Considering A Dram Shop Case Against Twin Sisters Cantina? 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.
Twin Sisters Cantina is a bar located in San Antonio, Texas. In recent years, it has attracted the attention of the TABC on multiple occasions due to allegations of liquor law violations. In 2019 alone, authorities conducted three 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 Twin Sisters Cantina for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Twin Sisters Cantina in 2019
San Antonio - 1701 S Hackberry
Allegations:
Law enforcement contacted the TABC on 04/13/2019, alleging that a breach of the peace (typically a fight) occurred, and that the bar failed to report it.
Upon investigation, TABC agents were able to confirm the validity of the claims, which they classified as administrative violations. After deciding not to take any action against the bar, authorities closed the case on 06/07/2019.
On 07/30/2019, the TABC received a complaint from a concerned citizen who alleged the bar permitted staff to sell drugs, in addition to permitting a minor to possess alcohol and customers to drink during prohibited hours.
Investigators succeeded in finding evidence to back up the claim that the bar permitted to possession of drugs and paraphernalia on the premises, though they decided not to hand down any punishment. On 10/03/2019, authorities closed the case.
A law enforcement complaint, filed on 11/21/2019, claimed four violations took place: a breach of the peace, selling alcohol to a drunk person, permitting customers to drink during prohibited hours, and refusing an inspection.
Even when the source of a complaint is a police officer, for most liquor law violations, the TABC requires either video footage or eyewitness testimony from one of its agents in order to take action. In this investigation, authorities did not have either, which led to their decision to close the case on 01/20/2020.
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.
