The Dallas Eagle was raided by the TABC last night, which also happened to be the grand opening of their new building.

I was actually on my way to the club around midnight when I felt a little tired and just went home. Too bad I would have taken several pictures. Luckily Chaser Ricky got some, and I am still waiting on a few friends who might have gotten snap shots as well.

Apparently the TABC came in and harassed the bar about their licenses because the new building was 100 yards from the old one across the parking lot.

They came in wearing ninja masks and fortunately no one was "roughed up" like the incident in Fort Worth.


--UPDATE--

The licensing issue is currently being worked on, and The Eagle will hopefully reopen the new building ASAP.

Also the TABC denied wearing any ninja masks and blamed it on Dallas Police, but this finger pointing between the two agencies doesn't really hold up when we have pictures of cops in said masks raiding the bar.

--UPDATE--

The owners have issued a statement claiming the TABC and DPD were just doing their jobs and that it was a competitor who reigned them in on the Eagle's big opening day:

The problems at the Dallas Eagle on Friday night, July 10, 2009, were predicated on misinformation, and/or lack thereof, we received from the agent we had hired to expedite our licensing process. Regardless, the permits were not in order; and we take full responsibility for this. We would like to apologize to or customers, our employees, and the community at large. We would also like to extend our sincere apologies to the employees at TABC and the Dallas Police Department for the adverse press they have had to endure for simply doing their duty. Neither of these agencies, in any way harassed or threatened us. Their behavior throughout was polite and organized. They were acting on a compliant, which by law, they are required to do. Sadly, we were informed these calls were placed by a competitor. The calls were placed through Austin (for TABC) and through the District Attorney’s office here (for DPD) indicating someone with well placed connections. Once again, this was a licensing error on our part, nothing more.

On a broader note, it is enough that our community has to deal with discrimination on a daily basis without having to worry about elements within our own community. This, to our minds, is the real story here.

We thank all of you for your love and support.

We are open for business at the old location until ALL appropriate documentation is in hand.

-The Owners of the Dallas Eagle