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 barbacks without being asked to provide ID. - Photographs from confidential sources and officer observations were entered into the record. The Duffy case was characterized as a first offense; Myers Lounge was presented as a repeat offender with at least three prior failures in similar operations.

Magistrate rulings and guidance

For PD25030444 (Duffy Sports Grill), the magistrate accepted the city's evidentiary file, found the establishment violated city ordinance sections cited by the police (6‑12 and 6‑13), and imposed a $250 one‑time fine.

For PD25030443 (Myers Lounge), the magistrate entered the responding party’s exhibit showing the prior tenant was evicted and a new tenant has taken over the space, but still assessed a $500 fine because the violation occurred under the earlier tenancy and because the establishment had multiple prior failures.

Speakers

- Sergeant Timothy Coleman — West Palm Beach Police (government) - Sergeant Collins (first name not recorded in transcript) — West Palm Beach Police (government) - James (manager/representative) — Duffy Sports Grill (respondent representative) - Eric Sessions — Representative for building owners at 329 Clematis Street (owner representative) - Amity Bernard — Special Magistrate (government)

Authorities

- ordinance: "6‑12" (sale of alcohol regs) (referenced_by: ["Duffy Sports Grill case","Myers Lounge case"]) - ordinance: "6‑13" (licensing/penalties) (referenced_by: ["Duffy Sports Grill case","Myers Lounge case"]) - statute: "Florida Statute 562.111" (sale to minors cited in police testimony) (referenced_by: ["police undercover operation"])

Actions

- {"kind":"other","identifiers":{"case_number":"PD25030444"},"motion":"Assess $250 one‑time fine for sale of alcohol to underage confidential source (first offense)","mover":"Special Magistrate Amity Bernard","second":"","vote_record":[],"tally":{"yes":1,"no":0,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":true},"outcome":"approved","notes":"City evidentiary file admitted"} - {"kind":"other","identifiers":{"case_number":"PD25030443"},"motion":"Assess $500 one‑time fine for sale of alcohol to underage confidential source (repeat offender)","mover":"Special Magistrate Amity Bernard","second":"","vote_record":[],"tally":{"yes":1,"no":0,"abstain":0},"legal_threshold":{"met":true},"outcome":"approved","notes":"Respondent showed new tenant; violation occurred under prior tenancy"}

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion points: Undercover operation protocol and use of reliable confidential sources; whether current tenant differs from earlier offending party. - Directions: Establishments should train staff and ensure ID checks at point of sale; magistrate warned that fines escalate with repeat violations. - Decisions: Fines assessed: $250 (first offense), $500 (repeat offender).

Clarifying details

- Duffy Sports Grill fine: $250 (one‑time); described as first offense - Myers Lounge fine: $500 (one‑time); multiple prior failures recorded by police - Evidence: Confidential source photographs and officer exterior observation corroborated sales

proper_names:[{"name":"Duffy Sports Grill","type":"business"},{"name":"Myers Lounge","type":"business"},{"name":"West Palm Beach Police","type":"agency"},{"name":"Amity Bernard","type":"person"}]

community_relevance:{"geographies":["West Palm Beach"],"funding_sources":[],"impact_groups":["bar patrons","young adults","hospitality staff"]}

meeting_context:{"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":5,"duration_minutes":30,"items_count":2},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[{"date":"2025-02-28","note":"Undercover operation conducted"}]}

searchable_tags:["underage alcohol","Duffy Sports Grill","Myers Lounge","police undercover"]

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