By Staff Reporter |

The Tempe Police Department announced last week that they had issued another 249 arrests in one night at Tempe Tavern for underage drinking, fake IDs, and giving false information. 

The mass arrests were part of another police sting on the bar, a popular joint for younger adults — especially Arizona State University (ASU) students.

The bar underwent a similar sting back in April, with a similar outcome: about 170 arrests were made. Of those, 165 received citations and were released.

In May, Tempe Tavern issued a statement on the first sting as well as another incident that occurred in the aftermath, in which a Tempe Tavern employee posted a T-shirt likening the police sting to 9/11. 

The T-shirt, designed by an ASU student, read “OUR 9-11” on the front and “#TavernStrong” on the back. A since-deleted post sharing the shirt by a Tempe Tavern employee read: “They hit the second tower!” and advised they would be selling the shirts.

“Earlier this week, someone unaffiliated with Tempe Tavern created a shirt that referenced both Tempe Tavern and 9/11. According to what we know, the shirt was designed by an ASU student and circulated in an online student chat. It eventually reached a younger staff member — who did not appreciate the significance of that tragic day — and was shared on Tempe Tavern’s social media account,” said the bar. “Management removed the post as soon as it was brought to our attention. 9/11 is nothing to joke about; the reference was reprehensible. The shirt is tasteless and disgusting.”

Further on in their statement, the bar explained that they scan all IDs for entry into their establishment, but that the current era of fake IDs do scan successfully and appear authentic. The bar advised they provided ID-scan logs and security footage for all bar patrons to back up their claim. 

“Tempe Tavern complies with the law, which is why neither the bar nor its employees received citations from the liquor board or the Tempe Police Department,” said the bar. 

However, given that there have now been multiple incidents where so many underage drinkers were caught at the establishment, TPD launched an investigation into the bar. 

246 of the 249 arrested were given citations and later released. Three went to the city jail. 

TPD says they rely on teams with dozens of officers representing the local, state, and federal levels to ensure only those of age are drinking in these establishments. Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Liquor Licenses and Control were present. 

TPD called the latest arrest totals “shocking” and indicative of a need for greater crackdowns. Community members were lodging complaints about the bar, hence the second sting operation. 

“These are shocking numbers. We don’t celebrate them. Underage drinking puts people at risk — and that’s why we take it seriously,” said TPD. 

AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.