Coronavirus News

TABC suspends 2 Houston-area bars for not following safe COVID-19 policies

BARge 295 vowed to fight its license suspension.

Courtesy of BARge 295

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has suspended a dozen bars across Texas, part of an initiative to make sure bars are observing best practices to curb coronavirus.

That includes two bars in the Houston area.

The program is called Operation Safe Open and is an effort by TABC agents to ensure that businesses across Texas are following protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19. Those include capacity limits of 50 percent indoors for bars and 75 percent for restaurants, along with social distancing of at least 6 feet between groups of customers.

TABC Executive Director Bentley Nettles says in a release that they're going with zero tolerance.

"Protecting the health and safety of Texans during this pandemic is our top priority," Nettles says. "We warned businesses TABC will have no tolerance for breaking the rules, and now, some bars are paying the price. I hope other establishments will learn from these suspensions."

Business are handed a 30-day suspension of their permit to serve alcohol.

Houston-area bars cited include:

HandleBar, a popular club on Washington Avenue
BARge 295, a floating bar in Seabrook

In a Facebook post, BARge 295 said it would remain open and fight the TABC's decision. "We will protest, and we will defend our rights," it reads in part.

TABC's roundup included two bars in Dallas, three bars in Austin, as well as bars in Fort Worth, Lubbock and El Paso, as follows:

Austin: UnBARlievable (West 6th), Buford's Backyard Beer Garden, Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Icehouse

Dallas: Harris House of Heroes, Marty's Live

El Paso: Coconuts, Werk Bar

Fort Worth: New PR's, aka PR's Saloon

Lubbock: Little Woodrow's

McAllen: Elevate Night Club

Seabrook: BARge 25

TABC says that it is strictly monitoring bar and restaurant activity and will pursue emergency license suspensions if it finds violations.

The first infraction results in up to a 30-day license suspension. The second will result in up to a 60-day suspension.

They began enforcement on June 19, when they inspected more than 200 establishments. In the past month, agents have inspected more than 3,000 locations across the state.

cocktails

dine out and do good

Houston charity dining event returns with $15 lunches and $25 dinners

Photo by Michael Ma

Murray's serves a mix of pizza and shareable plates.

Houston Restaurant’s Week more affordable sibling has returned for 2026. Eat Drink HTX takes place from February 15 until February 28.

Similar to Houston Restaurant Weeks, participants in Eat Drink HTX serve two- or three-course meals at a set price of $15 for lunch and brunch and $25 for dinner. Whereas HRW is loaded with fine dining options, EDH’s lower price point allows more casual restaurants to participate. Restaurants will donate $0.50 per $15 meal sold and $1 per $25 meal sold to the Cleverley Stone Foundation, which will then make a contribution to the Houston Food Bank.

As recent closures demonstrate, Houston’s restaurants are struggling. EDH is intended to bring in customers as businesses emerge from the typically slow month of January.

“We have all seen the lists of restaurant closures that seem to be issued on a reoccurring basis – it’s heartbreaking,” organizer Katie Stone, president of the Cleverley Stone Foundation, said in a statement. “Restaurants are the heart and soul of our community. In times of crisis they step up, serve and support others. This is our time as Houstonians to support our restaurant industry by dining out. At the same time, you can ‘Do Good’ as proceeds benefit the Houston Food Bank.”

Stone has recruited dozens of restaurants to participate, including establishments that opened in 2025 such as Caribbean Jerk Palace, Honest Mary’s, Murray’s Pizza & Wine, and Traveler’s Cart. Diners will also find Tex-Mex well represented, with options including El Tiempo, Los Tios, and Molina’s.

Tourao Brazilian Churrasqueria will even give diners a slimmed down, $25 take on its traditional all-you-can-eat experience that includes a visit to the restaurant’s salad bar and a combo meat platter that offers picanha, garlic beef, Brazilian sausage, bacon-wrapped chicken, and two jumbo shrimp.

Also new this year is Galleria-area favorite Burger-Chan. Its $15 menu includes choice of a five-ounce burger, a four-ounce turkey burger, or a felafel burger, paired with choice of side and a non-alcoholic soft drink, iced tea, or lemonade (premium toppings such as bacon, spam, or fried egg are available for an additional charge).

Diners will find the full list of participants on the Eat Drink HTX/Houston Restaurant Weeks website.

"We’re participating in Eat Drink HTX because both the Houston Food Bank and our industry need support now more than ever,” added Craft Pita chef-owner Raffi Nasar. “It’s a meaningful way for us to give back while championing the restaurant community. For our guests, it’s an affordable opportunity to try new menu items.”

Photo by Michael Ma

Murray's Pizza & Wine is participating in Eat Drink HTX.

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