Home Room, the sports bar on Live Oak that turned into a go-to stop for downtown crowds, has gone dark after property management changed the locks and slapped a notice on the door. The unexpected lockout has owners, staff and regulars wondering when, or if, the spot will reopen. The posted sign states the landlord considers the business in default of its lease, and that access will not be restored until a rent dispute is resolved.
According to MySA, a paper notice dated Dec. 5 reads “you are in default under the lease” and tells tenants they can get a new key only after paying all delinquent rent. The sign identifies Live Oak Management, LLC as the landlord and says the lease for the space was signed on Jan. 11, 2022. The outlet reported that its photographer spotted the notice on both the front door and a side gate during a visit.
Property Background
The bar operates at 517 Live Oak Street, a one-acre site bought in late 2020 by an investor group listed as 517 Live Oak Management. The building started life as a schoolhouse before being converted into a patio-focused bar that opened under local restaurateurs in 2022. That evolution helped turn the property into a downtown nightlife anchor, which is why the sudden closure is raising eyebrows among neighbors.
Reporting And Responses
MySA reports that calls and messages to Home Room went unanswered. The person who picked up at the number for Live Oak Management, listed on the sign, declined to comment. For now, the door remains chained, and upcoming bookings are on hold while promoters and patrons hunt for answers. MySA also notes that an Instagram reel about the lockout has been circulating locally, although the bar itself had not issued an official statement at the time of the outlet’s reporting.
What The Law Allows And Limits
Texas law lets a commercial landlord change the locks in limited situations when a tenant is behind on rent, but it also spells out strict rules and gives tenants some protections. The statute requires the landlord to post a notice that includes contact information for getting a new key, and it allows a wrongfully locked-out tenant to seek reentry and damages. See Texas Property Code §93.002 on Justia and §93.003 on Justia for the full text.
How The Dispute Could Be Resolved
In practical terms, Home Room could get back inside by paying off any past-due rent and picking up a new key from the manager named on the notice, or the owners could go to justice court and ask for a writ of reentry if they believe the lockout was improper. Tenants who win a reentry action may be awarded actual damages plus a statutory amount and attorney fees under the law, according to legal analysis of commercial lockouts from LegalClarity. These standoffs often end quickly, either in court or through a negotiated deal that clears the arrears and lets the business reopen.
Local Precedent
San Antonio has seen commercial lockouts turn messy before. A high-profile dispute involving the Paramour rooftop bar, covered by the Express-News, showed how fast a locked door can derail payroll, reservations, and weekend revenue. Whether Home Room ends up in a similar court fight or settles this quietly will likely hinge on how quickly the parties pay up or seek judicial relief…