Cowboy Jack's, Cowboy Slim's closed until further notice, citing 'ongoing violence'

Two Minneapolis bars are closing their doors in response to what their ownership calls "ongoing violence, vandalism and civil unrest."

According to a news release, Cowboy Jack's in downtown and Cowboy Slim's in the Uptown neighborhood are now closed after the City of Minneapolis issued a letter to the After Midnight Group, which owns the bars, advising them to "educate" patrons and staff on recent violence.

"After experiencing the violence, vandalism and unsafe working conditions firsthand and without receiving assurances of safety from city officials, The After Midnight Group made the swift decision to put employee and guest safety first and close the doors of these two locations," the company said in a statement.

1 dead, 11 injured after overnight shooting in Uptown Minneapolis

The closures come less than a week after 11 people were injured in a shooting near Cowboy Slim's at Hennepin and Lagoon avenues. On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health identified Cowboy Jack's as a COVID-19 cluster.

According to the After Midnight Group, about 250 jobs will be affected. 

No reopening date has been set. According to the release, the bars won't open "until the City of Minneapolis can ensure the safety of guests and employees as they visit/leave these establishments."