What and Where Dallas Drinks

Today’s Dallas Morning News (subscription required)featured an informative take on local alcohol consumption. Interesting results included the falling consumption of beer in favor of mixed drinks (which coincides with an increase in bars and restaurants featuring expanded cocktail menus, as well as establishments wholly dedicated to the expertly-mixed drink). In addition, sales of alcoholic beverages have increased in hotels, restaurants, and bars over the past year, which makes sense as we continue to recover from the recession.

Where are locals buying their mixed drinks? The results may (or may not) surprise you. Cowboys Stadium lands in first place, which makes sense when you consider the stadium’s capacity, schedule of events, and the continually disappointing performance of the football team that plays there. The Gaylord Texan is next, followed by the Hilton Anatole, Baby Dolls Topless Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, The American Airlines Center, Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, and Sfuzzi in Uptown.

Increased Cooperation Between the TABC and the Comptroller Means More Texas Mixed Beverage with Food and Beverage (RM Permit) Renewals Are Being Denied

Our Licensing and Permitting consultants have been noticing some trends that may directly affect Texas bar and restaurant owners’ alcohol permits:

First, we are seeing increased monitoring and exchange of information in general between the Texas State Comptroller and Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). This means that there have been increased suspensions of permits for businesses that are delinquent on Mixed Beverage Tax, Sales/Use Tax, and other state taxes.

Alcohol Licensing Process May Become Easier for Some Dallas Businesses

Today, the Dallas Morning News (subscription required) reported that the Dallas City Council had amended the portion of the city code preventing the sale of alcohol by establishments that were within a certain proximity to churches, daycare/childcare facilities, public hospitals and schools schools. According to the new amendment, such businesses may now apply to the council for a variance that can be granted as long as three council members approve.

The amendment also lowers the the retail size requirement that a store must meet in order to be granted the variance from 30,000sf to 15,000sf.

According to our alcohol licensing and permitting consultants, this amendment could simplify the TABC licensing process for restaurants located within these formerly-off-limits areas — where businesses were forced to establish themselves as private clubs in order to sell alcohol. Now, provided they can secure the 3 necessary council votes for a variance, these businesses can simply proceed with regular TABC licensing.