249 arrested in 1 night at Tempe bar for underage drinking, fake IDs

PHOENIX — An underage alcohol enforcement operation at a Tempe bar resulted in 249 arrests being made in one night, authorities said.

According to the Tempe Police Department, 57 officers executed the operation on Thursday night around 9:45 p.m. at Tempe Tavern, which is located near McClintock Drive and Apache Boulevard.

The group included officers from the department’s patrol, night traffic and bike squad units as well as agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (DLLC).

It happened again — and it matters.

249 arrests in ONE NIGHT at Tempe Tavern. Underage drinking, fake IDs, and giving false information.

These are shocking numbers. We don’t celebrate them. Underage drinking puts people at risk – and that’s why we take it seriously. pic.twitter.com/pXPCPD7dfR

— Tempe Police Department (@TempePolice) November 22, 2025

“These are shocking numbers. We don’t celebrate them,” Tempe police said in a post to social media. “Underage drinking puts people at risk — and that’s why we take it seriously.”

Details on arrests made at Tempe bar

Police said the operation was a result of multiple complaints from community members that detailed various instances of underage drinking at the bar.

The charges that those who were arrested face include possessing a fake ID, underage intoxication and providing false information.

Out of the 249 arrests, 246 people were cited and released and three were booked into jail, according to Tempe police.

The DLLC is the lead agency for any pending administrative liquor law violations against the Tempe bar.

This isn’t the first time that arrests have been made for underage drinking at Tempe Tavern. In April, 173 people were arrested there during a compliance check.

Of the 173 individuals police arrest, 165 were cited and released, while eight were booked into the Tempe City Jail.

Related

173 people in Tempe bar arrested for underage drinkingTempe working to update its nuisance and loud party ordinancesMaricopa County Library District celebrates opening of new West Valley branchBygone mall favorite Hot Dog on a Stick plans return to ArizonaCentral Arizona Project president says feds ‘bought the lies’ on Colorado River planGlendale Police ask for help identifying car involved in hit-and-run that killed bicyclist