A popular Dallas pub, The Londoner, was forced to temporarily close its doors following an England World Cup match, just one day after reporting significant sales to enthusiastic fans. The establishment, a known gathering spot for England supporters, was shut down by the fire marshal due to extreme overcrowding and what has been described as “the mayhem that descended on us.” Social media footage circulating online depicted scenes of considerable congestion within the venue.
Disputed Sales and Property Damage
Prior to the incident, the pub had publicized impressive beer sales figures from the night before England’s opening match. However, in a statement released on Wednesday, The Londoner clarified that these sales did not offset the “destruction of our property and landscaping.” While expressing gratitude for the patronage, the pub emphasized its location within a larger business complex and noted the presence of nearby residences.
The statement read: “We are closed for the rest of the day, on order of the fire marshal. Thank you to those of us who saw the mayhem that descended upon us and understand we did our very best to manage the situation. The sales are overinflated in reports and do not account for the destruction of our property and landscaping. We are incredibly grateful for the business and have done our absolute best to manage it. Reminder to our guests: We are in a complex of other businesses, but there are also residences in Mockingbird Station.”
Scenes of Disorder
The venue had hosted hundreds of England supporters on Tuesday evening. Reports indicate that many patrons remained on the premises despite police requests to disperse. During the event, individuals were observed kicking a football onto the pub’s balcony, with the ball occasionally landing on nearby vehicles. A small group also reportedly dropped plants from the balcony.
Following the match, a number of England fans reportedly stayed to assist with clean-up efforts. Police officers entered the pub and instructed supporters to leave shortly before 10 p.m. Even after the venue was cleared, a significant number of fans remained on the balcony for an additional two hours.
Official Explanation and Reopening
Authorities confirmed that the early closure was a direct result of the venue exceeding its maximum capacity, with only two security guards reportedly on duty. Prior bar staff accounts suggested that over 5,000 beers were sold, generating approximately £30,000 in revenue for the evening, though this figure has since been contested.
The Londoner Pub has since informed its customers that it planned to reopen its doors at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
