Considering A Dram House Claim Against Sachse Ice House? Here's What You Should Know
I have been holding bars accountable for over-serving alcohol for the last 30 years. The hundreds of cases I've handled have repeatedly shown me just how rampant this reckless practice really is. Even though the general public might see or hear about drunk driving accidents from time to time, it doesn't tend to hear about the role that irresponsible bars play in those accidents. With the goal of educating the public on this topic, I spend some of my time researching the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission's complaint database and reporting my findings here on my website. If you believe you may have a dram shop (liquor liability) claim, I encourage you to call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Sachse Ice House is a bar located in Sachse, Texas. A small but popular neighborhood establishment, it is primarily known for its all-you-can-eat catfish specials, its wide variety of bar games, and for having more than 20 beers on tap. However, local patrons aren't the only frequent visitors at Sachse Ice House. TABC agents have conducted no fewer than seven investigations into the bar's alcohol service practices between 2016 and 2019 alone.
In my experience, it's extremely rare for a bar to end up involved in a dram shop case if it doesn't have a history of complaints with the TABC. Almost every bar I've sued was already on the authorities' radar, so when I see a bar investigated several times over a short period, it raises my concern 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, 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 Shamrock's Pub for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Sachse Ice House Between 2016 and 2019
Sachse - 6504 Hey 78 Suite 140
Allegations:
Law enforcement filed a complaint with TABC on 04/07/2016, alleging that staff sold alcohol to a minor.
TABC looked into the matter, but after six weeks of investigation, agents failed to find any evidence to back up the claim. For most liquor law violations, TABC requires either video footage or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. Having neither in this particular instance, authorities closed the case on 05/24/2016.
On 09/29/2016, TABC received another law enforcement complaint, this time alleging three violations: sale of alcohol to an intoxicated patron, a breach of the peace (typically a fight), and failure to report a breach of the peace.
On this occasion, TABC agents managed to find sufficient evidence to prove that the bar failed to report a breach of the peace. Classifying it as an administrative violation, authorities issued a written warning and subsequently shut the case on 11/19/2016.
A member of the Sachse community lodged a complaint on 01/25/2017, charging the bar staff with drinking on the job, selling drugs, and selling alcohol to a customer who was already drunk.
The ensuing investigation was able to prove the claim that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk person, but authorities handed down no penalty. On 03/01/2017, TABC concluded its work on this case.
Yet another law enforcement complaint, filed on 10/26/2017, alleged the bar sold alcohol to an inebriated patron and failed to report a breach of the peace.
Once again, authorities succeeded in proving an administrative violation occurred, but decided to forgo punishing the bar for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person. TABC later closed this case on 12/16/2017.
A complaint from a concerned citizen, dated 11/29/2018, claimed that staff both sold alcohol to a minor and to an intoxicated person.
After two months of investigation, authorities failed to turn up any evidence of wrongdoing. Having no other course of action available, they decided to conclude their efforts on 01/29/2019.
On 04/03/2019, TABC received a citizen complaint that charged the bar with selling alcohol to a patron who was visibly intoxicated.
This time, authorities did not have video evidence to corroborate the claim and were thus unable to take any action. On 06/06/2019, the investigation came to an end.
On 07/26/2019, a citizen reported the bar to TABC for allegedly selling alcohol to a drunk person.
As in the previous case, agents did not uncover sufficient evidence of a violation to issue a citation. With no further course of action available, authorities closed the case on 09/24/2019.
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.
