.04.
Downtown Context and What’s at Stake
The In Between is a longtime gameday bar that was brought back to life in recent years and sits near Great American Ball Park, making it a busy stop for fans on game nights, according to CityBeat. Neighbors and public-safety officials say the pattern of violent incidents in and around the property is draining police resources and shaking confidence in the downtown entertainment district.
What Happens Next
Once the complaint lands in the common pleas court, the city can seek a temporary injunction. State rules allow a judge to schedule a quick hearing and, if the complaint is upheld, to order a temporary closure while the case moves forward. The tavern’s owners will have a chance to respond, whether by posting bond, submitting a plan to curb nuisance activity, or fighting the city’s claims in court.
