Temptations Cabaret, a fixture in unincorporated Tarrant County just west of the Fort Worth city limits, is no more. The establishment, once known for its "bring your own beverage" policy and late hours, was permanently shut down in 2023 following a history of violence and a public nuisance lawsuit filed by the State of Texas.
For years, nearby residents complained about the crime and disruption associated with the club, which was ultimately linked to more than ten times the law enforcement call volume of any other similar business in unincorporated Tarrant County. The situation came to a head after a fatal shooting in May 2023, which left one person dead and three others injured.
A History of Disruption and Danger
Between 2020 and 2022 alone, the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office was called to Temptations 247 times, with incidents ranging from drug use and aggravated assault to multiple homicides. The club, owned by a subsidiary of RCI Hospitality Holdings, operated on few rules since it lacked a standard liquor license, which allowed it to maintain hours until 5 a.m..
The Closure and New Regulations
County officials took decisive action after the May 2023 shooting, targeting the club for closure. The Tarrant County Commissioners Court first passed new regulations for sexually oriented businesses, requiring them to close by 1 a.m..
Ultimately, the county's sexually oriented business board voted to revoke Temptations' operating license. The official reason for the permit revocation was that the club violated a county ordinance from the 1990s that prohibits such businesses from operating within 1,000 feet of residential homes. A previous "grandfather clause" had protected the club, but new development and conditions around the area meant it no longer qualified for an exemption.
The Aftermath
Since the permit revocation, Temptations Cabaret has remained permanently closed, and a federal lawsuit filed by the club against the county was later dropped. The closure brought relief to a community that had been pleading for action for over a decade.
