Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute and its client Eric Flannery—a Navy veteran and co-owner of The Big Board—are celebrating a hard-fought victory in their case to re-open Mr. Flannery’s popular bar and grill. After weeks of protracted negotiations, D.C. finally agreed to lift its suspension of Mr. Flannery’s liquor license at an Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC Board) hearing on Wednesday afternoon. The order is effective at 8 a.m. today, which happens to be St. Patrick’s Day.

Although Mr. Flannery will need some time to resupply his beloved tavern with staff, food, beverage, etc., the government has officially settled the matter through an offer-in-compromise.

Buckeye took on Mr. Flannery’s case pro bono after the District of Columbia shut down his neighborhood pub because he welcomed all customers regardless of vaccination status and refused to enforce the city’s unlawful mask mandates.

“Convincing D.C. to reinstate The Big Board’s liquor license was the final step in allowing Mr. Flannery to re-open his business and get back to what he does best—serving great burgers and beer in a city he loves,” said Robert Alt, president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute and the lawyer representing Mr. Flannery. “Mr. Flannery’s restaurant never should have been shut down in the first place, and his case shows the devastating impact that government overreach has upon small businesses—owners and employees alike.”

Previously—after receiving The Buckeye Institute’s February 18 demand letter—the District of Columbia’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) reinstated The Big Board’s operating license on March 1.

Buckeye’s co-counsel in this case are Patrick Strawbridge and David L. Rosenthal of Consovoy McCarthy PLLC.

Watch the seven-minute video below to learn more about Mr. Flannery’s case and to see his attorney Robert Alt perhaps foreshadowing the ironic timing of D.C.’s order by wearing an appropriately festive emerald green tie during their video shoot a few weeks ago.

# # #