Cops arrest 249 people at Arizona bar for underage drinking

By Ben Barry

The police have arrested 249 people at ONE bar for underage drinking - in the second raid this year.

The Tempe Police Department made the arrests during an underage alcohol enforcement operation on November 20, 2025, at Tempe Tavern, Arizona.

Arrests were made after the police department received multiple complaints from community members about underage drinking at the bar on various dates and times recently.

Approximately 57 law enforcement officers made contact at the bar and conducted an investigation that led to 249 arrests of underage patrons for charges including, but not limited to, possessing fake ID’s, underage intoxication, and providing false information.

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Out of the 249 arrests, 246 were released, and three were booked into the Tempe City Jail.

This is not the first time police have made multiple arrests at Tempe Tavern. On April 28, 2025, 173 individuals, with fake identification documents, and underage drinking.

The Department of Liquor Licenses and Control will be the lead agency for any pending administrative liquor law violations.

A spokesperson for the Tempe Police Department said: "Officers from Patrol, SRS, Night Traffic, Detention, DLLC, HSI, and the Bike Squad conducted an underage alcohol enforcement operation at the Tempe Tavern located at 1810 E. Apache after multiple complaints were received from community members, all detailing underage drinking at the bar at various dates and times recently.

"Approximately 57 law enforcement officers made contact at the bar and conducted an investigation that led to 249 arrests of underage patrons for charges including but not limited to possessing fake ID’s, underage intoxication, and providing false information."