More DFW Bars Hit With Liquor License Suspensions Over Violating COVID-19 Guidelines

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has temporarily suspended the liquor licenses of two DFW bars for violating capacity limits instituted to stem the spread of COVID-19.

In Dallas, Henderson Avenue bar The Whippersnapper has lost its TABC permit for 30 days, along with Fort Worth’s Ampersand. The suspensions came after a week of inspections by the TABC across the state, where agents visited more than 1,300 bars across the state, according to a press release from the agency. The two DFW bars were joined by four Houston-area bars who earned suspensions.

“These violations represent a very small number of the more than 20,000 licensed businesses inspected by TABC since the beginning of May,” TABC Chairman Kevin J. Lilly said in a statement. ““A large majority of business owners are showing their commitment to keeping customers and employees safe, and we’re grateful for all of their hard work.”

At present, bars in Dallas aren’t allowed to be open right now, but many establishments have used a waiver issued by the TABC to reopen as “restaurants,” so long as they prove that 51 percent of their revenue is earned through the sales of food. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Whippersnapper owner Brandon Hays attributed to the closure to an “oversight,” noting that an outside firm was responsible for filing the waiver application with the TABC.

The Whippersnapper and Ampersand aren’t the first DFW bars to have their licenses suspended by TABC. Three area bars, including Harris House of Heroes and Marty’s Live, were shuttered in June for violating the capacity guidelines implemented by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Eater has reached out to the bar owners impacted by these suspensions, and will update this post with additional details as those become available.

• Three DFW Bars Hit With Liquor License Suspensions After Failing to Maintain Capacity Limits [EDFW]