NYC bar raises drinking age to 25 to combat rowdy, young drunks

New York City, NY (WPIX) -- A bar in Brooklyn is saying 'no' to drinkers under 25. It's called Phil's Crummy Corner and neighbors say that's exactly what it is late at night on the weekends.

 

Outside the Red Hook bar overlooking the Battery Tunnel Alon Beneli who lives in the neighborhood with his two daughters told PIX 11, \"It can be can be really loud. They are outside smoking, there are bottles and motorcycles, people outside smoking and talking.\" He says sometimes it goes on until 4 in the morning.

 

But owner Felix Marcano says he named the place based on it's appearance before he took over five years ago and cleaned it up. He says he's trying to fix the problem by putting the kibosh on rowdy young drinkers.\"I'm just trying to avoid the noise, the fights and it's working. That's why I made it 25.\"

 

Neighbor Melisa Motola told PIX 11, \"I think it's a good thing. I can get my daughter to sleep.\"

 

Others say Felix has promised an older more respectful crowd before but didn't follow through.

 

You might be wondering if upping the age to 25 is legal. The state liquor authority says it is, as long as they don't discriminate against other groups and if they want a more experienced drinker that's okay.

 

Young drinkers are often the ones involved in horrific accidents. Martin Heidgen is serving 19 years-to-life after he was convicted on murder charges. He was drunk and driving the wrong way on the Meadowbrook Parkway in 2005 when he slammed into a limousine coming home from a wedding, killing the driver and 7 -year-old Katie Flynn.