New York Post

Getting bombed respite

Cops knock sports bar

- By LISA FICKENSCHE­R lfickensch­er@nypost.com

A Houston sports bar closed its doors for two weeks after the local prosecutor called it a “crime factory” — claiming its bartenders served drunk and underage customers.

More than 90 people have been arrested at Bombshells Restaurant & Bar, a “breastaura­nt,” over the last four years, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office said in a civil lawsuit filed against the eatery.

Investigat­ors, in an undercover operation, saw Bomb- shells’ bartenders serve drunk and underage customers, court papers allege.

Bombshells, a World War II-themed eatery, boasts scantily clad waitresses and a $22.95 14-ounce rib eye.

The bar is one of six in a growing chain — part of publicly traded RCI Hospi- tality Holdings, which also owns a number of gentlemen’s clubs, including Rick’s Cabaret in Manhattan.

“Law enforcemen­t has responded to numerous calls regarding shooting, assaults, aggravated robberies, narcotics and many other crimes at the location,” according to the lawsuit.

After the prosecutor’s crackdown, a judge ruled that the bar couldn’t serve alcohol or stay open past 9 p.m. until it got its act together.

The restaurant closed for two weeks and announced on Wednesday that it will reopen on June 22.

“We strenuousl­y dispute the underlying basis for the temporary order,” RCI said in a statement.

The DA’s action isn’t Bombshells’ first trip to court.

A local police officer sued the eatery after a police car he was sitting in was allegedly hit by a drunk driver who had been drinking there.

A second suit was filed against the sports bar by the family of a patron who was killed on his motorcycle after having too much to drink at Bombshells.

As part of its agreement to reopen, Bombshells has to use a computeriz­ed verificati­on system that will keep count of customers’ drinks and limit how much they can order.

It will also be required to pay two police officers to be on the premises from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Bombshells is trying to position itself as a family- friendly establishm­ent similar to Dave & Busters, management told The Post in 2016.

Despite its new image problem, RCI said it’s planning to open four more Bombshells over the next two years — all in Houston.

 ??  ?? A Houston Bombshells Restaurant has allegedly served too much alcohol to so many patrons who went on to commit crimes that a Texas judge ruled the “breastaura­nt” has to stop serving booze at 9 p.m. The Harris County eatery responded by closing down...
A Houston Bombshells Restaurant has allegedly served too much alcohol to so many patrons who went on to commit crimes that a Texas judge ruled the “breastaura­nt” has to stop serving booze at 9 p.m. The Harris County eatery responded by closing down...

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