Former prosecutor sues Tabu for alleged assault

Steven R. Bryson, a former city attorney, is suing Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar after he was allegedly “brutally assaulted” by a bouncer at the LGBTQ-oriented establishment. The case is expected to go to jury trial next year if it cannot be resolved before then.

Mainline Private Security LLC, a security guard company that allegedly provided Tabu with the bouncer, is also named as a defendant in Bryson's lawsuit.

Bryson served the City of Philadelphia as Assistant City Attorney (2017-2019) and Assistant City Attorney (2019-2020). He is currently an associate attorney with the law firm of van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim in Center City.

On November 5, 2021, Bryson was a customer of Tabu when he was allegedly assaulted by a bouncer. The nightclub is located at 254 S. 12th Street in the Gayborhood.

In a 13-page civil complaint, Bryson alleges that several Tabu bouncers acted in a “loud, violent, aggressive and abusive manner,” prior to his alleged assault by one of the bouncers.

“As (Bryson) was leaving Tabu Nightclub, he was physically and brutally attacked by security from Mainline Private Security, causing (Bryson) serious bodily injury,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit does not identify the bouncer who allegedly assaulted Bryson.

“(The employees) were present and did nothing to intervene, prevent and/or stop the assault, although they knew and/or should have known of this foreseeable risk of harm,” the suit adds. .

Tabu officials “were aware of prior security breach events and knew that enhanced security measures were needed (but failed to provide them),” according to the lawsuit.

“There were numerous altercations, fights and/or other disturbances and security violations on the premises of Tabu Nightclub, such that this incident was foreseeable,” according to the lawsuit.

The defendants' alleged acts and omissions demonstrated “extreme indifference to the value of human life,” the lawsuit claims.

As a result of his alleged assault, Bryson suffered a severe laceration to his face and lip, requiring several stitches; multiple abrasions to the head and face; persistent numbness and tingling in the face and lips; and permanent scars on his face and lips.

Additionally, Bryson incurred significant medical expenses and his earning capacity was negatively affected due to the alleged assault, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit cites two counts against the defendants: assault and neglect of safety. Bryson seeks compensatory and punitive damages against defendants in an amount in excess of $50,000, including attorneys' fees and costs.

In defense documents, Tabu's attorneys denied any wrongdoing and raised the possibility that Bryson contributed to the incident through his own negligence and/or recklessness.

Bryson's lawyers denied the claim in court documents.

A jury trial is tentatively set for April 7, 2025 at 10 a.m. in Courtroom 253 at City Hall. A presiding judge will be chosen shortly before the trial begins.

Michael T. van der Veen, Bryson's attorney, said he was optimistic about the case.

“Establishments like Tabu have a duty to ensure the safety of their customers,” van der Veen told PGN. “They make a lot of money selling alcohol and entertainment. They know that innocent customers can be harmed if they do not act appropriately – with the proper training and supervision of their security forces. We hope our lawsuit will help others avoid suffering like Mr. Bryson did. We hope this trial will bring real change for Tabu in how they run their operations safely.

Van der Veen added: “The heart of our case lies in the negligent hiring, training and supervision of workers at this establishment. »

Representatives for the defendants had no comment at the time of publication. In another case, Tabu is the subject of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of Eric Pope, a gay man who was allegedly murdered by a Tabu bouncer in April 2022. The jury trial for that case is tentatively set for August 4, 2025 at 10 a.m., in Courtroom 443 at City Hall. A presiding judge will be chosen shortly before the trial begins.