Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen continues its swift and decisive actions against bar operators in the Entertainment and Cultural Overlay District (ECOD) who continue to ignore rules designed to keep minors safe.
Less than 12 hours after the intense and engaging public comment at the August 29th City Commission Workshop, during which the public demanded bar operators curb underage drinking the City issued citations to over a dozen establishments that failed to take even the most basic preventative measures.
“They knew we were coming, and they made no changes,” said City Manager Isaac Tawil. “These operators have shown blatant disregard for the law and zero concern for protecting young people in our community. Based on these clear violations, the city has revoked their permits.”
To protect minors, the city is prioritizing enforcement of the two most critical safeguards against underage drinking: age-verification technology and UV ink to clearly mark patrons under 21.
| On September 2, as a direct result of these establishments refusing to implement these safeguards, the City issued notices of revocation to the following establishments: |
| • The Mini Bar |
| • Valle Verde |
| • Pasha |
| • Scores Bar |
| • Pecado Night Club |
| • Karma/El Belicon |
| • Broka |
| • NY 17th Floor |
| • The Lab on 17th |
| • B7 Shot House |
| • The White Rhino |
| • Primo |
| • Warehaus |
| • Precopa |
| • Tabu |
| • Hustlerz |
| • The Flying Walrus |
| • Grand Central Square |
| • Noxx |
| • Yes Shot Bar |
The age verification tools are inexpensive and effective, with age-verification systems costing as little as $250 to $500 per year, less than the profit from a single busy weekend. Other Special Use Permit requirements, including surveillance cameras, adequate lighting, and on-site security personnel, remain in place to ensure overall safety and compliance.
These actions follow a series of enforcement efforts in the ECOD:
- At Tuesday’s Municipal Court docket, bar operators entered 34 misdemeanor pleas, resulting in $11,115 in fines for operating without an SUP or violating its terms.
- Over the weekend, enforcement teams issued 38 citations for fire code violations, operating without permits, and SUP non-compliance.
“McAllen will not tolerate businesses that put profit ahead of public safety,” said Mayor Javier Villalobos. “The rules are clear, and they exist to protect our youth, our families, and the future of our community. Operators who choose to ignore those rules will face the full weight of enforcement,” said Mayor Javier Villalobos.
Information source: The City of McAllen
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