[UPDATE] 3 Nyack Bars Cited for Underage Alcohol Sales

An undercover spot check of businesses licensed to sell alcohol in downtown Nyack by Orangetown Police and the Rockland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has led to state liquor law violations being posted against three bars.

Orangetown Police said the investigation, which included the New York State Liquor Authority, found that alcohol was sold to a person under age 21 at:

- Bourbon Street, 132 Main St.

- Wicked Ale House, 173 Main St.

- The Pour House, 102 Main St.

Police said each business was issued a ticket and their representatives are due in Nyack Justice Court on April 30.

At the Pour House, owners said the citation from Friday comes as a surprise to them because they "take every effort to prevent this from happening." The bar says it uses two "bouncers" at the door to check IDs and over the past three years has confiscated many fake identifications that were used in efforts to enter the bar and be served alcohol. The bar also uses security cameras to monitor the business.

While bar owners say they plan on pleading not guilty in court, they said Friday's incident took place around 9:30 p.m., when the evening's dining shift was coming to an end and staff at the bar were setting up for a party and a band. In response to the incident, the bars says it is bringing in bouncers for front door at 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. and that bartenders and the wait staff will be more involved in checking identifications.

In Nyack, the late-night bar scene is often a hot topic of discussion at local public meetings. Mayor Jen Laird-White said today that she has not heard complaints recently regarding under-age alcohol sales. However, Laird-White said downtown bars continue to be the subject of compaints from residents and business owners regarding their general impact on the community.

"We hear about things like bad neighbor behavior," said Laird-White.