Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein this afternoon shut down two bars for failing to pay the county's 7 percent drink tax, and a third narrowly avoided closure when it agreed to pay all back taxes by Monday.

The closed bars are Todd's By the Bridge, Walnut Street in Versailles, and Crazy Karen's, Canal Street in Sharpsburg. They were were padlocked by county officials on the order of Common Pleas Judge Robert J. Colville.

"We have exhausted all opportunities for these bar owners to pay us what they owe," Mr. Weinstein said, "and now, we have simply run out of patience."

The owner of Todd's By the Bridge, who has not made drink tax remittances since the levy was implemented last year, owes the county $50,000, and Talerico's owes $27,000, while Crazy Karen's owes $20,000, said Mr. Weinstein.

The judge also ordered a third bar, Talerico's on Monroeville Boulevard in Monroeville, to close, but it remained open after owners agreed to pay $27,000 in back taxes on Monday.

In addition, Mr. Weinstein plans to attach a civil judgment or collection notice against the bar owners' state-issued liquor licenses.

"I want to send a loud and clear message," Mr. Weinstein said, "we are done talking with people who have no interest in complying with the law."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.