The invention relates to a device for closing of horizontal coke oven chambers (1) of an oven bank or oven battery by means of a coke oven door (2) for closing in a vertical direction. The doors are lifted into the open position via a chain or a cable. The cable or the chain is connected to an actuation lever via deflection pulleys. The cable or chain can be pulled horizontally so that the doors are lifted up vertically via deflection pulleys. The actuation lever is connected to a lifting eye which, after actuation of the actuation lever, can engage into the grab boss of a grab car. The grab car is driven via a tow line and after the actuation of the actuation lever, pulls the door into the open position. The door can be held in the open position via a suitable mechanism. The invention also relates to a method for operating the device.