Police Undercover Operation Finds Two West Palm Beach Bars Sold Alcohol to Underage Testers; Magistrate Fines First‑Time and Repeat Offenders

A West Palm Beach Police undercover operation on Feb. 28 found two licensed establishments sold alcohol to confidential sources believed to be underage; the special magistrate assessed civil fines at a May 7 code enforcement hearing.

Sergeant Timothy Coleman testified that at Duffy Sports Grill (225 Clematis Street) confidential sources between ages 18 and 20 purchased a margarita and a beer at the bar without being asked for identification. The city requested a $250 one‑time fine for a first offense; the magistrate entered the city case file and fined the establishment $250.

At Myers Lounge (329 Clematis Street), an undercover operation again found alcohol sold to confidential sources without ID; the police record showed multiple prior enforcement operations at the business. The city sought a larger fine for repeat violations and the magistrate assessed a $500 one‑time fine. The transcript shows the magistrate entered evidence, acknowledged tenant turnover at the physical address and said the fine stands because the violation occurred under prior tenancy.

Why it matters: Selling alcohol to underage persons is both a public‑safety concern and a regulatory violation; fines escalate with repeat violations and magistrate rulings are intended to deter future noncompliance.

Evidence and testimony

- Sergeant Timothy Coleman (Duffy Sports Grill) and Sergeant [name in record] Collins (Myers Lounge) described using confidential sources who successfully purchased alcohol at the…