Miller Place bar reopens

A Miller Place bar closed during a surprise state Liquor Authority inspection Wednesday night has reopened for business.

Napper Tandy's on Route 25A was temporarily closed after "it was determined that the establishment did not have the proper assembly permit," Suffolk County police said.

Police said the investigation late Wednesday showed the bar exceeded its capacity by 100 people.

The bar recently applied to renew its assembly permit, said Tracy Stapleton, wife of bar owner Daniel Stapleton.

"We're being very diligent in following the rules and regulations and doing what we're supposed to be doing," said Stapleton, who emphasized Napper Tandy's holds numerous fundraisers for the community.

Lt. Michael Murphy, commanding officer of the Suffolk County police crime section, said the bar did apply for a permit, but it's yet to be approved. Murphy compared it to letting the registration lapse on your car.

Investigators from the Brookhaven Town fire marshal's office also issued three summonses for safety violations, according to police.

Those summonses were for the lack of an assembly permit; issues with a battery-operated charger in an exit sign; and a blocked exit because a blind was pulled halfway down, Stapleton said.

Police did not specify the summonses in a news release.

In addition, a bartender was issued a summons and an underage patron was arrested on a criminal personation charge because the patron was served alcohol, police said.

The bar was closed briefly before reopening early Thursday, Stapleton said.

Napper Tandy's is part of a chain of Irish pubs that includes locations in Smithtown and Northport.