East El Paso bar’s license suspended for alleged virus safety violations

EL PASO, Texas -- In the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott's warning this week to bar and restaurant operators to follow state coronavirus protocols, an east El Paso bar is among three across the state to have its license suspended for alleged violations.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on Friday said Werk Bar, located at 1441 Zaragoza Road near Pellicano Drive, is out-of-business for the next month after being one of more than 200 business inspected in a single night by liquor agents at the governor's direction.

Werk Bar, along with two other establishments in Dallas and McAllen, was cited for non-compliance with Texas guidelines for customer capacity limits and social distancing space.

In a statement announcing the penalties, the TABC said the violations posed a threat to public welfare during the virus outbreak.

"Protecting the health and safety of Texans during this pandemic is our top priority," said the agency's executive director Bentley Nettles. "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."

The operators of Werk Bar could not immediately be reached for comment on their 30-day license suspension.