TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Feb 9, 2021

Owners of Nashville restaurant Jonathan's Grille last week lost a lawsuit against the city in federal court, after a judge ruled the restaurant had failed to prove that Metro’s COVID-19 restrictions violated their rights under both U.S. and state constitutions, the Tennessean reports. The lawsuit was filed in September by the restaurant's owners, claiming they and other restauranteurs have faced "economic devastation" from the restrictions on capacity imposed by public health orders that they feel are "vague." The case was dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open for the suit to be refiled if the owners choose. This is the first major ruling in a series of lawsuits the owners have filed or joined regarding Metro Nashville's restrictions on downtown venues. Jonathan’s Grill has been cited at least eight times—the most of any business in the city—for COVID-19 violations that include patrons not wearing a mask, packed bar seats and improper social distancing.