Pearl River Bar Sees Liquor License Suspended After Letting In Dozens Of Underage Patrons: State Authorities

PEARL RIVER, NY — The New York State Liquor Authority suspended the liquor license for a Pearl River sports bar last week after the state found that at least 60 underage patrons were in the bar during an enforcement sweep.

According to state liquor officials, Hudson West Sports Bar LLC — located at 50 East Central Avenue in Pearl River — had a suspension ordered at the liquor board's Aug. 14 meeting.

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Per liquor officials, an Aug. 7 enforcement operation found that only 12 patrons at the bar were confirmed to be over 21. Those 12 patrons were among a crowd of between 70 and 100 people at the bar the night of the enforcement, state liquor officials said, as were the 60 or more patrons who were under 21.

According to state officials, investigators saw bartenders selling alcohol to four minors and obtained signed statements from 13 more minors saying they had bought alcohol at the bar.

One day later, on Aug. 8, a 16-year-old was found unconscious and "severely intoxicated" at the same bar, with a witness reporting that she had been served multiple shots at the bar wihtout her ID being checked, state officials said. The girl was taken to Nyack hospital, authorities said.

"The evidence presented to the Authority alleges an alarming and continuing failure to protect underage patrons," SLA Chair Lily Fan said. "When a 16-year-old is hospitalized just one night after a major enforcement operation uncovered widespread underage drinking, immediate action is necessary to protect public health and safety."

The holder of the bar's liquor license is now being charged with multiple ABC law violations, including four counts of selling alcohol to minors and seven counts of failure to supervise, officials said. No alcohol may be sold at the bar while its license is suspended, and the bar could have its license revoked as a result of these charges, officials said.