Officials on Tuesday suspended the liquor licenses of four Dallas bars after the state said they were not following COVID-19 safety rules.
Alamo Club and High Fives in Lower Greenville, Bungalow in Uptown and Shuck N Jive in Northeast Dallas all had their liquor licenses suspended for 30 days, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
The requirements TABC agents check for include a capacity limit of 50% for bars and 75% for restaurants, along with social distancing of at least 6 feet between parties.
The TABC chairman said, overall, Texas bars and restaurants have done a good job reopening safely.
"These violations represent a very small number of the more than 20,000 licensed businesses inspected by TABC since the beginning of May," TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said. "A large majority of business owners are showing their commitment to keeping customers and employees safe, and we're grateful for all of their hard work. TABC is committed to assisting the industry as we all work for a safe Texas."
Two other North Texas bars were hit with suspensions last Tuesday.
Jason Friedman, a lawyer representing Commonwealth Entertainment, the company that owns Bungalow and operates the XOXO Dining Room, said a notice from the TABC was delivered without warning on Oct. 27 alleging they had violated two of Gov. Greg Abbott's COVID-19 protocols, including one about unseated customers wearing face coverings, and that it's permit was suspended for 30 days effective Oct. 26.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Friedman said the dining room knows of no such violation and that its staff is trained to immediately correct any violation that occurs.
"XoXo Dining Room is a good partner in the community, respects social distancing, complies with CDC guidelines and employs many people who need their job to feed their families. The law was not meant to shut down businesses like XoXo that are in full compliance with the law."
