Owners of Kings Park bar takes to social media after 3 bartenders charged
Suffolk police say it was community complaints that prompted them to visit the bar.
More Stories
Celtic Crossing Tavern owners are defending themselves on Facebook, after police say they found more than 200 underage people inside the Kings Park bar.
In a post, one of the owners said they "have an expensive ID scanner and pay for security, unfortunately today they have amazing technology and get in with their fake ID."
Residents who live nearby tell News 12 that large gatherings happen every weekend.
Suffolk police say it was community complaints that prompted them to visit the bar.
The Smithtown fire marshal issued Celtic Crossing Tavern 10 code violations, shutting down the bar.
According to the Smithtown supervisor's office, the violations were, open electrical breaker box, open electrical boxes in basement, use of multiplug adapters behind bar, rear emergency exit blocked, use of a multiplug adapter on south wall, exceeded occupancy, storage of cardboard above gas-fired heating equipment and allowed cardboard storage above gas-fired cooking equipment.
People who live near the bar say younger-looking bargoers often leave beer cans and other garbage on their lawns.
"A couple of times we found IDs on our yard. One of them we thought it was a fake ID because it didn't look right," said Patricia Higgins, of Kings Park.
The owners deny that they are serving minors, writing "these kids are sneaking in, they bring their own liquor, drink in the parking lot, and then come in."
Police say the three bartenders were issued appearance tickets to face a judge at a later date.
News 12 is told the bar will stay closed until it's reinspected.
