Brooklyn Bar Raises Drinking Age, Under 25s Are Too Annoying

A Brooklyn bar has raised its drinking age because it believes that boozers under the age of 25 are too annoying.

Phil’s Crummy Corner, which is based in Red Hook, Brooklyn, will only adhere to the policy after 10pm. Phil Marcano, the establishment’s owner, has admitted that this stance has been orchestrated to try and stop his neighbors from registering so many noise complaints against the bar.

The 58-year-old told the New York Post, “Right now, we do 25 and up. Sometimes if we know a person, we let them in, but if they’re under 25, we don’t serve them.”

Phil’s Crummy Corner’s age limit is four years higher than the state age limit of 21. In the last 11 months, there have been 22 complaints made to the police about noise levels in and around his bar, and Marcano admits, “That’s why we raised it.” Some patrons have even been accused of throwing bottles and shouting profusely in the street.

Marcano did backtrack slightly after being informed of Title 8 of New York City’s administrative code, which reads that it’s unlawful for any public establishments, bars included, to discriminate against anyone based on age, race, gender, religion, disability or orientation.

If an establishment violates this law and is reported to the city of Human Rights Commission, then they can either be fined, or are liable to cash settlements from aggrieved customers.

Upon hearing this information, Marcano noted, “Anybody can come in the restaurant anytime they want. If the bartenders check their ID and want to serve them, they can. We don’t bar people. We just mention [25 and up] just to keep on the safe side.”

This is despite the fact that there is a sandwich board outside the bar that warns “25 and Up” to any potential drinkers who are contemplating entering.

However, despite this legal quandary, residents who live near the bar, and patrons of Phil’s Crummy Corner have fully endorsed the decision.

A resident whose home is near Phil’s confirmed, “You will be shocked about the number of conversations you can hear from my bed. They’re animals. Friday and Saturday night, it’s like animal town.”

Regular Milton Murphy remarked, “It’s a good thing, there’s a little bit more control,” while Lynette Wiley, who owns Phil’s Crummy Corner’s rival, Jalopy Tavern, applauded her peer’s efforts.

“He is trying to be very responsible,” she declared. “As business owners, we’re always dancing a fine line between supporting our clientele and being good neighbors.”

Do you think this Brooklyn bar should be able to raise the drinking age?