Varsity Tavern had its liquor license suspended for 30 days after breaking social distancing guidelines last week.
An emergency order issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) said that minimum health requirements were not being met “on or about” Feb. 4 at Varsity.
“Permittee failed to operate its business in accordance with social distancing requirements and minimum standard health protocols recommended by Department of State Health Services,” the order stated.
The suspension is effective immediately.
Both employees and patrons were seen not wearing face coverings, according to the order.
The findings went against Governor Gregg Abbott’s executive orders requiring that people wear a face mask while in a commercial entity and that restaurants have less than 51% of their sales coming from alcoholic beverages. Patrons must also be eating or drinking while sitting.
TABC determined “that the continued operation of permittee’s business would constitute a continuing threat to the public welfare.”
There have now been 198,635 COVID-19 cases in Tarrant County, according to the Tarrant County Health Department’s website. Of those cases, 96,684 cases have been located in Fort Worth.
One other business in DFW also had their liquor license suspended but TBAC could not release its name since the order has not yet been served.
Varsity Tavern has not commented on the current suspension.