The Baltimore City Health Department has temporarily closed the popular Canton hangout Looney’s Pub for a range of health code violations, including improper handling and storage of food, rodent and insect infestations and general unsanitary conditions.
The health department’s website indicates it filed the citations yesterday. Under “reasons for closure,” the site simply states: “Improper food handling, improper hand washing, improper cold and hot holding temperatures, improper food storage, rodent and insect infestation, and general unsanitary conditions.”
Looney’s co-owner Bill Larney wrote in an email that all issues “[have] been taken care of.” He said there was an issue with flooring in the basement and one refrigerator not being up to the proper temperature.
“This is the first issue we’ve had in 23 years,” he noted, adding that Looney’s plans to reopen by Thursday.
Fox45 first reported the news.
Looney’s is a popular Irish pub at the Northwest corner of O’Donnell Square in Canton. It’s known as a go-to spot in the neighborhood for Ravens and Orioles games and happy hours.
It’s also the flagship location for the nearly 25-year-old bar chain. According to Looney’s Pub’s website, owners Bill Larney and Steve Litrenta opened the Canton location in 1993 and decided to expand outward around Maryland nine years later. Looney’s North, located in Bel Air, opened in 2002 and was renovated in 2007. Larney and Litrenta also opened other Looney’s outposts in Maple Lawn in 2009 and College Park in 2011.
The same Canton location made the national offbeat news cycle in 2015 when an off-duty Anne Arundel County cop was arrested for allegedly biting another man’s nether region in a fight on Cinco de Mayo.
