Hans' Bier Haus is free to party on: Rice Village bar keeps its liquor license, dodging closure in condo feud

Fans of Hans' Bier Haus have another reason to raise a glass in celebration this Fourth of July weekend. Forget John Adams and that whole independence-from-the-British thing.

Hans is still free to serve beer. A judge ruled that the Rice Village bar embroiled in a nasty feud with its condo neighbors can keep its liquor license. Like a principal scolding some crazy kids, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Judge John Donovan said that the Hans' Bier Haus needs to keep it down, though.

The controlling-the-noise provision comes in wake of the police getting called to the bar more than 20 times for noise complaints. (Not a single ticket was issued in all those trips.) Lawyers for the owners in the neighboring 2520 Robinhood Condominiums had argued that all the complaints, plus violations of the city parking code, building code, fire code and penal code, were enough to yank the Hans' license. Pulling the license would have effectively closed the place.

Now, Hans' Bier Haus can serve on — and these two sides will likely feud on.

The condo owners have already thrown eggs, water and bottles down on bar patrons and staff in the past (something the judge acknowledged in today's hearing) and Hans' Bier Haus co-owner Bill Cave was captured on videotape pulling the Robinhood's concierge by the tie into an elevator on one of the water-spraying nights.