Considering A Dram Shop Case Against The Davenport Lounge? Here's What You Need To Know
Over the last 30 years, I've worked to hold reckless bars accountable for over-serving alcohol. My experience handling hundreds of cases has opened my eyes to just how many bars consistently fail to follow alcohol service regulations. While people might see or hear about a drunk driving accident from time to time, they don't tend to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. Since most people don't do what I do for a living, I make an effort to share my insights in hopes of calling more attention to this issue. One way I do this is by periodically reviewing Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint records and reporting my findings here on my website. If you think you may have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim and have questions about how to proceed, please call me at (855) 326-0000.
The Davenport Lounge is a bar located in San Antonio, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the TABC's attention due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2019 and 2020, authorities conducted two investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.
In my experience, it's uncommon for a bar without a history of run-ins with the TABC to end up on the hook for contributing to a wrongful death or injury. Virtually every bar I have ever sued was already on the authorities' radar. That's why I pay close attention to bars with several recent complaints against them. The more investigations a bar has had, the greater my concern is that it could one day contribute to an accident.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence of a violation, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated The Davenport Lounge for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of The Davenport Lounge Between 2019 and 2020
San Antonio - 203 N Presa Street
Allegations:
A concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC on 11/14/2019, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to a minor as well as an intoxicated person.
For most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage of the incident or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. In this investigation, authorities had neither, which led to their decision to close the case on 02/04/2020.
On 04/04/2019, the TABC received a citizen complaint that alleged the bar again sold alcohol to a drunk person.
As in the first investigation, authorities lacked video evidence and thus could not determine the veracity of the claim. With no other course of action available, they closed the case on 05/21/2019.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas dram shop law (i.e. lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
