Six Arrested For Underage Drinking at Cryan's

Charges are pending against Cryan’s Beef and Ale House, a popular South Orange bar and restaurant, after the October arrest of six underage patrons and two staff members by state Alcohol Beverage Control officers, officials said Thursday.

Officials from the state Attorney General’s Office and the ABC, acting on an anonymous tip, arrested a 20-year-old Lima, N.Y. man and an 18-year old Toms River woman who were seen walking out of the restaurant, located at 24 1st St in South Orange, visibly intoxicated on Oct. 18.

Investigators said both struggled to maintain their balance and the woman stumbled into traffic on a nearby sidestreet before officials questioned the pair and determined neither was 21 years old.

During questioning, the teenager lost consciousness and was later transported by ambulance from Cryan’s to a local hospital, officials said.

In addition to the 20-year-old man, ABC detectives arrested five other underage patrons during their investigation: a 20-year-old from Morristown; a 19-year-old from Pompton Plains; two 20-year-olds from Hazlet, and a 20-year-old from Springfield.

ABC investigators later questioned two male Cryan’s staff members and issued a summons for serving alcohol to an underage person to one employee. The other employee, a 20-year-old from South Orange was cited for drinking during his shift.

Cryan’s also released surveillance video from that night showing a table had been set up just inside the entrance  of the bar to collect money for an open bar promotion.

Cryan’s management admitted it allowed a sorority to collect $20 per person for the two-hour All-You-Can-Drink promotion. Those types of promotions are not permitted under ABC law.  

Halfacre said administrative charges will be filed against Cryan’s license holder, 24 First Street Inc., after the ABC investigation is concluded.