New 21-year-olds will have to wait another 36 hours before they can take that celebratory shot in State College.
Staff members at The Phyrst said 21st birthday shots are no longer being sold, ending its reputation as the last bar in State College to serve 21-year-old patrons in the birthday tradition.
Employees at The Phyrst, 111 E. Beaver Ave., would not say what prompted the switch, and Phyrst owner Scott Lucchesi did not return calls for comment. But Jennifer Zangrilli, president of the Tavern Association in State College, said all downtown bars made the unanimous decision in November to ban birthday shots.
Only beer or liquor in a mixed drink is permitted on a 21-year-old's birthday, she said.
The decision came as part of an effort to both curb and monitor excessive drinking, Zangrilli said.
The Phyrst faced alcohol-related charges earlier this month, when the establishment was charged with misdemeanor selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors and unlawful acts related to liquor, malt and brewed beverages.
Police were called to the bar at about 1:40 a.m. on March 6 and apprehended a 20-year-old man who later registered a blood alcohol content of .176 percent, according to court documents.
The man told police he had not been carded and was not charged for cover at the bar, receiving a mixed drink and one shot given to him by an unknown male inside the establishment, according to court documents.
District Office Commander Sgt. Wayne Bush of the State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement said his officers are working alongside the State College Police Department to investigate charges filed against The Phyrst and to monitor all downtown bars.
Bush said he believes bar managers are making a concentrated effort to be responsible and avoid any negative incidents.
