Party could be over at this popular night spot as Fort Worth considers open container ban
The Fort Worth City Council is considering an open container ban as a way to crack down on crime in the West 7th entertainment district.
Crime in the district is up 15%, including an 8% increase in public intoxication arrests through the first 10 months of 2022 compared to the same time in 2021, according to a city report.
One of the victims in a recent quadrupale homicide in Morningside had been accused of shooting into a crowd in the district in May, injuring two outside Varsity Tavern, at 1005 Norwood St.
While Texas law doesn’t explicitly ban public consumption of alcohol, it does allow cities to ban open containers in “central business districts,” defined as places where at least 90% of the land is zoned for commercial purposes.
It is not clear whether the City Council will act on the proposed ordinance, but if it does, it would ban drinking or having open containers of alcohol in public in the West 7th district.
The ban would include Crockett Row, the Montgomery Plaza shopping center, and an area between University Drive and Carroll Street with West Fifth Street as the northern boundary, according to a map in the city report.
It would only apply to city streets and sidewalks. Drinking in bars and restaurants would still be allowed.
Alex Miller, a manager at the Crockett Row restaurant Rodeo Goat, said crime in the area makes her feel unsafe leaving work at night
Banning open containers in West 7th would reduce crime and go a long way toward making it feel like a safer place to be, she said.
David Silvey, a manager at restaurant Social House, said he’s willing to give the ban a try if it will lessen crime.
Fort Worth police increased their presence in the area a couple of months ago, which has already helped cut down on some of the noise and people hanging out at 3 or 4 a.m., Silvey said
City council member Elizabeth Beck, whose district includes the district, was unavailable for comment Friday.
The earliest the council could vote on any proposed ordinance would be at its Nov. 8 meeting.
This story was originally published October 28, 2022 at 4:14 PM.
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