Steven R. Bryson, a former city prosecutor, is suing Tabu Lounge & Sports Bar after allegedly being “brutally attacked” by a bouncer at the LGBTQ-oriented establishment. The case is headed for a jury trial next year if it can’t be settled before then.
Also named as a defendant in Bryson’s lawsuit is Mainline Private Security LLC, a security-guard company that allegedly provided the bouncer to Tabu.
Bryson served the City of Philadelphia as an assistant district attorney (2017-2019) and an assistant city solicitor (2019-2020). Currently, he’s an associate attorney with the Center City law firm of van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim.
On Nov. 5, 2021, Bryson was a patron of Tabu when he allegedly was 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 multiple Tabu bouncers acted in a “boisterous, violent, aggressive and abusive” manner, prior to his alleged assault by one of the bouncers.
“As [Bryson] exited Tabu Nightclub, he was physically and brutally attacked by security from Mainline Private Security, causing [Bryson] to suffer severe bodily injuries,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit doesn’t identify the bouncer who allegedly assaulted Bryson.
“[Employees] were present and did nothing to intervene, prevent and/or stop the assault, despite having knowledge of and/or should have had knowledge of this foreseeable risk of harm,” the lawsuit adds.
Tabu officials “knew of prior events of security breaches and knew that enhanced security measures were required [but didn’t provide them],” according to the lawsuit.
“There have been numerous previous altercations, fights and/or other disturbances and breaches of security upon the premises of Tabu Nightclub, such that this incident was foreseeable,” according to the lawsuit.
The alleged acts and omissions of defendants manifested “an extreme indifference to the value of human life,” the lawsuit contends.
As a result of his alleged assault, Bryson suffered a severe laceration to his face and lip, requiring multiple stitches to close; multiple abrasions to his head and face; continued numbness and tingling in his face and lip; and permanent scarring on his face and lip.
Moreover, Bryson has incurred significant medical bills and his earning capacity has been negatively impacted due to the alleged assault, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit cites two counts against the defendants: Assault and Negligent Security. Bryson is requesting compensatory and punitive damages against defendants in excess of $50,000, including attorneys fees and costs.
In defense papers, attorneys for Tabu denied any wrongdoing and raised the possibility that Bryson contributed to the incident through his own negligence and/or carelessness.
Attorneys for Bryson denied that assertion, in court papers.
A jury trial is tentatively set for 10 a.m. on April 7, 2025 in Courtroom 253 of City Hall. A presiding judge will be selected shortly before the trial begins.
Michael T. van der Veen, an attorney for Bryson, expressed optimism about the case.
“Establishments like Tabu have a duty to make their patrons safe,” van der Veen told PGN. “They’re making large amounts of money selling alcohol and entertainment. They know that innocent patrons can get injured if they don’t act appropriately — with the proper training and supervision of their security force. We hope our lawsuit helps other people avoid having to suffer like Mr. Bryson did. We hope this lawsuit will make a real change for Tabu regarding how they run a safe operation.”
Van der Veen added: “The meat of our case is the negligent hiring, training and supervision of this establishment’s workers.”
Representatives for the defendants had no comment, as of presstime.In a separate matter, Tabu is the subject of a wrongful-death lawsuit by the parents of Eric Pope, a gay man who allegedly was murdered by a Tabu bouncer in April 2022. A jury trial for that case is tentatively set for 10 a.m. Aug. 4, 2025, in Courtroom 443 of City Hall. A presiding judge will be selected shortly before the trial begins.