Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Bar @ 3 Rivers Bar & Grill? Here's What You Need To Know

I've been suing irresponsible bars for over-serving alcohol for 30 years. My experience handling hundreds of cases has repeatedly shown me just how many bars fail to follow alcohol service regulations, as well as the tragedies that all too often result. 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 reckless bars play in those accidents. In order to call more attention to this issue, I dedicate a portion of my time to reviewing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's 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, don't hesitate to call me at (855) 326-0000.

Bar @ 3 Rivers Bar & Grill is located in Three Rivers, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted a significant amount of attention from the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2020, authorities conducted no fewer than seven investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices.

In my experience, it is 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 cause an accident.

Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. However, if authorities investigate and fail to find evidence, 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 Bar @ 3 Rivers Bar & Grill for possible criminal or administrative violations.

TABC Investigations of Bar @ 3 Rivers Bar & Grill Between 2017 and 2020

Three Rivers - 201 N Harborth Avenue Suite C

Allegations:

On 03/30/2017, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging that the bar sold alcohol both to a minor and during prohibited hours.

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 05/15/2017.

Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 11/29/2017, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated customer and that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) took place.

While the ensuing investigation failed to uncover any evidence to support the initial allegations, it did turn up proof that the bar allowed customers to consume alcohol during prohibited hours, which authorities classified as an administrative violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, the TABC closed the case on 01/29/2018.

The TABC received another law enforcement complaint on 08/29/2018, claiming that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person.

Upon investigation, TABC agents were able to confirm the allegation, which they classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. Ultimately, authorities refrained from handing down any punishment, choosing instead to close the case without further action on 10/25/2018.

A third law enforcement complaint reached the TABC on 10/16/2018, alleging that the bar sold alcohol to an inebriated customer and that a breach of the peace occurred.

The subsequent investigation found evidence to corroborate the first claim, which the TABC classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. As in the previous case, investigators declined to take any action against the bar, opting instead to conclude their efforts on 12/13/2018.

Law enforcement reached out to the TABC once again on 06/05/2019, claiming that a breach of the peace occurred but was not reported (a separate violation in itself), and that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person.

TABC agents looked into the matter, but only found evidence to corroborate the claim that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace. After issuing a written warning for what was classified as an administrative violation, authorities closed the case on 07/25/2019.

A member of the Three Rivers community lodged a complaint with the TABC on 10/17/2019, alleging that staff was drinking on the job and that the bar sold alcohol to a minor.

While the investigation that followed did not manage to prove either of the initial allegations, it did turn up evidence that the bar sold alcohol to an intoxicated patron, which the TABC classified as both an administrative and criminal violation. After handing down an unspecified penalty, authorities closed the case on 12/10/2019.

On 01/15/2020, a further citizen complaint brought the TABC back to investigate once again. This time, the allegation was for selling alcohol to a drunk patron.

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 03/05/2020.

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.