Well-Known Hartford Bar Closes Again Amid Shooting Probe

HARTFORD, CT — A well-known downtown bar in Hartford had reopened briefly after it was temporarily shuttered amid a police probe regarding an incident there last month.

According to the state Department of Consumer Protection Friday, the Russian Lady at 191 Ann Uccello St., Hartford, was able to reopen Dec. 8 after a 16-day, voluntary suspension after an incident between a bouncer and a patron last month.

But a second incident, according to DCP spokesperson Kaitlyn Krasselt, has resulted in the Russian Lady voluntarily closing to the public during the New Year's holiday weekend, a potentially busy weekend for revelers.

Krasselt said this temporary closing was due to a reported shooting outside the bar during the Christmas weekend.

"The Russian Lady has agreed to voluntarily close to the general public this weekend, through the New Year’s holiday, with the exception of a few small private events and during upcoming UConn games at the XL Center," she wrote in the statement.

"The business is cooperating with Liquor Control as they review details of the incident and determine if further action is required. Police remain the primary agency investigating the shooting. At this time the Russian Lady’s license is not suspended."

Following the November bouncer/patron incident, in which a patron was recorded going down a flight of stairs in a melee with a bar employee, The Russian Lade had to abide by several rules courtesy of a "safety agreement" with the state, Krasselt said.

Those include:

• Hiring an independent security agency to act as bar security.

• Firing the employee involved in the November melee.

• Updating the policy handbook at the bar to clearly state no employee/independent security staffer shall touch or use physical force on a patron.

Meanwhile, she said, investigations into the November incident and last weekend's shooting, which critically injured a man, are ongoing and no further information is available.

From Nov. 22: 'Popular Hartford Nightspot Temporarily Shutters Amid Probe: Reports'