New Orleans bar owners respond after city shuts them down citing COVID violations New Orleans bar owners respond after city shuts them down citing Covid violations By Amanda Roberts | February 7, 2021 at 8:47 PM CST - Updated February 8 at 5:41 PM NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - A day after the city of New Orleans shut down four bars for not complying with COVID regulations, some bar owners say the city does not have the full picture. Facing an already challenging situation and having to stay closed through Mardi Gras, one business owner says he will have no option but to move forward safely. A popular spot among college kids and young people, the Red Eye Grill found themselves in the city’s crosshairs Friday night when code enforcers were out.