Lackawanna County Sued to Close Solstice Bar & Grill

The District Attorney filed a lawsuit to shut down the Scranton business following reports of criminal activity.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Lackawanna County Sued to Close Solstice Bar & Grill

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Should local officials use civil lawsuits to permanently close businesses deemed a public nuisance?

The Lackawanna County District Attorney filed a civil lawsuit to permanently close Solstice Bar & Grill at 117 W. Market St. in North Scranton. The complaint seeks to shutter the establishment, which authorities have labeled a public nuisance due to repeated criminal incidents.

Why it matters

The action follows recurring safety concerns, including reports of firearms, shootings, and drug activity associated with the location. Prosecutors aim to utilize the Pennsylvania Liquor Code to prevent further public safety threats in the community.

The business received at least seven citations from Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement across 18 distinct dates. The manager of the bar also faces sentencing for two third-degree felony offenses.

The players

Lackawanna County District Attorney

This office serves as the lead prosecutor for the jurisdiction and is responsible for filing the civil lawsuit to designate the bar a public nuisance.

Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement

This agency is tasked with regulating licensed establishments and documented the multiple violations leading to the current legal action.

The details

The lawsuit alleges that the bar has become a hub for violence, citing police reports of shootings and illegal drug trade. Officials moved to shut the venue down immediately following an incident on Oct. 3 that required a countywide mutual-aid response from Scranton and state police to manage a crowd blocking the street.

Sept. 14, 2026: The bar manager pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony offenses in Luzerne County.
Oct. 3, 2026: A crowd blocked West Market Street, leading to a mutual-aid police response.
Nov. 23, 2026: The bar manager is scheduled for criminal sentencing.

Market Landscape

This legal challenge represents a shift toward aggressive municipal enforcement against businesses that violate the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. The move positions the county to curb operational risks by removing establishments that rely on repeat offenders in management roles.

Residents in North Scranton can expect increased police presence around the 117 W. Market St. property while the closure motion remains active. The potential shutdown aims to resolve public safety concerns for neighbors who previously faced road blockages and heightened criminal activity.

The takeaway

Authorities are increasingly using civil litigation to address bars that persistently violate safety standards and state law. Residents can report future concerns regarding public nuisances to local law enforcement to help build records for such legal interventions.

What happens next

The manager of the bar is scheduled to face sentencing in Luzerne County on Nov. 23, 2026, which may provide further information on the criminal aspects of the case.