249 arrested in underage drinking sweep at Tempe Tavern in Arizona

A large underage ingesting operation in Tempe, Arizona, led to 249 arrests at a single bar final week.

The raid, which occurred at Tempe Tavern final Thursday, was the second main police raid on the bar in only one 12 months. The incident concerned underage drinkers who used faux IDs and gave false data Fox 10 Phoenix.

Studies of the repeated violations have raised questions concerning the bar’s duty in serving alcohol to its prospects. Though sanctions are pending as a result of ongoing investigation, the incident may result in suspension of the allow.

“The Arizona Division of Liquor and Tempe PD labored collectively in a joint operation, leading to a significant liquor compliance sweep that led to 249 arrests,” the Arizona Division of Liquor Licenses and Management (ADLLC) mentioned Friday.

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Crowds of younger prospects fill the Tempe Tavern in Arizona on Nov. 20, 2025, in a drive that led to 249 arrests associated to underage ingesting. (Tempe Police Division/SWNS)

“This crackdown particularly focused underage ingesting and despatched a powerful message,” the division added. “Bear in mind to all the time carry a sound ID and suppose twice earlier than attempting to purchase alcohol if you’re underage. Underage ingesting isn’t any small drawback!!”

Of the 249 arrests, 246 folks had been cited and launched, Fox 10 reported. The remaining people had been reportedly booked into the Tempe Metropolis Jail.

Tempe Tavern instructed Fox Information Digital on Tuesday that the institution is “totally dedicated to cooperating with all related authorities” however declined to remark additional “as a result of ongoing investigation.”

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Tempe cops enter the Tempe Tavern in Arizona on November 20, 2025. (Tempe Police Division/SWNS)

The ADLLC investigation lieutenant instructed Fox 10 that the division will solely impose sanctions, akin to a liquor license suspension or fines, after the Tempe Police Division completes its investigation.

The lieutenant added that the division will take every thing into consideration when making a call, together with the truth that an identical police operation occurred on the inn in April and led to an extra 167 arrests, the outlet reported.

After the incident, administration posted on Fb that neither the bar nor its workers had obtained citations from the liquor board or Tempe police relating to that earlier incident.

State and native legislation enforcement officers, together with HSI brokers, collect outdoors Tempe Tavern in Arizona throughout a large-scale operation on November 20, 2025. (Tempe Police Division/SWNS)

Tempe Tavern acknowledged on social media that faux IDs had been an issue, stating that the bar scans each ID offered on the door previous to entry, however famous that some fraudulent IDs can nonetheless efficiently move a scan and seem genuine.

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“Tempe Tavern is in compliance, and subsequently neither the bar nor its workers have obtained citations from the Tempe liquor board or the Tempe Police Division,” the corporate mentioned in Might.

Tempe police and the Arizona Division of Liquor Licenses and Management didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Fox Information Digital.