Unlike Tank, Ice Bar done for '06, eviction possible

Liquor license to be reviewed, could get boot from landlord

At least through the end of the year.

The owner of a River North bar where the bodyguard of Chicago Bear Tank Johnson was slain last week has agreed with Chicago Police to keep the business closed until the end of the year, as part of a cooling off period, city officials said.

But that's just the start of the bar's problems.

The landlord of the building at 738 N. Clark is moving to evict Ice Bar, authorities said, and city officials will begin by the end of the year reviewing the bar's liquor license for violations.

Jason Antoine, the bar manager, said Thursday he hopes the bar will reopen early next year.

But for now, "there's just some chill downtown," Antoine said.

The Sun-Times reported Thursday that the bar owner, Anna Marie Amato, is the daughter of an associate of a top mob boss, Joseph "Joey the Clown" Lombardo. Amato was an investor in a mobbed-up casino, records show. She pleaded guilty to possession of crystal meth last year but received a special probation that allowed her to avoid having a felony put on her record and losing her liquor license.

"I am absolutely appalled," Natarus said. "We should have people of good character holding our licenses."

Amato could not be reached for comment Thursday.

City officials from the Department of Business Affairs and Licensing likely will meet with police within a few days to figure out what liquor license violations occurred and proceed to a city hearing. That usually takes three to six months. But the bar could appeal an adverse decision for years and stay open.

Natarus said it would be faster to evict the bar. The landlord did not return a phone message Thursday. Natarus said he's witnessed numerous problems outside the bar, including people with guns.

When asked why he never called 911, Natarus said: "I could be in court all day. I could be cross-examined all day, and I'm not that certain, I'm not at all certain, I don't think the courts regard an alderman as a good witness."