Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Parkway Tavern? Here's What You Need To Know

For three decades, I've been holding bars accountable for over-serving alcohol. In the hundreds of cases I've handled, I've seen just how widespread irresponsible alcohol service is, as well as the tragedies that often follow in its wake. While people might see or hear about drunk driving accidents from time to time, rarely do they hear about the role that reckless bars play in those accidents. In order to draw more attention to this issue, I dedicate a portion of my time to investigating the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint records and reporting my findings here on my website. If you believe you may have a dram shop claim, please call my office at (855) 326-0000.

Parkway Tavern is located in Plano, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2016 and 2020, authorities conducted five separate 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 Parkway Tavern for criminal or administrative violations.

TABC Investigations of Parkway Tavern Between 2016 and 2020

Plano - 3645 Dallas Parkway, Suite 555 and 561

Allegations:

Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 03/01/2016, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person.

Authorities looked into the matter shortly thereafter. Even when the source of a complaint is a police officer, 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. Having neither in this investigation, authorities decided to close the case on 05/20/2016.

A second law enforcement complaint, filed on 03/23/2016, claimed that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace (typically a fight).

Upon investigation, authorities were able to confirm the allegation, which they classified as an administrative violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, the TABC closed the case on 05/14/2016.

Yet another law enforcement complaint, filed on 01/18/2018, accused the bar of allowing a minor to both purchase and possess or consume alcohol.

As mentioned in the first investigation summary, the TABC relies heavily on video footage to back up most claims of wrongdoing. Since authorities had no such evidence in this investigation, they could not take any action, leading to their decision to close the case on 02/04/2018.

On 02/11/2019, a concerned citizen contacted the TABC, claiming that staff was drinking on the job, sold alcohol to a minor, and sold or possessed drugs on the premises.

TABC agents conducted an inquiry, but due to a lack of video evidence, they could not determine the veracity of the claim. As a result, investigators could not take any further action, leading to their decision to close the case on 03/16/2019.

A member of the Plano community reached out to the TABC on 05/08/2020, accusing the bar of miscellaneous violations.

An investigation ensued, but authorities were ultimately unable to produce sufficient evidence of wrongdoing to take action. Left without any other option, the TABC closed the case on 05/21/2020.

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.