Cleveland City Council Objects to New Bar Opening at 24 Public Square

Cleveland City Council has formally objected to a new liquor permit at one of downtown Cleveland's most visible addresses.

File 580-2026, introduced May 6 by Councilman Richard Starr and classified as 'Agenda Ready,' is an emergency resolution objecting to a new D5A liquor permit at 24 Public Square.

A D5A permit in Ohio authorizes the sale of beer, wine, and liquor for on-premise consumption — effectively a full-service bar or restaurant license. The 24 Public Square address is part of the historic terminal building complex at the heart of downtown Cleveland, adjacent to the Regional Transit Authority Transit Center.

Formal council objections to liquor permit applications are a standard tool in the Legistar system and do not automatically block a permit — but they do trigger a mandatory review period during which the Ohio Division of Liquor Control must pause and consider the objection before proceeding. Objections often precede negotiations with a property owner or prospective operator over operating hours, security arrangements, or community benefit agreements.

Councilman Starr represents Ward 3, which covers the downtown core. No official explanation for the objection has been published.