Considering A Dram Shop Case Against 5D Steakhouse & Lounge? 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.
5D Steakhouse & Lounge is located in Yorktown, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC on multiple occasions due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2019, authorities conducted four 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 5D Steakhouse & Lounge for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of 5D Steakhouse & Lounge Between 2017 and 2019
Yorktown - 632 W Main Street
Allegations:
On 03/23/2017, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated person and allowed gambling on the premises.
Authorities looked into the matter shortly thereafter. 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 05/17/2017.
A member of the Yorktown community reached out to the TABC on 07/21/2017, claiming staff was drinking on the job and sold alcohol to a minor.
As mentioned in the previous 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 09/21/2017.
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on, accusing the bar of selling alcohol to a patron who was already intoxicated.
Even when the source of a complaint is a police officer, the TABC still requires corroborating evidence before taking action. As the ensuing investigation did not turn up any video footage of the incident, agents could not prove the allegation. Consequently, they closed the case on 11/02/2018.
On 01/23/2019, the TABC received another law enforcement complaint alleging the bar sold alcohol to a drunk patron.
Only three days after opening the case, on 01/26/2019, the TABC's investigators gave up their efforts after failing to locate any evidence to support the claim.
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.
