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East Village Bar Busted for Serving 50 Underage Patrons, Officials Say

By Jack D'Isidoro | February 22, 2016 6:07pm
 Dahlia's lost its liquor license following an
Dahlia's lost its liquor license following an "emergency suspension" from the State Liquor Authority.
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EAST VILLAGE — Monday may be National Margarita Day, but it's no fiesta for Mexican eatery Dahlia’s.

On Jan. 30, the NYPD responded to a report of underage drinking at the restaurant located at 300 E. 5th St. and discovered sales to 50 underage patrons, including 42 under the age of 18, according to the State Liquor Authority. 

Five of the teenagers were 16 years old, while one was 15, as first reported by the New York Post.

On Feb. 12, the SLA charged Dahlia’s with 55 violations, including selling to minors, failure to supervise and code violations, for being over capacity and having locked doors. The authority issued an “emergency suspension” of the bar’s liquor license.

Upon arriving, police found that the exit doors to the restaurant were locked, and observed “numerous patrons appearing to be under twenty-one years of drinking age,” according to a statement from the SLA. The liquor licensee, Huascar Then, and five servers were arrested.

Dahlia’s is still allowed to sell food, but will not be able to provide alcohol on its premises.

The restaurant already had a reputation for serving underage patron, according to several Yelp reviews.

Dahlia’s, which could not be reached for comment, is permitted to challenge the suspension before an administrative law judge.