I sat down with Mike Reid from Eon Bar & Grill to talk about the newly launched citywide ban system, what really goes on behind the scenes, and what people are missing when they speak about nightlife violence.
What made y’all finally say enough is enough and come together like this?
Enough was enough. We wanted to help curb the violence happening throughout Pittsburgh, especially in our black communities. It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, work together with other establishments to create safer environments, better communication, and a stronger sense of unity across the city.
Break down the ban system for people who don’t understand it. How does it actually work?
The ban system should work if every establishment uses the scanner system correctly and consistently. The system allows us to create and update shared data so that other businesses using the scanner can see when someone has been banned, why they were banned, and what happened during the incident.
A lot of people online say, “blame the shooters, not the bars.” What’s your response to that?
Blame, to me, falls on everybody. the communities, the offenders, the police, all of us. Until we come together with a unified response to stop the violence, we all share responsibility. The only people who can’t be blamed are the innocent bystanders caught in the middle of it all. At some point, we must stop pointing fingers and start building real solutions together.
From your side, what do people misunderstand most about running a bar in this environment?
People see the crowds, the bottles, the music, the viral moments — they don’t see the pressure behind it. A lot of people couldn’t handle what comes with running a busy spot every week, especially a popular black-owned venue where you’re carrying business, community expectations, safety, staff, politics, and people’s emotions all at once. Starting in the nightlife industry at 14–15 and still standing at 40 says a lot. Most people burn out long before that.
How much control do bars really have?
Because people think it’s either 100% your fault or 0%. In this business, people only see the viral moments when something goes wrong. They don’t see the countless nights where security, staff, and ownership prevent situations, get people home safe, and keep incidents off the internet. As bar owners and nightlife establishments, we understand that anything happening in or around our locations can create liability concerns for our businesses, staff, and communities. That’s why the goal is to establish clear protocols, communication systems, and safety standards that help reduce risks and protect everyone involved.
What changes are people actually going to see when they come out now? More security? Police presence? Stricter entry?
Things change every night, but at EON we will continue to closely monitor what’s happening around EON and across the city. We remain in regular communication with our Police Department and borough officials to stay proactive instead of reactive. We will continue increasing security measures, including additional armed security and extra details on larger nights and special events. On certain high-volume days, we may also implement age restrictions. While we know that’s not ideal for everyone, it helps us better control capacity and maintain a safer environment for our guests and staff. In most cases at EON, our 21–25 crowd is not the issue. The goal is simply to create a safer atmosphere where people can enjoy themselves and make it home safely.
Some people feel like certain environments attract certain energy. How do you address that without profiling or turning people away unfairly?
It’s the environment and the people. What you allow is what you’ll get. If you allow behaviors that create problems, those same problems will continue to happen. At the same time, no matter what you do, somebody will always label people or place them into categories of being “the problem.” The real goal is creating standards, accountability, and an environment where respect and safety come first for everybody.
Are you worried stricter rules might hurt business?
Any rules you put in place can impact the business. The real question is who’s willing to come out and respect the new standards and environment you’re creating. Sometimes you have to start over, rebuild the culture, and even lose money in the short term to make the business work the right way long term. I’m okay with that too.
What would you say to people who keep going to places they claim are unsafe?
If you don’t feel safe, stay home. Your negativity and emotions can end up causing more harm than good for everyone around you. Pittsburgh has plenty of bars, lounges, and establishments — find the environment that fits you best.
Long-term, what does success look like for this system?
Long term to me is being able to celebrate every October knowing we made it through another year in a business where most places don’t survive the first five years. Every year open is a blessing. Whether people want to admit it or not, nightlife isn’t the streets, but it’s not separate from them either. There’s responsibility on both sides. The people. The culture. And the businesses. What Pittsburgh’s bar owners are trying to do isn’t about control, it’s about reducing chaos. And whether it works or not everybody’s watching.
People want to argue blame instead of understanding systems. Nobody’s saying bars pull triggers, but if the same problems keep happening in the same environments, that’s not random. That’s patterns. And patterns can be managed.