Right, because 25-year-olds never get rowdy when drunk!
A Brooklyn bar owner is serving up a giant buzzkill, refusing to serve anyone under the age of 25 because he thinks it will keep his neighbors from filing so many noise complaints.
The policy — which appears to violate the city’s discrimination laws — is strictly enforced after 10 p.m. at Phil’s Crummy Corner in Red Hook.
“Right now, we do 25 and up,” owner Phil Marcano proudly told The Post on Thursday.
Marcano, 58, explained that his age limit — four years higher than the state age limit of 21 — is simply an attempt to cut down on noisy younger drinkers.
There have been 22 complaint calls made to 311 related to his bar in the last 11 months, including patrons shouting and throwing bottles in the street, according to DNAInfo.com.
“That’s why we raised it,” he said. But Marcano admitted there is inconsistent enforcement of the policy, saying, “Sometimes if we know a person, we let them in, but if they’re under 25, we don’t serve them.”
Under Title 8 of the city administrative code, it’s unlawful for any public establishments — bars included — to discriminate against anyone based on age, race, gender, religion, disability or orientation.
Violators risk being reported to the city Human Rights Commission, which can assess fines and seek cash settlements on behalf of aggrieved parties.
Told of the law, Marcano backtracked — despite the sandwich board outside the bar reading “25 and Up” in small letters under the list of happy-hour specials.
“Anybody can come in the restaurant anytime they want,” he insisted. “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 it on the safe side,” he said.
He added, “We don’t tell people they can’t come in. We just try to avoid it.”
Legal or not, Marcano’s patrons and neighbors applaud his higher age limit.
“It’s a good thing — there’s a little bit more control,” said regular patron Milton Murphy, 67.
“He is trying to be very responsible,” said Lynette Wiley, owner of the nearby Jalopy Tavern. “As business owners, we’re always dancing a fine line between supporting our clientele and being good neighbors.”