Sat, 09/20/2008 - 12:57am

To the poster that made the statement about names ending in vowels. Now your blaming the Italians for something? I am really sick and tired of bigots! I guess you are against the Italians, but what does that have to do with Keenans being closed. Are you going to say something stupid now like the maffia had something to do with it? I guess you don't want Italians at the festival! Last time I looked this was still a free country! Maybe not for long if there are too many that think like you! Get over yourself!

Good luck to the Keenan's!

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 9:34pm

Who cares? Shut ALL the bars down for Irish weekend! Just let the irishmen parade up and down New Jersey Ave and that's plenty enough. (Not against Irish, part Irish myself, the drinking in a "family resort" is the problem).

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 8:06pm

Don't be so ignorant, I am Irish on both my mother and father's side of the family and our last name ends in a vowel.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 6:35pm

If signs are posted that " You must be 21 to drink in this establishment " and " Owners and Employees " check the ID's pruditiously, then when and if a minor violates the sign forbidding them to drink.. " They should be the ones to suffer " . Owners of business's today are barely surviving with the costs of laws, regulations, business fees and taxes. Whether you think Keenans are guilty or not, it still is just another wound that is bleeding the small business owners to death. Keep it up and every bar in the United States will be owned by Wal-Mart where as they have the power and the politicians pockets to " BUY OFF " such trivial violations.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 3:25pm

Funny. I have actually had drinks in Keenans when I was 18, about 12 years ago. This has been coming for a long time now. I've also entered Keenan's with a group of people with at least 2-3 being underage with a false identification, on numerous occasions and have seen 19-20 year olds from my nieghborhood on the same night. What if one of these underage drinkers was in a car accident after drinking at Keenans,then what ? They're just lucky something llike that didnt happen. And who actually cares where everyone is going to be drinking for Irish Weekend, there are plenty of other bars to puke in.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 12:13pm

I would just like to say I am a local and I love Irish Festival. Jack Keenan and his family are very nice people and have come from the bottom up with hard work. I think someone is out to really get him and its a shame.
My other comment is I'm Irish and very, very proud of it. I do resent the fact that people feel that because this event is called the Irish Festival that it is only the Irish that come here and get drunk. Take notice that most of the people attending this event and getting drunk have names that end in VOWELS!!
I think that the bars try their best to keep kids out and they can't be blamed when someone shows them an ID that looks real.
God Bless Jack Keenan and his family!!

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 10:02am

Stop whining and complaining. There are 50 other bars in the Wildwoods to get your drink fix. Keenans will survive and still make more money than you. They will probably not learn from this and be in the same position next year. The other bars have obnoxious kids, loud drunks, and plenty of red bull to satisfy your needs.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 9:46am

Part of my job involves checking ID's, I probably check 200-300 ID's every day. I dont work at a bar. I dont work for ABC. But honestly finding a fake ID is fairly easy with all of the security features on NJ licenses. You have to watch out for licenses from other states-that may have been how Keenans got snagged. Unless you have the book with information about different state ID's, its difficult to know whether a Nebraska license is real or not.
I believe with out the details we cannot assume too much.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 9:31am

You know what they say, "Good things happen to good people"

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 7:39am

What goes around comes around is right. The only reason the Keenan's were able to start the business in the first place is by *** other people's money.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 7:34am

It is a shame. The festival, the employees and the Irish revelers are all going to be hurt due to the closing. Something smells here............the bottom line is play nice with local officials or else.....the loss of revenue alone is a crime for Keenan's, let alone the real estate for the patrons of the festival. Other businesses will benefit sure....I just hope they are prepared for the onslaught.

Fri, 09/19/2008 - 7:19am

I can't even believe this is true! I don't know where all the people are going to go! Now, the streets are going to more crowded! Good luck to the police! I think I will just get up at 9:00 a.m. to get my shower to go to the bar cause after that the bars will be filled up and you will just have people loitering in the streets of North Wildwood. It's not safe to close Keenan's this weekend. There are just way toooo many people with not enough bars!

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 5:11pm

Wow, there are a lot of ignorant people who post here. First of all, to the people who say "all of the bars have underage drinkers" - That may be true, but does that mean that, when one is caught, they shouldn't punish them? Everyone speeds down the turnpike, but does that mean the troopers shouldn't write any tickets?
Now, on to the people who say "its not their fault". I am very familiar with the bar/liquor industry in NJ (and no, I don't own/work for a rival bar, nor do I work for the police/ABC/prosecuters, etc). First, are you aware of how infrequently each bar in NJ is inspected. Some of these bars aren't even inspected once a year. And when they come in, they don't just walk around checking ID's. They are undercover, and sit there looking around to see if someone looks underage, then they look for ID. One of the kids caught was 18...he could still be in high school!!!! How is it that a bouncer can't look at this kid and know something is up. Bar A up in Belmar serves just as many people and they manage to stay clean...know why? Because they ask for a backup form of ID, and if you are questionable, they demand that it be a photo ID...I've seen them turn away people with passports for gods sake! The point is, if they wanted to keep out the underage kids, they could, but its more convenient and profitable to let in the ones with a legit-LOOKING ID, then cry that its not their fault that they missed it (when its their job to figure that out), and point the finger at the state.
Next, to the peolpe who say "why do they close it now" and "the state wants to make money". First of all, no fines were levied (read before you comment) so the state makes nothing, and the local government has petitioned to keep them open. They are closing it now because the bar's lawyers have to wheel and deal to try to get them out of it, and that takes time. If they accepted the penalty to begin with, they would have been shut down over the summer, and lost a lot more money than one weekend in September. So while the Keenans are putting on a nice show for everyone, remember, they would much rather be shut down now until November when they have 1 busy weekend, rather than all summer while they are packed every night. They tried to have their cake and eat it too, by negotiating to stay open all summer, only to call the state unfair for shutting them down in the fall, when business slows down overall.
Finally, to the people who say "the punishment doesn't fit the crime". Look up the laws for this sort of thing. They have had four offenses, and they should be facing much stiffer penalties (they could have had their license revoked all together). The fact is, the state would prefer not to take away licenses, as it causes them to lose more money in the long run. Keenan's is getting a BIG break this time around, and I'm sure they were dealt with leniently the first three times (not in their opinion, I'm sure, but by the standards of the supposedly "mandatory" penalties that SHOULD have been assigned, but I'm sure were not). Furthermore, if you have gotten snagged for 3 priors, don't you think you would have learned to tighten security up a bit? They claim that 100,000 came through the doors this summer, and then pat themselves on the back for finding 175 fakes. Do the math, are they really doing that great of a job?
Bottom line is, if Keenan's is your favorite place to drink, then it sucks that it is closed down for the festival, but don't point the finger at anyone but Keenan's, and be happy that they still have a license. After all the fuss they've caused, I'm sure the ABC will think twice about going lenient next time they find an underage person there - and you know they will. So find another place to drink for the weekend, and enjoy Keenan's while you still can.

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 3:27pm

Let me first start by saying I am local but I do not go out to the bars. It really is a shame for the employees who really count on this weekend to make big tips and so forth. Is someone going to be checking these other bars for underage people this weekend? How about when they all try and cram into one place, is the capacity going to be enforced. How about the fire codes? I hope they have enough law enforcement to control the crowds when inside all these other bars. GOOD LUCK KEENANS! Hope everyone is safe this weekend.

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 2:58pm

what comes around goes around

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 1:31pm

I don't know the whole story here, but I obviously know more than many of the commenters here. Go to any bar in any city and you will eventually find someone underage drinking in that establishment. If the underagers were 12 years-old I would not argue with you on penalty and fault, but that is not the case here.

Keenan's is a family owned and operated business with many loyal employees and patrons. I have heard of many needy causes knocking on the Keenan's door and they were not turned away. The Keenan Family has strived to make their community a better place to live and they have worked hard to be a partner with the community.

To the misinformed that call them greedy and anything else, you are out of touch with reality. Is it wrong for people to want to have a successfull business? I would say yes if they did not give back to the community that made them successful and they did not make that community better by being part of it. Obviously, that is not the case here.

If we did know the whole story I am sure there would be a few embarassed people with no good explanation for their part in this event.

Remember, if it doesn't kill you it will probably make you stronger!

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 11:12am

They did the same thing to Harpoon Henry's. Pretty soon they'll get *** and the others. Protecting Jack and crying racism is a joke. They hire who they want whether they are qualified or not, they admit who they want in, and they will serve who they want whether they are 19 and good looking or the 50 year old drunk. They are just as guilty of racism, profiling, and breaking the law. When someone makes money illegally, that makes you a criminal. It's closed...just move down the block!

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:53am

YES there are other places. NO it’s not the end of the world, and YES I will still have a good time. But as an earlier comment noted... the suspension does not fit the offense. I'm not a local so I don’t know if politics are at play here but if that’s the case WHY would local government allow this to happen? The revenue lost from this will be huge. Not just for the bar for the town and the other surrounding bars. People go to that end of town to go to Keenan’s… they just happen to also then walk into the others. But like I said… .I’m going to have a blast as usual… but bad timing. SLAINTE!!!! And GLD BLESS THE IRISH!!!

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:29am

Keenan's stopped being fun a long time ago and part of the reason is that it's filled with underage kids. But I will miss the DJ...I love how he plays his IPOD while he sits at the bar and gets sloppy drunk. That's so awesome, gonna miss it.

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:23am

Unbelievable..closing them now before the Irish Festival for something that occured in June. Sombody in politics has it out for them...

Anyone know who we can email to complain?

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:19am

This has the usual smell of political corruption.

This isn't about underage drinking, this is about MONEY.

I guess they think the public is dum or can't see it. There are far to many bars in Wildwood in worse shape with underage drinking (I think some of them even have recess for the kids)

It is a shame they had to screw up Irish Weekend.

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:12am

It is a sad day when racism and jealousy rear their ugly heads. Once again Irish and Irish-Americans are forced to read the sign " No Irish Need Apply " In your haste, you have passed judgement not only on a business but a family that is part of the lifeblood of North Wildwood. The Keenan family has left an indelible mark on this small shore community by conducting its affairs with honor, loyalty, and respect. Through countless fundraises and personal donations to hundreds of charities and community organizations, the Keenan family has left a blueprint for success for others to follow. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and those that they employ. Jason Lewis

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 10:11am

ABC always waits till after the summer to shut the bars down. But WHY on earth do they do it on the weekend with the biggest drinking? So what, they caught 2 kids drinking? Is it really a big deal? If they dont get in, and served there, they WILL get in somewhere else. Its not right to focus on one bar, when every other bar has underage drinkers too.

OPEN KEENANS FOR IRISH FEST!!!

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 8:56am

this does not pass the smell test.....too punitive for the offence....this is an offence to the Irish......the bands.....the help...etc

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 8:45am

I have spent 4 summers in a row in Wildwood.. I've been to *** a ton of times UNDERAGE with no question and I never had an ID, nor did I know anyone!! I went to Keenan's a month after my 21st and they turned me down because my drivers license didn't look like me!!! EVERY bar has underagers, Keenans at least checked the IDs and was strict as they possibly could... I mean it really isn't hard to get a fake ID that scans..

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 8:19am

Who's checking IDs? They should have hired a quality/professional staff that doesn't let underage kids in the front door. Other bars in North Wildwood are checked by the ABC multiple times (just like Keenan's was) and there wasn't an underage drinking.

Ouch, no Irish weekend hurts big time.

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 7:42am

guess the wrong guy got Keenan' s vote. What a shame? This is truly politics at its best. The sad thing is we vote for these people. These politicians sure fool of us in the end. Good luck to Keenan's/

Thu, 09/18/2008 - 6:34am

I know for a fact that underage kids drink in the other bars. I've been in them with my friend's kids. As a matter of fact just a few weeks ago I was in *** and my friends son was in there and he's 19. So now we have all those people coming and only 3 bars for them to go to. It's a disgrace. I feel bad for the police, their job is going to be even tougher this year. I say lower the drinking age to 18. If you can vote, become a police officer at 19, and give your life for your country, you should be able to drink also.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 11:36pm

I'm really upset for Jack...NOT!

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 9:36pm

Shut all of them down.All the bars are filled with underage drinkers.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 9:23pm

Does anyone proof read before the Herald prints a story, that 4th paragraph make no sense

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 8:35pm

It's a *** shame that Keenen's is closed it won't me the same without Kennen's

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 8:22pm

I think it's sad that the Keenan's hard work is punished. Many of the other bars in the North Wildwood area let undersagers in freely without any consequences. Irish fall festival is Keenan's! Let them be!

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 7:21pm

your last sentence of the last paragraph of this story isn't a complete sentence.

"However, owners Scott and Jack Keenan have asked that all media ads regarding the upcoming weekend’s entertainment and drink specials."

WHAT?

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 7:18pm

I think that North Wildwood was running short of money and they are taking it out on Keenan's Irish Pub. The punishment that was handed out for having 2 underage gentlemen in their bar, is harsh and too extreme. I hope that all the facts were taken into consideration by the prosecutors office, and the ABC. I have seen a whole hell of alot more underage kids in other establishments. I think the Keenan's have been HOSED!!!

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 5:34pm

This blows my mind...The Fairview got busted time after time after time for years on end before they shut them down......Same with many bars and clubs in the county. I think there are details missing here.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 5:05pm

Sounds like the owners of Keenans p@@@d off the wrong politicians or something. They are going to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars over this issue. Does the punishment fit the crime? I don't think so. Did the prosecutor's office raid any other bars on the strip?

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 4:13pm

Good, more business for everyone else. If you continue to be greedy and disobey laws for profit, sooner or later karma will get you. Now he can use the time to reflect on how to better serve the drinking public responsibly.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 3:49pm

WOW, what a blow to the festival. Are all three properties closed? Where will everyone go, way too many people to put into the few bars down in N. Wildwood.

By the way, what happened to the underage drinkers, were they punished or did they get off with a citation? With all the fake id's out there how can one determine which is the real thing?

Kit Kat

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 3:32pm

It's about time. They thought that they ran the island(and the politicians). I hope they sell the bar and we never see them again.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 3:16pm

This is going to be a major blow to the festival. Where will they put all of the people who usually partake in the activities at the three Keenan properties? WOW, what happened to the unerage drinkers, they should be the ones who are punished.

Wed, 09/17/2008 - 3:09pm

thats great, should be a real boost to the irish festival in sea isle