Putting Austin’s 2010 DWI Bar List into Perspective

Yesterday the Austin Police Department released their annual list of bars where DWI suspects reported having their last drink. Topping the list were four bars located in the West Sixth Street district but does this mean that there is a problem with bars in that area?

First let’s look at the total number of arrests. Each year there are about 6,000 DWI arrests in Austin according to the Austin Police Department (roughly 16.5 per day). 29 people reported having their last drink at J Black’s, the bar at the top of the 2010 list meaning that approximately 1 in every 200 DWI arrests is sourced to patrons from that bar or 0.5% of arrests.

Second let’s keep in mind that not every person arrested identified an establishment or identified the correct establishment. They could have chosen not to answer any questions regarding their activity, forgotten their last bar due to the stress of being pulled over or provided incorrect information.

Third the number of bars in the West Sixth area is smaller than East Sixth so you have a large crowd concentrated in fewer bars. Its not a personnel issue either because anyone serving alcohol in the state of Texas is required to be TABC certified and that certification includes information on recognizing and refusing service to overly intoxicated patrons.

The list is interesting to look at but keep in mind it is not a scientific study.

Top 10 Bars Reported by DWI Suspects as Their Last Location
1. J Blacks Feel Good Lounge (West Sixth Street): 29
2. Molotov (West Sixth Street): 26
3. The Ranch (West Sixth Street): 23
4. Key Bar (West Sixth Street): 21
5. Shakespeare’s (East Sixth Street): 20
6. Dallas Night Club (North Austin): 20
7. Rain (Fourth Street): 19
8. Sherlock’s (North Austin): 17
9. Cedar Street (Fourth Street): 17
10. Olican Harry’s (Fourth Street): 16