Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Scandalo Nite Club? 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.

Scandalo Nite Club is located in Houston, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC due to allegations of liquor law violations. Between 2017 and 2019, authorities conducted no fewer than five investigations into the club'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 Scandalo Nite Club for possible criminal or administrative violations.

TABC Investigations of Scandalo Nite Club Between 2017 and 2019

Houston - 6501 Chimney Rock Road

Allegations:

On 09/25/2017, a concerned citizen filed a complaint with the TABC, alleging the bar sold alcohol to a minor, permitted the possession of drugs on the premises, and sold alcohol during prohibited hours.

Upon investigation, TABC agents were only able to locate evidence to support the claim that the bar allowed customers to drink alcohol during prohibited hours. Classifying the infraction as an administrative violation, authorities handed down an unspecified penalty and closed the case 11/20/2017.

A member of the Houston community reached out to the TABC on 08/02/2018, alleging a litany of violations. These included: selling alcohol to both a minor and an intoxicated patron, staff selling drugs on the premises, and allowing patrons to drink during prohibited hours.

Once again, the only allegation that investigators were able to prove was that the bar allowed customers to drink during prohibited hours. However, on this occasion, authorities declined to punish the bar, choosing instead to shut the case on 09/14/2018.

Another citizen complaint, dated 11/05/2018, alleged that the bar sold alcohol to a drunk patron.

For the third time in a row, authorities investigated, but only found evidence that the bar allowed patrons to drink alcohol during prohibited hours. As in the previous case, they decided against issuing any punishment and closed the investigation on 01/23/2019.

Within three weeks from when the previous complaint was filed, on 11/26/2018, the TABC received another that alleged the bar permitted the possession of drugs on the premises and sold alcohol during prohibited hours.

Again, the TABC investigated and managed to find evidence to corroborate the allegation that the bar sold alcohol outside of legal hours, but agents abstained from taking any action. On 01/22/2019, the case came to a close.

On 09/09/2019, a citizen complaint brought the TABC back to investigate an allegation that the bar sold alcohol without a permit.

Authorities looked into the matter, but were unable to take any action due to a lack of evidence to support the claim. With no other option available, they decided to close the case on 11/18/2019.

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.