Troy

A downtown bar operating under the corporate name of Barley Legal Inc. had approximately 175 underage patrons out of a crowd of about 225 when it was raided late Thursday by the State Liquor Authority, Department of Motor Vehicles and Troy Police Department, authorities said.

The SLA documented 50 alcohol sales to minors at Bootleggers on Broadway, according to an agency spokesman. An announcement from the DMV said its investigators confiscated 91 counterfeit licenses and arrested 93 people for allegedly possessing fraudulent IDs or presenting another person's driver license. The announcement also said two bartenders were arrested by Troy police officers and charged with unlawfully dealing with a minor.

Owners of downtown businesses have said in the past that Bootleggers' College Night is a long-standing and rowdy fixture on Thursdays, with students bused in from area schools.

SLA charges will be issued, most likely next week, said spokesman Bill Crowley, and the agency has begun proceedings to suspend Bootleggers' liquor license.

Under law, the bar is allowed to continue to sell alcohol until official agency action. An employee who answered the phone said it was open Friday but would not say more. Owner Nate Rock did immediately return a call seeking comment.

"The SLA is committed to working with our state and local partners in law enforcement to crack down on businesses that blatantly break the law," SLA Chairman Vincent Bradley said in a statement. "Our aggressive, proactive enforcement efforts to root out bars that cater to minors will continue."

Three weeks ago, agents from the SLA and DMV raided an Albany student bar, the Smokin' Bull, and found 115 of 125 patrons to be younger than 21. Its liquor license was suspended by the SLA five days later. It remains closed.

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