Introduction to the Issue
An owner of Rodeo Dallas, a Deep Ellum bar that a judge ordered last week to be shut down indefinitely over public safety concerns, posted a video Wednesday stating the business is being unfairly blamed for crime in the area. In the four-minute video posted Wednesday to the bar’s Instagram page, Joseph “JD” Ybanez calls the lawsuit that led to the closure a targeted effort by a nearby property owner to gentrify the neighborhood by driving out Black and Latino customers and boosting property values.
The Allegations
“They’ve created this narrative that we are the cause of the crime when the streets are the issue,” Ybanez said. “Everything they cite happens outside our building. It happens on the sidewalk, it happens in the streets, it happens in the parking lot. These commercial firms just want to get rid of the crowd that goes to Deep Ellum.” Rodeo Dallas has been shut down via court order since Aug. 8 after Asana Partners filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Rodeo Ranch Texas. The bar’s landlord had chained the doors shut earlier in the week, but the bar owners were able to get a court order allowing people back in.
Public Safety Concerns
Crime in the area has been a concern for some time, with many incidents occurring outside the bar. Ybanez said in meetings he’s had with representatives from the city and Asana Partners, a North Carolina real estate firm suing the bar, they’ve questioned if the business will play Hip Hop or create a dress code, which Ybanez dismissed as discriminatory. The firm owns dozens of Deep Ellum properties, including Revolver Taco, Ruins and Twilite Lounge. “Hope we see you at Rodeo Dallas very soon,” Ybanez said.
Reaction from Authorities
Representatives for Asana Partners and Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Moreno, who represents the area, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Judge Veretta Frazier issued a temporary restraining order closing the bar on Aug. 8 and later extended it indefinitely Friday, citing the lack of an agreed-upon security plan. Frazier ruled that the bar’s continued operation posed an “imminent and irreparable harm” to Asana Partners, leaving closure as the only remedy.
Related Incidents
During an Aug. 14 hearing, Rodeo’s lawyers also argued the bar was unfairly blamed for broader public safety issues, while police, neighboring businesses, and property owners testified that Rodeo created an unsafe environment that contributed to shootings and crowds of around 500 people flooding the streets when the bar closes at 2 a.m. One officer testified that while responding to a fight between an employee and two customers inside the bar in April 2024 that she was punched and kicked by one of the customers and said another officer with her was assaulted.
Testimony from Police
“Since that incident, we have made it known that we will no longer go into Rodeo unless we absolutely have to, due to the amount of people and how dangerous it is for myself and the other officers on the (Deep Ellum) task force to go in there,” Dallas police Sr. Cpl. Hannah Moore testified in August. Asana Partners’ attorneys claimed Rodeo only began addressing safety concerns in July, after the city threatened legal action, months after a fatal shooting outside the bar in March. Rodeo’s legal team countered that they have since dedicated significant resources to improving security.
Upcoming Trial
A modified temporary injunction order filed Tuesday says a trial is currently scheduled for April 20, 2026. Dallas County court records show Asana Partners posted a $2 million bond to support the temporary restraining order against Rodeo Dallas.
Conclusion
The closure of Rodeo Dallas has raised concerns about public safety, gentrification, and the impact on the local community. While the bar’s owners argue that they are being unfairly blamed for crime in the area, authorities and neighboring businesses have expressed concerns about the safety of the bar and its patrons. The upcoming trial will determine the fate of the bar and the future of the Deep Ellum neighborhood.
FAQs
Q: Why was Rodeo Dallas shut down?
A: Rodeo Dallas was shut down due to public safety concerns, with a judge issuing a temporary restraining order citing the lack of an agreed-upon security plan.
Q: What are the allegations against Rodeo Dallas?
A: The allegations against Rodeo Dallas include creating an unsafe environment that contributed to shootings and crowds of people flooding the streets when the bar closes.
Q: What is the response from the bar’s owners?
A: The bar’s owners argue that they are being unfairly blamed for crime in the area and that the closure is a targeted effort by a nearby property owner to gentrify the neighborhood.
Q: What is the upcoming trial about?
A: The upcoming trial is to determine the fate of the bar and the future of the Deep Ellum neighborhood, with a trial currently scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Q: How much did Asana Partners post in bond to support the temporary restraining order?
A: Asana Partners posted a $2 million bond to support the temporary restraining order against Rodeo Dallas.
