Four bars highlighted by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department as hot spots for escalated alcohol-related crimes in recent months have chosen to close early on weekends.

The Moose Lounge, the Beacon, Mik’s and the Iron Horse were highlighted by Chief Lee White of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department Tuesday in a presentation to City Council. The police department fielded 122 calls this year through Feb. 9 to those four establishments, mostly between the hours of 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekends.

Dave Polis, owner of the Moose Lounge on Sherman Avenue, said his establishment is closing at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for the foreseeable future.

“I have to say that although we have noted more fighting and rowdiness in the area surrounding the Moose, we have not experienced any gang activity or sexual assaults at our bar,” Polis said in a statement.

Of the four establishments in question, the Moose has seen the fewest incidents this year, with 11 of the 122 calls. Still, Polis said he chose to close early to help the city during an increase of activity he ties to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s decision to keep bars closed. This weekend marks the first since the pandemic shut down Washington state that Spokane bars are now able to open, though only at 25 percent capacity.

“While we welcome the business, we acknowledge that the unusual activity downtown has put a strain on our police department,” Polis said. “In an effort to help curb the problem we have made the decision to temporarily and voluntarily close early on the weekends. We will likely be joined by neighboring bars. We hope this will help, but are fairly confident that these problems will subside when Washington bars are allowed to re-open.”

Typically, all four bars close at 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Beacon, the Moose and Mik’s will all close at midnight.

Tom Robb, owner of the Iron Horse, said he was happy to voluntarily close early — last call at the Iron Horse will come at midnight, Robb said, marking closing time somewhere around 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays — if it means helping the police, the City Council and the community.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Robb said. “We personally have a great relationship with the Coeur d’Alene Police."

He said Iron Horse's security, "which is the best in town, will help people get where they need to go safely before we close.”

White’s presentation Tuesday night sparked concerns among City Council members in search of solutions. While the presentation was not an action item — and therefore couldn’t follow with a vote — council members did make suggestions about possible recourse, including everything from providing education for bar employees to implementing a curfew.

White said he was pleased the bars’ ownerships came forward to volunteer a possible solution.

“I can’t stress enough the amazing relationship we have with the businesses in the downtown area,” White said Thursday. “We’re very happy the establishments that have had some of these problems over the past few months and past year are willing to work with us.”